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Partnership CEO: Leaders must emphasize long-term benefits for transportation surtax to succeed

Bemetra L. Simmons, President and CEO of the Tampa Bay Partnership

This article was written by Henry Queen and originally published in the Tampa Bay Business Journal on May 24, 2022.

Bemetra Simmons, president and CEO of the Tampa Bay Partnership, endorsed Hillsborough County’s proposed 1% transportation surtax on Tuesday.

Simmons participated in a Tampa Downtown Partnership forum for new leaders along with Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority Executive Director and CEO Greg Slater and Westshore Alliance Executive Director Michael Maurino.

As inflation continues to hit Tampa Bay hard, Simmons said business leaders must educate voters on the long-term benefits of investing in the county’s transportation system.

[Continue to read the full article]

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C.J. Mintrone

Regional President and Head of Corporate Banking, West Florida, PNC Bank

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C.J. Mintrone is regional president and head of Corporate Banking for PNC Bank in West Florida, responsible for overseeing all lines of business, sponsorships, philanthropic and branding efforts important to PNC’s strategy.
 
Mintrone was named regional president in July 2026 and brings more than 20 years of industry experience, including 15 years at PNC, to this role.
As executive vice president and head of Corporate Banking for West Florida, he leads a high-performing team delivering PNC’s comprehensive banking solutions to corporations with revenues exceeding $100 million. He is the national co-leader for PNC’s Corporate Sales Development (CSD) team,, where he drives sales strategy, marketing, and growth initiatives across PNC’s Corporate Banking markets nationwide.
 
Mintrone is active in the community and serves as a board member of Make-A-Wish Southern Florida, vice chair of the advisory board of Make-A-Wish Tampa Bay, and a board member of Junior Achievement Tampa Bay. He is also on the finance committee of Make-A-Wish Southern Florida. In addition, he serves on the executive advisory council for the University of South Florida Muma College of Business and on the Tampa Bay Partnership workforce board.
He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with a specialty in finance (Cum Laude), from the University of Florida and is a graduate of Leadership Tampa (2013).