Leaders announce new Vice Chair of St. Petersburg’s Economic Development Corporation
March 20, 2017 | St. Petersburg, FL – The Board of Directors of the St. Petersburg Area Economic Development Corporation (EDC) have appointed David R. Punzak, Shareholder with Carlton Fields, as the organization’s Vice Chair. Following his term as Vice Chair, Punzak will assume the position of Chairman in 2018.
“David brings a great depth and breadth of experience and leadership to the organization and we look forward to his impact over the coming years,” said Michael Vivio, the Chairman of the EDC.
Punzak has more than 30 years of experience as an attorney handling diverse transactions for clients including banks, real estate developers and insurance companies. He regularly represents clients in real estate and finance transactions, mergers and acquisitions and general business matters. He has a long history of volunteering in the Tampa Bay community. He has served on the Board of the St. Petersburg Chamber of commerce since 2012, including 2 terms as Chairman and as the chair of the Economic Development Committee, and has served on the boards of other organizations including Baseball Forever St. Pete, Suncoasters, Heroes of the St. Petersburg Police and The Dali Museum.
“Being named Vice Chair of the EDC is a great privilege and I am proud to continue service to my home town,” said Punzak. He added, “The EDC is poised to make a significant impact on the economic prosperity of St. Pete’s citizens and I am excited to be a part of it.”
The EDC was founded in late 2016 as a result of the “Grow Smarter” strategic plan adopted by the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce, City of St. Petersburg and community partners over 2 years ago. The strategy outlines 6 major themes of focus to ensure the city has a sustainable and inclusive economic strategy moving forward. The Grow Smarter plan identifies key business sectors that the EDC will help retain, grow and attract. The plan also identifies the EDC as the “Storyteller in Chief” for St. Petersburg as a business destination. Funding for the EDC comes through investments from over 40 local, private entities as well as significant funding from the Greater St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of St. Petersburg.
J. P. DuBuque, President of the St. Petersburg EDC notes, “Punzak brings a host of experiences in the economic development space and institutional knowledge of the City that will only add to our ability to be an organization of high impact.”
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About the St. Petersburg Area Economic Development Corporation®
The St. Petersburg Area Economic Development Corporation® is a partner in the Grow Smarter Strategy to create awareness of the business climate in St. Petersburg and to invigorate the growth of jobs in the target sectors of marine and life sciences, data analytics, financial and business services, specialized manufacturing and creative arts and design.