HOW BAA BEGAN
Bay Area Advisors is an accredited non-profit professional organization 501(c)(3) based in Tampa, FL. We are a group of business and civic leaders determined to improve the lives of everyone in our Tampa Bay community. The three pillars that support our organization are professional growth and development, camaraderie, and philanthropy. We are an enthusiastic organization who understands that more can be accomplished through community support and involvement.
MEMBERS
Busciglio Smiles (dba) is a leader in orthodontic and pediatric care in the Bay area. Having the first full time orthodontic office in Brandon, Fl helped to establish what has proven to be a very successful practice. Its growth has allowed Dr Busciglio to donate thousands of dollars to multiple charitable organizations in the communities it serves. As a Top 1 % Invisalign provider, the practice holds a distinction that separates itself from most dental practices worldwide. Dr. Busciglio has lectured on the Invisalign system and its usefulness in comprehensive orthodontic treatment for children, teens, and adults alike to doctors around the southeastern US.
Derek married his wife Katie in 2010. Katie Busciglio owns and operates Ivy Drive Design, an interior design firm based in the Tampa Bay area. Together they have one son, Rocco.
Chris’ practice is primarily in the areas of Real Property Law, Residential and Commercial Real Estate, Residential and Commercial Lending, Collections, and Consumer Protection. In today’s tumultuous economy, Chris often represents both debtors and creditors in order to restructure debt, foreclosures, loan workouts, loan modifications, bankruptcy and protection from creditor harassment.
He received his B.A. from Stetson University in DeLand, Florida where he played Divison I men’s tennis and subsequently worked in Houston, Texas as a natural gas and electricity trade analyst. Following the collapse of Enron, Chris attended law school at Stetson University College of Law and later practiced with KPMG, LLP.
His role prior to LendSimpli was VP of Investment Operations for Atlantic Merchant Capital Investors (AMCI). AMCI is a Tampa-based lower middle market investment bank and private equity firm, also providing investment banking advisory services to clients. Mr. Crampton was named a finalist in 2013 for the Tampa Bay Business Journal CFO of the Year.
He and his wife Jodi reside in South Tampa with their children Audrey and Brooks.
Aaron began his career growing a single-office title agency (Hillsborough Title) into FAN, one of the largest full-service settlement services firms in the nation. FAN today is built upon multiple title agency brands (Hillsborough Title, Paramount Title, Tampa Bay Title, Smart Title, Strategic Title, Affinity Title Services, Gator Title, Total Title Solutions, Patriot Title, and International Title Partners). All told, FAN employs nearly 300 people throughout the state of Florida and has a footprint of 30 offices.
Premier Data Services (PDS) is a SOC 2 Type 2-examined technology services provider specializing in managed services, cloud hosting, and network security. PDS has quickly evolved into one of the settlement services industry’s go-to sources for IT support.
Network Transaction Solutions (NTS) offers back-office, ancillary support, and settlement solutions, such as title search products, lien search, post-closing services, data processing, a national mobile settlement/notary/RON service provider, mobile home transfer division, and a short sale/foreclosure service department.
Aaron is a frequent speaker at title and mortgage industry conferences and seminars, and a frequent contributing author or expert source to numerous trade publications on issues pertinent to title and mortgage executives. He is a graduate of the University of Florida (BS/BA in Finance) and an alumnus of the prestigious Harvard Business School’s three-year Owner/President Management leadership program.
Aaron is a proud father of two boys, Aiden and Jackson. In his spare time, he enjoys travelling, volunteering for several charitable organizations, and spending time with loved ones.
He has over 15 years of experience within technology consulting and professional employment service industries, and has previously held roles as Partner, Managing Director of IT Services, and Business Development Manager.
Brady Diggs, his wife Kate, and daughter Loren reside in St. Petersburg, Florida. He is originally from Poquoson, Virginia, and is a proud graduate of Hampden-Sydney College. In addition to being a board member for Bay Area Advisors / Martinis for Moffitt co-chair, he also serves as a board member for The Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts / Mahaffey Theater, and is a council member of The Rowdies Council.
