Organization History

In his book Tampa’s People With A Purpose, W. Scott Christopher recounted the thinking that surrounded the formation of the Committee of One Hundred:

“The Committee of One Hundred was simple in concept:  enroll as many Chamber members as possible in a special industrial development sales club.  Ask them to pay an additional $100 per year in Chamber dues to help finance the expanded promotional effort.”

The product to be sold was Tampa.

“On January 22, 1954, at a special called meeting of all Chamber members at the Tampa Terrace Hotel, more than 200 attended to hear the proposal.  The Committee of One Hundred became a reality at that meeting …..former Governor Doyle Carlton was first on his feet to join the Committee and subscribe the extra $100 per year dues.”

The “One Hundred” in the name came from the $100.

In October 2009, the Board of Directors of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce approved having its wholly owned subsidiary, the Committee of One Hundred, become an independent corporation and separate legal entity under its new name, Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation.

Leadership from both organizations were involved in the decision to give each entity the ability to focus on strategic and complementary programs and build a stronger and more desirable community in which to live, work and do business.

Tampa Hillsborough EDC will forever honor its legacy, the Committee of One Hundred, in the best way it knows how:  build on the strong foundation its past leaders and supporters worked hard to achieve.

With great respect for the legacy of its past and immense hope for its future, we recognize past and present chairs of our organization:

Committee of One Hundred - Chairs
1954        George M. Holtsinger
1955        Malcolm R. McKinley
1956        W. L. Waring, Jr.
1957        Henry S. Toland
1958        J. Arthur Turner, Sr.
1959        William C. MacInnes
1960        T. Paine Kelly, Jr.
1961        Carl D. Brorein, Sr.
1962        L. M. Anderson, Jr.
1963        Ellwood W. Johnson
1964        J. H. Williams, Jr.
1965        Fischer S. Black
1966        James H. Couey, Jr.
1967        G. Pierce Wood
1968        Sam F. Davis
1969        L. Ed Hardman
1970        Fred D. Learey
1971        Joseph A. Savarese, Jr.
1972        Fred F. Church
1973        Parke Wright, III
1974        Donald L. Whittemore, Jr.
1975        Charles M. Davis
1976        H. L. Culbreath
1977        David C. G. Kerr
1978        W. J. Turbeville, Jr.
1979        James F. Urbanski
1980        Hugo Schmidt
1981        George Gage
1982        Richard F. Pittman
1983        Rudolph Michaud
1984        J. Benton Stewart
1985        Alphonse S. Lucarelli
1986        T. Terrell Sessums
1987        Michael D. Hogan
1988        G. Robert Blanchard
1989        Mandell "Hinks" Shimberg, Jr.
1990        James L. Ferman, Jr.
1991        Wm. Reece Smith, Jr.
1992        Stella F. Thayer
1993        James W. Apthorp
1994-95  William E. Starkey
1996        Chris T. Sullivan
1997        Guy King, III
1998        Marsha G. Rydberg
1999        Gov. Bob Martinez
2000        Richard J. Dobkin
2001        Rhea F. Law
2002        Stephen A. Meyers
2003        R. Randolph Simmons, III
2004-05  Dr. Judy L. Genshaft
2006        Robert R. Abberger
2007        Roy J. McCraw, Jr.
2008        Larry D. Richey

Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation - Chairs
2009        John B. Ramil
2010        Mark House
2011        Rhea Law