North Tampa Chamber of Commerce
2010 - 2011 Officers,
History & Awards

Officers | Directors | History | Awards

OFFICERS, 2010 - 2011

Jeff Ryder President Phone: 813-962-8770 Carrollwood Copy Center & Printing, Inc.

Jeff Ryder is the owner of Carrollwood Copy Center & Printing, Inc.  He was born and raised in the great state of Maine. Jeff and his wife Brenda have lived in Lutz for the past 5 years and May 12th was their 20th anniversary. They have one pet named James Rockford, a 16 year old mini dachshund. Jeff is an avid New England sports fan. His hobbies include golf, hanging out by the pool, and travel.

Jeff has served or is currently serving on the following committees for the Carrollwood Area Business Association (CABA): Golf, Scholarship, and Membership. Jeff served as Treasurer for Network Professionals Inc and is an associate member of the Carrollwood Community Bar Association.

Van T. Holmes Vice President Phone: 813-931-9344 Minuteman Press International

After two decades with a world-leading technology corporation, Van T. Holmes brings his strong leadership and management skills to the Tampa business community through Minuteman Press Busch Blvd. Now Van’s leadership experience in multiple and diverse initiatives also benefits the North Tampa Chamber.

Van is passionate about his work and his family. Van is married to the beautiful Lisa Pointer-Holmes; they have two wonderful children, John and Lauren. Originally from New Orleans, Van makes a spicy "Red Beans & Rice" after hitting the golf course.

As the new Vice President of the North Tampa Chamber of Commerce, Van states: "Creativity knows no bounds, especially when strong people come together for a common purpose. When we nurture our relationships, we build a better future for ourselves, our businesses and our community."

Carol Rehfelt Secretary Phone: 813-961-2420 C & J Surveying, Inc.

Carol Rehfelt is President and co-owner with her husband, John, of C & J Surveying Inc which is a full service land surveying company licensed to work throughout the state of Florida. She retired after 20 years from Morrison's Inc where she served in various management positions, traveled extensively, wrote procedures & job descriptions, trained personnel.

Carol is very involved in the community with her primary focus on children and women's issues and is listed as a resource in many directories for those services. She provides a local information service for events concerning women's issues.

An active volunteer with STAND (Statewide Advocacy Network on Disabilities), she assists families to assure children receive appropriate services in school. With Families as Faculty, she does presentations at the University of South Florida College of Education to better prepare the students for the family side of parent involvement. She is also a member of Families and Educators in Action Together and Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health. She is a Past President of CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder), past facilitator for LDAF (Learning Disabilities Association of Florida), a member of NFB (National Federation of the Blind) and past state coordinator of Parents of Blind Children.

Carol was born in West Virginia, moved to Florida as a youngster and to Tampa in 1969. She has two daughters and two sons, all grown, plus two granddaughters. She is an avid supporter of Rays Baseball, University of South Florida Football and Buccaneers Football. Hobbies include collecting Elvis Presley memorabilia, cat statuettes and coins. She enjoys her eight cats and five dogs, swimming, reading, and working jigsaw puzzles for relaxation.

Jerry Davies Treasurer Phone: 813-269-2091 Davies & Kerr Consulting

Jerry, with 25 years of experience in the accounting field, is one of the founding partners of Davies & Kerr, CPA firm. With strong ties to the community through involvement with non-profits and business associations, he has delivered speeches and written articles for business groups and organizations throughout the Tampa Bay area.

Jerry is a consultant to individuals and small businesses advocating better alternatives in setting up accounting procedures and systems for their business needs utilizing the most automated technology. As tax planning is a big part of the business equation, and the second largest expense for most businesses, Jerry has developed a special interest in helping his clients carefully and professionally analyze their position.

Education: B.S. Accounting & Real Estate. Experience: public and private experience with a national CPA firm, current local CPA firm and fortune 500 companies.

Memberships include: *AICPA - FL CPA Lic #0016609 * Toastmasters International * North Tampa Chamber of Commerce * Suncoast Real Estate Investors Association * Quickbooks Professional Advisor*

Hobbies: Motorcycle riding, tennis, golfing and donating time to charities.

Elaine Kaufman Immediate Past President Phone: 813-909-1088 Prudential Financial
Carol Rehfelt Executive Director Phone: 813-961-2420 C & J Surveying, Inc.

Officers | Directors | History | Awards | Top of Page

Officers | Directors | History | Awards | Top of Page

History of the North Tampa
Chamber of Commerce

• Updated in 2008 by Carol Rehfelt - Past President
• Updated in 1999 by Ron Gauszka - Past President and Chamber Historian

In April of 1947, a handful of business people interested in the future of Sulphur Springs (which pretty much was North Tampa in those days), organized the Sulphur Springs Chamber of Commerce. The meeting was called to discuss a fire control district in Sulphur Springs. As Senator Sheldon was unable to attend the meeting, the group decided to use the opportunity to officially form a Chamber of Commerce. They had informally discussed this on several occasions. Mr. J. L. Young was appointed temporary chairman and the first official meeting was held on April 4, 1947, at the American Legion Hall on Bird Street.

