Annual Report
Tampa Bay Partnership Logo White

Economic Development Administration (EDA) U.S. Department of Commerce Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Linda Olson, founder and CEO, Tampa Bay Wave. File photo.

Dear Director Smith:  

I’m writing on behalf of the Tampa Bay Partnership to pledge our support for Tampa Bay  Wave in their proposal for the U.S. Economic Development Administration (US EDA) Build to Scale (B2S) 2022 Venture Challenge Grant Competition. Their proposal, the Tampa Bay  Cybersecurity, FinTech & HealthTech Innovation Network, will fill a critical gap in our local startup ecosystem.  

The Tampa Bay Partnership is a coalition of regional business and not-for-profit leaders representing nearly 40 companies and approximately 80,000 jobs. We have a vested interest in high-impact economic development initiatives which will accelerate local job creation in the Tampa Bay region.  

Projects like the proposed Tampa Bay Cybersecurity, FinTech & HealthTech Innovation  Network will leverage the Tampa Bay region’s industry strengths in cybersecurity, finance, and healthcare. Such jobs are key to growing our region’s Per Capita Gross Domestic Product, which languishes far below the US average, as well as our peer and aspirational markets. Advancements in the proposal will create robust tech-innovation creating opportunities for greater startup density while increasing the region’s global competitiveness and creating high-wage local jobs.  

Given Tampa Bay Wave’s long-term commitment to the region and history of success, we support their 2022 Build to Scale Venture Challenge Grant application. We are confident this proposal will accelerate the growth of innovation-based, high-growth companies and drive a  more diversified and more resilient regional economy in Tampa Bay.  

Sincerely,  

Bemetra Simmons  

President and CEO  

Tampa Bay Partnership 

Search

The Tampa Bay Partnership is composed of a coalition that helps unite the collective voices and influence and hone in on a unified message to address regional challenges and achieve what no individual or organization can accomplish alone.

Media Contact:
Shannon Kalahar
skalahar@tampabay.org
727.741.5440

C.J. Mintrone

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

PNC Logo
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).