Leadership St Pete® Announces Executive and Planning Committee Appointments and Class of 2026 Applications

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Debbie Viveiros, Chair, Class of 2026                                                                                                

Email: dviveiros@bankoftampa.com                                                                                                                 

Contact: Lindsay Petty Wattam, Marketing Committee

Email: lindsay@pyperinc.com

August 19, 2025

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Leadership St Pete^® Announces Executive and Planning Committee Appointments and

Class of 2026 Applications

ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA – Leadership St. Pete (LSP), the premier leadership program of the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce, announces the selection of the Executive and Planning Committees for the Class of 2026. Since 1970, LSP has graduated more than 1,600 alumni in support of our mission to identify, recruit, and develop leaders who represent the diversity of our local community.

The 2026 LSP Executive Committee includes:

LSP Chair: Debbie Viveiros, The Bank of Tampa, LSP Class of 2020

LSP Chair-Elect: Allison Nall, Eckerd College, LSP Class of 2022

LSP Immediate Past Chair: Jenna Stock Wunsch, Raymond James, LSP Class of 2021

LSP Alumni Association President: Mark Sprague, St. Pete/Clearwater Airport, LSP Class of 2020

St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce: Chris Steinocher, President & CEO

To serve on the LSP Planning Committee, candidates must be graduates of Leadership St. Pete and must submit a written application. The Planning Committee is selected based on the program’s needs for the upcoming year. Those selected to serve must be active members of both the LSP Alumni Association and the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce.

Planning Committee members for the Class of 2026 include:

Amelia James, Hancock Whitney Bank, LSP Class of 2024

Anne Core, St. Pete Economic Development Corp., LSP Class of 2023

Audrey Grounds, Rococo Steak, LSP Class of 2017

Brian Plexico, Tampa Bay Rays, LSP Class of 2025

Chevonne Cottle-King, St. Petersburg Fire Rescue, LSP Class of 2024

Chloe Firebaugh, M/I Homes of Tampa LLC, LSP Class of 2020

Cody Lance, St. Petersburg Police Department, LSP Class of 2022

Dallas Keeney, Raymond James, LSP Class of 2025

Daniel Wood, University of South Florida, LSP Class of 2025

Demetras Miller, Self-Employed, LSP Class of 2025

Edwin Gonzalez, Suncoast Credit Union, LSP Class of 2025

Frank Sepcic, PBK Architecture, LSP Class of 2020

Gage Smith, Smith Fence Company, LSP Class of 2025

Jamie McClendon, Retired, LSP Class of 2025

Jeni La Paglia, The Bank of Tampa, LSP Class of 2024

Jose Gomez, PBK Architecture, LSP Class of 2022

Joy Brownworth, Studio+, LSP Class of 2025

Kristen Brauer, Healing Hands for Pets, LSP Class of 2023

Latorra Bowles, The Deuces Live, Inc., LSP Class of 2025

Lauren Colson, Colson Strategies, LSP Class of 2024

Lauren Moon, Raymond James, LSP Class of 2025

Lindsay Petty Wattam, Pyper, Inc., LSP Class of 2017

Lynne Stamey, Self-Employed, LSP Class of 2019

Matt Dieter, Self-Employed, LSP Class of 2013

Megan Watson Kramer, Eckerd College Leadership Development Institute, LSP Class of 2002

Mustafa Lakadawala, Clarke Realty, LSP Class of 2024

Nic Saner, Raymond James, LSP Class of 2024

Peveeta Samuel, Duke Energy, LSP Class of 2025

Rachel Snyder, The Dali Museum, LSP Class of 2025

Roger Ross, Morean Arts Center, LSP Class of 2021

Sarah Heibein, Shorecrest Preparatory School, LSP Class of 2024

Shawn Drouin, City of St. Petersburg, LSP Class of 2020

Sophie Moenter, Self-Employed, LSP Class of 2022

Tanja Gromadzki-Hobby, TD SYNNEX, LSP Class of 2025

Tina Fischer, Collaborative Labs at St. Petersburg College, LSP Class of 2004

Leadership St. Pete Class of 2026 applications are now open and are due Monday, September 22, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. The LSP recruiting mission is to gather a dynamic group of current and emerging leaders who reflect the vibrant diversity of St. Pete and are eager to learn and serve.

Thank you to Ark Invest for hosting our first information session last week. Several information sessions and a recruitment social are remaining to answer questions about the application process and the program. The remaining dates and times for these events are:

August 20 – Info Session 5:30-6:30pm @ Power Design

August 27 – Info Session 6:00-7:00pm @ Enoch Davis Center

September 5 – Info Session 8:30-9:30 a.m. @ SPC Gibbs

September 10 – Info Session 5:30-6:30 p.m. @ Power Design

Additionally, the Planning Committee will be hosting a Recruitment Social September 17 at Bayboro Brewing Co. from 5:30-7:30 p.m. for interested candidates to meet with alumni and learn more about the program in a more casual setting.

Applications will be reviewed anonymously by the Selection Committee and Executive Committee, and the top 50 applicants will be invited for interviews in late October.

“We are enthusiastic to find 36-40 class members who will make up the Class of 2026. As St. Pete continues to grow and evolve, our program remains committed to cultivating local leadership that reflects the diverse makeup of lived experiences in our community. Over six months, class members will deepen their understanding of themselves and the city of St. Pete while gaining the knowledge, resources, and connections to lead with purpose. With the guidance of our dedicated planning committee and engaged alumni, this journey will empower each participant to shape a stronger, more connected St. Pete,” said Debbie Viveiros, Chair of the LSP Class of 2026.

This year’s current patron sponsors are Duke Energy, Eckerd College Leadership Development Institute, Power Design, and The Bank of Tampa.

To learn more about sponsorship, nominate a candidate, apply for the Class of 2026, or apply to be the Community Project Beneficiary, visit leadershipstpete.com.

ABOUT LEADERSHIP ST. PETE^®

The mission of Leadership St. Pete^® (LSP) is to identify, recruit, and develop leaders who represent the diversity of our city and who will assume future leadership roles in our community. The LSP program is made possible through the generous support of community partners like Duke Energy, Eckerd College Leadership Development Institute, Power Design, and The Bank of Tampa, Patron Sponsors of the Class of 2026. Learn more at leadershipstpete.com.

ABOUT THE ST. PETERSBURG AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE^®

The St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce^®, originally founded in 1899, now serves over 1,300 member businesses and organizations. Continually identifying ways to create and enhance opportunities to do business in St. Petersburg, the Chamber works to improve the local economic climate and to build a thriving business environment. The Chamber represents perspectives of local business in St. Petersburg, providing and fostering leadership on important business and community issues. Information is available at stpete.com.

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