Newsmakers come in all sizes, shapes and locations – in fact, there are some breaking stories you’ve never seen before. But there are a few figures in the Tampa Bay area who are sure to be in the news this year — whether in government, business, sports or elsewhere — who will shape the region. Here are some of them.
Susan Valdez, Florida State Representative
Changing political parties can pay off for politicians. But what about their constituents?
Voters in northwest Hillsborough County are about to find out, as incumbent state Rep. Susan Valdés switches to the Republican Party a month after winning re-election as a Democrat.
Valdez made the announcement earlier this month. “I will not waste my last two years in the Florida Legislature,” she declared. “When I entered politics to be part of the Progressive Party, I was tired of being a protest party.”
Republicans already hold a supermajority in the House, so Valdez’s departure has more to do with her own political future than any change in the dynamics of the Legislature. Valdez, a former Hillsborough County School Board member, was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2018. question.
Valdez will be in a strong position to amplify these priorities. She is a member of the House Education and Employment Committee and will serve as vice chair of the House Budget Committee, working with Chairman Lawrence McClure, another Hillsborough Republican, on the House’s spending plan.
Being able to ship more pork home is no small thing. But will voters forgive Valdez’s about-face? Will this move fuel public cynicism about the political process? Will it inspire Democratic candidates to fight harder, or will it inspire Democratic incumbents to jump on the bandwagon?
Michael Stephens, Tampa International Airport
Taking over for Joe Lopano will be a difficult task, but Michael Stephens appears to have the experience, vision and support to continue Tampa International Airport’s amazing growth.
The Airport Authority appointed Stephens as TIA’s new CEO in November. Stephens, 52, is a former U.S. Army officer and Air Force air traffic controller who has served at the airport since 2015. , business diversification and government relations. For any airport CEO, this depth is critical to building bridges between government, global operations and customer relationships.
Lopano was a driving force at the airport, bringing it a new rental car center, a revamped main terminal and new international and domestic flights. In December last year, the airport’s new airside Terminal D broke ground and is expected to be put into use in 2028. .
When Lopano retires in April, Stephens is ready to take the baton. He hopes to better connect travelers to destinations beyond the airport. Stephens envisions TIA as an urban transportation hub, ultimately bringing passengers downtown or the West Shore business district via expanded SkyConnect rail service. This will fill a critical gap in the airport experience.
Stephens will be the airport’s fourth chief executive in its 54-year history. This not only reflects TIA’s stability, but also its forward-looking capabilities.
Doug Ostrover and Mark Lipschultz, Tampa Bay Lightning
Jeff Vinik’s civic-minded ownership of the Tampa Bay Lightning has brought a lot of goodwill to the area. Now that he has sold a majority stake in the hockey team, that same focus will shift to the new owner.
The Chargers announced in October that Vinik had sold his stake to Doug Ostrover and Marc Lipschultz, co-founders of a Wall Street investment firm . Vinick retains a minority stake in the team and will manage the team for the next three years while continuing to serve as the team’s administrator of league affairs. After three years, control of the team will pass to Ostrover and Lipschultz, but Vinik will remain as a minority partner, board member and alternate trustee.
Officials said they don’t expect any changes, at least in the short term. But Vinik achieved local celebrity status for his willingness to spend money to keep the team competitive and his generosity to a range of worthy civic causes. His role in the development of Water Street changed downtown Tampa for the better, and he has long worked to improve the area’s transportation system.
Ostrover and Lipschultz seemed open, impressed with Vinik’s managerial abilities and excited about building stronger, deeper connections in the Tampa Bay area. They said the Chargers will continue to support charities and good causes in public, and they seemed eager to spread a message about the quality of life in Tampa Bay. Their acquisition speaks volumes to the organization and culture Vinik has created in Tampa, and their desire to continue that legacy as well-known local figures. Looking forward to seeing them out and about more often.
Dennis Shildt-Brown, Tampa Bay Suns
The Tampa Bay Suns are only halfway through their first season, but they’re already competing for a Football League title and making a strong impression throughout the region.
The Suns are Tampa Bay’s first professional women’s sports team, with games scheduled from fall through summer in August at the newly designed home court at Blake High School in Tampa. Among the eight teams this season, the Suns have been extremely competitive on the court and will look to continue that momentum once the league returns from its winter break in mid-January.
Head coach Dennis Shildt-Brown deserves credit for fostering this winning spirit. Under her leadership at USF, Shildt-Brown led the women’s team to six American Athletic Conference championships, including five consecutive championship seasons from 2017 to 2021. During her tenure, the Bulls advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament four times and achieved a host of other accomplishments.
Performance on the field was one thing; however, Schilt-Brown’s teams quickly became known for their strong sense of teamwork and infectious civic commitment. The organization’s mission is to set the right example on and off the court. The team is building comprehensive relationships with youth clubs, players, families and civic organizations. That’s exactly how the Tampa Bay Rowdies gained such a beloved following in the 1970s. Suns players are so eager to represent the team at community events that the club often maintains a waiting list.
This vibe and energy comes from the top. Shildt-Brown is building a lasting team culture and exciting new attraction for the Tampa Bay area.
Ken Welch, Mayor of St. Petersburg
The mayors of our big cities are always one to watch, but with the Tampa Bay Rays stadium and redevelopment deal crumbling, all eyes are on Ken Welch. Can he save the $6.5 billion deal he has long championed? Or was the project doomed before it even started? Can Welch mitigate the damage to the city if the deal falls through?
The city, county and Rays signed the deal over the summer, but just months later Rays officials complained that the team couldn’t afford the cost overruns. In the ensuing bickering and posturing, Welch and his team did a solid job of keeping all parties focused on the ultimate goal — transforming 86 acres of underutilized land near downtown and converting it to a new site over the next 30 years. Major League Baseball remains in the city. Still, the deal remains shaky. Welch will need to muster all his political acumen to ensure the success of this legacy-creation project.
