THOMAS MANTZ
PRESIDENT/CEO, FEEDING TAMPA BAY, TAMPA
Feeding Tampa Bay provides food and other relief services to a population of over 1 million economically challenged citizens in a 10-county region. It’s one of the largest providers of social services in the U.S. (ranked 98th largest by Forbes in 2023). It employs 165, and Mantz has been in his position for more than 11 years. Under his leadership, the organization has grown its revenue from $2.8 million a year to over $27 million a year, completed a capital campaign for a new facility of over $60 million, and increased meals provided from 15 million per year to more than 85 million per year.
EDUCATION: University of North Florida (BA)
INSPIRING FLORIDIAN: Lawton Chiles. In these days of divided politics, it can seem like the choice of Chiles is to support leaning one way. In fact, Chiles is my choice for two reasons. The first is his record of service — to his country and his state. Even more impressive, he did this while fighting depression at various times in his life. Second, the folklore around ‘Walkin’ Lawton’ causes us to lose the main point of his strategy: if you want something, you have to work for it. An old saw: ‘Change happens where grace and effort meet.’ Chiles surely put in the effort. We’d all do well to remember this.
MOTIVATIONAL MANTRA: From Bruce Springsteen: ‘Nobody wins unless everybody wins.’ We have an obligation (not an opportunity) to serve. To those who stood fast to make sure I could be here — I have the same responsibility to those who follow.
READING: I would share two: To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee. The book reminds me that right is right — always. The latest business book I recommend is The Power of Habit, by Charles Duhigg. Fundamental in its understanding of people and systems.