Steve Frey has served as a past President and past Treasurer of Bay Area Advisors, a local philanthropic organization that support cancer research at Moffitt Cancer Center. Prior to founding Oasis Corporate Housing, Steve worked as an investment banker with Gulf Atlantic Capital and spent 4 years as an auditor with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Steve has an BS in Accounting from Florida State University and is a CPA. He is enthusiastic about the future economic developments being cultivated within Tampa Bay and excited about the contribution Bay Area Advisors can make as a home grown philanthropic organization.
Dennis grew up in Richmond, Virginia and earned his Master of Science from the University of Virginia and earned his undergraduate degree (BBA) from Radford University. After 13 years of financial services industry experience and leadership roles in one of the world’s largest “Big 4” consultancies, Dennis Gallagher founded Dominion Payroll, Florida. Dominion Payroll is 9 year Inc. 5000 company and an innovative leader in the Human Capital Management space.
A partial list of client industries includes: • Art museums, Children’s museums, and other philanthropic cultural venues; • Hospitality industry including country clubs, golf clubs, • Boat/yacht clubs, hotels, franchises and restaurants; • Professional services firms practicing Law, Finance, Banking & Accounting; • Manufacturing industry.
Dennis enjoys being an active member in the Tampa Bay community and dedicates his time to helping teens struggling with mental illness, depression and anxiety. Dennis is the Tampa Bay lead of the Cameron K. Gallagher Foundation (CKG Foundation) and SpeakUp5k Tampa. Through the CKG Foundation and SpeakUp5k, Dennis and his team works to end the stigma associated with anxiety and depression. The SpeakUp5k is held annually and attracts thousands of participants who share the mission of bringing awareness to this important cause. Funds raised through this event go towards school programs, charities that align with the mission and parent seminars.
Dennis and his wife Torrey have been married for 20 years and together they have three children; Madeleine, Grayson, Kate. Dennis enjoys spending time with Torrey and the children, playing golf, going to the beach, cooking, exploring new wines and traveling.
Professional Insurance Services is designed to be a full service one-stop shop for all of your personal and business insurance needs. With 2 different locations in the Tampa area, Jason and his staff specialize in all lines of insurance including, auto, home, boat, commercial property, general liability, cyber, malpractice, and worker’s compensation. Currently Professional Insurance works with over 100 different insurance companies to secure the needed coverage at the most competitive price.
Jason has also served as a founding member of the Bay Area Advisors and was the past President of the group for a 3 year term. He has also served BAA as the Moffitt Foundation Liaison for Martinis for Moffitt. Jason is also an active member of SAN of Tampa Bay, Board Member for the Tampa Trifecta, University of Florida Alumni Association member, and involved with the Young Agent’s Council. He also is a longtime supporter and sponsor of St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, and the Speak up Foundation.
Prior to his career as an independent insurance agent, Jason had worked for Nationwide Insurance as a Commercial Insurance Agent, in the Washington DC metropolitan area and as an underwriter for Nationwide Insurance in Gainesville, Florida. Jason is a native resident of Tampa and currently resides with his wife Mandy and son and daughter in the Tampa area.
Corey frequently speaks to various professional associations including HR Florida, CEBS and NABIP chapters, community leaders and employer groups with regard to healthcare reform (PPACA), HSAs/high deductible plans, self-funding and other strategies for employers to control spiraling health insurance costs. He maintains one of the largest books of business in the Southeast, representing many industries of corporations, municipalities and non-profits; with a focus in healthcare and non-profits.
Corey is a founding member and past president of the non-profit Bay Area Advisors; past chairman of Martinis for Moffitt; past co-chairman of Emerge Tampa through the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce; board member for One Student and graduate of the Leadership Accelerator. He was selected by the Tampa Bay Business Journal as a “30 Under 30” honoree in 2005. Corey lives with his wife, daughters, dogs, cats, goats and chickens in Odessa, Florida.
Dan and his father, Pat, founded Family Wealth Solutions in 2019 with a simple mission: to create a family-centered place where advisors provide a better experience for clients. As a financial planner, Dan works to serve the needs of retirees and business owners, particularly through 401(k) plan design. As Managing Director at Family Wealth Solutions, he also executes the strategic vision of the firm. Dan is motivated by helping people achieve goals they never thought would be attainable.
Prior to forming Family Wealth Solutions, Dan was an advisor at Wells Fargo Advisors, UBS, Raymond James, and Legg Mason. He received his Bachelor of Science from the University of Florida. Dan is a certified Charter Retirement Plans Specialist and holds licenses in Series 7 and 66, as well as in life, health, and variable annuities.
