Art museum starts search for new director
TAMPA – The board of directors of the Tampa Museum of Art has begun an international search for the museum’s next executive director as current director Dr. Michael Tomor plans to retire at the end of March.
Tomor has led the museum for more than a decade, a period marked by major institutional growth and the launch of the museum’s multi-million dollar building expansion.
“We are grateful for Michael’s extraordinary leadership and the vision he cast for the Tampa Museum of Art during a transformative period in its history,” said Ron Christaldi, chair of the Tampa Museum of Art Board of Trustees and who is chairing the executive search committee.
Tomor’s retirement, announced in December, comes after a 40-year career working at and leading art museums, including just over a decade at the helm of the Tampa Museum of Art. During his tenure in Tampa, the museum acquired 1,500 new objects for its permanent collection. A major highlight of his tenure was the completion of a massive renovation that added over 17,500 square feet of exhibition space in two new promenades and eight new galleries, plus the opening of the new 8,000-square-foot Vinik Family Education Center, with three new classrooms with the capacity to offer ceramics, multi-media, and digital art classes for children, teens and adults.
During the last five years, Tomor has led the museum through an ongoing $100 million capital campaign to renovate and expand the museum.
Executive search firm Russell Reynolds Associates will lead the search, which will be captained by arts and culture practice leaders Katherine Armstrong and Olivia Stam.
The museum welcomes applications from a wide array of candidates. Nominations, applications, or any other inquiries should be sent to TMAExecutiveDirector@russellreynolds.com.
Non-profit closes on land for pediatric vision center
TAMPA – Lions World Vision Institute has officially closed on property that will become home to its new 30,000-square-foot Vision Health Center. After its scheduled opening in March 2027, the center expects to treat 20,000 visually impaired children and teens each year by providing free vision screenings and eyeglasses.
The property is located directly across the street from LWVI’s Ybor City location at 1410 N. 21st St. The expansion will bring comprehensive vision services together under one roof, including screenings, diagnostics, treatment, and community-based programs.
The expansion was made possible with $16 million in financing through the Federal New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) program.
“This new Vision Health Center will be life-changing for the one in four school-aged children affected by vision impairment and especially for the one in five who cannot afford the care and services needed to correct it,” said Jason K. Woody, president and CEO of Lions World Vision Institute.
Construction Career Days to return
DOVER – Tampa Bay Construction Career Days, a workforce development event designed to introduce high school and technical school students to careers in the construction and transportation industries, will take place on Tuesday, March 31, at the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds here. The event brings together students, educators, and industry partners for an immersive, hands-on learning experience.
Construction Career Days events are supported by the Florida Department of Transportation and industry partners to showcase the array of careers available in construction and transportation.
Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in learning labs led by industry professionals demonstrating real-world construction techniques; explore career centers with representatives from leading employers and trade organizations; and engage with hands-on equipment displays.
“Our goal at Tampa Bay Construction Career Days is to connect students with viable career opportunities right here in our region,” said Dixie Hammer, Tampa Bay Construction Career Day committee chair. “By providing hands-on experiences and direct access to industry professionals, we hope to inspire the next generation of builders, engineers, and skilled workers who will support Florida’s growing infrastructure needs.”
The event is open to all area high schools, technical programs, and students interested in learning more about construction and transportation careers. Educators and industry partners are also invited to participate.
Breeze to fly nonstop to Costa Rica, Dominican Republic
TAMPA – Breeze Airways will begin non-stop service later this summer to Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic.
Flights to Punta Cana (PUJ) will start July 2 and operate on Thursdays and Sundays. This route is currently served by JetBlue and Frontier.
Service to San Jose, Costa Rica, (SJO) begin Oct. 3 and will operate on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Breeze will be the only carrier offering this route.
The service marks the return of the Costa Rican destination to TPA for the first time in more than 25 years.
