Name: Stacy Miller
LT Class Year: 2021
Company Name: Bright Investments
Interviewed by: Laura Frost and Amanda Jacobson
1. Tell us, why LTA?
I moved to Tampa Bay in 2015, and like I’ve always done as a military spouse, moving 16 times in 27 years before my husband retired out of MacDill AFB in 2018, I dove straight into my new community network. A coffee meeting with a new connection along the way I learned about Leadership Tampa, and I immediately set it as a future goal. She told me that LT is the way to LTA, the true pot of gold (my words, not hers). Natalie Roberts ‘18.
2. For you, what separates LTA from other business leadership programs?
I haven’t done business leadership programs like this, but before I did Leadership Tampa, I wanted to make certain that my time and money were well spent. I did as much research as I could and found that the consensus was that Leadership Tampa provided the best programing. In addition, I was often told that my true goal should be the networking opportunities and new relationships developed through the LTA membership that I would gain by going through Leadership Tampa.
3. Describe a time when the LTA experience impacted your life or career?
I’ve only been a member for two years so I’m still in the process of determining LTA’s impact on my life and career. Relationships take time, and I’m not afraid to commit to that so that when I need a positive impact, I have this support system. In the meantime, I hope that I can be available to make a positive impact on someone else’s life or career.
4. What is a LTA benefit you wish everyone knew about? While I want everyone to be engaged in LTA activities, I understand that there are other personal and professional commitments. I hope everyone knows that being a member, by paying the annual dues, you have the opportunity to participate when there are not any conflicts, but you are also contributing toward Leadership Tampa scholarships, supporting Emerging Leaders of Tampa Bay, and supporting community outreach efforts. It always comes back to supporting our community in one way or another.
Fun Facts About You/Local Knowledge:
- Lessons learned from 16 moves in 27 years:
- Milk does not pack well! Movers for military transfers can be quite thorough, to say the least!
- Bring the kid’s school curriculum to the next tour of duty location to ensure lessons don’t get lost along the way. For one of my sons, this was learning to tell time as one school taught traditionally and the other digital first- each school runs on a different pace.
- Emergency contacts are not easy to come by in a new city.
- Latest TV Streaming/Movie? Book? Just finished reading Payback in Death by J.D. Robb (a favorite author/series) I love mystery, suspense & romance. I also just finished watching Special Ops: Lioness - streaming on Paramount+. It was absolute FIRE!
- Favorite spot to meet friends/colleagues for coffee, lunch or happy hour? I just got a membership at Cooper’s Hawk winery, so that’s my current favorite for lunch and/or a glass of wine.
- For staycation in Tampa Bay, you like to…… use my Marriott points to explore different locations around town.
- When out of town guests are visiting, you plan…. ZooTampa, Columbia, Fred Howard Park Beach followed by Hellas, Salt Shack
- Any hidden treasures/recent discoveries you’d like to share?! Looking forward to discovering Pickford’s Sundries - Fountain - Lunch at 2606 W. Hillsborough Avenue!