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Chamber Leader Out For Business

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By MARK HOLAN, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 23, 2008

Updated: 02/21/2008 04:55 pm

SOUTH TAMPA - Judy Gay wants business owners and residents to wear a path to her door.

As executive director of the South Tampa Chamber of Commerce, Gay knows the importance of getting out and networking. She drives around South Tampa in her convertible Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder looking for new members and touting the chamber's role in the community.

Soon, a sign on South Dale Mabry Highway will point to her office at 3715 W. Horatio St.

"I want this chamber of commerce to be a resource for the business community," Gay said. "And I want it to be a resource for the community."

Gay took the job in August. She came from the Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce, where she worked for four years in administrative, sales and special events positions.

"We enjoyed having Judy with us," said Tammy Bracewell, president of the Brandon chamber. "She was exposed to a lot of different programs here."

Gay's cousin, also named Judy Gay, has held top positions with the Bartow and Lake Wales chambers.

The Brandon chamber has two-dozen employees and 1,800 members. The South Tampa Chamber has about 480 members.

"This chamber is completely volunteer-driven," Gay said. "I am the only paid employee. Our members direct the growth of this chamber; what we have and what we want to be."

Their dedication, she said, is "absolutely inspirational."

Gay was among 30 applicants for the South Tampa job.
Chamber President Ron Sweet said Gay's experience in Brandon has already been an asset in South Tampa.

"She is adored by the chamber," he said. "She is highly efficient."

Gay, 55, graduated from Brandon High School. She has two grown daughters and eight grandchildren, ages 4 to 16.

"Visiting with my grandchildren is always delightful," she said.

She serves on the board of United Cerebral Palsy of Tampa Bay and enjoys gardening on nearly an acre at her Palm River home.

The chamber began in 1926 as the Port Tampa Assembly of Businessmen. It became the South Tampa chamber in 1974.

Gay's main job is to encourage new membership and maintain existing members. She's a regular at grand openings and ribbon cuttings.

Gay also organizes the chamber's four monthly networking events and larger community events such as the Health Care Spotlight Awards to be held Tuesday at the Hilton Tampa Airport Westshore and the Taste of South Tampa on April 27 at Hyde Park Village.

Now that the chamber has opened its first full-size office, Gay wants the organization to provide business referrals and other community services.

"I know how Brandon relies on their chamber. I saw it firsthand," she said. "I'd like to see that here."

Reporter Mark Holan can be reached at (813) 835-2102 or mholan@tampatrib.com.

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