| 2022 CEO Build participants with inaugural CEO Build Homeowner, Jasmine Middlebrooks. Photo credit: Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties. |
| Amid Housing Crisis, 50+ Tampa Bay Area CEOs Support Affordable Homeownership Accessibility Through Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties 54 Business Leaders from across the bay advocate for affordable homeownership accessibility through Habitat Pinellas and West Pasco’s 2nd Annual CEO Build. St. Petersburg, FL – This month, community leaders from organizations across the Tampa Bay Area will come together to build a home for a local family in the Lealman community in St. Petersburg. Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties has launched its second annual CEO Build led by honorary chairs: Bill Brand, CEO of Rue21 and Habitat for Humanity International Board Member, Mindy Grossman, Partner & Chair of Consello Group (Former CEO WW & HSNi), and Ryan Ross, President of Neiman Marcus. Last Spring, Habitat introduced the inaugural CEO Build, where 55 CEOs joined together to help raise over $140,000 to sponsor the Middlebrooks Family home in Pinellas Park. Due to the overwhelming success of this specialty build, Habitat Pinellas and West Pasco has launched its second annual CEO Build that will help provide a safe and affordable home for Alex Diaz, Christina Gonzales, and their three children: Olivia, Jackson, and Vivian. “At Habitat, we partner with businesses across our service area to help local families achieve the dream of affordable homeownership”, explains Mike Sutton, Habitat Pinellas and West Pasco president and CEO. “We are fortunate to have so many local organizations committing to bettering their community through their corporate social responsibly initiatives. The second annual CEO Build will allow that investment to continue through the sponsorship of the Diaz-Gonzales family’s home.” |
| The Diaz-Gonzales Family. Photo credit: Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties. |
| About the Homeowner FamilyThe Diaz-Gonzales Family has been living with Christina’s mother for almost five years. They have no window installation, which make hot summers and cold winters difficult. The concrete floors also have chips and cracks, which make it difficult for their children to walk and crawl safely. They have no space to keep their clothes, so they store everything in small bins scattered around their room. The family of five sleeps in one bed. Getting the news that they were accepted into the Habitat Homeownership Program was life changing. “My first thought was God has a plan for me and my family. I thank God for my acceptance into Habitat,” Alex says. The couple is excited about their homebuyer education classes and sweat equity hours. “Habitat is not just educating us and guiding us but is also rewarding us with sweat equity hours by taking the time to learn something for OUR FUTURE! It’s a win-win with Habitat.” |
| About the CEO BuildThe CEO Build kicked off with a social media campaign driven by the community leaders. “I am building for a better community” messages are being shared across social media channels, creating excitement around the build. On February 16th, a kickoff reception will be held at Neiman Marcus at International Plaza; hosted by the Honorary Chairs. Three build days have been scheduled for committed community leaders to volunteer on the Diaz-Gonzales home at 2773 Grove Park Ave. N., St. Petersburg, FL 33714: Friday, February 17th 9 AM – 12 PM Friday, February 24th 9 AM – 12 PM Friday, March 10th 9 AM – 12 PM Habitat Pinellas and West Pasco has partnered with the Tampa Bay Business and Wealth Magazine for a second year to highlight the project and those that participate. Habitat has also partnered with the CEO Council of Tampa Bay as its construction site sponsor. For the full list of 2023 participants, please see below. Bill Brand – CEO of Rue21 and Habitat for Humanity International Board Chair (Honorary Co-Chair & $10,000 Founding Sponsor) Mindy Grossman –Partner & Chair of Consello Group, Former CEO WW & HSNi (Honorary Co-Chair) Ryan Ross – President of Neiman Marcus (Honorary Co-Chair) Bridgette Bello – CEO & Publisher of Tampa Bay Business & Wealth ($10,000 Founding Sponsor) John Couris – President & CEO of Tampa General Hospital ($10,000 Founding Sponsor) Melissa Seixas – Florida State President of Duke Energy($10,000 Founding Sponsor) Marc Banning – CEO of Banning LumberRonde Barber – General Chair of Copperhead Charities John Barrett – President & CEO of First Citrus Bank David Bennett – CEO of Pinellas REALTOR® Organization & Central Pasco REALTOR® Organization Chari, MD – President of HCA Healthcare West Florida Ronald Christaldi – Tampa Managing Partner and President & CEO of Shumaker Advisors Jason Clement – Founding Partner & CEO of Sports Facilities Companies Susan Crockett – President & CEO of Ruth Eckerd Hall Bill Cronin – President & CEO of Pasco EDC Thomas Del Zoppo – CEO of New Hotel Collection Group David Deno – Chief Executive Officer of Bloomin Brands, Inc. Elodie Dorso – President & CEO of Evara Health Ed Droste – Chairman of Provident Management Corporation Elizabeth Dvorak – CEO of Workscapes Lisa Faller – President of FKQ Advertising & Marketing Ray Ferrara – Executive Chairman of ProVise Management Group Scott Fink – VW of Wesley Chapel, Subaru of Wesley Chapel, & Fink Five Foundation Jeffrey Fishman – President of Investors Title & Settlement Services Vincent Forese – President & CEO of Link-Systems International Wendy Gattis – CEO of DITEK Corporation Bill Goede – Tampa Bay President of Bank of America Robert Glaser – President & CEO of Smith & Associates Real Estate Leo “LJ” Govoni – CEO of Big Storm Brewery & Distillery Russ Hallenbeck – Chief Executive Officer of Tibbetts Lumber Company Kevin Hawkins – CEO of MidAtlantic Finance Company & Owner, Crown Automotive Group Keri Higgins-Bigelow – Founder & CEO, livingHR Patrick Hwu – President & CEO of Moffitt Cancer Center Neil Kiefer – CEO of HMC Hospitality Group, Inc. Ken LaRoe – CEO, Chairman, and Founder of Climate First Bank Brett McGill – President & CEO of Marine MaxBrooke Mirenda – President & CEO of Sunshine State Economic Development Corporation Robin Moch – Partner at M. E. Wilson Company John Moore – President of Bayfront Health St. Petersburg Frank Musolino – CEO of Power Design Corey Neil – President & CEO of The Bank of Tampa Karl Nurse – President of Bay Tech Label Amanda Payne – President & CEO of Amplify Clearwater Steve Raney – Chairman & CEO of Raymond James Bank Chip Reeves – President & CEO of The First Bank Bill Roberti – Managing Director of Alvarez & Marsal Elliott Ross – President of The Ross Realty Group Kuleen Shah – Founder of Connecting Tampa Bay John Strong – Chairman & CEO of Bankers Financial Corporation Mike Sutton – President & CEO of Habitat for Humanity Brian Van Slyke – Regional President of Kolter Urban LLC Randy Ware – Founder & CEO of WestCMR Tracy West – President of Copperhead Charities and Valspar Championship Tournament Director Tom Zernick – President of BayFirst National Bank To learn more, please visit www.habitatpwp.org/ceobuild. |
| Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County and West Pasco CountiesDriven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties has served nearly 800 homeowner partners since 1985. Over the last 12 months, Habitat Pinellas and West Pasco completed more new homes than any other affiliate in the country – earning a ranking of #1 producing affiliate in the network. This March, the affiliate will celebrate its 800th Home Milestone. Volunteers and the future homeowners construct the energy efficient homes, and candidates purchase the home with a 0% interest mortgage upon completing the program. Habitat homeowner candidates earn 30 to 80 percent of area median income. Candidates must demonstrate need for adequate shelter; ability to pay back a zero-interest loan and willingness to partner with Habitat to complete a robust homebuyer education curriculum and invest 350 to 450 “sweat equity” hours. Additionally, the affiliate raises funds through their ReStores; home improvement outlets where donated household and building items are sold to the public. For more information about Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties, call (727) 536-4755 or visit www.habitatpwp.org. |