RON CHRISTALDI

PRESIDENT & CEO, SHUMAKER ADVISORS FLORIDA, TAMPA

Christaldi has been with Shumaker, a national firm with more than 300 attorneys and public affairs professionals, for 18 years. He has chaired the Tampa Bay Chamber, EDC, the Tampa Museum of Art, Leadership Florida and Moffitt’s Hope Innovation District, part of the Speros medical city in Pasco County. “Titles are nice, but making a difference in the place I call home is what really matters,” Christaldi says.

EDUCATION: New College of Florida (BA), Florida State University (MA, JD)

FIRST JOB: A paper boy in Wildwood, N.J., where I somehow tripled my route — and miraculously kept everyone’s paper dry. In high school, I worked at Burger King and became their youngest manager at 16.

SOMETHING SURPRISING: I have a master’s in international affairs from Florida State — proof that I once had dreams of being a globe-trotting diplomat. Instead, I’ve channeled that passion into trade missions to places like Frankfurt, Mexico City, Toronto and Casablanca, promoting Florida’s business and culture abroad.

INDUSTRY TREND: The most notable trend in law and public affairs is the integration of strategic communications and legal advocacy. Today, successful outcomes often depend not just on legal arguments, but on shaping public perception and navigating complex stakeholder environments.