Kriseman also joining Shumaker law firm as Of Counsel in the Public Policy and Government Affairs Service Line
TAMPA, Fla. – Former St. Petersburg (St. Pete) Mayor Rick Kriseman is joining Shumaker Advisors Florida as Managing Principal of the U.S. Cities Practice, where he will focus on sustainable economic development and urban planning, while working with clients locally and nationally. Rick will also join the Shumaker law firm as Of Council in the Public Policy and Government Affairs service line.
“Tampa Bay has incredible potential. With our top leaders and greatest minds working together, the region’s future is brighter than ever,” Rick said. “I am honored to join the prestigious team at Shumaker Advisors and to work with their clients who are committed to ensuring that our communities become better places for all.”
The announcement comes just after former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn announced he was joining Shumaker Advisors.
"Mayor Kriseman's leadership over the last eight years has seen St. Pete through some of their most challenging, but accomplished times,” said Bob. “Rick is a dear friend and cherished colleague, and I am looking forward to continuing our work together to bring more prosperity and opportunity to the Tampa Bay region."
During Rick’s tenure as Mayor of St. Petersburg, Florida from 2014 to 2022, St. Pete was ranked as Florida’s best-managed and fiscally strongest city, was named one of the top places to visit in the world by the New York Times, and one of the 20 best places to live by Southern Living. Rick spearheaded clean energy and transportation projects, including the Cross Bay Ferry, Complete Streets, bike sharing and e-scooter programs, and Bus Rapid Transit. The global network ‘Apolitical’ ranked him as one of the world’s 100 most influential climate policy leaders. Under Rick’s leadership, St. Pete’s African American poverty hit an all-time low by providing more opportunities for training, employment, higher wages, grants, and second chances.
“We are honored to have Rick join Shumaker Advisors. His vision to achieve economic growth, while focusing on sustainability and purpose inspires us all,” said Shumaker Advisors President and CEO Ron Christaldi. “It is a compliment to our team that Rick believes in our ability to make a true impact and we are excited for more success ahead.”
Kriseman strengthens Shumaker Advisors position in Pinellas County and St. Pete as the firm has established itself as one of the most impressive and fastest growing public affairs firms in Florida and beyond. With offices now in Florida, Ohio, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Washington, D.C., Shumaker Advisors has added in recent months Florida’s former Deputy Secretary of Business Regulation Michael Johnston, former Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward, former Hillsborough County Commissioners Lesley “Les” Miller, Jr. (also former minority leader in the Florida House and the Florida Senate) and Sandra “Sandy” Murman (also former speaker pro tem of the Florida House), as well as long-time Chief Assistant Hillsborough County Attorney Jennie Granahan Tarr, Suskey Consulting founder and CEO Alan Suskey along with Lobbyist RJ Myers, former South Carolina Governor and Congressman Mark Sanford, Michael R. McKinley (Charlotte County’s first ever assistant county attorney), Michael “MJ” Johnston, and former Congressional Chief of Staff Ryan Walker, to an already impressive team that includes Ron Christaldi, Congressman David Jolly (ret.), Amy Maguire, Mike Hamby, Andrew Mayts, and JD White.