December 19, 2003

Chairman’s Message

2003 was a significant year in the history of Leadership Tampa Bay.  It was a year when we received the highest number of applicants in over a decade.  It was also the year when LTB established its web site (www.leadershiptampabay.com).  This site resulted from the efforts and perseverance of the LTB Class of '02, demonstrating that every success comes on the shoulders of giants.  Last year we began communicating with alumni with e-mail newsletters for the first time, too. In 2003 we also experienced another big change when LTB moved onto its own with a new address and phone-and we are no longer housed under another organization's roof for the first time in our organization's history.

Thanks to the great efforts of our immediate past president, Michelle Robinson (LTB '98), our wonderful director, Alice Bessette, and a dynamic board of directors that hail from several years of LTB classes, we had a superb year of growth and success.  Financially we are in excellent shape, and our programs for both alumni and the Class of 2004 are planned to reflect a leadership program that has matured to become one of the most innovative and creative programs of its kind.

2004 is already taking shape as a year for even greater achievements.  We received even more applications for this year's class than the record last year, and for the first time ever in our organization's 16-year history, we've achieved three straight years of successive gains in the number of applicants for the next class year.

We have achieved these successes while keeping our tuition costs low and while expanding the alumni and class programs.  We remain the only independent leadership program dedicated to a regional approach to challenges and solutions, and we proudly attribute the depth and breadth of our influence to the more than 600 Tampa Bay area leaders from more than 300 Tampa Bay area companies and organizations who experienced LTB and created the shared vision of making things better in our communities. 

One of our recent grads summed up her LTB experience last year with this comment:  "LTB is the perfect forum to learn more about our community and to contribute to its improvement."

Our goal ahead, with your help, is to improve on perfection, and make Leadership Tampa Bay the premier leadership organization in the nation.

--Charlie Reese (LTB '98)

President, 2003-04

Alumni Programs

Cirque du Soleil -- We have an opportunity to purchase group tickets for Cirque du Soleil’s Alegria in St. Petersburg.  We anticipate a late February or early March program.  Tickets will likely cost $55.00.  Watch for details.

St. Paddy's Day Leadership Cruise--Leadership Tampa Bay is spearheading a region-wide gathering of leadership program alumni, with other organizations such as Leadership Pasco and some Leadership Tampa classes, for an evening of fun on board the Yacht Starship.  Hold the evening of March 17th open on your calendars.  We'll provide details soon.

The Program Committee will begin meeting after the first of the year.  If you volunteered to serve on the committee, we will contact you with proposed meeting dates.