Staff

STAFF

Driven by the zeal to make Tampa and Hillsborough County the most desirable destination for fast-growing companies and talented people, the EDC team shows up every day ready to help move our community forward.

EDC SERVICES

Craig J. Richard, CEcD, FM

President and CEO

crichard@tampabayedc.com

(813) 518-2620

Craig J. Richard is a certified economic developer with over two decades of economic development leadership experience in major markets such as Dallas, Houston and Atlanta. Career highlights include more than 308 successful projects representing more than 126,246 jobs and $9.3 billion in capital investment.

Craig has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and currently serves on the boards of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, Film Tampa Bay, Visit Tampa Bay and the Downtown Tampa Partnership. He was recognized as one of Florida’s 500 Most Influential Business Leaders by Florida Trend and one of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers by Consultant Connect. Craig was also designated a “Fellow Member” by IEDC for his contributions to the economic development profession.

Craig earned his Master of Urban and Regional Planning degree, with a concentration in economic development, from Virginia Commonwealth University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston. He is also a graduate of the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma.

Craig and his wife Verna have two boys. In his spare time, he enjoys golf, fishing and hunting.

Gina Benoist

Executive Administrator & Board Liaison

gbenoist@tampabayedc.com

(813) 518-2622

Executive Administrator & Board Liaison gbenoist@tampabayedc.com (813) 518-2622

Finance and Administration

Nealy Wheat, CAE, SPHR

Chief Financial Officer

nwheat@tampabayedc.com

(813) 518-2624

An association and nonprofit executive with over 15 years of experience, Nealy Wheat is the Chief Financial Officer of the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council.
Her professional experiences include statewide trade and professional organizations, international, charitable foundations and chambers of commerce. In her current role with the Tampa Bay EDC, Nealy oversees all financial, accounting, administrative and human resources compliances and practices. Nealy earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation in 2008 and graduated from The University of West Georgia with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and Management. She earned a Master of Public Administration in Nonprofit Administration from Kennesaw State University. Nealy has presented at national and state conferences on best practices in association/non-profit financial and organizational management. She earned the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) designation in 2020.

Nealy was honored as a CFO of the Year by the Tampa Bay Business Journal in 2019. She is a graduate of Leadership Tampa and serves on the board of directors of the Florida Society of Association Executives, Friends of the Riverwalk and The Orenda Foundation. Nealy lives in Tampa with her husband and their rescue dog.

Alison Gelbaugh

Director of Investor Relations

agelbaugh@tampabayedc.com

(813) 518-2656

In March 2021, Alison Gelbaugh joined the Tampa Bay EDC team as Economic Development Manager. In this role, she will work to maximize economic impact through new business recruitment as well as retention and expansion throughout Hillsborough County.

A graduate of the University of West Florida with a B.S.B.A in Marketing & Sales Management, Alison brings more than nine years of professional experience. Alison comes to the EDC after serving as AVP Business Consultant with Bank of America, where she established new client relationships and provided comprehensive merchant services to the small business sector. She also served as VP of Corporate Partnerships and Marketing at Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties.

Alison resides in the Channelside area of Downtown Tampa with her husband and enjoys exploring all the city of Tampa has to offer.

Economic Development

Mitchel Allen

Senior Vice President,
Economic Development

mallen@tampabayedc.com

(813) 518-2630

Mitchel Allen is the Senior Vice President of Economic Development for the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council where he drives the strategic plan for the organization to attract more business to the region. He specializes in market analysis and site-selection for international and domestic companies expanding or relocating to Tampa. Over the course of his decades-long career in economic development, Mitchel has successfully recruited over 70 companies creating more than 12,500 jobs and accounting for $5.6 billion in economic impact.

Mitchel has earned many accomplishments and honors, including:
• North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers, 2020 and 2017
• Development Counsellors International (DCI) “40 Under 40” Award, 2019
• Economic Developer of the Year by the Arizona Association of Economic Development (AAED), 2017

Before Tampa, Mitchel was the Executive Vice President of Business Development at the Greater Richmond Partnership (GRP), where he managed the business development team and its programs.. Prior to GRP, he was the Senior Vice President of Business Development for the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC), where he led the business development team and collaborated with local and state agencies. Before GPEC, Mitchel worked as an Economic Development Specialist for the City of Chandler where he focused on business attraction, retention, and expansion. He also managed the 60,000-square-foot Innovations Science and Technology Incubator in Chandler, which opened in 2011.

