Shumaker Advisors is continuing to strategically expand its Florida operations, adding former St. Petersburg City Council member Ed Montanari as Principal in the St. Pete office.
Montanari’s hire is expected to strengthen the firm’s presence and leadership in St. Pete, one of the state’s fastest-growing markets.
Montanari brings a wealth of St. Pete-centric experience to Shumaker, with 20 years of public service experience in municipal government, land use and long-term planning. Montanari was first elected to the City Council in 2015 and served through 2024.
“Ed’s leadership and institutional knowledge of St. Pete are invaluable,” said Ron Christaldi, Shumaker Partner and President/CEO of Shumaker Advisors. “He has played a critical role in guiding the city through transformative growth, and his insight into public policy, development, and civic leadership will be a tremendous asset to our clients and the communities we serve.”
Prior to his service on the City Council, Montanari served for eight years on the city’s Planning and Preservation Commission. Through his service on both boards, Montanari played a key role in shaping St. Pete’s waterfront redevelopment, general redevelopment initiatives and long-term planning efforts.
As the City Council’s only Republican member — though the position is technically nonpartisan — Montanari proved himself a collegial member even as politics elsewhere became increasingly divisive and split along party lines.
His service on the City Council earned him admiration and respect from Republicans and Democrats alike, ensuring he will bring with him to Shumaker a network of allies that will further help poise the firm for success.
Among several others, Montanari joins former St. Pete Mayor Rick Kriseman at Shumaker Advisors’ St. Pete practice. Kriseman serves as of counsel for the firm.
Montanari most recently ran unsuccessfully for House District 60, losing in the 2024 General Election to incumbent Democrat Lindsay Cross, though Montanari’s 8-percentage-point loss was considered a good showing in what was, and remains, a blue district.
In addition to Montanari’s appointment to the St. Pete practice, Shumaker Advisors is also celebrating the return of Patrick Baskette as a Principal in its Tampa practice. He previously served in the same role from 2016 until 2019.
And the firm has added Sean Schrader as its Director of Operations in the Tampa office, where he will focus on strengthening internal operations and support firm-wide growth. Schrader is a former District Office Manager for former U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist and has an extensive background in civic service in Clearwater and St. Petersburg.