Dan lives in Lakewood Ranch, FL, with his wife, Sara, and their two children, Logan and Elyse. He is active in the local philanthropic community, helping to fundraise for the Moffitt Cancer Center. In his free time, Dan enjoys golfing, skiing, coaching, traveling, and running.
To his friends he is known as Pistol Pete, not to be confused with Pete Maravich. While he loves basketball, sports, and all things outdoors, this nick name represents his drive for success in his career and the dedication to the philanthropies he is involved in.
Eric was CEO /Co-Founder of Lilypad Solutions, an industry-leading platform for beverage alcohol sales teams, which was acquired in 2019. Eric currently invests in, and helps develop, a number of growing businesses. He remains bullish on Tampa’s tech community and our potential to build amazing companies.
Eric holds a B.S. in Finance from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and has received honors from the Tampa Business Journal, and Frost and Sullivan’s Excellence Award for customer experience.
Eric resides in Odessa, FL with his wife Michelle and three children Ava, Mila and Max.
Prior to joining Power Design, David worked in both private and public sectors with experience in litigation and corporate governance. He received his B.A. degree in E-commerce and Finance from Texas Christian University and his M.B.A and J.D. degrees from Stetson University. This dad of two boys and avid fisherman is also an active member of the Florida Bar and Board Certified in Construction Law by the Florida Bar.
Matthew founded the Schwartz Law Firm in early 2021. Prior to that, Matthew was a partner at the largest defense firm in the state of Florida, defending securities disputes and other professional negligence lawsuits. Before that, he worked as Government Affairs Counsel for the Financial Services Institute – a Washington, D.C. based financial services lobbying association; in-house corporate counsel for TransAmerica – an international financial services firm; and as staff attorney for the National Association of Securities Dealers (n/k/a FINRA) Office of Dispute Resolution. Matthew's vast experience provides him with insight and knowledge that most lawyers do not have.
Originally from Tampa, Florida, Matthew earned his Bachelor of Science from Florida State University and his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Nova Southeastern University. He is a Florida Supreme Court circuit civil certified mediator, hearing officer appointed by the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners, a FINRA Arbitrator, former Chairman of the Tampa Bay Securities Compliance Group, and member of the Board of Directors of the Bay Area Advisors, Inc. Matthew is also a member of the Public Investors Arbitration Bar Association (PIABA), an association of securities attorneys who dedicate their practices to the representation of investors defrauded by their financial professional or brokerage firm.
Prior to starting Fortress Commercial Real Estate, Kostas was a Senior Associate at CBRE, Associate Director of Industrial Sales and Leasing for Cushman & Wakefield and Sales Associate at Grubb & Ellis in Tampa.
Kostas hasover 18 years of real estate experience in Florida. The last 15 years have been focused in Tampa Bay and the I-4 Corridor, with over 14.4 million SF of transactions closed, and many thousands of acres of land sold in Central and SW Florida, totaling over $300 million in transactions.
In the past 15 years, he has closed over 750 deals with clients such as Amazon, Mettler-Toledo, Bunzl, Innovation Cabinetry, Cintas, Red Bull, Cardinal Health, McKesson, ADP, Publix, Star Distribution, Saddle Creek, Rooms To Go, Hostess, PepsiCo, Frito-Lay, International Paper, GE, Pitney-Bowes, USPS, UPS, NFI, Gemaire, ThyssenKrupp, Otis Elevators, Oldcastle, MetLife, ProLogis, EastGroup, Duke, Liberty, Blackstone, Link Industrial, etc.
Fortress CRE is a forward-looking brokerage firm based in Tampa, FL, offering a strong technology foundation. Fortress CRE helps both small businesses and large corporations assess their commercial real estate needs by using tech tools and efficient process expertise. Fortress CRE provides a wide array of commercial real estate leasing and management services, which include property searches, negotiations, marketing, property management, asset management for investment funds, acquisition and disposition services, as well as promoting local tech, real estate and philanthropic networking events.
Kostas holds an MBA from the University of Tampa, an MS in Management/Technology from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and a BS in Management Information Systems from The Florida State University.
He is active on committees and boards including the Bay Area Advisors, Tampa Bay WaVE, and Professional Philanthropic Network helping raise millions of dollars for local non-profits and charities.
