This month, over 50 community leaders from organizations across the Tampa Bay Area will come together to build a home for a local family in Pinellas Park. Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties’ inaugural CEO Build launched this year and is led by honorary chairs: Mindy Grossman, President & CEO of WW (formerly Weight Watchers) and Bill Brand, CEO of Rue21 and Habitat for Humanity International Board Member.
“At Habitat, we partner with businesses across our service area to help local families achieve the dream of affordable homeownership”, explains Mike Sutton, Habitat Pinellas and West Pasco president and CEO. “We are fortunate to have so many local organizations committing to bettering their community through their corporate social responsibly initiatives. The CEO Build will allow that investment to continue through the sponsorship of the Middlebrooks family’s home.”
“Becoming a homeowner with the assistance of the Habitat for Humanity program will give my girls and I the security to provide a forever home, no matter the circumstances”, explains Jasmine Middlebrooks, future Habitat Homeowner and Certified Nursing Assistant at Tampa General Hospital.
About the Homeowner Family
The past two years have been difficult for the Middlebrooks family. After experiencing a divorce in early 2021, the family moved in with Jasmine’s mother. However, after a year of living with her and saving up money to support her family, Jasmine was in a car crash and had to purchase a new car. Two weeks later, Jasmine’s mother unexpectedly passed away and they had to move out of her home. Despite all the hardships and having to plan a funeral for her mother, Jasmine made sure to stay strong for her daughters. She knew that she could not give up on being a mother to her children and wanted to be a role-model for them during these hard times.
“Bad events happen back-to-back, but I knew a blessing was coming soon.” Days later, Jasmine was accepted into the Habitat program. She felt overjoyed, blissful, full of energy, and felt as if a weight was lifted off her shoulders. “I smiled and smiled as I texted all people who I know would support me on this journey, helping with hours and just be there for encouraging words.”
Read the family’s full bio here.
About the CEO Build
The CEO Build kicked off with a social media campaign driven by the community leaders. “I am building for a better community” messages are being shared across social media channels, creating excitement around the build.
On February 23rd, a Kickoff Reception will be held at the Cordova Inn in St. Petersburg; hosted by the Honorary Chairs. Then, on February 24th, February 26th and March 4th, CEO participants will be on site at the Middlebrooks home in Pinellas Park. Home site: 6361 67th Way N., Pinellas Park, FL 33781.
Habitat Pinellas and West Pasco has partnered with the Tampa Bay Business and Wealth Magazine to highlight the project and those that participate. Bridgette Bello, TBBW CEO and publisher will be working alongside fellow philanthropic business leaders to help build Jasmine’s home.
“Giving back to this amazing community in which we live has been a mission of TBBW from the very beginning. We are blessed to have a platform that engages the business leaders of Tampa Bay and we will continue to use our voice to inspire others to give back in memorable ways. This partnership will allow us to bring together recognizable influencers, with a large employee base, to bring awareness to a compelling cause – access to the American dream of homeownership for all,” says Bello.
To further engage those involved, a reception will be held on March 23rd, sponsored by Tampa General Hospital. CEO of Tampa General, John Couris, has committed to the build among the many other community leaders.
Committed Local Leaders as of 2/15/22
At this time, 54 local leaders have committed to this build including:
Mindy Grossman – President & CEO of WW (formerly Weight Watchers) (Honorary Co-Chair)
Bill Brand – CEO of Rue21 (Honorary Co-Chair)
Marc Banning – CEO of Banning Lumber
Ronde Barber – General Chair of Copperhead Charities
John Barrett – President & Chief Executive Officer of First Citrus Bank
Bridgette Bello – CEO & Publisher of Tampa Bay Business & Wealth Magazine
David Bennett – CEO of Pinellas REALTOR® Organization & Central Pasco REALTOR® Organization
Dr. Ravi Chari, MD – President of HCA Healthcare West Florida Division
Jason Clement – Founder & CEO of The Sports Facilities Companies
Susan Crockett – President & CEO of Ruth Eckerd Hall
John D. Couris – President & CEO of Tampa General Hospital
Thomas J. Del Zoppo – Partner in “New Hotel Collection” Group
Elodie Dorso – President & CEO of Evara Health
Doug Dieck – President of Southeast Region of Ryan Companies
Dan Doyle, Jr. – CEO of DEX Imaging
Ed Droste – Chairman of Provident Management
Lisa Faller – President of FKQ Advertising & Marketing
Ray Ferrara – CEO of ProVise Management Group
Scott Fink – CEO of Fink Automotive Group
Jeffrey Fishman – President of Investors Title
Stephanie Fischer – President & CEO of Global Retail Marketing Association
Wendy Gattis – CEO of DITEK Corporation
Bill Goede – Tampa Bay President of Bank of America
Robert Glaser – President & CEO of Smith & Associates Real Estate
Leo “LJ” Govoni – CEO of Big Storm Brewery & Distillery
Russ Hallenbeck – CEO of Tibbetts Lumber Company
Kevin Hawkins – CEO of MidAtlantic Finance Company & Owner of Crown Automotive Group
Howard Heckes – President & CEO of Masonite
Keri Higgins-Bigelow – Founder & CEO, livingHR
Cor Hoekstra – Co-founder & CEO of Amicus.io
Patrick Hwu, MD – President & CEO of Moffitt Cancer Center
Tommy Inzina – President & CEO of BayCare
David Kenny – CEO of Nielsen
Neil Kiefer – CEO of Hooters Management Corporation
Anthony Leo – CEO of First Home Bank
Brooke Mirenda – President & CEO of Sunshine State Economic Development Corporation
Robin Moch – Partner at M.E. Wilson Company
Jessica Muroff – CEO of United Way Suncoast
Frank Musolino – CEO of Power Design
Karl Nurse – President of Bay Tech Label
Amanda Payne – President & CEO of Amplify Clearwater
Christine Quinn – Owner & Founder of My Family Seasonings, LLC
Steve Raney – Chairman & CEO of Raymond James Bank
Chip Reeves – CEO & President of Beach Bank
Steve Riordan – CEO of Kozuba & Sons Distillery
Elliott Ross – President of Ross Realty Group Inc.
Melissa Seixas – Florida State President of Duke Energy
Jay Stroman – CEO of USF Foundation
John Strong – Chairman & CEO of Bankers Financial Corporation
Mike Sutton – President & CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties
Lorna Taylor – President & CEO of Premier Eye Care
Brian Van Slyke – Regional President of Kolter Urban LLC
Randy Ware – CEO of WestCMR
Tracy West – Valspar Championship Tournament Director
To learn more, please visit www.habitatpwp.org/ceobuild.
