E-Connection Membership Edition

Volume 234 | June 2025

Weekly E-Connection

801 West Bay Drive, Suite 602

Largo, FL 33770

Tel: 727-584-2321 www.CentralChamber.biz

It's Great to Belong! Membership Edition

June 17, 2025

Congratulations to this quarter's Chamber Champion!

Ann Wheeler, Tommy's Express Car Wash

Last week, the Chamber Executive Committee pulled Ann Wheeler's business card from some several dozen collected in this quarter's Chamber Champion drawing. Way to go, Ann!

Ann joined the Tommy's Express Car Wash team in May 2021. She currently manages the chain's 5315 East Bay Drive location in Largo. She's also actively engaged with the Chamber's Women's Leadership Committee.

Tommy’s Express was founded in 1969 and expanded to seven locations across West Michigan. In 2016, the Tommy’s Express franchise was born with a vision to establish a recognized national car wash brand. Tommy’s Express Holdings (TXH) in Sarasota represents several franchise locations operating in southwest Florida including Pinellas. For more information about Ann's location, visit: Tommy's Express East Bay

Next Chamber Champion Drawing: September 9

Congrats, Ambassador of the Month!

Dr. Rosemary, Belleair Bluffs Chiropractic

The Ambassadors Team celebrates Dr. Rosemary DePasque of Belleair Bluffs Chiropractic as our May Ambassador of the Month! Dr. Ro has been an active member of the committee for several years including as chairman. We appreciate all that she and her husband Scott do in support of us!

If you'd like to meet other businesses while helping to promote the Chamber, the Ambassadors Team is for you! It meets the first Wedneday monthly at 8:15 a.m. in the Chamber Conference Room. For more information, reach out to Tom@CentralChamber.biz or 727-584-2321.

Saluting Chamber Loyalty!

Our sincere thanks to the following businesses who renewed during the past four weeks. Their continued loyalty is inspiring! To learn more about them, please visit www.CentralChamber.biz

Copiers Etc., 19-Year Legacy Member

DRYmedic Restoration Services, First Renewal

Office Evolution, First Renewal

First Citizens Bank, 6-Year Member

Florida Seating, 7-Year Member

Hampton Inn & Suites-Largo, 19-Year Legacy Member

Liberty Bowling Lanes, 27-Year Legacy Member

McGill Plumbing, 26-Year Legacy Member

McManus & McManus, P.A., 52-Year Legacy Member

Pinellas County Schools, 7-Year Member

Piper Fire Protection, 17-Year Legacy Member, Gold Trustee

Schooner Prints, Inc., 38-Year Legacy Member

Signature Voices, 9-Year Member

Suncoast Hospice/Empath Health, 12-Year Member

Sunshine ACE Hardware, 19-Year Legacy Member

Tommy's Express Car Wash (East Bay), 5-Year Member, Gold Trustee

Winding Lane Homes, 14-Year Member

(Legacy Member = 15 years or more)

Aberdeen Advisors, Inc.

John Yacalis

BUSINESS BROKER / MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS

146 2nd St. North, Ste 310, St. Petersburg, FL 33701

727-557-8168

john@aberdeenadvisors.com

aberdeenadvisors.com

AIR Resolutions LLC

Timothy Crain

MOLD ASSESSMENT / ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

1603 Druid Road E, Clearwater, FL 33756

727-330-0200

timothy@airfl.net

AIRFL.NET

Belleair Coffee Co and Taphouse

Chris Whalen

COFFEE SHOP-BAR

307 Eastleigh Dr, Belleair, FL 33756

727-418-9672

cwhalen.florida@gmail.com

belleaircoffeecompany.com

Bogey's Tavern (Opening Soon)

Pam Dufour

RESTAURANTS, COFFEE SHOPS, CAFES

11272 122nd Avenue, Largo, FL 33778

727-295-8824

bogeystavern@gmail.com

www.BogeysTavern.com

Corepixel Marketing

Lorenzo Guerrero

WEBSITE DESIGN

727-623-2530

info@CorepixelMarketingAgency.com

https://corepixelmarketing.com/

FrankCrum

David Vitko

INSURANCE

100 S. Missouri Avenue, Clearwater, FL 33756

727-799-1229

DVitko@FrankCrum.com

www.FrankCrum.com

Home2 Suites Largo

Lainnie LaCroix

HOTELS/MOTELS

10145 Ulmerton Road, Largo, FL 33771

727-501-0001

Lainnie@jchhotels.com

https://www.hilton.com/en/brands/home2-suites/

Paramount Construction

Adison McClain

CONSTRUCTION AND CONTRACTORS

2325 Ulmerton Rd, Ste 16, Clearwater, FL 33762

813-510-5756

amcclain@paramount-builds.com

https://paramount-exteriors.com

SeKushi

Frank Manella

RESTAURANTS, COFFEE SHOPS, CAFES

100 Indian Rocks Road N, Belleair Bluffs, FL 33770

727-648-4653

info@sekushiattheplaza.com

https://sekushiattheplaza.com/

Nomination Form Here: 2025 Inspire Award

Florida budget, tax package set for final vote

Florida lawmakers are expected to vote on next year's budget and a tax package on Monday. It comes two weeks before a government shut down deadline.

Fate unclear for ban on oil drilling along Apalachicola River in north Florida

The fate of a bill to ban oil drilling along the Apalachicola River in internationally acclaimed north Florida wetlands is uncertain. Supporters are rallying and urging DeSantis to sign the bill, while opponents await the outcome of a permit appeal.

Florida plans for peak hurricane season amid storm of FEMA reforms

Hurricane season is now in full-swing, and with more experience in storm recovery than any other state, Florida’s local emergency management officials are trying to stay focused on staying prepared.

High prices charged by Florida insurers revealed by cost-per-$1,000 analysis - Collectively, Florida-based property insurers charge significantly higher rates per $1,000 than companies headquartered outside the state charge.

Native American tribe steps up to protect Florida lands for wildlife

The Miccosukee Tribe is looking to buy and protect environmentally significant lands, including some that once provided refuge, in a groundbreaking partnership agreement with the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation.