13th Ave Media

Welcome to the 28th episode of Amplify Clearwater Show, powered by 13th Ave Media! We are very excited to take you on a journey to learn more about all of the incredible businesses, nonprofits, and community leaders. In this episode, we are featuring Jessica Thompson, Beauty Professional!

Jessica Thompson has been a beauty professional focusing on management and business development for over 12 years. During this time, she also obtained a Bachelor’s degree in business management where she concentrated her studies on salons. Her experience has reached multiple natural and organic products lines. During her career her focus has been 100% on natural and sustainable brands. Jessica has chosen to align herself with the US development of NATULIQUE Certified Organic Beauty thus creating strengthen for wellness- based salon looking for business support.

Are you ready for a sneak peak of our Christmas party?? Tune in at 5pm EST, on FB watch or our podcast, to hear great Christmas stories of 13th Ave's team from our virtual Christmas party!

Welcome to the 27th episode of Amplify Clearwater Show, powered by 13th Ave Media! We are very excited to take you on a journey to learn more about all of the incredible businesses, nonprofits, and community leaders. In this episode, we are featuring Yaro Havelka, Owner of TOP Martial Arts Clearwater!

Yaro is the owner of TOP Martial Arts. He’s been married to his wife Vickie Havelka for the last 15 wonderful years.

The self-defense style of martial arts they are teaching in their school is Korean Hapkido. Their weapon defense style of martial arts is Filipino Warrior Arts and only available for adults.

He was born in Czech Republic (actually former communist country Czechoslovakia). He started training Martial Arts at 14 years old because of his friend wanted to try martial arts classes. They both joined the beginner course, which was very hard and his friend quit after 2 months.

From the start of his training he’s really enjoyed learning martial arts. Around 1997, he moved to the USA, and came to Clearwater. "I remember vividly, I arrived in Clearwater at night and the next day went looking for a martial arts school. I found one in walking distance and that same day I joined. Funny thing is, it is the exact same studio I own now.”

Yaro purchased the studio about 15 year ago. At that time the studio didn’t have a lot of students; just enough to pay rent. Through the years they have extended their classes to kids and adults as well as an after-school program. Due to their expansion they outgrew their space and moved to a new location.

Yaro taught himself the English language from books and talking to others. In school he learned the Russian language for about 13 years and the technical German language. When he signed up for martial arts classes in Clearwater, he showed his instructor the word ‘training’ in the dictionary. To this day his instructor (Rick DeAquila) has fun telling this story.

His hobbies include training and continuing to learn martial arts and understand a lot of different styles of the art. He loves to occupy his mind by always learning something new. He has black belts from 7 different martial arts styles, as well as studying other styles. He also enjoys shooting guns with his favorite being sporting clay.

Sharon and Alyssa recorded another driving podcast while on their way back from visiting a client in Palmetto, FL. Tune in for some social media tips, and of course, some humor.  😉

Welcome to the 26th episode of Amplify Clearwater Show, powered by 13th Ave Media! We are very excited to take you on a journey to learn more about all of the incredible businesses, nonprofits, and community leaders. In this episode, we are featuring Frank Dame, Chief Executive Officer of Clearwater Marine Aquarium!

Frank Dame is the Chief Executive Officer of Clearwater Marine Aquarium. He has been involved with CMA since 2006, Dame was Chairman of the Board for CMA from 2007-2008 and was then hired as Chief Operating Officer in 2008. Dam has extensive experience, including previous positions with GE Capital, President of GTE Leasing Corporation, Vice President and General Manager of Verizon Credit, and Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Progress Telecom. Committed to the betterment of the City of Clearwater, Dame has also held various leadership positions within the community; most notably as Chairman of Clearwater Beach Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Clearwater Jolley Trolley, Past President of the Island Estates Civic Association, and Chairman of the City of Clearwater Community Development Board. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for AMPLIFY Clearwater.

Welcome to the 25th episode of Amplify Clearwater Show, powered by 13th Ave Media! We are very excited to take you on a journey to learn more about all of the incredible businesses, nonprofits, and community leaders. In this episode, we are featuring Mayor Frank Hibbard, Clearwater!

Mayor Hibbard has lived in Clearwater since 1979 after moving from Chicago with his parents. Frank and his wife Teresa have lived in Harbor Oaks for 23 years in their 1925 vintage home. They have two grown children, three grandchildren, four dogs and three grand dogs. Frank and Teresa are long-time members of Calvary church in Clearwater.

Public service is an important component of the Hibbard house; Frank served on the Clearwater City Council for three terms 2002-2012, two as Mayor. The toughest of those years was during the “Great Recession,” which the city weathered better than most. Teresa is the Chief Development Officer for the Salvation Army.

Mayor Hibbard was awarded the Tampa Bay Partnerships Award for Regionalism twice and was the recipient of the Suncoast League of Cities' Insco award for Leadership. Frank is a graduate of Leadership Pinellas 1999 and Leadership Florida 2007.

While being out of office from 2012 to 2020, Frank served as Chairman of the Board of Ruth Eckerd Hall, Vice Chairman of Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Board member of the Homeless Empowerment Program, and as a school board member for Calvary Christian High School.

Frank has two undergraduate degrees in Finance and Economics and a Master’s in Business Administration. “I have always used the knowledge of my degrees in my business, and serving as Mayor was always where I put my education to broadest use.”

Hobbies include a love of golf, tennis and college football.

