CABA Electing New Board in July

Campaign season has trickled down to north Tampa with candidates vying for nine positions on the Carrollwood Area Business Association's board.

The nine positions are: treasurer, secretary, president elect and six board of directors positions.

Maria Patterson, executive director of CABA, said the 305-member organization comprised of business owners and professionals in north Tampa wants members to cast their votes via mail by July 10.

"Voting should not be based on popularity, but should be based on the candidates time and service record with CABA, and past leadership record," Patterson said.

Patterson said becoming a part of the organization's board of directors requires a year-long commitment of "time, events, leadership and representation."

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CABA members are being asked to attend a July 11 elections breakfast at 7:30 a.m. at Boston's Restaurant, Patterson said. Election results will be announced that day.

On July 25, an annual awards installation dinner for CABA members will be held at 5:30 p.m. at

Patterson said the organization hopes to keep its board fresh as businesses continue to become part of north Tampa's community.

"We constantly have new businesses joining, new owners and representatives coming from all over in every industry that bring a different level of expertise and ideas," she said. "This allows CABA to remain relevant and current."

Below are the candidates:

• Lea Orchard of will automatically become president for 2012-13 on Aug. 1
• Noreen Klein (current CABA president) of Florida Consumer Law Center, will automatically beccome immediate past president on Aug. 1, 2012
• President-elect (one position open): Jean Fuller of Premier Bookkeeping Services, Wendell Hock of Primerca, Kristin Votta of Fitness Tek and Brian Wade of Tampa Financial Group
• Treasurer: Tim Castle of Bay Cities Insurance
• Secretary: Adrienne Venable of AFLAC
• Board of directors (six positions open): Steve Balasko of Take Shape for Life, Chuck Barreto of Accurate Payroll Solutions, Robert Cunningham of ADT Security, Lynda Damiata of Kabay Graphics, Chuck DiPierro of Always Best Care Senior Services, Jeff Ryder of Carrollwood Copy Center, Ann Mickel of Dynamic Carpet Care and Mary Clawson of Clawson Accounting Solutions Plus

For more information, or to RSVP for the events above, go to www.usecaba.com.