Plant City YMCA to Honor Paul Davis with Strong Leader Award

The Plant City Family YMCA is pleased to honor Paul Davis, a well-known local resident with the 20th annual Strong Leader Award.

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 Marshal in 2022 and the Strawberry Festival Grand Marshal 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 the 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.

“When I first received the notification that I had been selected for this award, I was so excited because I have been to every past celebration hosted by the Plant City Y since the award’s inception. I know all of the past winners and feel so honored to be added to that list. The Y is a great organization and does so much good for the community and all of our young folks, (not to mention us older folks). I was a charter member when this Y opened and I am looking forward to helping them in the future,” Paul comments.

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 notes, “Paul Davis is a prominent and respected fixture in the Plant City community and member of our Y.”

“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

TIME: 6:30 p.m. – Social / 7:00 p.m. – Dinner / 8:00 p.m. – Program

WHERE: TECO Exhibition Hall

SPONSORSHIPS/ TICKETS: Sponsorships are available and start at $1,250 which includes a table of eight. Individual tickets are $125 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.