CEOs You Should Know - Tampa

On this episode of CEOs You Should Know, Ryan Gorman talks with Dr. Tonjua Williams, President of St. Petersburg College, about the institution's evolution over its 99-year history, its unique open-door mission, and how strategic partnerships with local businesses such as Lockheed Martin and Duke Energy are driving regional workforce success.

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On this episode of CEOs You Should Know, Ryan Gorman talks with Kenyetta Hairston Bridges, President and CEO of the Tampa Downtown Partnership. Learn about downtown Tampa's 40-year evolution, major developments like the Riverwalk and Water Street, and ongoing efforts to improve regional mobility, parking, and housing affordability.

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If Jim Mazany's career had a soundtrack, it would open with Prince. His first concert was the Purple Rain tour at Nassau Coliseum. Since then, his path has run from washing dishes on Long Island to culinary school in Hyde Park to leading brands like TGI Fridays, Logan's Roadhouse and Joe's Crab Shack, and now to the CEO role at P.F. Chang's.

In this episode of CEOs You Should Know, iHeartMedia Region President Chris Long sits down with Jim Mazany, CEO of P.F. Chang's, to talk about hospitality, culinary craft and leading an iconic brand through a turnaround.

Jim traces the influences that shaped him, from a Marine father who taught him work ethic to a mother who made hospitality the center of their home. He shares how a chef's mindset still guides the way he leads, why "the speed of trust" matters when building a leadership team and how P.F. Chang's is working to turn "I like P.F. Chang's, but I haven't been there in a while" into "I love P.F. Chang's, and I was there last night." He also takes Chris inside the brand's turnaround, from renewed focus on the in-restaurant experience and culinary innovation to double-digit sales growth, rising guest traffic and plans to expand P.F. Chang's footprint in the U.S. and around the world.

Guest: Jim Mazany, CEO, P.F. Chang's

Host: Chris Long, Region President, iHeartMedia Dallas-Fort Worth & Central Texas

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On this episode of CEOs You Should Know, Ryan Gorman talks to Mike McCann, President & CEO of Limbach. They discuss the 125-year-old company’s decision to relocate its corporate headquarters to Tampa and the complex mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems they manage for mission-critical facilities like hospitals and data centers. They also discuss how Limbach meets industry talent needs, handles high-stakes emergency responses, and continues executing its nationwide expansion strategy.

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On this episode of CEOs You Should Know, Ryan Gorman talks with Dr. Cynthia Johnson, Director of Pinellas County Economic Development, about attracting high-wage industries, utilizing the Employment Sites Program to modernize local infrastructure, and regional collaboration across Tampa Bay. They also discuss major redevelopment opportunities, including the historic Gas Plant site, and strategies for expanding the region's blue economy and talent pool.

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Eric Girouard, CEO of BRUNT Workwear

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On this episode of CEOs You Should Know, Ryan Gorman talks with President & CEO of Tampa Bay Partnership, Bemetra Simmons. They dive into the economic realities of the eight-county Tampa Bay region, exploring how local leaders are navigating rapid population growth alongside rising affordability challenges. Bemetra breaks down key insights from the latest Regional Competitiveness Report, highlighting wins in young adult migration while addressing critical bottlenecks in housing supply and regional transit infrastructure. She also shares how collaborative initiatives like Tampa Bay Rising are bringing public and private leaders together to build a stronger, more sustainable economic future.

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Laura McDonald & Dr. Christy Lane, Co-CEOs of Flora

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Nick Stengle, CEO of Brookdale Senior Living

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Pat Condo, CEO of Seekr Technologies

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