TAMPA, Fla.—Leadership Florida is announcing the appointment of Ron Christaldi, an esteemed figure in the Tampa Bay community, as Chair-Elect of its Board. This nomination reflects Ron’s unwavering commitment to the advancement of Florida and his exceptional leadership skills.
“Having had the privilege of working with Ron on a number of issues over many years, I know for certain that Leadership Florida will be in good hands. A true servant leader, Ron embodies the tenets of Leadership Florida in his love for our organization, our state, and the people that live here,” said Bob Buckhorn, Shumaker Advisors’ Executive Vice President and Principal U.S. Cities Practice and former Mayor of Tampa.
Ron, serving as Shumaker's Tampa Managing Partner and President/CEO of Shumaker Advisors Florida, LLC, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this prestigious role. Having served on the Leadership Florida Board for several years, including as audit chair, and most recently as one of the state's three at-large members, his dedication to the organization's mission is long-standing.
"It is a tremendous honor to be nominated by my peers at Leadership Florida to serve as Chair-Elect of the Board," said Ron. "Florida is experiencing historic growth and facing significant challenges. It is imperative that we bring together the state's top leaders to foster innovation and find effective solutions, ensuring that the Sunshine State continues to thrive for generations to come."
Since its establishment in 1982, Leadership Florida has served as a beacon for cultivating a community of exceptional leaders statewide. The organization offers comprehensive leadership training, educational programs, and invaluable opportunities, inspiring participants to work towards a better Florida. With a diverse alumni network of over 3,300 professionals, ranging from CEOs and elected officials to farmers, high-tech consortium managers, hospital administrators, and heads of Florida's most important agencies, Leadership Florida remains at the forefront of empowering individuals to drive positive change.
Ron has served a variety of organizations in a leadership capacity, including serving as the past chair of the Tampa Bay Chamber, past chair for the Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture and Arts, past chair of the 2018 Leukemia Lymphoma Society Light the Night Walk, and past chair of the American Heart Association’s 2021 Heart Ball. Ron also has been involved in connecting Tampa Bay with the world with his work in international relations, including maintaining sister city relationships in Ireland and Italy.
As a Board Certified Health Lawyer and attorney with a broad practice of both transactions and complex litigation, Ron was selected to The Business Journal's list as one of the Nation's 100 Most Influential Attorneys. Ron has also been recognized as one of the Top 50 Lawyers in Florida and one of the Best Lawyers in America by a variety of associations and magazines