Testimonials

I have been an active Chamber member for several years.  I have made numerous business connections but more importantly many lifelong friends.  I am very active in the Networking groups and participate in several committees.  I appreciate how the Chamber supports the business community and keeps the members updated on important happenings in our City and around the State.  As past Chairman of the Board and current Board of Director member, I see how hard the Chamber works for the members and for their Business success and am proud to be involved.

Melody Hunter
Board of Directors, Central Pinellas Chamber of Commerce

Growing up in an entrepreneurial household, being a good Chamber member was basically a given.   I remember my dad saying, “How can you not be a Chamber member and do business in this town?”  So, when I became rookie banker, I walked down to the local Chamber office and met the team and paid my annual membership.  I also volunteered for committee work, first landing on what then was called the “Small Business Development Committee.”  That was 27 years ago.  Through the years I made many friends, met many business and civic leaders, and assisted countless members with business loans all because of my Chamber membership.  Probably most impactful to my success came when I opened an insurance agency during the “great recession.”  This agency flourished because of my membership in the Central Pinellas Chamber of Commerce.  Many members came to my agency because they knew they could trust me and wanted to do business with me and that I would stick by them.  Even after I retire, I plan to stay active in my Chamber. What better way to stay “plugged-in” to what is going on in my community and still have a voice heard by local civic leaders.

David Puckett
Vice Chair / Gov't & Advocacy, Board of Directors, Central Pinellas Chamber of Commerce

I’m a third-generation general contractor for my family business that has been operating in this county for over 50 years. We have been with the Central Pinellas Chamber for 11 years now. Between my dad and I, I think we’ve been serving in some capacity on the Board or one of the Chamber committees close to the full 11 years. The Chamber really helps my company be a much stronger voice in this community on local and state levels of government than we could ever be on our own. We can also keep a good finger on the economic pulse of the region with the Chamber’s great programs and committees. The thing that is most special to me and our commitment to the Chamber is not the business that we have done, but the friendships that we’ve made with the many other great business leaders that are part of this strong Chamber community. 

Rob England
Owner of England Brothers Construction

I was very impressed with the chamber since my first Economic Development meeting.  I immediately noticed that this was a great group of people that were well connected and in-tune with a large contingent of the business community.  Notably, the conversations around pertinent topics had diverse viewpoints and where highly informative.  In my role at Pinellas Technical College, I am excited to have an opportunity to assist my local community with their workforce and training needs.  The chamber has allowed me to meet the people that need my business.  In fact, many of them have volunteered to work with me on the school advisory committee and have hired my students.  This is a win-win-win situation for me, my students, and the local economy.  I would consider the Central Pinellas Chamber of Commerce an excellent communication vehicle as well as an effective participant in the business community in Pinellas County.

Jake Prokop
Chairman, Board of Directors, Central Pinellas Chamber of Commerce

A little over two years ago my wife and I were discussing community involvement and decided the Central Chamber of Commerce was a great organization to join as it covered a large area and was a good fit for our companies.  My wife and I run Home Instead Senior Care and our Charity, Be a Santa to a Senior of Pinellas.  From our first day the Chamber was fantastic to us. The staff helped to get us engaged with not only the Chamber but several committees and special events.  The Chamber has had a huge impact on our charity work as its generous members have helped adopt over 400 seniors in 2017 and are on pace to exceed 600 in 2018.  I am confident our businesses would not be as successful as they are if not through the support of the Central Pinellas Chamber of Commerce.

Colin Castle
Director at Home Instead Senior Care

I joined the Central Pinellas Chamber by recommendation from a friend. He advised me to join the Economic Development Committee and to ask people to meet one-to-one to learn more about their experiences. Through this committee, I’ve learned much more about our region and state and have met many people who have helped me further my career as well as help others.  I’ve been able to bring businesses together through my relationships with local business/community leaders in addition to state officials and state chamber leaders.  This has provided me a better understanding of local/county/state/national issues, so I’m better equipped to help my clients.

Sean Tobe
Commercial Insurance Advisor