In 1975, Gene Oliver and his Leadership St. Pete (LSP) graduate friends agreed that there should be a way to keep LSP graduates in communication and formed the Leadership St. Pete Alumni Association (LSPAA) as an independent 501(c) 3 organization. Gene Oliver served as President from 1975-1977.
In 1985, then President Roy Harrell approached the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce and requested that LSPAA come under the umbrella of the Chamber. Since the Chamber managed the Leadership St. Pete program, the Chamber's Board approved. This affiliation evolved until 2002 when the Alumni Association split away. The Chamber continued to provide some limited assistance to LSPAA and assigned a Chamber staff member as a liaison.
In the late 80's, LSPAA agreed to begin an executive series program and FOCUS St. Pete was born. The LSP Alumni Association and the Chamber co-manage Focus St. Pete, which is a "mini" Leadership program designed for new executives in the community. The seminars is sessions on the arts, education, government, social services, environment, history of St. Petersburg, and community development. Many FOCUS presenters were graduates of the LSP program and many FOCUS participants go on to complete the Leadership St. Pete program.
Other LSPAA functions include the Friday Forum, which is a topical program available to interested LSPAA members, several Alumni Socials throughout the year, and the presentation of the Outstanding Alumnus and Community Leadership Awards. These annual awards are presented to an LSP graduate and a non-alumnus recognizing outstanding individual leadership efforts.
In 2008, LSPAA launched a new website, www.LSPAA.com as a way to promote Leadership St. Pete alumni programs and to communicate with and notify LSP graduates of opportunities to stay involved with each other and in the community. For more than 50 years, LSP alumni have remained involved and supportive of the Leadership St. Pete program, most significantly by sponsoring the program and raising funds for scholarships to assist with LSP tuition.
LSPAA has been a natural leadership feeder to the community with graduates represented on many boards and committees in the St. Petersburg business community, non-profit organizations, and as elected officials in positions representing St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, and the State of Florida.
In 2022, LSPAA completed the process of creating the LSPAA Foundation a 501(c)3 to allow alumni to contribute to the many LSPAA community charitable endeavors.
About Leadership St. Pete Alumni Association
Composed of graduates of Leadership St. Pete (LSP), LSPAA is committed to fostering the community enhancement and communication of LSP goals.
LSPAA focuses on
Encouraging
voluntary activities in the civic, social service, health and government areas in the community (as well as on a state and national level) by graduates of Leadership St. Pete and others in the community
Initiating
the collective discussion and resolution of community issues and concerns by members of the Corporation and others in the community
Supporting
the continued development, expansion, and operation of the Leadership St. Pete program.
Developing
social events on a regular basis to encourage interaction among our members and with the leadership structure of the community.
LSPAA focuses on
Encouraging
voluntary activities in the civic, social service, health and government areas in the community (as well as on a state and national level) by graduates of Leadership St. Pete and others in the community
Initiating
the collective discussion and resolution of community issues and concerns by members of the Association and others in the community
Supporting
the continued development, expansion, and operation of the Leadership St. Pete program.
Developing
social events on a regular basis to encourage interaction among our members and with the leadership structure of the community.
Getting involved with LSPAA
LSPAA is always looking for alumni to get involved with the organization. Connect with us to learn more about ways you can connect with LSP alumni.
About Leadership St. Pete
As one of the oldest leadership programs in America and a division of the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and its affiliate 501(c)(3) Foundation, Leadership St. Pete (LSP) is a dynamic, intensive, interactive, six-month experience designed to promote and enhance community leadership through an in-depth introduction to social, economic, business and political issues in the St. Petersburg area.
