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Brian Butler, founder, president and CEO of Vistra Communications, has been named the 28th Chair of the Tampa Bay Partnership. The coalition works with employers and non-profit organizations to address challenges facing the Tampa Bay community.
“I’m honored to serve as Chair of the Tampa Bay Partnership and grateful to Nikky Flores and the chairs before her, whose leadership built the strong foundation we stand on today,” said Butler in a news release. “Vistra has been proud to support the Partnership’s work, and I’m excited to help carry it forward alongside leaders who care deeply about Tampa Bay’s future. We have important work ahead, especially making sure the people who live and work here have what they need to build a stable and prosperous life. I look forward to building on the Partnership’s progress as we move our region forward.”
Butler succeeds Nikky Flores, Florida region manager of commercial banking at JPMorgan Chase, who served a two-year term. As partnership chair, Butler will help guide regional priorities that include housing affordability, workforce development, and transportation.
“As we embark on a more ambitious housing affordability agenda through Tampa Bay Rising, Brian brings the relationships and leadership needed to help us make meaningful progress,” said Bemetra Simmons, President and CEO of the Tampa Bay Partnership. “I am excited to work alongside him as we continue strengthening our region’s talent pipeline, advancing transportation solutions, and tackling the issues that matter most to Tampa Bay’s future. I’m also incredibly grateful to Nikky for her leadership over the past two years and the momentum she has helped us build.”
In 2007, Butler founded Vistra Communications, growing the Black-owned company into an award-winning strategic communications, marketing and consulting firm serving corporate, government, and nonprofit clients nationwide.
Before establishing Vistra, Butler — a decorated military veteran — provided strategic communications counsel to senior leaders at U.S. Central Command and served as a policy director on the Homeland Security Council in the White House.
Butler previously chaired the Tampa Bay Chamber and has served on the boards of Visit Tampa Bay, WEDU Public Broadcasting and the Tampa Bay Partnership Council of Governors. He currently serves on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
His accolades include the Tampa Bay Chamber’s 2018 Outstanding Leader of the Year award and recognition among Florida Trend’s Florida 500 Most Influential Business Leaders.
Beyond the boardroom, Butler has also made education a cornerstone. Alongside his wife, Maureen Butler, the couple are founders of CEOs in Schools in partnership with Hillsborough County Public Schools. Through hands-on service and ongoing partnerships, the program encourages executives to become education advocates while providing school principals with additional perspectives and professional relationships.
Both were recent recipients of the Hillsborough Education Foundation’s first-ever CEOs in Schools Impact Award.
Butler was also recently featured in our Tampa Bay Forward 20th anniversary edition.
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