By LINDA CHION KENNEY
School officials, teachers, community businesses, nonprofits, service providers and agency representatives gathered in large numbers at the Barn Theater in Winthrop on August 7 to honor teachers serving in Riverview and Southern District schools.
They were there to participate in the annual “Teaching to Excellence” event, which dates back to a teacher breakfast that Earl Lennard, then-superintendent of schools, started for the Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce. The chamber changed its name to the Central Hillsborough County Chamber of Commerce earlier this year.
Riverview Woman’s Club members were present in large numbers as volunteers at the Central Hillsborough County Chamber of Commerce’s “Teaching to Excellence” event.
A group of teachers pose with AdventHealth bags filled with school supplies from the many display tables at Teaching to Excellence on August 7.
Lennard, a former board member of the chamber, championed the event because it was a great way to support new teachers and welcome experienced educators teaching for the first time at Riverview or another south county school. The event began as a breakfast and was held for years at the Gibtown Showmen’s Club event center in Gibsonton.
Lennard, a school board member from 1996 to 2005, died in December 2019 after a long illness. In his memory, the Chamber continues to support a scholarship for high school graduates who are pursuing academic studies or vocational training.
Central Hillsborough County Chamber of Commerce board member Jeff Campbell stands with school board member Patti Rendon. Campbell has assumed oversight of the chamber as the board looks to hire a president/CEO.
At the Aug. 7 event, Lennard’s wife, Annabel, posed for a photo with school district leaders against a backdrop designed by Craig Beckinger, founder and CEO of ABC Events. His booth was one of many offering free school supplies to area educators. It was located at 11349 Bloomingdale Avenue in the neotraditional community of Riverview, founded by John and Kay Sullivan.
“This was very special for me because my daughter is a first-year teacher,” said new chamber president Jeff Campbell, referring to the school supplies, copy paper and classroom materials that were available to teachers for free. He added good-naturedly, “A lot of what you’re getting today I paid for out of my own pocket to help (support) my daughter this year.”
Campbell was aware of the total cost of such materials and told the teachers, “It really means a lot to me that we can do this and help you.”
Craig Beckinger, founder and CEO of ABC Events, with his table full of school supplies, including teaching materials, whiteboards, posters, bulletin board decorations and bubbles
The main sponsor AdventHealth Riverview, which received a “summa cum laude” award, also supported the jury with the “valedictorian” sponsors Christopher Ligori & Associates, attorneys at law; Herzing University, Mosaic; Suncoast Credit Union and the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority.
Photos by Linda Chion Kenney
From left: Gary Brady, regional superintendent; Lynn Gray, school board member; Rick Graves, school principal; Colleen Faucett, academic director; Annabel Lennard, widow of former school superintendent Earl Lennard; Patti Rendon, school board member; Thomas Weeks, director of information technology; and regional superintendents Johan von Ancken and Rob Nelson, former principal of Sumner High
Campbell temporarily assumed the role of chamber president and CEO in July after the board and Ny’Kole Krivda agreed not to renew her contract. The announcement to members, which included kind words for Krivda’s tenure as president and CEO, was made in a July 17 email signed by Campbell and Tammy See, wrapping up her second year as chair.
Krivda replaced Tanya Doran, the chamber’s longtime chair, under See’s chairmanship in April 2023. During Krivda’s tenure, the board voted to change the chamber’s name from Riverview to Central Hillsborough County.
“We are currently in the process of searching for a new President and CEO and welcome all recommendations,” the letter to chamber members states. “Your opinion is invaluable to us as we seek to find the best candidate to lead our organization into the future.”
