Area leaders bring expertise and passion for the community to the Board
TAMPA, Fla. – The Community Foundation Tampa Bay has elected four new members to its Board of Trustees: Tom Kennedy, Christopher Lykes, Andres Prida, and Kay Annis Wilson.
Mike Starkey, Chair of the Community Foundation’s Board of Trustees is vice president of strategic account solutions at New York City-based LivePerson. Oscar J. Horton, CEO of Tampa-based Sun State International Trucks, is Chair Elect and Linda O. Simmons, President of Tampa-based R.R. Simmons, is Treasurer and Willie Tims Jr. is Secretary.
“We’re grateful to the accomplished local leaders who generously share their knowledge, time and talents to our organization and our community,” said Marlene Spalten, President and CEO of the Community Foundation Tampa Bay. “Their insight will help the Foundation collaborate on solutions for the most pressing local issues.”
The four new members who joined the Community Foundation’s Board of Trustees are:
- Thomas F. Kennedy is a Commercial Real Estate professional and President of Westport CRE. In addition to extensive real estate experience Tom has significant professional experience and expertise in growth management and economic development, land development and regulatory affairs, as well as emergency management, working with government at the federal, state, regional and local levels. With a strong lifelong commitment to community involvement, Tom currently serves on 2 non-profit boards addressing education and special needs, the Pinellas County Economic Development Council, the NAIOP Tampa Bay Board and other selected industry, government and philanthropic oversight committees.
- Christopher Lykes is a graduate of Washington and Lee University and the University of Tampa, Master of Science, Finance. Mr. Lykes began his banking career with Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company in New York and has over 35 years in commercial banking, finance and treasury services. Mr. Lykes has served as Chairman of the Board and CEO of Florida Business BancGroup, Inc. and served as Chairman of its bank subsidiary Bay Cities Bank until they were acquired by and merged into Home Bancshares, Inc. and its bank subsidiary Centennial Bank. Mr. Lykes is a former Director of Beasley Distributing Co., Inc. (malt beverage distribution) and Lykes Bros. Inc. (Food Processing and Agri-Business). A banker by training Mr. Lykes is the former Vice President and CFO of Vitality Foodservice, Inc. (a subsidiary of Lykes Bros. Inc.). Prior to that Mr. Lykes was the Director of Treasury and Assistant Treasurer for Lykes Bros. Inc.
- Andres Prida is a firm shareholder and Partner at Prida, Guida and Perez PA, Andres Prida manages the tax services section of the firm providing skilled, strategic guidance to the tax services team members. He specializes in multiple industry sectors including private family foundations, partnerships, and the not-for-profit field. Andres received his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Western Kentucky University in 1998 and his Master of Accounting with a tax specialization from the University of Florida in 2000. He is a member of the AICPA and FICPA.
- Kay Annis Wilson is a retired CEO, focusing on nonprofit and community work in Tampa, Florida. Prior positions include Director of Special Projects, Stanford University, Office of Government and Community Relations and CEO/Founder of Circlepoint, a communications and environmental planning firm in California. Education: Bachelor of Arts, Political Science/History Vanderbilt University. Masters in Regional & Community Planning from Kansas State University. Nonprofit experience in Tampa includes Board Chair, Champions for Children, 2020 and 2021; and Board Chair, Social Venture Partners Tampa Bay, 2017.
About the Community Foundation Tampa Bay
Founded in 1990, the Community Foundation Tampa Bay connects donors, nonprofits, community and business leaders, professional advisors, volunteers and residents to make the maximum positive impact in the Tampa Bay region. For 30 years, the Community Foundation Tampa Bay has been dedicated to making giving easy and meaningful for donors as a way to strengthen nonprofit organizations and build a better, more vibrant community. Since its inception, its donors have enabled the Community Foundation Tampa Bay to award more than $350 million in grants to nonprofit organizations across the country.
