*SPECIAL EDITION*
“Dishing with Mark & Carrie”
38 Outstanding Community Leaders under the age of 35.
We have been local LGBT, Human Rights & Community Activists ever since we first moved to Tampa in 1980. It was a time when we first started to hear about AIDS and the terrible mystery killing virus. Many good people from that time and later have passed. Now we are in our 50’s & 60+ age. Many people in the next generation, 35-55 age are gone. We, as a community are skipping a generation of creativity and direction. The next forthcoming leaders will be in the under 35 group.
All these deep thoughts were brought on when nephew Mathieu asked us a very thought provoking question. “Who do we think under the age of 35, will be the next LGBTA (older) community leaders in the Tampa Bay Area?”
What a great question! After much debating and thought we came up with our 15 picks. All of these people are community leaders today, responsible and the new “go to” people in our community. The one thing they all have in common is that they all lead by example.
We then asked the top 15 who they would include in this list. The best way to be introduced to new people is to ask your peers. The list is very diverse and impressive. Yes, there were people I’m sure we missed and some you might not understand. You might see that some of the selected leaders are not even gay! They do an awesome job in helping our community. So the group consists of Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual, Transgender & Allies.
One thing is for sure, Our LGBTA Diverse Community’s future will be in very good progressive hands.
The list in alphabetical order by first name.
Abby Nicholson
HIV Education & Prevention Coordinator at Metro Wellness and Community Centers
https://www.facebook.com/#!/abby.nicholson.5
Adam Jahr
LGBT Program Manager at Metro Wellness and Community Centers
https://www.facebook.com/ajahr?fref=ts
Andres (Andy) Cardenas
Owner/CEO Round One, Inc
Ashley Brundage
Banker PNC/Treasurer TransAction Florida
https://www.facebook.com/ashleybrundagetg?fref=ts
Andrew Mason
Graduate of Florida State currently studding at USF. Active Parliamentarian of Suncoast Softball League
https://www.facebook.com/AMason4Noles
BadJoy Bombshell
Community Event Coordinator
https://www.facebook.com/AllAmericanBadJoy
Brian D Betz
Red Bull/ GaYbor District Coalition Board Member
https://www.facebook.com/brian.d.betz?fref=ts
Christian Lozada
Bartender/Community Organizer
https://www.facebook.com/christian.lozada.5?fref=ts
Chucky B. Ruckus
FEG Club Promoter/Bartender
https://www.facebook.com/chucky.bruckus?fref=ts
Chou Chou Guilder
Artist/ Local Bartender
https://www.facebook.com/chouchou.guilder?fref=ts
Colt Pennington
Business Owner
https://www.facebook.com/landshark04
Daphne Ferraro / Michael Dixon
Performer & Show/Event Hostess by night
and a Marketing Professional and Graphic/Fashion Designer by day.
https://www.facebook.com/daphne.ferraro
Daniel Johnson – Sashay Infinite
Club Kid teaching positive leadership to his peers.
https://www.facebook.com/sashay.infiniti?fref=ts
Drew Drosinos
Since moving to Tampa in 2008 Has been very active & promoting the Suncoast Softball league
https://www.facebook.com/drew.drosinos.5
Emily Whayne
The Spring Tampa Bay, Social Change Team
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=5027781&fref=ts
Eric Bickerstaff
The most important thing for Eric is to help build the gay community through sport. Active member of the Suncoast Softball league.
https://www.facebook.com/clyde.Bickerstaff
Fred Macoukji
Mentorship Chair at Balance Tampa Bay / Doctoral Student in the Industrial Organizational Psychology Dept. at USF
https://www.facebook.com/FredMacoukji
Gavin Nagatomo
Major leader at USF – St. Pete GSA
https://www.facebook.com/gavin.nagatomo?fref=ts
Jaeda Fuentes
Winner of the Community Service title, St. Pete Pride
https://www.facebook.com/jaedafuentes?fref=ts
Jay Aller
A.S.A.P. Fundraiser
https://www.facebook.com/aller?fref=ts
Jennifer Whelihan
Community Leader & Activist
https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.whelihan?fref=ts
Jeremiah Kerr
USF Ybor Youth Clinic/ Community Activist
https://www.facebook.com/jeremiah.kerr.16?fref=ts
Jonathan Soots
Admissions Advisor at Everest University. He is also a youth minister at
Saint Andrews Episcopal Church, Tampa.
Jonathansoots@gmail.com
Josh Taylor Przbysz
Grow Financial Admin/Self Employed
https://www.facebook.com/josh.przybysz
Kaitlin Winters
The LGBTQ Graduate Advisor at USF
https://www.facebook.com/kaitlin.winters?fref=ts
Kevin Hansen
Former state’s attorney from Minnesota and Commissioner of the Suncoast Softball League”
https://www.facebook.com/kevhans
Kyle Streng
Commissioner & Representative on Suncoast Softball league
https://www.facebook.com/kstreng
Luke Miller
Major Fundraiser & Mgr at The Broken Tusk
https://www.facebook.com/lukiedukie?fref=ts
Mallory Garner-Wells
Equality Florida’s Public Policy Director
https://www.facebook.com/mallory.e.wells?fref=ts&ref=br_tf
Mark O’Hara
Public School Teacher
https://www.facebook.com/oharam
Mark Puskarich
Marketing & Development for Community Tampa Bay/Communications Strategist at St. Leo University
Mathieu Stanoch
Set Designer/Organizer of Historic Holiday Spirit in Ybor City
https://www.facebook.com/mathieu.stanoch?fref=ts
Michael Wilson
General Manager at Hamburger Mary’s & GaYBOR District Coalition board member.
https://www.facebook.com/michaelwilsontampa?fref=ts
Founder, Director at Strategic Campaigns LLC & Author of “Gay:A New path Forward”
https://www.facebook.com/nick.janovsky
Nick Staszak
Construction/ LGBT Activist
https://www.facebook.com/nick.staszak.3
Pete Guzzo
Founder of JOLT
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jolt-Productions/133702673470945
https://www.facebook.com/pete.guzzo?fref=ts
Troy Loker, Ph.D.
USF School Psychologist / Response to Intervention (RtI) Facilitator
Walter Giovanni
Bank Vice President & Board member of GaYBOR District Coalition
https://www.facebook.com/wgiovanni
Honorary Under 35 years in heart & spirit.
All these people were suggested. We later found out their real age. LOL
Bob Taylor
Producer dozens of Drag Pageants & Huge supporter of the art.
https://www.facebook.com/MrBobTaylor
Charles Machado, DJ
Inspiring young DJ’s
https://www.facebook.com/djcharles
Christopher Rudisill
Director of LGBT Community Services @ Metro Wellness center
https://www.facebook.com/crudisill
Levi Love
Owner St. Pete LGBT Bar “Broken Tusk”
https://www.facebook.com/levi.love.1972
Mike Hammonds
Community Organizer
https://www.facebook.com/TheMikeHammonds?fref=ts
Matt Wolf
Executive Director TBLFP Chief of the Tribe/Restaurant Manager
https://www.facebook.com/matt.gcfl
