BILL CRONIN

PRESIDENT & CEO, PASCO EDC, LUTZ

As president and CEO of Pasco EDC for more than nine years, Cronin has led initiatives that created over 20,000 jobs and drove hundreds of millions in capital investment in the region. He launched programs like SMARTstart, Pasco Ready Sites, Workforce Connect and a Microloan program. In his third term on International Economic Development Corp.'s board, he helped earn national accreditation for Pasco EDC. He also co-founded The Human Trafficking Foundation and supports the Skull Games Task Force, a nonprofit that works with law enforcement to identify sexual predators and victims. Cronin leads a team of 15.

EDUCATION: Michigan State University (BA)

FIRST JOB: My first job was a pavement sealing service that a middle-school classmate and I started in the 1970s. I remember that my pants used to stand on their own after applying asphalt sealer. My first job after college was working for a steamship agent at the Port of Jacksonville.

PASSION PROJECT: My passion is ending human trafficking. I have been involved with the cause since 2011 in the areas of interdiction, intelligence, recovery, education, advocacy and empowerment.

SOMETHING SURPRISING
“I was a Buddhist practitioner for over 26 years and hosted His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Miami in 2004.”