Brandon Chamber recognizes Ron Pierce with Community Leadership Award

Ron Pierce, president and CEO of RSA Consulting Group, was honored with the 2019 Greater Brandon Community Leadership Award last week.

The award puts him in the company of former Attorney General Pam Bondi, former House Speaker Johnnie Byrd, former Hillsborough Sheriff David Gee, Dr. Earl Lennard, former state Sen. Malcom Beard and County Commissioner Sandy Murman all of whom received the award, the highest honor handed out by GBCC.

“Ron Pierce’s personal and professional selfless contributions have not only had a significant impact on our community, but he has made an indelible, lasting impact on so many societal issues that he has touched. He is a leader amongst leaders, and our community is so fortunate to have him,” said Chuck Burgess, GBCC immediate past chair.

“From impacting special needs families to his work in youth drowning prevention to his contributions in making sure underemployed families are connected to needed resources, Ron continues to be steadfast in his commitment to bettering our community and creating opportunities for others that didn’t exist prior.”

Pierce has been involved with the GBCC for years and is a past chair of the board of directors as well as the government advisory council. His community service efforts include serving on the boards of the Emergency Care Help Organization (ECHO), WEDU, Tampa Bay Partnership, Hillsborough County Transportation Task Force and Hillsborough County Citizen Advisory Council.

“My family always encouraged me to get involved in the community to help others and to make a difference. Receiving this award was very special since I have the privilege of calling Brandon home,” Pierce said.

“The highlight of the night was having my family there, especially my son, Andrew. I truly hope that my community involvement along with my wife’s, will inspire him to get engaged and make a difference as he develops into a young man and leader.”

The Community Leadership Award was presented to Pierce by Melissa Snively, vice chairwoman of the Hillsborough County School Board, during the GBCC’s annual banquet Jan. 25.

“It was an honor to present this prestigious award to someone who has made so many selfless contributions to our community. It especially meant a great deal to me personally, as Ron inspired me and supported me in my decision to run for school board,” said Snively, who was elected to the school board in 2014.

The new recognition adds to a brag board that already includes the 2016 Tampa Bay Business Journal Power 100, 2014 Department of Education Florida Association of Career and Technical Educators (FACTE) Hall of Fame Award, 2010 Tampa Bay Business Journal Up and Comer Award Finalist, 2009 Center Place of Brandon President’s Award and 2007 Florida Future Business Leaders of America Business Person of the Year.

Pierce, now a lobbyist, has an extensive resume in Florida politics. When Thonotosassa Sen. Tom Lee served as Senate President from 2004-06, Pierce worked as his public policy adviser. GBCC noted that Lee, who represents Brandon, inspired them to create the award.

In 2009, Pierce founded his consulting group. In the decade since, it has expanded to include lobbyists Natalie King, Edward Briggs, Zack Hoover and Kaitlyn Gardner while building up a client roster filled with more than four dozen Tampa Bay-area principals, including the Tampa Bay Lightning, Tampa Bay Regional Transit Authority and the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority.