PETERSBURG, Fla.– (Feb. 23, 2018) – David R. Punzak assumed the position of 2018 Chairman of the St. Petersburg Area Economic Development Corporation (EDC) at the organization’s first Annual Meeting in January. Punzak, Director and Assistant General Counsel at Tech Data Corporation and formerly a shareholder with the Carlton Fields law firm, was appointed Vice Chair by the EDC Board in 2017, where he served during the organization’s first year.
“In the coming year, we have a remarkable opportunity to position St. Petersburg on a national stage and continue our momentum,” Punzak said. “Serving as the EDC’s 2018 Chairman is a privilege and I am excited to lead this organization to drive outcomes that will have a lasting impact on our community.”
Punzak brings 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, David 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.
Chad Loar, Regional Market President for PNC, and Harry Sideris, President of Duke Energy Florida, join Punzak in holding executive leadership roles for the EDC. Loar, the EDC’s 2017 Secretary and Treasurer now serves as 2018 Vice Chair and Sideris has assumed the role of Secretary and Treasurer.
“With David’s leadership and guidance from our officer group, combined with our strong partners at the Chamber, City, and Pinellas County, we are poised to make a dramatic impact in 2018,” J.P. DuBuque, President of the St. Petersburg EDC said.
The EDC, founded as a result of the “Grow Smarter” strategic plan in 2016, aims to enhance broad-based economic prosperity through the targeted creation of jobs by leading awareness building of St. Petersburg as a business and career location, generating and closing leads for new business operations and working with existing target industry companies to maximize job growth and retain quality jobs.
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About the St. Petersburg Economic Development Corporation
The St. Petersburg Area Economic Development Corporation is a partner in the Grow Smarter Strategy to create awareness of the business climate in St. Petersburg and to invigorate the growth of jobs in the target sectors of marine and life sciences, data analytics, financial and business services, specialized manufacturing and creative arts and design.
