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Leader for a festive occasion
The Suncoasters pick a businessman to direct this year's Festival of States events.
By MARY JANE PARKBY, Times Staff Writer
Published January 23, 2008
ST. PETERSBURG - The Suncoasters, the nonprofit volunteer group that presents the annual Festival of States in St. Petersburg, has selected longtime civic leader and businessman Rick McCollum to be interim director for this year's series of events. McCollum is president of Nelco of West Florida, which provides human resource services, payroll, workers' compensation insurance, health and retirement plans for small to medium-sizedbusinesses. He previously held leadership positions with Operation PAR and Progress Energy (then Florida Power Corp.). "I am honored to have the opportunity to put my talents and enthusiasm to work formally for this great organization of which I am proud to be a part," he said. Last May, organizers announced a reorganization of the civic celebration, changing its focus from comedy performances and outdoor concerts to concentrate more on marching bands, a onetime hallmark of the event. Out-of-state bands will return this year, organizers said. "We've worked hard to bring back the best elements of the festival - and make them even better," Suncoasters president Jill Wilkinson said. The organization has co-produced the festival in partnership with the city of St. Petersburg since 1956. The 2008 Festival of States is March 28 through April 12 in St. Petersburg. A complete schedule of events can be found on the Web site www.festivalofstates.com.
[Last modified January 22, 2008, 22:35:28]
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