“We thoroughly enjoy being in Ybor City and being involved in one of our community’s most treasured neighborhoods,” said Richards. “I look forward to working with Chamber members in the year ahead to help them grow their businesses and advocate for issues important to the Ybor City business community.”

In addition to naming Richards as chair, the Ybor Chamber installed the following volunteer leadership slate:

• Chair-Elect Dr. Larissa Baia, HCC Ybor Campus
• Secretary Blake Guthrie with the ReliaQuest Bowl
• And Treasurer Dr. Jamaris Glenn of 7th and Grove

Ybor City was founded in 1886 when Vicente Martinez-Ybor moved his cigar factory from Key West to Tampa. The Ybor City Chamber of Commerce came along in 1930 and has been supporting the business community ever since.

“At the Ybor City Chamber, we often say we keep ‘P.A.C.E.’ for our members because we Promote, Advocate, Connect, and Educate through our various events and programs,” said Lee Bell, President and CEO of the Ybor City Chamber of Commerce. “I’m excited about what Darren, our board, our staff, and our members will accomplish together in the year ahead.”

The Ybor City Chamber also operates the Visitor Information Center on 8th Avenue in Ybor City, open seven days a week. The Center helps people plan their visit to Ybor City so they can enjoy all the community has to offer, including museums, entertainment, restaurants, hotels, shopping, and other attractions.

About Tucker/Hall

Tucker/Hall is a communications consulting firm with offices in Tampa, Jacksonville, and Tallahassee offering public relations services in the areas of strategic communications, public affairs, and crisis communications. Founded in 1990, Tucker/Hall has built a statewide, national, and international practice from its Tampa base. The firm works with Fortune 500 corporations, Florida-based fast-growing companies, nonprofits, and government agencies.

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“I’m honored to serve as President of the Club in the year ahead,” said Richards. “I look forward to working with our members on great Propeller Club events, like Shrimperoo, StoneCrabFest, and Steak & Corn. I’m also excited to advocate for and support the local maritime industry so companies here can grow and thrive in a globally competitive environment.”

Richards takes over for Chris Chambers, who served as President during the last term from 2021-2022.

Here’s a complete list of the new executive committee:

• President Darren Richards
• First vice president Colt McCay
• Second vice president Kelly Hendry
• Third vice president Barbara Blank
• Secretary Tammy Castillo
• Treasurer Dev Swaly

The International Propeller Club of the United States, founded in 1927, is a grassroots, non-profit organization with members throughout the US and the world. It is the largest network of individuals dedicated to the enhancement and well-being of all interests of the maritime community on a national and international basis.

Tampa’s Propeller Club is the largest club in the United States, with more than 500 active members. Since its inception, the Tampa Club has educated legislators and the public about the maritime industry. Through its education committee, the Club has worked closely with the public school system to support the growth of the next generation of maritime employees and leaders.

“The good works of this Club have had tremendous positive impacts across many decades,” said Richards. “The entire Propeller Club board is dedicated to building on that legacy during the year ahead and beyond.”

Visit tallahassee.evoqueag.online to learn more about how we work with clients who have issues before the Legislature.

[Part 1 of this article can be found here]

Second, your customers. How are you going to keep in close touch? Offer to help them? Find new ways to serve them? Keep the relationships strong, so they will be there when the coronavirus crisis passes?

Most restaurants have closed their dining rooms and switched to carry-out or delivery. That’s a great idea. It keeps operations going and lets some folks stay on the payroll, which is essential. But it doesn’t work for every business; many have had to close, lay off, or furlough their workers.

If you are an essential business, you may be just as busy as you were before the virus hit –  but if you aren’t engaged, or you’re not a vital industry, you’ll need a survival plan. Can you mimic the restaurant business and give your service to your customers rather than have them come to you? Can you create a portable company? Can you conduct most of your business online?

You’ll need to learn ASAP what your financial options are, and the best place to start is with your bank. They can help you with the myriad options available from the government (Small Business Administration and other departments) and other sources. A low-interest loan that covers your overhead for 90 days would be an excellent fit today because interest rates are very, very low.

How do you communicate with your customers? Just as with your employees, you should communicate clearly and often. Update them on any new service or delivery programs you develop. If you read a crucial financial article that can help them, remember they may need a loan and send it to them. Look for blogs, stories, reports, and analyses that might be helpful to them, and pass them along. Be careful not to bombard your stakeholders, though; everyone is getting tons of emails, so make sure yours are as succinct and relevant as possible.

The key idea here is: “How can I change my business model to fit this new and restrictive environment?”

Or: “How can I make money with my skillset if my business is closed by law?”

