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Who is driving bay area business?

The Progress Energy CEO is among those who are blazing trails, according to his peers.

By ROBERT TRIGAUX
Published January 28, 2007

It isn't every day that an executive can move into a new 16-story headquarters in St. Petersburg, unveil a state-altering decision to build a multibillion-dollar nuclear power plant in job-hungry Levy County and collaborate to kick start a progressive "arts hub" in the city's downtown.

That wide-ranging, can-do attitude is one reason Jeff Lyash, Progress Energy Florida's CEO for all of seven months, is catching the eye of his peers in the Tampa Bay area. Lyash, 45, was among those newly named as "emerging business leaders" in an annual St. Petersburg Times survey this month of 131 area executives.

This year's survey results reflect a refreshing mix of new, rebounding and established players on the area business scene. Tom James, 64, long-time head of Raymond James Financial in St. Petersburg, retained this year's crown as the most-mentioned business leader. But rising rapidly in the ranks is USF president Judy Genshaft, 59. Her aggressive strategy of making the university a regional business powerhouse and committing personal leadership in area economic development groups makes her an omnipresent figure on the business circuit.

"People come to this area not only because of the water or Disney being close by, but to see its vibrancy and educational opportunities here," Genshaft says. "So we have too keep that going."

Also gaining attention this year is new Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce chairman and Tampa lawyer Fred McClure, 44, an African-American who refers to himself as a "simple country lawyer."

Along with Lyash, whose clout is to be expected in his role as the head of central Florida's dominant power company, newcomers to the leadership list this year include former Tampa automotive dealer-turned-property developer Carl Lindell, 62 with whom former Tampa Mayor Dick Greco is employed. And Todd Farha, 38, CEO of the super-fast-growing Tampa managed care provider Wellcare Health Plans, made the list.

Back on the business leadership radar after a hiatus of years is Wachovia Bank regional chief Roy McCraw Jr., 60, new head of the Committee of 100 at the Tampa Chamber. He is on track to head the Tampa Bay Partnership regional economic development group next year.

And banker-turned-political player Alex Sink, 58, is back in the spotlight. The former head of Bank of America in Florida and wife of one-time gubernatorial hopeful (and former "emerging business leader" heavyweight in earlier Times surveys) Bill McBride won her first political campaign in the fall and is in her first days as the state's chief financial officer and the sole Democrat in the Florida Cabinet.

No look at Tampa Bay leadership seems complete without mentioning Outback Steakhouse co-founder Chris Sullivan. His leadership influence peaked, at least according to the Times annual survey of his peers, in 2004 when he was top-ranked. When Sullivan pulled back, handed the Outback CEO role to Bill Allen and spent at least a bit more time on the golf course, his area clout dipped. But the Outback company, which has struggled a bit lately, is going private in a deal that may bring Sullivan, 58, back to more day-to-day duties.

Nor did surveyed area executives ignore other hometown political players in their picks of top business leaders. New Gov. Charlie Crist appeared for the first time on the list, while St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker retained a prominent status on the list as he has since 2004.

On the Tampa side of the bay, two TECO Energy executives made the list. CEO Sherrill Hudson, 63, and president (and Tampa native) John Ramil, 51, were cited by their peers, reflecting the ongoing role the downtown Tampa power company has played in influencing the city's economic vitality.

Typical in every annual Times survey, the findings show the fading of some leaders as others surface, if only temporarily, to take their place.

Somewhat surprising, Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio - a regular on the leaders' list - was not among the frontrunners this year. Other prominent names who were not mentioned this year: Sembler Co.'s Craig Sher, Fowler White's Rhea Law, Sweetbay Supermarket's Shelley Broader and Tampa Bay Devil Rays' Matt Silverman.

But don't count them out.

That's one of the sweet things about the Tampa Bay area, and quirky things about the annual surveys on leaders. With few exceptions, regional leadership has been fluid over the years, and those surveyed often pick "leaders" holding temporary positions of influence and power.

Robert Trigaux can be reached at trigaux@sptimes.com or (727) 893-8405.

[Last modified January 27, 2007, 22:29:11]