Mark earned a B.S. in Business Administration with a major in Finance from the University of South Florida. He began his financial services career at Wachovia Bank, formerly First Union Bank, where he served as a financial consultant for nine years. In this capacity, he primarily developed business for the commercial and retail segments of the bank. In 2005, Mark left banking to start Integrity Financial Services, a Clearwater based commercial and residential lending company.
Mark’s professional experience within the financial services industry and his entrepreneurial spirit drive his business and partnerships. Mark has forged business and social relationships in the Tampa Bay Area over the last twenty-six years and enjoys growing his firm’s business through local professional referrals. Mark has served as past Treasurer and Martinis for Moffitt Co-Chair, and currently serves as President of Bay Area Advisors, a non-profit that has raised over $2.1 million for Moffitt Cancer Center since inception.
Mark resides in Safety Harbor with his wife, Michelle, and their two children, Hunter and Kennedy.
As former President of BrixTec, Tom is the classic example of a leader with an entrepreneurial spirit that took a risk for the American Dream, by starting a technology company with his friend and business partner Rolland Lucas before graduating from college and passing up lucrative corporate positions being offered. In 2010 he took advantage of a merger with IT Authorities where he ran the sales department until April 2013.
After graduating with a Computer Engineering degree from the University of South Florida in May, 2003, he decided to plant his roots in the Tampa Bay area, a long distance from his former home in Montana. He spent 7 years running BrixTec and growing it in the Tampa Bay business community.
Tom is constantly learning and training. He studied with Sandler Sales Institute in Clearwater and was a charter member of a group in The Renaissance Executive Forums. He was also the treasurer of the (International Association of Microsoft Certified Partners) IAMCP Tampa Chapter.
Tom was honored to be a member of the Tampa Bay Business Journals 30 under 30 Class of 2007 and a finalist for Tampa Bay CEO Magazine CEO of the Year in 2007. He was selected as one of Tampa Bay’s 100 most influential business leaders in 2009.
Tom is very active in the community and was involved with the New Tampa Rotary club from 2004 – 2010. He received the honor of Rotarian Rookie of the year, and then served on the New Tampa Rotary Board of Directors for 3 consecutive years. He served as Sergeant of Arms, Secretary and the International Service Director. He sat on the Weinberg Village Board and was President of YAD (Young Adult Division) of Jewish Federation for two years.
Tom has served as both Martinis for Moffitt Chair and President of Bay Area Advisors a non-profit that has raised over $1 million for Moffitt Cancer Center. He is on board of his HOA in Ybor City and is on both the Jewish Federation and Florida Holocaust Museum Advisory Councils. Tom has volunteered at the Joshua house, Mort Elementary School, Rotary Camp Florida and Freedom High School, as well as provided monetary support to a variety of different causes. He has also been “arrested” for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and volunteered for Diploma-see through Junior Achievement.
Tom had the honor of serving on the board of the Friends of the New Tampa Library for 2 years and helped fund projects that were desperately needed.
Being actively involved in the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce and Carrollwood Area Business Association has provided him with great friendships and business associates, as well as a greater understanding and awareness of the community he serves.
Tom stays active through running, martial arts, and training at the gym.
Mr. Woodruff represents financial institutions, including national, regional and community banks, in structuring, documenting and closing complex credit facilities. He has also assisted financial institutions with loan workouts and foreclosure related matters.
Mr. Woodruff represents Shutts & Bowen’s international, national and regional clients with matters involving formation of business entities, business acquisitions and sales, mergers, real estate acquisitions and sales, commercial leasing, commercial lending and real estate finance.
Prior to starting Fortress Commercial Real Estate, Kostas was a Senior Associate at CBRE, Associate Director of Industrial Sales and Leasing for Cushman & Wakefield and Sales Associate at Grubb & Ellis in Tampa.
Kostas hasover 18 years of real estate experience in Florida. The last 15 years have been focused in Tampa Bay and the I-4 Corridor, with over 14.4 million SF of transactions closed, and many thousands of acres of land sold in Central and SW Florida, totaling over $300 million in transactions.