Costa Rica ranks as Florida’s ninth-largest trade partner, with about 3,000 Costa Rican-born residents calling Tampa Bay home.
Program offers 70 city internships
TAMPA ¬ The city of Tampa is offering 70 paid summer internships to local high students that could bring students money, inspiration, and invaluable career insight.
The program, called Rising Explorers, is for 16- to 19-year-olds who are current students at any Hillsborough County High School, public or private.
The jobs pay $15 an hour, and the students will work 32 hours a week from June 8-Aug. 7.
Application deadline is April 1. Visit tampa.gov/internships for more information.
FEMA okays housing extension for hurricane survivors
TALLAHASSEE – FEMA has approved a six-month extension of direct temporary housing assistance for survivors of hurricanes Helene and Milton who remain in FEMA-provided units.
This extension allows eligible residents without a scheduled move-out date to remain in FEMA-provided temporary housing on a month-to-month basis until Oct. 11. FEMA representatives will continue to meet with residents monthly to assess their progress toward permanent housing solutions.
The original 18-month housing period was set to end on April 11. With this extension, residents occupying FEMA units in 11 counties, including Pasco and Pinellas, will have additional time to secure permanent housing.
Residents occupying FEMA units after April 11 will be required to pay monthly rent. Rental rates will follow this schedule:
• April and May: 25% of the HUD Fair Market Rate
• June and July: 50% of the HUD Fair Market Rate
• August and September: 75% of the HUD Fair Market Rate
• October: Full HUD Fair Market Rate
Since hurricanes Helene and Milton, FEMA has provided 649 families with mobile homes, travel trailers and other ready-to-occupy units.
Mosquitofish giveaway underway
Hillsborough County Mosquito Management Services is hosting six mosquitofish giveaways this year at locations across the county.
The schedule features giveaways once per month from March to August. The first giveaway was March 21 at the Southshore Regional Library. The remaining dates and locations are:
• April 11, 9:30 a.m. to noon: West Service Unit, 9805 Sheldon Road, Tampa
• May 16, 8 a.m. to noon: New Tampa Performing Arts Center, 8550 Hunters Village Road, Tampa
• June 13, 8 a.m. to noon: FishHawk Sports Complex, 16000 FishHawk Blvd., Lithia
• July 18, 8 a.m. to noon: Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library, 3910 S. Manhattan Ave., Tampa
• Aug. 15, 8 a.m. to noon: Northdale Parks and Recreation Center, 15510 Hooting Owls Place, Tampa
To receive fish, residents must present a valid photo ID showing residence in Hillsborough County.
Mosquitofish are available while supplies last. They are small, native freshwater fish that primarily eat mosquito larvae and pupae. They require no feeding, and care is limited to protecting them from garden sprays, chlorine, or other chemicals used for cleaning.
Mosquitofish do not lay eggs and require no special environment for breeding.
Tax Collector graduates from FBI Citizens Academy
TAMPA – Hillsborough County Tax Collector Nancy Millan recently graduated from the Federal Bureau of Investigation Tampa Field Office’s Citizens Academy, a prestigious educational program designed to strengthen relationships between the FBI and community leaders.
The seven-week program immersed participants in the inner workings of the FBI, covering the agency’s operations, jurisdiction, and efforts to combat violent crimes, cybercrimes, terrorism threats, and white-collar crime. Participants engaged directly with FBI agents, walked through mock investigative cases, and took part in hands-on exercises — including collecting evidence at a mock suspect scene. The program also featured a day session with firearms and SWAT demonstrations.
Upon graduation, participants are empowered to serve as advocates for the FBI and the important work the agency does within our community.
“Completing the FBI Citizens Academy has been one of the most eye-opening and meaningful professional experiences of my career,” said Millan. “I am honored and grateful for everything this program taught me about federal law enforcement operations, and I leave with a profound admiration for all those who serve. The knowledge and relationships I’ve gained will only strengthen our office’s ability to better serve the people of Hillsborough County.”