Pinellas County Urban League Board
Chairperson of the Board --- Ms. Gail Simpson
Manager, Policy & Constituency RelationsProgress Energy Florida
The Board of Directors of the Pinellas County Urban League takes great pleasure in introducing our new Chairperson, Ms. Gail Simpson of Progress Energy Florida. At its regular board scheduled board meeting held on March 10, 2011, the Board unanimously selected Ms. Simpson as the new Chair to lead the organization. Ms. Simpson's term as Board Chair will be for two (2) years. Her first term as Chair will be effective from March 10, 2011 through January 19, 2012.Ms. Simpson joined the Pinellas County Urban League's Board of Directors in 2001 representing Business & Industry. During her tenure, in addition to serving on several committees, Ms. Simpson served as Second Vice-chairperson and Chair for the agency's Program Committee. After completing two three year terms, she left the Board at the end of 2007 for a one year hiatus. Ms. Simpson rejoined the Board in 2009 and has served on the Executive Committee since that time.
Gail Simpson is the Manager, of Public Policy for Progress Energy Florida. She has 22 years experience in the electric utility industry in external relations, customer operations and human resources. She currently manages the development and implementation of policy on a wide variety of energy-related issues with communities and local governments including new infrastructure, franchises and other major projects. She serves as a statewide spokesperson with local governments, community groups and constituent organizations. In addition to being Chairperson for the Pinellas County Urban League, Ms. Simpson's community involvement includes serving on the boards of several community and arts organizations in Pinellas County. She is a graduate of Leadership Pinellas. Ms. Simpson graduated from the University of South Florida with a degree in Business and completed Leadership Development at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Gail is a 3rd generation Floridian, has a daughter who is a graduate of the University of Florida, two grandsons and enjoys travel, water sports, snow skiing and hiking.
Ms. Simpson indicated that she is very appreciative of the confidence the Board placed in nominating her to serve as Chair. She indicated that she is also pleased to represent her company, Progress Energy, a major supporter of the Urban League. Ms. Simpson stated that her goal will be to focus on the League's five main focus areas of its Strategic Plan - Advocacy, Economic Prosperity, Public/Private Partnerships, Education Competitiveness and Program Services & Research.
First Vice-Chairperson --- Mr. Charles Daye
Senior Vice President, Human ResourcesCeridian
Mr. Daye has over 25 years of HR experience. He began his career path with Hanes Corporation based in Winston Salem as a HR Manager and progressed on to Abbott Laboratories in N. Chicago where he was a Corporate Recruiter. He also has past affiliations with First Interstate Bank (Los Angeles), Household Finance, Inc. (Pomona, CA), Richard Gast & Associates (Executive Search in Irvine, CA) and TSYS Acquiring Solutions (Tempe, AZ). Mr. Daye is an avid USC football fan and his west coast ties also make him a huge LA Lakers fan. He loves all sports and is very competitive. His all time favourite passion is vintage cars and auto racing. He is best described as a senior level HR professional whose communication skills couples with his strategic scope allows for his proven ability to uniquely associate all levels of the organization. He is a graduate of N.C. A&T State University.
Second Vice-Chairperson --- Charles Harris
Attorney-at-LawTrenam Kemker
Charley Harris joined Trenam Kemker in 1992 and became a Shareholder of the firm in 1999. His practice includes commercial litigation and intellectual property litigation. Charley's litigation practice includes matters involving corporate and partnership disputes, unfair trade practices, factoring agreements, trademark and copyright infringement litigation, contract and business tort claims, trade secrets, and trust and estate litigation. Charley is a member of the American Bar, Florida Bar and St. Petersburg Bar Associations.
Education:Vrije University, Brussels, Belgium (LL.M. with high honors), Florida State University (J.D., Order of the Coif), Hull University, Kingston-upon-Hull (M.A.), University of South Florida (B.S., cum laude in Finance) .
Secretary --- Myrtle H. Williams
Retired ProvostSt. Petersbrug College, Gibbs Campus
Treasurer --- Mary D'Amico
Senior Vice President, Area Manager, Central PinellasSunTrust Bank, Tampa
Asst. Treasurer --- Rep. Leslie Waters
Speaker Pro-TemporeLeslie Waters Government Relations
