Rubio aide named to area economic development post

TAMPA — An aide to U.S. Senator and presidential candidate Marco Rubio has taken a post as a lobbyist for the Tampa Bay Partnership.

Ryan Patmintra, Tampa-based regional director for Rubio, will start his role as vice president of public policy and advocacy at the partnership Jan. 11, according to a statement.

As a result of his time with the presidential candidate, Patmintra “understands the issues affecting our community and is uniquely positioned to address them in both Tallahassee and Washington D.C.,” partnership CEO Rick Homans says a statement.

Patmintra is the final hire of Homans' staff restructure, which started when he became CEO Nov. 9, the release adds. Patmintra previously served as communications director for U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl and helped implement a media strategy for Senate Republicans.