In any scenario, communication will be crucial, whether with employees, bankers, customers, potential customers, suppliers, advisors…every audience that affects your success. Stay in touch. Be on the lookout for information that might be helpful to them—remember, they are uncertain of the future as well.

Apply Ruthless Focus to your marketing—ask yourself what messages you can get out to prospects that will differentiate you from your competitors. What does your company do better than anybody else? What is your critical advantage? What new audiences can you present your organization to?

The internet allows for much more highly targeted audience identification than ever before. There are people out there who would be interested in doing business with you either now or in the future. You need to find and address them.

Remember, we are in a period of enormous uncertainty—the more we communicate with our various audiences, the better.

More Coronavirus Resources:

Business Management During Covid-19

COVID-19 Communications Principles

4 Steps to Effective Corporate Communications

Richards currently heads Tucker/Hall’s crisis practice group, working on many high profile crisis communications matters. He is accredited by the Institute for Crisis Management, and has also received leadership training from the Center for Creative Leadership, as well as the Poynter Institute for Media Studies.

In his new role as Chief Operating Officer, Richards will continue to work daily with clients, but also take on more duties managing firm operations and planning its overall strategic direction.

“Darren has been a tremendous contributor since coming to the firm six years ago,” said Bill Carlson, President of Tucker/Hall. “Every day, he is focused on getting results for clients.  But he also cares deeply about our firm and the community.  I’m excited about the future with Darren in this new role.”

Carlson will remain in his role as President of Tucker/Hall.  Founders Jeff Tucker and Tom Hall will both continue as active shareholders with the firm, advising clients and developing business.

“I’m tremendously excited to take on this new role,” said Richards. “I look forward to building upon all the great work of Tucker/Hall from past 25 years and helping take the firm and our clients to new heights.”

Prior to Tucker/Hall, Richards was news director at WTSP, the CBS affiliate for the Tampa/St. Petersburg market.  He also worked as a news executive at some of the strongest TV stations around the country, including operations in Ft. Myers, FL; Jacksonville, FL, Phoenix, Denver and North Carolina.

Richards is a Leadership Tampa graduate, a partner in the Tampa Bay Professional Alliance, a member of the Propeller Club, assistant coach at Palma Ceia Little League, and on the staff-parish committee at Hyde Park United Methodist Church. Richards is also active with international and regional groups of PROI Worldwide, the world’s largest network of independent public relations firms.

Richards received his journalism degree from the University of Kansas where he was named the outstanding broadcast student his senior year.  He and his wife Deborah live in Tampa and have four children.

About Tucker/Hall:  At Tucker/Hall, we specialize in delivering measurable and successful public relations results.  For 25 years, we have provided effective solutions in the areas of strategic communications, complex crisis situations, and public affairs and issues management for clients in Florida, the U.S. and globally.  We pride ourselves on producing positive change for our clients and their communities through innovative communication.  Tucker/Hall has offices in Tampa and Jacksonville. Learn more at https://evoqueag.online.

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Mullins has been a reporter at the Tribune for the past ten years, covering important stories on retail, telecommunications, restaurants, hotels, development, and much more. Mullins has also written and produced the Tribune’s “All Consuming” weekly consumer trend column and podcast.

“Rich is someone many of us have known for years,” said Tucker/Hall Vice President Darren Richards. “He’s an excellent reporter and writer, with strong contacts inside the business community. We are thrilled Rich is coming on board.”

In addition to his work at the Tribune for the past decade, Mullins has also worked at various publications in New York state, Chicago, and Washington, DC.

“It’s been a wonderful run at the Tampa Tribune,” said Mullins. “I’ve always enjoyed working as a reporter and writer here in Tampa Bay, and I look forward to using those skills in new ways and becoming even more involved in our community.”

Mullins received a history degree from the College of Wooster, as well as a Master’s Degree in Journalism with a concentration in business and technology from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. Mullins has also received continuing education from the Annenberg School of Communications in California, and the Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg.

About Tucker/Hall

Tucker/Hall is a research-based public relations firm specializing in strategic communications, crisis management, and public affairs for clients in Florida, the United States, and across the globe. Tucker/Hall produces measurable, positive change for its clients and communities through innovative communications. The firm was established in 1990 and is celebrating its 25^th year in business. Learn more at https://evoqueag.online.

The 2014 Tampa Bay Business Hall of Fame members were selected by the Florida Council of Economic Education board. FCEE recognizes professional development and education that works toward developing the next generation of business leaders.

Proceeds from the Hall of Fame support the economic, financial literacy, and free enterprise education programs of FCEE and the Gus A. Stavros Center for Free Enterprise and Economic Education at the University of South Florida. FCEE provides teacher training programs, curricula, and other educational resources free of charge to thousands of teachers each year.

