TAMPA, FL – Shumaker Advisors Executive Vice President and Principal of the U.S. Cities Practice and former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn has been honored with the 2025 Leadership Florida Chair's Award. The prestigious award was presented by Ron Christaldi, Chair of the Leadership Florida Board of Directors and President and CEO of Shumaker Advisors, during Leadership Florida's Annual Meeting.
Bob, a distinguished member of Leadership Florida Cornerstone Class Seven, was recognized for his decades-long dedication to transformative leadership in Tampa and across Florida. The Chair's Award celebrates individuals whose leadership leaves a lasting mark on their communities—an accolade that perfectly captures Bob's legacy.
"Bob exemplifies what this award is all about—leadership, vision, civic impact, and a passion for public service," said Rick Kriseman, Executive Vice President at Shumaker Advisors and Principal U.S. Cities Practice, former Mayor of St. Petersburg, Florida, and Leadership Florida Cornerstone Class 41 graduate. "It is an honor to work alongside Bob and to see how his leadership shapes the future of Florida."
Bob currently leads urban and economic development initiatives as part of his work at Shumaker Advisors Florida, where he provides strategic communications, public affairs consulting, and business development services statewide. He continues to champion initiatives that elevate quality of life and strengthen communities throughout Florida.
"Leadership Florida has always been the gold standard for identifying, cultivating and empowering leaders across our state. In an organization full of people whose contributions to this state define leadership, I am thankful to just be amongst them and to be able to tell the story of Tampa's transformation," Bob said.
As Mayor of Tampa from 2011 to 2019, Buckhorn played a pivotal role in guiding the city out of the most significant economic downturn since the Great Depression. Among his notable achievements:
- He balanced the city's $1 billion budget for eight consecutive years, closing a $30 million deficit upon taking office.
- He launched the Invision Plan, a strategic blueprint for urban revitalization, and helped secure federal funding to complete the iconic Tampa Riverwalk.
- He established one of Florida's first Domestic Partnership Registries, earning Tampa a perfect score from the Human Rights Campaign on its Municipal Equality Index.
- He assembled a diverse leadership panel to streamline and modernize city governance, ensuring broader representation and accountability.
"Under Bob's leadership, Tampa didn't just recover—it thrived," said Les Miller, Executive Vice President and Principal Local Practice as Shumaker Advisors. "His vision and ability to unite people across all sectors laid the foundation for the vibrant, destination city we know today."
A longtime supporter of Leadership Florida, Shumaker is proud to have several alumni and active participants among its ranks, including Mindi Richter, Julio Esquivel, Andy Mayts, Dan DeLeo, Erica Shea, and former Florida mayors Ashton Hayward (Pensacola) and Rick Kriseman (St. Petersburg).