Orange background with photo of Paul Davis and test that reads Strengthening Our Community - 2023 Plant City Family YMCA Strong Leader Award Honoring Paul Davis August 24, 2023

PLANT CITY, FLA. (June 2, 2023) - Plant City YMCA honor's Paul Davis at the 20th annual Strong Leader Award Ceremony

The prestigious Plant City Y award honors a community leader annually for "echoing the Y's commitment to youth development, healthy living and social responsibility."

Paul has served on both the Brandon and Plant City Chamber of Commerce, and for the past three years has been on the Unity in the Community Board of Directors. He was the Christmas Parade Grand Marshall in 2022 and the Strawberry Festival Grand Marshall in 2023. While at the Festival, he also served on the Florida Federation of Fairs Board as President. Under Paul's leadership, the Florida Strawberry Festival has been the number one Festival/Fair in Florida for the past seven years and in the top 40 nationwide. The Festival has been rated as a Blue Ribbon event for many years, attesting to highest standards set forth in Federation protocols. During his 15 years at the Festival, the group has completed approximately $15 million of construction and improvements. 

During his law enforcement career, Paul ran several state, local and federal drug task forces; he was the Division Commander of the Homeland Security Division created after the 9/11 attacks. He was also on the Brandon Chamber Board, Plant City Chamber Board and the Hillsborough County Drug Alliance Board. 

Paul has been happily married to Sheryl for 43 years. The couple has three children and 10 grandchildren who are the "highlight of my life for sure," says Paul.

Paul Conley, Tampa Y's District Executive Director for Plant City, East Pasco and Dade City Y's notes, "Paul Davis is a fixture in the Plant City community.

"He has represented the Florida Strawberry Festival and this community for so long and so passionately that our committee felt he was an obvious choice to be the 20th Strong Leader of the Plant City YMCA," Conley enthuses.

Congratulations Paul!

WHAT: Strong Leader Award Dinner- Paul Davis

WHEN: August 24, 2023

6:30pm - Social

7:00pm - Dinner

8:00pm - Program

WHERE: TECO Exhibition Hall

SPONSORSHIP/TICKETS: Table sponsorships are available for $1,250 and include a table of eight. Individual tickets are $75 per person. All proceeds benefit children and families in Plant City through YMCA programs and services. Your generous contribution provides kids with values-centered summer day camp, sports and swimming experiences to help them grow strong in spirit, mind and body.

EVENT CONTACT: Paul Conley - Paul.Conley@tampaymca.org or 813-757-6677

About the Plant City Y

The Plant City Y is committed to providing kids with the tools they need to be successful in school and life; preventing/reducing childhood obesity; providing cancer survivors and their families with a place to heal; ensuring active older adults maintain/improve physical and social health while aging; and preventing and reducing accidental death due to drowning by providing aquatic education and swim lessons. The Plant City Y values diversity and inclusion by being open and welcoming to all.

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About Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA
Founded in 1889, the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA is a cause-driven 4-star charity, strengthening our Hillsborough and East Pasco communities for 135 years through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the organization, 18 facilities and numerous program sites engage 281,000+ men, women and children — regardless of age, income or background — to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve our community’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support our neighbors. The Tampa Y has a long-standing local presence empowering kids and families to live their healthiest and most fulfilled lives. Learn more at tampaymca.org.