Original logo		The encyclopedia definition of a Chamber of Commerce is "An association sponsored by businessmen to promote the mercantile interest of their city and community." During its 52 years of existence, the North Tampa Chamber of Commerce has served its community far beyond this interpretation. As a matter of fact, a better definition of the North Tampa Chamber would be: An organization of people who care about their community and each other.

Aside from the many ways our Chamber has helped promote business interests, it has always been aware of a responsibility to the community as a whole. A list of accomplishments would include:

• Physically building and installing street markers.
• Seeing that traffic lights were properly installed.
• In the 50's, operated Sulphur Springs Pool and held a week long celebration of Tampa's Centennial.
• August 26, 1965 - North Tampa Chamber held a luncheon meeting to welcome the General Managers of two major industries building plants in the North Tampa area, Minneapolis Honeywell Regulator Co. and Reynolds Metals.
• January 26, 1967 - City Council approved replacement of Sulphur Springs pool pavilion. The new $60,000 building was built by the North Tampa Chamber of Commerce. The building was completed in 1968 and donated to the City of Tampa in 1982.
• July 18, 1968 - North Tampa Chamber publicly endorsed the stand taken by Mayor Greco in the matter of pay raises for the employees of the City Sanitation Department.
• In 1971, raised $5000 which was intended for building a Boys Club. This money was eventually donated to the Sertoma Youth Ranch. Today a plaque at the youth ranch stage reads "Donated by the North Tampa Chamber of Commerce in honor of Francis Dean and Richard Cheney two of our past presidents."
• May 20, 1971 - North Tampa Chamber hosted a meeting of area Chambers of Commerce. The purpose of the meeting was to announce a program designed to encourage, and build the morale of our guardians of society, our law officers.
• In 1975, fought to save the Sulphur Springs Arcade. The building was eventually torn down.

Prior Logo		During the early 1970's, the chamber took a step to change their image by redesigning the chamber logo. Although Sulphur Springs was still an entity in the North Tampa area, many things had changed and the North Tampa Chamber wanted to show they were a part of the bigger picture. The new logo was designed to encompass the chamber's service to the Tampa area in general but to also preserve their roots. The tower at Sulphur Springs was an historic landmark and a part of the chamber's roots to be embraced. The bridge reflected the connection of the North Tampa area to the downtown Tampa area. The sun went along with our slogan: The Brightest Spot in Tampa's Future. All was centered in a Florida setting of palm trees and water.

In recent times, the North Tampa Chamber of Commerce:

• Has recognized students of the month at local schools.
• Honored the outstanding ROTC student at Hillsborough High School and supplied the saber, which is the highest honor bestowed on these students.
• Was instrumental in obtaining the police sub station and community center.
• At its membership meeting in December of 1994, the North Tampa Chamber initiated its Police Officer of the Month program. The North Tampa Chamber was the first local Tampa area chamber of commerce to honor the men and women of the Tampa Police Department. The first officer to receive this award was Officer Mark A. Yost.
• In 1996, the chamber supplied fifty percent of the businesses involved in the Adams Youth Connection, a program designed to help middle school students who had been involved in the criminal justice system to get back on track. Was named the 1996 Business Partner of the Year by Adams Jr. High.
• In 1997, The North Tampa Chamber of Commerce became involved in a tourism marketing effort which included Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI), The Lowry Park Zoo and the Florida Aquarium. The project was funded by a grant from the Tourist Development fund. The chamber was a major sponsor of this project, donating $14,000, to the Tampa Trio. The chamber also began a grass roots effort to beautify our roads such as Busch Boulevard between the Interstate and Busch Gardens.

Officers | Directors | History | Awards | Top of Page

Each year two prestigious awards are presented to selected members in recognition of their meritorious service given both to the north Tampa community and the Chamber: The Phyllis Ellis Memorial "GIVER" Award and The Outstanding Chamber Member Award.

Both awards were conceived and first implemented by Mr. Frank Apisa during his 1997 -1998 term as President of the Chamber.  Recipients are selected by our Awards Committee and are awarded annually at our Installation and Awards Dinner each June.

(In 2001, during her second consecutive term as President, Ms. Cynthia Flowers, with the unanimous vote of the Board of Directors, changed the name of the "Giver" Award to The Phyllis Ellis "GIVER" Award in honor of our 2000 - 2001 recipient, Ms. Phyllis Ellis. Shortly before her passing, Phyllis received the Award and was honored for her many years of dedicated service to the North Tampa and Temple Terrace Chambers of Commerce, the Economic Growth Organization, the Carrollwood Area Business Association and the many other organizations and community activities in which she so actively participated. Phyllis, who was suffering from cancer, passed away on July 18, 2001. Since her passing, the word "Memorial" has been added to the award.)

Recipients of
The Phyllis Ellis Memorial "GIVER" Award

2009 - 2010

Nicole Fielder
BankAtlantic

Recipients of
The Outstanding Chamber Member of the Year Award

Officers | Directors | History | Awards | Top of Page