New leadership appointments were announced this week for Dr. René Flowers, Dr. Jeffery Johnson, and Roy James, Jr. by (respectively) the David Jolly gubernatorial campaign, the City of Tampa and the City of St. Petersburg.
Commissioner René Flowers to Co-Lead Community Development for Jolly Campaign
Pinellas County Commissioner René Flowers at an October 2025 groundbreaking
ceremony for Skytown Apartments (Source: City of St. Petersburg)
Pinellas County Commissioner René Flowers has been tapped for a leadership role with David Jolly’s campaign to become Florida’s next governor. Flowers will co-lead the community development and economic empowerment initiatives for the Jolly team, alongside Escambia County Commissioner Lumon May.
The joint role will focus on expanding opportunity, advancing equity, and addressing affordability challenges across Florida, according to a campaign release.
“Flowers has seen communities from every angle,” said former U.S. Representative Jolly. “As a County Commissioner, School Board Member, and now the incoming President of the Florida Association of Counties, she understands that economic development means tourism, trade, and business development—but also empowering communities too often left behind. I’m looking forward to relying on her expertise as we build an economy that works for everyone in our state.”
Jolly announced several other key appointments last week, including Attorney Sean Pittman and State Senator Tina Polsky as campaign co-chairs, Rev. R.B. Holmes as faith leadership chair, and Gayle Andrews as senior campaign advisor.
In unveiling the new slate, Jolly emphasized the importance of collaboration and representation, saying “We’re building a coalition that looks like the state we all love.”
Roy James Joins City’s Investment Oversight Committee
Roy James in the St. Petersburg City Hall vestibule, November 4, 2025 (Source: Izabelle James)
Roy James, Jr. was sworn in last week as the newest member of the City of St. Petersburg’s Investment Oversight Committee, a volunteer body that monitors the investment performance of the City’s financial portfolios and ensures prudent management of public funds.
Members of the committee serve two- and three-year terms, providing expertise and guidance on strategies that safeguard taxpayer dollars while maximizing responsible returns.
James was appointed to the post by St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch and will serve a two-year term.
“Roy James, Jr. represents the next generation of civic leadership—talented, accountable, and rooted in community—and his voice will help ensure our investments reflect the values of every neighborhood,” said Mayor Welch. “By appointing Roy to the Investment Oversight Committee, we’re strengthening our focus on equitable opportunity and sound fiscal management.”
The 39-year-old father is co-owner of James Insurance Solutions, along with his wife Izabelle James. He brings nearly two decades of business and civic experience to the post as a second-generation entrepreneur and licensed Financial Advisor with Prudential Advisors. His prior leadership roles include service on the board of the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and as a 2020 Plan/One Community Plan Committee member.
Izabelle expressed her pride in a recent statement, “Congratulations to my husband on being officially sworn in as a newly appointed member of the City of St. Petersburg Investment Oversight Committee! I’m so proud of you and can’t wait to see the positive impact you’ll make in this new role.”
Dr. Jeffrey Johnson Re-Elected as East Tampa CRA CAC Chair
Dr. Jeffery Johnson after the vote re-electing his Chair of the East Tampa CRA CAC (Source: Dr. Jeffery Johnson)
On November 4, Dr. Jeffrey Johnson was re-elected – unopposed – for his second one-year term as Chair of the East Tampa Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Community Advisory Committee (CAC). Johnson and fellow members of the CAC advise to funding, planning and programmatic initiatives for the East Tampa CRA, which is one of Florida’s largest tax increment financing districts.
Priorities for the East Tampa CRA are to drive neighborhood revitalization, housing affordability, commercial revitalization and small-business growth within the 7.5 square mile area. The CRA expended $4.77 million in fiscal year 2024, according to the City of Tampa’s most recent annual report.
Dr. Johnson’s newest tenure encompasses an update to the East Tampa CRA Strategic Plan, which will set priorities for investments in the years ahead.
His other leadership roles include serving as Chief Strategy Officer for Corporation to Develop Communities of Tampa (CDC of Tampa) where he oversees communications, government relations, strategic planning, corporate training, and small business development programs.
In addition, Dr. Johnson is Treasurer of the Hillsborough County Hospital Authority, and Chaplain for the Tampa Navy Reserve Center at MacDill Air Force Base.
Reflecting on his re-election, Johnson shared: “Leadership is not about titles; it’s about trust. To be chosen again to serve this great community means that the work, the vision, and the impact are being seen and felt.”
He continued, “East Tampa is rising, and I’m committed to continuing the fight for economic opportunity, affordable housing, business growth, and community pride.”
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