Chamber Leadership

The Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce is committed to improving the local business climate, because we believe that, when your business succeeds, our community also prospers.

The true value of the Chamber is its diverse membership, which is made up of both large and small businesses. There’s a lot to discover about YOUR Chamber and the many opportunities available to enhance your own business. We invite you to come and join us and to learn about how the Chamber operates to assist you.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Val Johnson-Edmunds

Interim Executive Director
PG Chamber of Commerce
(941) 639-3720

Rich Lancette

Chair Elect
Always Level Design & Contracting, LLC
(239) 322-7673

Wendy Tirado

Vice Chair
Dream Salon & Spa
(941) 621-8311

Alexia Martin-Comber

WhitCo Insurance Agency
(941) 257-0692

Marjorie Benson

Chair
Friendly Floors
(941) 624-0077

Wendy Tirado

Vice Chair
Dream Salon & Spa
(941) 621-8311

Catherine Perry

Secretary
Waterside Gifts and Decor
(941) 347-7322

Kim Weger

Treasurer
Michael Saunders & CO
(941) 639-0000

Rich Lancette

Chair Elect
Always Level Design & Contracting, LLC
(239) 322-7673

Kim Weger

Treasurer
Michael Saunders & CO
(941) 639-0000

Alexia Martin-Comber

WhitCo Insurance Agency
(941) 257-0692

Directors

Jacqueline Benjamin

Crews Bank & Trust
(941) 235-4444

Dennis Gill

Port Charlotte Florist
(941) 627-2236

Wendy Tirado

Dream Salon & Spa
(941) 621-8311

Lisa Tzanakis

HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital
(941) 624-6020

Justin Brand

Lee Health Foundation
(518) 651-0168

Brett Hawker

Illusions Salon & Spa
(941) 505-5777

Zarita Dixon

Kingdom Life – Center of H.O.P.E.
(732) 644-2691

Ed Wotitzky

Wotitzkey Law Firm
(941) 639-2171

Eric Bretan

Rick’s Estate Jewelers & Buyers
(941) 347-7688

Carlton Hughes

Florida Premier Contractors
(941) 205-1400

Kathy Robinson

Centennial Bank
(941) 347-3344

Teresa Desquin

Meals on Wheels
(941) 639-8810

Richard Lancette

Always Level Design & Contracting, LLC
(239) 322-7673

Jim Sproul

Edward Jones Investments
(941) 743-4121

Associate Directors

Melissa Bergey

Gator Wilderness Camp School
(941) 639-7722

Stacy Schmidt

Sunseeker Resorts
(941) 867-3671

Past Chairs

2022-2023 Cherie George
2021-2022 Alexia Martin
2020-2021 
June Amara
2019-2020
 Debra Trenholm
2018-2019 Melanie Markel
2017-2018 Sue Randall
2016-2017
 Mike Martin
2015-2016
 Brenda Lynch
2014-2015 Della Booth
2013-2014 Jose Morillo, Ron Monck, Della Booth
2012-2013 Ron Monck
2011-2012 Ed Wotitzky
2010-2011 Dorothy Strunk
2009-2010 Ron Olsen
2008-2009 Kathy Silverberg
2007-2008 Rick Wright
2006-2007 Patti Pierron
2005-2006 James Roland
2005-2004 Glenn Larson
Chair Emeritus Connie Kantor

Ex-Officio Appointees

  • Chief Pamela Davis – Punta Gorda Police Dept.
  • Dave Gammon – Director of Economic Development for Charlotte County
  • Greg Murray – Punta Gorda City Manager
  • Nancy Johnson – TEAM Punta Gorda
  • James Parish – Charlotte County Airport Authority
  • Kim Amontree – Charlotte County School Board
  • Hector Flores – Charlotte County Administrator
  • Sean Doherty – Tourism  Director, Punta Gorda/ Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau
  • Tyler Canfield – Punta Gorda Fire Department
  • David Lane – Charlotte County Clerk of the Court 