Mitchel was born and raised in Tempe, Ariz., where he earned his bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University. Mitchel is pursuing his Master of Business Administration (MBA) at the University of Denver with a finance concentration.

Tony T. Brown

Vice President of Community Development

tbrown@tampabayedc.com

(813) 518-2632

Tony has dedicated his life’s work to transforming neighborhoods by helping communities and businesses secure capital to finance real estate development projects and create jobs across America. Tony’s capital solutions have resulted in over $10 billion in private capital, to flow into underserved areas across America.

As the previous Director of the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund- United States Department of Treasury, Tony successfully implemented the New Markets Tax Credit Program. In this role he supervised the first $6 billion in tax credit authority allocated. He provided regulatory oversight of billions in CDFI Fund assets and measured the impact of the nation’s investments in community development entities and financial institutions. Tony was honored by then Secretary of Treasury, John Snow, for his “Contributions to the effective and efficient operations of the Department of Treasury.”

As a teenager, Tony experienced the disparate impact of grocery store closings that result in food deserts. He often carried his family’s grocery bags for several miles to have fresh meats and vegetables. Years later, our nation’s largest traditional grocer, Kroger Co., entrusted Tony to design and implement their Healthy Food Initiative for low-income communities.

Tony began his career in banking where he joined Bank of America in Florida through the acquisition of Barnett Banks, Inc.; and led the bank’s community development banking group. His past accomplishments include serving as executive director of the Riviera Beach CRA; and as the founding President & CEO of the Uptown Consortium in his hometown of Cincinnati.

Tony earned both his Bachelor and Master Degree in Business Administration/Finance from Xavier University (Ohio). Tony spends his weekends golfing and enjoying a good movie.

Adam Myers

Senior Director, Business Development

AMyers@tampabayedc.com

(813) 518-2660

As Director, Business Development, Adam Myers works with businesses to help bring new jobs and investment to the community through retention, expansion and recruitment of target sector industries. Adam has had the pleasure of working with companies like IRONMAN®, North American Roofing Services, United Airlines, Velocity Resource Group, and Greenway Health to locate and expand in Tampa.

Adam is a graduate of the University of West Florida, receiving a BA in Communications, specializing in film and television production. Prior to starting a career in Economic Development, Adam spent three years working in film production doing script consulting and on set production work for independent production companies.

Recently graduated from the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute, Adam is currently studying to become a Certified Economic Developer. Outside of work, Adam is a major movie enthusiast and never misses a Tampa Bay Rays game.

David Robinson

Economic Development Manager

drobinson@tampabayedc.com

(813) 518-2654

Dave Robinson is a Business Development Manager who helps local businesses, new businesses and startups grow, by introducing companies to community resources in the Tampa Bay market.

Before starting as Business Development Manager, Dave spent three years as a Supervisor of 911 Technicians and, prior to that, three years as a Business Services Lead for CareerSource Tampa Bay.

After a successful career helping small and large businesses with their work force needs, Dave now works to retain and attract businesses to the Tampa Bay market.

When not working, Dave enjoys the Florida lifestyle with such activities as beach trip and water sports.

Brett Simons

International Business Manager

BSimons@tampabayedc.com

(813) 518-2668

In January 2022, Brett Simons joined the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council as International Business Manager. In this role, he works to increase foreign direct investment, new business recruitment, and increase exports for companies in Tampa Bay.

A graduate of Carroll College in Helena, Montana with a bachelor’s degree in International Relations, Brett brings to the team 4 years of Federal and State government experience. Brett recently moved down to Florida with his fiancé after serving in the Montana Governor’s Office of Economic Development where he handled FDI inquiries and acted as the Governor’s International Affairs advisor.

Brett resides in Bradenton with his fiancé and their old cat Clementine. He enjoys seeing all the new and exciting opportunities that Florida has to offer.

Francesca Gonzalez-Roel

Economic Development Manager

FGonzalezroel@tampabayedc.com

(813) 518-2642

Francesca joined the Tampa Bay EDC in November of 2022 as Economic Development Manager. In this role, she will work with new and existing companies in the Tampa Bay area focusing on recruitment, retention, and expansion efforts.

For the last 9 years, she has worked in the technology industry in various business functions including sales, customer success, operations, and human resources. She received her B.A. and M.A. from Florida State University where she studied Theater Arts in her undergraduate studies and Integrated Marketing Communications and Management in her graduate studies.