Contact Mayor Hibbard at [email protected].

Welcome to the 24th episode of Amplify Clearwater Show, powered by 13th Ave Media! We are very excited to take you on a journey to learn more about all of the incredible businesses, nonprofits, and community leaders. In this episode, we are featuring Campus President, Fabian Fernandez at Keiser University-Clearwater!

Mr. Fernandez has over 21 years of experience in Higher Education management both in domestic and international settings. He has been a faculty member, program director, COO, Corporate Director of Operations and of course Campus President. He is also a Board Member for FAPSC (Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools and Colleges). He has lived in Tampa Bay for the past 7 years and loves fishing and cars racing. He attained a Bachelors in Business Management from Kaplan University and a Masters in Leadership from Balm Beach Atlantic University. He is the campus president of Keiser University Clearwater which has been a proud members of Amplify Clearwater Chamber for the past 5 years.

Welcome to the 23nd episode of Amplify Clearwater Show, powered by 13th Ave Media! We are very excited to take you on a journey to learn more about all of the incredible businesses, nonprofits, and community leaders. In this episode, we are featuring Director of Community Relations and Development, Teresa Hibbard, CFRE at The Salvation Army USA!

Teresa Hibbard, CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) joined The Salvation Army in December 2018 as the Director of Community Relations and Development.  For over 20 years, she has had the pleasure of watching donors experience the joy of changing lives through their gifts. Teresa and the love of her life, Frank (yes, her husband is the Mayor of Clearwater) have lived in Clearwater for over 30 years in their nearly 100-year-old old home. She is a student at St. Petersburg College - Go Titan's! - finishing her bachelor's degree in public policy and administration. In addition to enjoying her grands, cooking, movies, and studying, Teresa is beginning to golf.  She is passionate about creating awareness and education around human trafficking and fights for those who are most vulnerable. They have two married adult children, three grandchildren and two golden retrievers and a great dane.

Here are ways to get involved and Rescue Christmas for our most vulnerable families.

Adopt an Angel (child) or Silver Bell (senior)(https://salvationarmyflorida.org/clearwater/...)  or visit participating Walmarts, Countryside Mall or Achieva Credit Union Branches

Volunteer to ring the bell:  www.RegistertoRing.com

Accept the #REDKETTLECHALLENGE (virtually ring the bell)

Donate at Red Kettles throughout the community.

If someone is in need of a Thanksgiving meal, they may register here.

https://salvationarmyflorida.org/clearwater/#tab-id-8

For other volunteer opportunities, or for questions about ringing the bell, please contact our Volunteer Manager, Jealixson Jean-Simon at 727-725-9777 ext. 104 or [email protected].

Volunteer bell ringers and those accepting the challenge will receive a HOPE t-shirt, and Salvation Army mask.

Welcome to the 22nd episode of Amplify Clearwater Show, powered by 13th Ave Media! We are very excited to take you on a journey to learn more about all of the incredible businesses, nonprofits, and community leaders. In this episode, we are featuring Business Developer, Sue LaGree at Sea Dog Cantina!

Sue LaGree has been working in promotions and business development for over 25 years, first as an attorney in Boston, then as a small/start-up business consultant.

She first met Fred Forsley, owner of Shipyard and Sea Dog brands, several years ago, while living in New England.  Sue moved to Safety Harbor 2 1/2 years ago, and last February, reconnected with Fred at her brother’s new restaurant- The Tiki Tavern, on Main St. in Safety Harbor.

Sue was impressed with Fred’s Florida locations including Sea Dog in Treasure Island, Sea Dog Cantina in Gulfport, and Sea Dog Tap Room in Clearwater and with his locally made all-natural vodka brand “Ice Pik Vodka”, distilled right here in Florida.

Through her connections in the professional athlete world (law school roommate is the agent for legendary football player Doug Flutie) she was able to get Ice Pik vodka and Sea Dog beer involved as a sponsor at a few prestigious Super Bowl events in Miami last year.  From there, Fred asked her to join his team and promote his brands as he expands in the Florida market and beyond.

Sue is particularly excited about their location at US 19 in Clearwater.  “Our Tap Room in the back of the building remains open while we renovate the entire location –(formerly Cody’s Roadhouse Restaurant) into a Sea Dog Cantina which will feature hand-crafted margaritas, Mexican-inspired food and over 50 different types of tequilas, including some exclusive brands which can be sampled as flights at the Cantina in our VIP tequila room.  The menu was created by our incredible, top-rated Chef, Greg Picard. Recently, St. Pete Foodies gave him a perfect 10 score for what they described as “Mexican food heaven”.  “

Sue and her team can’t wait to introduce this food into our local community.  Sea Dog Cantina is expected to open in late December and they look forward to inviting all Chamber members to a VIP ribbon cutting event!

Welcome to the 21st episode of Amplify Clearwater Show, powered by 13th Ave Media! We are very excited to take you on a journey to learn more about all of the incredible businesses, nonprofits, and community leaders. In this episode, we are featuring Susie Sofianos and Dave Texeira, App developers of Clearwater Beach App!

Susie Sofianos and Dave Texeira are local App developers with a very successful track record of developing Apps that tie in communities with their local residents, businesses, and tourists alike. The quality of their Apps is second to none.  Their Apps have the ability to share community information, run city events, produce revenue for local businesses and tie the community together as a whole. Susie and Dave are excited to be bringing Clearwater and Clearwater Beach into the new emerging digital technology!