Tampa, Fla. – In honor of his outstanding community service, Ron Christaldi, Shumaker’s newest managing partner of the firm’s Tampa office and President and CEO of Shumaker Advisors Florida, LLC, has been tapped as this year’s recipient of the Tampa Bay Chamber’s Parke Wright III Leadership Award.
The Parke Wright III award is presented each year to a member of Leadership Tampa Alumni who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and made a significant difference in the Tampa Bay community.
“This honor is truly humbling,” Christaldi said. “All of the Leadership Tampa Alumni have a singular goal: To make the place we live and work a better place. Through this incredible program, we have the opportunity to create special bonds and strengthen an unwavering commitment to serving our community. The skills, relationships, and understanding of what makes Tampa tick gained through Leadership Tampa allowed me to give back in a way that is immensely gratifying. It’s a thrill to be chosen for this recognition.”
Christaldi’s long list of community engagement includes service on the City of Tampa Creative Industries Council, The Spring of Tampa Bay Board of Directors, the Ybor City Lions Club, Friends of the Riverwalk Board of Directors, and as chair of the 2018 Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Light the Night Walk. He currently is the vice chair of the New College of Florida Board of Trustees. Christaldi also currently serves of the board of the Ybor City Development Corporation, the University of South Florida Community Advisory Council, the City of Tampa Economic Recovery Task Force, the Tampa Museum of Art Board of Trustees, the Super Bowl LV Host Committee, and chair of the American Heart Association 2021 Heart Ball.
Christaldi has been front and center in the effort to keep Major League Baseball and the Tampa Bay Rays in Tampa. He also has been involved in connecting Tampa Bay with the world with his work in international relations, including the process of normalizing the relations in Cuba and maintaining sister city relationships in Ireland and Italy.
“Ron’s leadership roles for numerous nonprofits and major initiatives that drive our region’s economy and its competitive edge have had an immeasurable impact,” said U.S. Representative Kathy Castor.
“First and foremost, Ron Christaldi is someone who literally walks the talk, and that means standing up, taking initiative, and creating change,” said Tampa Mayor Jane Castor. “He has committed his time and effort to so many causes over the years. I know he will continue to make a difference through his community involvement and leadership. I personally thank Ron for working to make our city great.”
“Ron epitomizes the definition of servant leadership where the main goal is to serve others, and our community has benefitted greatly from his service,” added Chuck Sykes, President and CEO of SYKES Enterprises. “It’s been a privilege to serve with him and an honor to call him a friend.”
A member of the 2003 Leadership Tampa class, Christaldi earned a bachelor’s degree in history from New College of Florida. He earned a master’s degree in international affairs and his law degree at Florida State University.
The Parke Wright III award is named for the Chamber Executive Committee Member who led the creation of Leadership Tampa, which launched in 1971, making it the third oldest such leadership program in the nation. Previous winners of the Parke Wright III award have included Mayor Jane Castor, Attorney Rhea Law, the Beck Group’s Mark House, University of Tampa President Ron Vaughn, and CDC of Tampa founder Chloe Coney.
View Leadership Tampa 2020 Parke Wright Award Winner Video