She lives in Seminole Heights with her dog, Daisy, and her cat, Rosie, and enjoys exploring all of Tampa has to offer.

Marketing

Michelle Bauer, CEcD

Chief Operating Officer

MBauer@tampabayedc.com

(813) 518-2644

As Chief Operating Officer, Michelle Bauer provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the EDC. She leads the investor relations and award-winning marketing and research teams. Michelle is responsible for directing the marketing, media relations, research, and special events initiatives that are positioning Tampa and Hillsborough County as one of the top business destinations in North America.

Prior to joining the EDC in November 2014, Michelle was the president of Common Language, a strategic communications firm in St. Petersburg, Florida. She holds graduate and undergraduate degrees from the University of South Florida and is a proud supporter of her alma mater. Go Bulls!

Laura Fontanills

Marketing and
Communications Director

lfontanills@tampabayedc.com

(813) 518-2648

Laura Fontanills joined the Tampa Bay EDC as Marketing and Communications Director in May 2018. In this role, she is responsible for generating content, managing events, and engaging with local, national and international business media to gain positive coverage for Tampa and Hillsborough County and the economic development initiatives of the EDC.

Laura brings more than 10 years of public relations agency experience to the organization. Most recently, Laura served as an account manager at B2 Communications, managing public relations activities for such clients as Valley Bank, Feld Entertainment, Ybor City Development Corporation, Community Foundation of Tampa Bay and SPCA Tampa Bay. Prior to B2, Laura was account director at Common Language, a boutique PR firm in St. Petersburg, where she secured coverage for clients in top tier business and consumer media including the New York Times and Washington Post.

Highly engaged in the local community, Laura is a board member and past president of Ekhos, a group of professional female leaders who support one another personally and professionally; a member of PRSA Tampa Bay; and a graduate of Leadership Tampa Bay’s Class of 2008. She also serves on the strategic communications committee for LEAP Tampa Bay. Laura earned her bachelor’s degree in mass communications from the University of South Florida and earned her Accreditation in Public Relations through the Public Relations Society of America.

Laura enjoys the urban life in downtown Tampa with her boyfriend and their adorable Cavalier Spaniel.

Robin DiSalvo

Market Research Analyst

rdisalvo@tampabayedc.com

(813) 518-2652

Robin joined the EDC as the Market Research Analyst in July 2015. She works closely with the marketing and business development teams to provide statistical data about the Tampa Bay region, manage data content from workforce and industry trends, and lead quarterly data collection for the cost of living. She is also the database administrator for several research tools; e.g. GIS WebTech, C2ER, D&B Hoovers, and Esri ArcGIS Online.

Prior to the EDC, Robin worked in the media industry, including the research departments at local newspapers and broadcast companies. Her research included comprehensive competitive and consumer behavioral analysis for local and national advertising. Robin graduated from Saint Leo University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management with a concentration in marketing.

Robin enjoys spending her spare time with her husband Vince and their PC cats (Tiger and Blue), as well as reading, cooking, and cheering on her favorite sports teams.

Christopher Turner

Digital Marketing Manager

CTurner@tampabayedc.com

(813) 518-2650

In January 2022, Chris Turner joined the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council as Digital Marketing Manager. In this role, he works to grow the EDC’s presence and enhance Tampa’s reputation as a top business destination across digital channels.

A graduate of Florida State University with a bachelor’s degree in Spanish with a Business Marketing concentration, Chris brings to the team 3 years of non-profit Marketing and Communications experience. He recently moved to Tampa from Tallahassee, where he previously served as Director of Development and Communications with 2-1-1 Big Bend.

Outside of work, Chris is a major sports enthusiast and enjoys trying new restaurants around the Tampa Bay area.

Overview

About Us

Leadership

Careers

Craig J. Richard, CEcD, FM

Craig J. Richard, CEcD, FM

Gina Benoist

Gina Benoist

Nealy Wheat, CAE, SPHR

Nealy Wheat, CAE, SPHR

Alison Gelbaugh

Alison Gelbaugh

Mitchel Allen

Mitchel Allen

Tony T. Brown

Tony T. Brown

Adam Myers

Adam Myers

David Robinson

David Robinson

Brett Simons

Brett Simons

Francesca Gonzalez-Roel

Francesca Gonzalez-Roel

Michelle Bauer, CEcD

Michelle Bauer, CEcD

Laura Fontanills

Laura Fontanills

Robin DiSalvo

Robin DiSalvo

Christopher Turner

Christopher Turner

EDC Services

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