FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Edie Ousley, 850-521-1231 or 850-251-6261
eousley@flchamber.com
TALLAHASSEE, FL. (November 20, 2014) – The Florida Chamber of Commerce today announced that Steve Knopik, CEO of Beall’s Inc., has been elected Chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors.
“Steve Knopik is an experienced business leader who understands that the private-sector plays an important role in making Florida more competitive,” said Mark Wilson President and CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce. “As Chair of the Florida Chamber, Steve will volunteer his time and talent to support our mission of uniting the business community and championing free enterprise principles and solutions to secure Florida’s future.”
Knopik replaces outgoing Florida Chamber Board of Director Chair Eric Silagy, President and CEO of Florida Power and Light Company, whose term expired October 31, 2014.
“It’s an honor for me to Chair the Florida Chamber Board. I am committed to working hard with the Chamber team to build upon the successes that we’ve achieved. I firmly believe that the Florida Chamber will continue to play a vital role in shaping a bright future for all Floridians,” said Knopik.
Knopik has been the CEO of Beall’s Inc. since August 2006, having previously served this Florida-based company as its Chief Financial Officer, its Executive Vice President and its President. He has been with the Company since 1984. He holds a business degree from the University of Florida, and serves on the boards of Publix Supermarkets, Inc. the National Retail Federation and the Florida Council of 100. In his local community, Knopik serves on the Southwest Florida Advisory Board for SunTrust Bank and is a Director Emeritus of the Palmetto Youth Center.
Knopik’s one-year term as the chair of the Chamber Board began November 1, 2014.
In addition to outgoing Chair Eric Silagy, Past Chairs of the Florida Chamber’s Board of Directors have included: Lars Houmann, President and CEO of Florida Hospital and President and CEO of the Florida Division Adventist Health System; former Speaker of the House Allan Bense; Anthony Connelly, Senior Vice President-Operations, Disney Cruise Line; Marshall M. Criser, III, Chancellor of the State University System of Florida; former Lt. Governor and Senate President Toni Jennings; Steve Halverson, President and CEO of The Haskell company; Susan Story, President and CEO, American Water Works Company.
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The Florida Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business and the state’s largest federation of employers, chambers of commerce and associations, aggressively representing small and large businesses from every industry and every region. The Florida Chamber works within all branches of government to affect those changes set forth in the annual Florida Business Agenda, and which are seen as critical to secure Florida’s future. The Florida Chamber works closely with its Political Operations and the Florida Chamber Foundation. Visit www.FloridaChamber.com for more information.