Once a year we highlight another amazing Leadership Tampa Bay alumnus. Please nominate who you feel would best represent Leadership Tampa Bay as a Notable Alumni.
Ian Adair
Ian Adair (LTB'18) is a nonprofit industry influencer, TEDx speaker, and recognized expert in leadership, fundraising, and nonprofit management. Ian is a speaker, author, and advocate concerning mental health awareness and addressing mental health in the workplace. He is the author of: Stronger Than Stigma, A Call To Action: Stories of Grief, Loss, and Inspiration! In 2019, Ian was named as one of the Top 100 Charity Industry Influencers on Social Media in the World by Onalytica, and two years ago Ian was recognized as one of 30 Nonprofit Founders/Leaders that will Impact the World in 2020 by Causeartist. Ian is one of the leading nonprofit speakers in the country, presenting to more than 25,000 people over the last three years through virtual and in person events.
Fred Lay
As President of Construction Services, Inc. of Tampa, Fred Lay (LTB ‘13) is directly responsible for monitoring the overall business including construction process and quality control for each and every project. Fred’s design/build experience, with highly technical mechanical and electrical systems along with his strong focus on customer satisfaction, places him as a key member of Construction Services, Inc. of Tampa product delivery team.
Jason Baker
Jason Baker, LTB ’17, is a career veteran of the media and marketing industry as well as ongoing entrepreneur who has led sales teams, built advertising agencies, owned and operated radio properties and most recently launched Tampa Bay Business & Wealth magazine and serves as the Vice President and Associate Publisher. He was the inaugural chair of the Special Olympics Hillsborough County ERDC, served on the Tampa Bay EDC Make it Tampa Bay marketing committee, University of Tampa Board of Fellows, and a member of the Children’s Home Society Tampa Bay board. Most recently Jason sits on the board of the Alliance of Mergers and Acquisitions Advisors, the American Cancer Society as well as the Leadership Tampa Bay board where he serves as the Marketing and Communications chair.
Steve Himes
Steve Himes (LTB’05), Realtor, Berkshire Hathaway has been among the top five percent of Berkshire Hathaway agents in the world repeatedly during his career. It’s called the President’s Circle. He is a former president of the Tampa Bay Basketball Coaches Association and has served as a mentor for All Sports Community Service. He served on the LTB Board for 10 years, chairing numerous events and committees and was LTB Chair Class of 2018. Steve is a graduate of Fitchburg State College, where he was a member of the football team.
DeDe Grundel
Ms. Grundel (LTB’06) has served as the Executive Director of Friends of Joshua House Foundation since February 2005, and is credited as a cofounder of Kids Charity of Tampa Bay and A Kid’s Place. All of these charitable organizations make a profound impact on the quality of life for children that have been abused, neglected, or abandoned.
Tonjua Williams, Ph.D.
Tonjua Williams, Ph.D. (LTB‘11), became St. Petersburg College's seventh president on July 3, 2017. A St. Petersburg native, Dr. Williams began her tenure with the college in 1986, rising through the ranks in a variety of academic and administrative roles.
Ron Vaughn
Dr. Vaughn (LTB'88) came to the University in August 1984 as the Coordinator of the Marketing Department and holder of the Max H. Hollingsworth Endowed Chair of American Enterprise. Since then he has served as Director of the MBA Program, Dean of the College of Business and Graduate Studies, and Co-Chief Academic Officer. He became President of UT in January, 1995.
Brian Auld
Brian Auld (LTB'07) joined the Tampa Bay Rays in 2005 and has served as President of the organization since 2014 where he leads the club’s internal and external operations. In his tenure as team president, Auld has brought a renewed focus to the Rays mission - - to energize the community through the magic of Rays baseball -- by redoubling the Rays commitment to both its community and to its employees.