In his career, Hall headed Ensslin & Hall Advertising and Public Relations, which became one of Florida’s largest advertising agencies. In 1989, Hall sold the firm to one of the top 25 agencies in the U.S.

Hall is well known as the founder of the successful Creative Seminar programs, which are now owned by ADWEEK magazine. Hall was also president of Advanced Management Research of North America based in New York. AMR provided educational programs, primarily to Fortune 1000 companies in major markets throughout the United States.

Hall is the founding chairman of the Advertising Advisory Council of the School of Journalism at the University of Florida and was a member of the Business Advisory Council of the University of Tampa College of Business.

Tom is the co-author of Ruthless Focus, a book about business strategy and organizational design based on his decades of experience as an entrepreneur and business leader. Copies of his book are available at ruthlessfocus.com. Hall continues to counsel growing companies on corporate and marketing strategies.

Tucker/Hall (https://evoqueag.online) is a communications consulting firm that offers public relations services in the areas of strategic communications, public affairs, and crisis communications. Founded in 1990, Tucker/Hall has built a statewide, national, and international practice from its offices in Tampa and Jacksonville. Tucker/Hall works with Fortune 500 corporations, fast-growing companies, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies.

“I feel honored to have been selected for this award,” said Carlson. “We have so many great and successful graduates that have studied at UT throughout the years, so I am humbled to have been recognized by my fellow alumni.”

Carlson graduated from UT in 1988 with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. He also holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School. In addition, he conducted MBA studies at the National University of Singapore as a Rotary International Scholar.

After graduating from UT, Carlson lived in Singapore from 1989 to 1994. While there, he was a senior marketing consultant with a Singapore-based marketing consulting firm. He advised many organizations across 15 countries, including Citibank Asia, the Development Bank of Singapore, Singapore Airlines, regional conglomerates, financial institutions, technology companies, and more.

Carlson serves on the advisory board for The University of Tampa’s Sykes College of Business. He is the Innovation Leadership Chair at the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce. Carlson is also a board member of the Pinellas Education Foundation and the Florida Chamber Foundation. From 2007 to 2009, Carlson was the Global President of Public Relations Organisation International (PROI), the world’s largest network of independent public relations firms.

“Bill Carlson is an excellent example of the type of leader that The University of Tampa produces. He was chosen from the nominated candidates because of his exceptional career achievements and his high level of involvement with UT and the Tampa Bay community,” said Jay Hardwick, director of alumni and parent relations at UT. “We are proud to honor him for all of his accomplishments. “

Tucker/Hall is a communications consulting firm that offers public relations services in the areas of strategic communications, public affairs, and crisis communications. Founded in 1990, Tucker/Hall has built a statewide, national, and international practice from offices in Tampa and Jacksonville. The firm works with Fortune 500 corporations, fast-growing companies, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies.

For more information, visit www.evoqueag.online/2012/UT or http://bit.ly/RAcPA9.

The new organization, SunCoast Partners, includes The Fiorentino Group, based in Jacksonville, and Tallahassee-based SCG Governmental Affairs. SunCoast, in a release, says the organization will be bipartisan and will work with clients in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Washington, D.C.

“The partnership will help us help clients seamlessly across state lines,” Tucker/Hall President Bill Carlson tells Coffee Talk.

Other firms that make up SunCoast Partners include Orlando-based Parquet Public Affairs; Hudson Group in Georgia; Capitol Consultants in South Carolina; CompassNC in North Carolina and Jenkins Hill Consulting in Washington, D.C.

“We are excited to be a part of this organization and the opportunity to work closely with this group of professionals,” Jenkins Hill Principal Scott Barnhart, a managing partner with SunCoast, says in the release.

“This new organization will provide our clients with new capabilities and resources and create a national platform for all of our firms to grow.”

Carlson says Tucker/Hall, which also has an office in Jacksonville, will bring its focus on public affairs, crisis management, and strategic communications to the consortium.

http://www.review.net/section/detail/local-company-takes-on-heavy-hitting-regional-role/

Simon asked wide-ranging questions including Hall’s childhood in Lakeland, working with Lawton Chiles on his campaign as a college senior, and his business career including building and selling two companies to national firms. He covered the history of Tucker/Hall and the art of selling new ideas to companies as well as helping them out of crises.

The program also included a discussion of Hall’s pro-bono development of a media system for the Partnership of a Drug-Free America which led them to present him their first Lifetime Achievement Award.

You can watch Tom Hall’s interview with Suncoast Business Journal online at http://video.wedu.org/video/2261091136/.