Our Staff

John R. Wright

President
JRWright@PuntaGorda-Chamber.com

Val Edmunds

Marketing & Recruitment Manager
vjohnson@puntagorda-chamber.com

Diane Ford

Office Manager
reception@puntagorda-chamber.com

Chamber Committees

  • Works with the Chamber staff to execute business seminars that benefit the wider PGCC membership.
  • Proposes programs to increase membership. To attend and present to local and county groups, with a view to explaining the benefits of PGCC membership. To mentor new members. To act as introducer to new members at BAHs, BOBs and networking luncheons. To propose and assist in implementation of membership drives.
  • Suggests relevant topics of interest that effect Chamber members which can be addressed by seminars or other similar programs.
  • Provides guest speakers at BAHs , BOBs and seminars that can address members issues.
  • Puts together a membership assistance pack – showing the expertise that the Chamber has already within its members.
  • Provides referral assistance to new businesses looking at Punta Gorda as a destination.
  • Prepares relevant information for the PGCC website.

Mission:  To advance the revitalization of downtown by supporting and promoting existing businesses and new businesses. Working for development that is pedestrian friendly and presents an overall image of quality.

Where: The area of Punta Gorda covered by the Downtown Merchants Association is from the Peace River south to Charlotte Avenue, MLK Boulevard on the east to Harvey Street on the west.

Why: Our aim is to be pro-active with our City Fathers in helping them make the right choices in getting us moving more quickly and in the right direction.

Events

Third Thursday Wine Walk (currently on hiatus due to COVID)

It’s a downtown tradition! Third Thursday Wine Walk. To participate in the Wine Walk, purchase a $10 ticket prior to the event from the Punta Gorda Chamber. Tickets are also available in front of the Chamber on the night of the events. This “passport” is accompanied by a map of all participating merchants offering wine sampling. Also, visit non-profit groups attending the evening.

The fun runs 5pm – 8pm every Third Thursday, weather permitting! If you are a non-profit and want to participate in future Third Thursday Wine Walks, please contact us A.S.A.P at (941) 639-3720 to get an application.

Farmers Market

Award winning Farmers Market, over 25 vendors, held every Saturday in front of our Historic Courthouse. Click here for more info

Artisans Atelier

Opened Fall of 2010 in the Herald Court Centre. Different artisans are in-house, working right before your eyes.  These artisans are available to answer your questions as well as sell their works.  The Atelier operates from 11 am – 5 pm, Monday – Saturday, and is open on Third Thursdays until 8 pm.

  • PGD’s seasonally-adjusted passenger activity fell to 158,505 in March 2024, down 3 percent from February 2024 and 5 percent over March 2023.
  • Seasonally-adjusted real tourist tax revenues in Charlotte County rose to $760.1 thousand in February 2024, up 11 percent from the January 2024 measure and 32 percent over February 2023
  • Seasonally-adjusted real taxable sales in Charlotte County totaled $339.5 million in February 2024, down 10 percent from January 2023 and 5 percent below January 2024
  • Charlotte County’s unemployment rate was 3.8 percent in March 2024, unchanged from the prior month and a 0.4 percentage point increase from March 2023.
  • Charlotte County recorded 377 permits issued in March 2024, up 33 percent from March 2023 and 7 percent over February 2024.
  • Works with the Chamber Staff to invite political candidates to meet the PGCCmembership at BOBs and lunches.
  • Recommends and organize profitable events that bring local, state and federal issues to the attention of our membership i.e. Hob Nob
  • Encourages participation of local politicians in our Chamber.
  • Writes Chamber policy on local and state issues for Board approval.
  • Represents the Chamber in conjunction with the Chamber President at relevant Government affairs meetings i.e. City Council meetings

Chamber Guardians & Supporters

The following people have pledged in perpetuity their individual support to the Punta Gorda Chamber and its work and are forever recognized for their contribution. Thank you!

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