The St. Petersburg Area EDC is led by some of the City's most innovative leaders in business. A dynamic group of officers, elected each year, combined with a visionary Board of Governors allow the EDC to make a dramatic impact.
Chair - David R. Punzak
Director and Assistant General Counsel, Tech Data Corporation
"We here at Tech Data understand the importance of investing in our local community. We view our investment in the St.Pete EDC as just that -- a tangible representation of our commitment to growing our community so that there is uplifting, sustainable prosperity for all."
David R. Punzak, 2018 St. Petersburg EDC Chair and 2017 Founding Vice Chair is a recognized community leader with more than 30 years' experience as a commercial transactional attorney specializing in mergers and acquisitions, and finance matters. In his current role at Tech Data, Punzak focuses on commercial matters and transactions for Tech Data's Americas Division.
Punzak has an extensive history of volunteering and community service in the Tampa- St. Petersburg region. Since 2012, he has served on the Board of the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce, including two terms as Chairman, and as leader of its Economic Development Committee. Punzak has also held leadership roles at Baseball Forever St. Pete, the Suncoasters, the Tampa Chamber of Commerce, St. Pete's Development Review Commission, the Dali Museum, the Heroes of the St. Petersburg Police, and The Dali Museum.
Vice Chair - Chad Loar
Regional President, PNC Bank
"Investing in the communities where we do business and where our employees and their families live is deeply rooted in our corporate culture. We believe that it's our responsibility to support organizations like the St. Petersburg EDC to ensure the economic growth of the area and provide employment opportunities to retain and attract talent. We all win when we move together toward success."
W. Chadwick (Chad) Loar is the regional president of the Florida West region, an area that encompasses Tallahassee south to Naples and Central Florida, for PNC Bank.
Prior to being named to his current position in July 2016, Loar served as corporate and commercial banking manager for PNC's Florida West region. He continues to lead and manage PNC's corporate banking team focused on delivering the bank's suite of products and services to corporate (with annual revenues greater than $50 million) and commercial (annual revenues between $10 million and $50 million) companies, in central and west Florida.
Active in the community, Loar is past president of the board of directors for the Pediatric Cancer Foundation as well as chairs of their infamous event titled "Brinner of Hope." In addition, he serves as board member for St. Petersburg Economic Development Council, Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, Tampa Bay Partnership and Central Florida Partnership. Loar is also a member of Association for Corporate Growth (ACG), alumni for Leadership Tampa Class of 2013 and Tampa Connection Class of 2008.
Loar earned a MBA from the University of Florida and B.S. in finance from Florida State University and holds a Series79 and 63 license.
Secretary/Treasurer - Harry Sideris
State President of Florida, Duke Energy
"As businesses here (in St. Pete) continue to grow and more of the nation's top companies consider our region, the role of the EDC becomes increasingly important in supporting our existing businesses, ensuring retention and recruiting new companies that create "
As Duke Energy's state president in Florida, Harry Sideris serves approximately 1.8 million electric retail customers in central Florida, including metropolitan St. Petersburg, Clearwater and the Greater Orlando area. Sideris is responsible for the financial performance of Duke Energy's regulated utilities in Florida and managing state and local regulatory and government relations, and community affairs. He also has responsibility for advancing the company's rate and regulatory initiatives.
Sideris has 21 years of experience in the energy industry. He joined Progress Energy (formerly Carolina Power & Light) in 1996 and served in numerous operations, maintenance, technical and leadership roles across Progress Energy's generation fleet in the Carolinas and Florida - at both the plant and corporate levels.
Sideris currently serves on the boards of directors of Enterprise Florida Inc., Florida Chamber of Commerce, Florida Reliability Coordinating Council and the Florida Electric Power Coordinating Group, the latter of which he serves as secretary and treasurer. He is a resident member of the Florida Council of 100 and a member of the Florida High Tech Corridor Council and the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission Governor's Council. Sideris chairs the Dean's Advisory Board for the Kate Tiedemann College of Business at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg. He is also a board member of the N.C. State Natural Resources Foundation Inc.
Immediate Past Chair - Michael Vivio
"For any local economy to grow, an infusion of new business is critical. The St. Pete EDC and its community partners in economic development are spearheading the effort to create jobs and ensure the future prosperity of our City."
Michael Vivio, St. Petersburg Area EDC 2017 Founding Chair, is an experienced President and CEO in the media and franchise industries. He has a history of leadership in marketing, publishing and advertising industries, and is a proven leader of a franchised business with unique skill and experience driving change. Vivio served as Former President & CEO for Valpak and Savings.com, and Cox Target Media. Before moving to St. Petersburg in 2011, Vivio lead the Waco Tribute-Herald and Austin American Statesman.
Vivio is an Ohio State University graduate and in 2011, Vivio was honored as the Texas Newspaper Leader of the Year. He is an active community member, involved with the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and Grow Smarter Steering Committee.