Written By: Morgan Jennings, The University of South Florida, CL’27
Every day, thousands of Tampa Bay residents rely on infrastructure systems that often go unnoticed. From the TECO streetcar connecting communities throughout downtown Tampa to the runways at Tampa International Airport connecting our region to the world, infrastructure plays a fundamental role in shaping how our region operates and grows.
For the Tampa Bay Chamber’s Collegiate Leadership Class of 2027, Infrastructure Day, held on October 16, 2026, offered an opportunity to look beyond these everyday systems and explore the planning, investment, and leadership required to sustain one of Florida’s fastest-growing regions.
Throughout our trips to the Tampa International Airport, Coca Cola Distribution Center, Port Tampa Bay, and the Tampa History Center, one of my biggest takeaways was the confidence Tampa Bay’s leaders have in the region’s future. Through their perspectives, the growth and success of Tampa Bay requires a shared vision, a commitment to “thinking as one region”, and a “future-focused” approach.
Infrastructure Day began at SkyCenter One at Tampa International Airport, where we heard from Greg Slater, Smitha Radhakrishnan, and Jose DeJesus during the Transportation: Land, Air, and Sea Panel. From large-scale projects to accessible bike lanes, the panelists emphasized the importance of preserving Tampa Bay’s character while creating a region that remains livable and connected for everyone. What made this discussion especially memorable was discovering that none of the panelists were Tampa natives. Despite coming from different places, their passion for the region was clear. Their advice to embrace what makes us different and continue learning outside our disciplines was particularly meaningful as we prepare for our own careers.
Our next stop was BaseCamp, where we explored the planning behind the airport’s Airside D development. I enjoyed seeing the team’s planning wall and how much thought goes into the visual identity of the future airside. We then joined Matt DeLoatche, Chris Claytor, and Andres Cachon for the Constructure and Infrastructure Panel. Beyond discussing their roles and the value of engineering, they shared advice that extended well beyond the construction industry. Chris Claytor left us with a memorable reminder to “show up to work each day as the person we would want our colleagues to describe at our retirement party.”
The airport portion of our day ended with an exciting experience. We became the first public group to tour the construction site of Airside D! I had previously toured the airport in 2024, when construction was just beginning, making it even more meaningful to see the progress achieved since then. Learning about construction schedules, weather-related challenges, and the coordination behind such a large project gives us a firsthand look at what it takes to bring Tampa Bay’s future infrastructure to life.
Our next stop was the Coca-Cola Beverages Florida Distribution Center, where we heard from Erin Black, Bill Boykin, Lori Adams, Kyle Puglisi, and Christopher Lukert during the Coca-Cola Job Exploration and Relationship Panel. One of the most impressive things I learned was that in just eleven years of operation, Coca-Cola Beverages Florida has grown to become the sixth-largest independent Coca-Cola bottler in the United States and one of the largest Black-owned businesses in the country. Throughout the panel, we explored the importance of relationship-building and emotional intelligence, and how these skills play a role across different departments within the company. It was nice to see how much emphasis the speakers placed on the human connections behind such a large-scale operation. Following the discussion, we had the opportunity to tour the facility and see firsthand how Coca-Cola products are packaged, prepared, and distributed.
Our next stop took us to Port of Tampa Bay, where we boarded a water taxi for a guided tour with Jose DeJesus, one of our speakers from the morning’s Transportation Panel. As we traveled through the port, we had the opportunity to see shipping containers up close and learn more about the import and export processes that connect Tampa Bay to global trade. Beyond the port’s daily operations, we discussed the importance of balancing economic development with environmental responsibility. As a major gateway for commerce, Port Tampa Bay plays an important role in supporting regional businesses, jobs, and economic growth. However, continued development also requires careful consideration of the surrounding environment, including protecting marine ecosystems, preserving natural resources, and so much more that makes Tampa Bay unique. The tour also provided a great opportunity for our class to engage with Jose DeJesus on a more personal level, asking individual questions and building on the insights he shared during our first panel of the day.
Our final stop of Infrastructure Day brought us to the Tampa Bay History Center, where we had the opportunity to sit down with Rodney Kite-Powell for a look into the region’s rich history and multicultural roots. From architecture and cuisine to the traditions woven into everyday life, it was incredible to recognize how much Tampa Bay’s history remains visible throughout the city. After a day spent exploring the developments shaping Tampa Bay’s future, this final visit served as an important reminder that understanding where our region is headed also requires appreciating where it began. As emerging leaders in Tampa Bay, having the opportunity to learn more about our city’s history allows us to better understand the communities we hope to serve.
We concluded the day with a ride back to the Tampa Bay Chamber aboard the TECO Streetcar. As someone who had never ridden the streetcar before, it was a great opportunity to experience firsthand transportation systems that help connect downtown Tampa. It certainly won’t be my last ride, and I look forward to using it more often during future visits downtown. A sincere thank you to all our guest speakers and participating organizations for sharing their time and experiences with the Collegiate Leadership Class of 2027. A special thank you to Chris Yanes and Katrina Pasteur for organizing such an engaging and memorable program day, and for the Tampa International Airport “Phoebe the Flamingo” pins that served as a fun keepsake from our experience!