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<\/p>\nLocal CEOs and presidents have come together to support an annual Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside build since 2022.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s project benefits the Wesley family. Community leaders participated in their first build day Jan. 16. <\/p>\n
More than 95 individuals have signed up to join the initiative. These include executives from the St. Petersburg Economic Development Corporation, SmartChoice Communications, Achieva Credit Union, Evara Health and Creative Contractors.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Additionally, approximately $250,000 was raised to construct the home.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it gives them the opportunity to kind of get their hands dirty a little bit and give back while also learning about the Habitat program,\u201d said the organization\u2019s president and CEO Mike Sutton. \u201cWe\u2019re really working to try to be an organization that businesses can rely on to help anchor their employees in the community.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He explained that participating in the CEO Build can help leaders see the impact of Habitat\u2019s work \u201cfirsthand.\u201d This can encourage them to \u201copen their doors up to allow us to come in and talk to their employees about the program.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Wesley family is the perfect example, Sutton added. Tyshawnna Wesley is an endocrinology representative at Johns Hopkins All Children\u2019s Hospital.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Talent retention is a serious local issue.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt reduces that fear of people moving out of the region. We keep seeing people who are getting priced out of our community.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
A \u201csignificant\u201d number of individuals are being forced to leave the state, Sutton continued. This is impacting healthcare, schools and the hospitality industry.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re not just putting a band-aid on it and providing someone an affordable place to live temporarily,\u201d he explained. \u201cThese folks are purchasing these homes from Habitat with a 0% interest mortgage and it\u2019s going to ensure they have a place to live for the long term.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
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From left, Solace Insurance CEO Bob Childress and Citizens Bank Florida president Jim Weiss working on the 2026 CEO Build.<\/p>\n
The 2026 build home, in the Ridgecrest neighborhood in Largo, is about 1,500 square feet. It will feature four bedrooms and two baths.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Three more build days are scheduled until the end of February. The Wesley family should be able to relocate to their new home by March, Sutton added.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Tyshawnna will be moving in with her husband Andre and their four sons, Chayse, Avion, Ashton and Adrian.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u201cOur children deserve a space where they can grow up feeling safe, secure and with the room to express themselves,\u201d she explained in a prepared statement. \u201cI am building because I want to provide a better life for my kids \u2013 a place to grow, heal and thrive.\u201d<\/p>\n
Since launching the CEO Build, Habitat has constructed five homes, he said. Additionally, it has collectively raised over $1 million. More than 140 CEOs and community leaders have participated in the program.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cFor most of these folks, it\u2019s easy for them to write a check,\u201d Sutton explained. \u201cFor them to roll up their sleeves and go to work alongside other community leaders, it really speaks volumes to their focus and dedication to our community.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n