Tampa Bay Business Journal, 01-27-25

Power 100: Tampa Bay’s Most Influential Business Leaders of 2025 Named

As featured in Tampa Bay Business Journal

This year’s Power 100 list has new and familiar names, but they all share one trait: influence.

The annual Power 100 list, started in 2016, was created by the Tampa Bay Business Journal publisher and editorial staff. It includes the area’s most influential business leaders who have the power to get things done. It is a celebration of power players across the region who significantly impact the business community.

There is no formal application process. An internal team compiles the honorees based on a range of traits, including leadership status, philanthropic missions and the ability to strike big deals. These people are highlighted for fostering innovation and disruption, shaping industries and the competitive landscape, and building capacity and staying power in the local economy.

Results-oriented players don’t easily give away that earned equity. The Power 100 individuals have demonstrated long-term power and influence in the area, so many will appear repeatedly. The cohort is comprised of an array of business leaders who often make contributions to the business community in quiet ways. Their achievements underscore advancement in their industries and many are known for their finesse in advancing their fields.

Those who have retired and are perennially powerful are moved to the Legends list. This year, we added four new legends, including a posthumous one.

What you won’t see on the Power 100 are elected leaders. Those individuals are powerful by the nature of their office. Some pairs and families are included.

Each year, we expect newcomers, and we expect to hear feedback as the Power 100 is not an exact science. Email Editor Alexis Muellner with suggestions and more. When new honorees are considered, a key question arises: Who comes off the list?

Power 100 and Legends are listed alphabetically below. They will be featured in the March 21 edition of the Business Journal.

• Brian Van Slyke, regional president, Kolter Urban
• Dave Verinder, president and CEO, Sarasota Memorial Health Care System
• Will Weatherford, managing partner, Weatherford Capital
• Cina Welch, president and CEO, FCCI Insurance Group
• Helen Wesley, president and CEO, Peoples Gas
• Freddy Williams, president and CEO, Boys and Girls Clubs of the Suncoast and Boys and Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay
• Tonjua Williams, president, St. Petersburg College
• Cathie Wood, CEO and chief investment officer, Ark Investmentp
• Andrew Wright, founder and chairman of the board at Franklin Street; CEO of Ally Capital Group; managing partner of Next Level Brandsp
• Jennifer Zales, Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estatep
• John Zettel, CEO, AVI-SPLp

Get the full list from the article.

New Legends

• Jeff Vinik, owner, Tampa Bay Lightning
• Wanek family, Ashley Furniture owners
• Joe Lopano, retiring CEO, Tampa International Airport
• David Pizzo, Florida Blue (posthumous)
Read the Article