In the past 15 years, he has closed over 750 deals with clients such as Amazon, Mettler-Toledo, Bunzl, Innovation Cabinetry, Cintas, Red Bull, Cardinal Health, McKesson, ADP, Publix, Star Distribution, Saddle Creek, Rooms To Go, Hostess, PepsiCo, Frito-Lay, International Paper, GE, Pitney-Bowes, USPS, UPS, NFI, Gemaire, ThyssenKrupp, Otis Elevators, Oldcastle, MetLife, ProLogis, EastGroup, Duke, Liberty, Blackstone, Link Industrial, etc.
Fortress CRE is a forward-looking brokerage firm based in Tampa, FL, offering a strong technology foundation. Fortress CRE helps both small businesses and large corporations assess their commercial real estate needs by using tech tools and efficient process expertise. Fortress CRE provides a wide array of commercial real estate leasing and management services, which include property searches, negotiations, marketing, property management, asset management for investment funds, acquisition and disposition services, as well as promoting local tech, real estate and philanthropic networking events.
Kostas holds an MBA from the University of Tampa, an MS in Management/Technology from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and a BS in Management Information Systems from The Florida State University.
He is active on committees and boards including the Bay Area Advisors, Tampa Bay WaVE, and Professional Philanthropic Network helping raise millions of dollars for local non-profits and charities.
Mark earned a B.S. in Business Administration with a major in Finance from the University of South Florida. He began his financial services career at Wachovia Bank, formerly First Union Bank, where he served as a financial consultant for nine years. In this capacity, he primarily developed business for the commercial and retail segments of the bank. In 2005, Mark left banking to start Integrity Financial Services, a Clearwater based commercial and residential lending company.
Mark’s professional experience within the financial services industry and his entrepreneurial spirit drive his business and partnerships. Mark has forged business and social relationships in the Tampa Bay Area over the last twenty-six years and enjoys growing his firm’s business through local professional referrals. Mark has served as past Treasurer and Martinis for Moffitt Co-Chair, and currently serves as President of Bay Area Advisors, a non-profit that has raised over $2.1 million for Moffitt Cancer Center since inception.
Mark resides in Safety Harbor with his wife, Michelle, and their two children, Hunter and Kennedy.
As former President of BrixTec, Tom is the classic example of a leader with an entrepreneurial spirit that took a risk for the American Dream, by starting a technology company with his friend and business partner Rolland Lucas before graduating from college and passing up lucrative corporate positions being offered. In 2010 he took advantage of a merger with IT Authorities where he ran the sales department until April 2013.
After graduating with a Computer Engineering degree from the University of South Florida in May, 2003, he decided to plant his roots in the Tampa Bay area, a long distance from his former home in Montana. He spent 7 years running BrixTec and growing it in the Tampa Bay business community.
Tom is constantly learning and training. He studied with Sandler Sales Institute in Clearwater and was a charter member of a group in The Renaissance Executive Forums. He was also the treasurer of the (International Association of Microsoft Certified Partners) IAMCP Tampa Chapter.
Tom was honored to be a member of the Tampa Bay Business Journals 30 under 30 Class of 2007 and a finalist for Tampa Bay CEO Magazine CEO of the Year in 2007. He was selected as one of Tampa Bay’s 100 most influential business leaders in 2009.
Tom is very active in the community and was involved with the New Tampa Rotary club from 2004 – 2010. He received the honor of Rotarian Rookie of the year, and then served on the New Tampa Rotary Board of Directors for 3 consecutive years. He served as Sergeant of Arms, Secretary and the International Service Director. He sat on the Weinberg Village Board and was President of YAD (Young Adult Division) of Jewish Federation for two years.
Tom has served as both Martinis for Moffitt Chair and President of Bay Area Advisors a non-profit that has raised over $1 million for Moffitt Cancer Center. He is on board of his HOA in Ybor City and is on both the Jewish Federation and Florida Holocaust Museum Advisory Councils. Tom has volunteered at the Joshua house, Mort Elementary School, Rotary Camp Florida and Freedom High School, as well as provided monetary support to a variety of different causes. He has also been “arrested” for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and volunteered for Diploma-see through Junior Achievement.
Tom had the honor of serving on the board of the Friends of the New Tampa Library for 2 years and helped fund projects that were desperately needed.
Being actively involved in the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce and Carrollwood Area Business Association has provided him with great friendships and business associates, as well as a greater understanding and awareness of the community he serves.
Tom stays active through running, martial arts, and training at the gym.
