Former St. Pete mayor joins board of community service organization

Former St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman has been named to the Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Service board.

After leaving office in January, Kriseman became a lobbyist for Shumaker Advisors in Tampa, where he serves as executive vice president and principal of the firm’s U.S. cities practice, focusing on sustainable economic development and urban planning. He is also of counsel in Shumaker’s public policy and government affairs service line.

At Gulf Coast JFCS, Kriseman will use his leadership experience to support the organization’s mission to protect the vulnerable, empower individuals and strengthen families.

"I’m honored to have been invited to join the board of an organization committed to diversity, tolerance and equity; an organization whose employees work each and every day to protect, empower, strengthen and improve the lives of the residents of this city, county and state," Kriseman states in a news release.

Founded in 1960, Gulf Coast JFCS, the release states, helps at-risk community members find safety, comfort and a path toward a fulfilling life, regardless of race, religion, culture or gender identity. The organization offers a broad spectrum of human services, including behavioral and mental health, child welfare and adoption, family support, job and employment transition, housing, food, transportation and home care assistance for the elderly.

In addition to serving two terms as mayor of St. Pete, Kriseman was a member of the Florida House of Representatives and has served on the boards of many state and local civic and nonprofit organizations, including the Florida League of Cities, Florida League of Mayors, Tampa Bay Area Regional Transit Authority, Pinellas County Tourist Development Council, St. Petersburg Economic Development Corp. and Pinellas Metropolitan Planning Organization.