Local Lightning Bay companies’ business owner strikes back at breast cancer

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By Charlene Dodge

Tampa, Fla. – When it comes to owning a business, a lot of time, effort and self-sacrifice is involved. Managing others while encountering everyday tough decisions is another enduring task.  So how is one able to run a successful enterprise, fight a life-threatening disease and still stay positive? Lightning Bay Companies’ President and Florida native, Pamela Fay is a strikingly shining example.

Sporting trendy attire and a bright smile, by sight, the average person would not realize Fay fought for her life a short while ago. Since her diagnosis of breast cancer on Christmas Eve of 2013, tremendous amounts of strength and courage are apparent in her daily activities. Even after a long day at the office, a determined Fay still has the drive to head off to the gym.

Although her diagnosis came as a shock, Fay did not let it bring her spirits down. She told her mother not to cry and asked friends and family to stay strong. With her eight dogs by her side, Fay was able to do the same.

In the months proceeding, Fay underwent a double mastectomy and eight rounds of chemotherapy. While Fay has received a Master’s in Microbiology and two other Bachelor’s degrees from the University of South Florida, Fay feels as though she’s achieved something much greater in life. “At chemo graduation, I felt very accomplished, more than any other degree,” says Fay.

Immediately following her graduation from chemotherapy, Fay walked in her first 5K for breast cancer. Lightning Bay’s Purchasing Agent, Sandy Maurer describes Fay’s triumphant ambition.

“Pamela’s strength, courage and determination are awe inspiring, as is her desire to give and to reach out to others, even as she herself is battling cancer, its aftereffects and difficult recovery. She is one amazing woman and I am proud to say Pamela Fay is my boss, my daughter, my best friend,” says Maurer.

With the help of her husband, David Fay, Vice President of Lightning Bay as well as her supportive staff, Fay was able to keep the decade-old company afloat through her most trying times.

Although cancer was a psychical hardship, Fay explains that she wouldn’t change her diagnosis for anything. Fay views her experience from a positive standpoint that inspired her to travel, be more productive and to do things that bring happiness. “You only live once,” says Fay.

Besides taking care of business, Fay is constantly on the go. From volunteering at charitable events to caring for her beloved, four-legged friends, Fay makes every day count.

Fay’s next challenge is on Sunday, October 12, where she plans on participating in the Buccaneers Treasure Chests Corporate 5K at Raymond James Stadium. Fay’s cancer survival story is also one of the three that are featured during the event.

When life gets tough, the tough keep going and as in USF’s motto, Fay undeniably proves that she is truly “unstoppable.”

To see Fay’s survival story, please visit: http://www.buccaneers.com and type in “Stories of Hope: Journey to the TC5K” into the search field. For further information on Lightning Bay Companies, please visitwww.lightningbay.com.

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Maritime industry professionals visit local middle

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Dave Sessums, Chair, Education Committee, Propeller Club-Port of Tampa,

(813) 247-1118 Email: dessums@internationalship.com

Date: November 25, 2014

Maritime industry professionals visit local middle schools for the Great American Teach-In

Tampa, Fla. – Professionals from various careers in the Port of Tampa’s maritime industry – members of the world’s largest Propeller Club, located in the Port of Tampa; along with members from the Tampa Bay Mariners Club, Inc., visited middle schools in Hillsborough County Public Schools for the Great American Teach-In on November 20, 2014. These volunteers spent a total of twenty-five class periods in various Hillsborough County middle schools describing their careers, the maritime industry in general, and how students could develop pathways to a lucrative careers in the maritime industry.

Participants included Pete Brown, Marine Surveyor; Pamela Fay of Lightning Bay; Patrick Garrison of Bluewater Diver & Salvage Co.; Ginger Hayes, Commercial Marine Insurance Underwriter at TCA, Inc.; Christopher Koehler, Esq. of Fowler Rodriguez LLP; David Pope, Esq. of Banker Lopez Gassler, P.A.; Kaitlyn Roseman of International Ship Repair & Marine Services, Inc.; Dorothy Schrage, Senior Ocean Marine Underwriter at International Marine Underwriters; and Richard Tager, President of Gulf Coast Bulk Equipment, Inc.

Although perhaps not well-known, there is an enormous breadth of educational paths and maritime-related career choices available. Students learned they can pursue these in Hillsborough County Public Schools, college, graduate school and beyond, or in local technical schools. In particular, the students were interested to know that many maritime-industry careers with excellent salaries are land-based, in addition to seagoing careers which are commonly known to pay well.

Students also learned that for every seagoing career – from able-bodied seamen, to officers with advanced degrees – there are exponentially more supporting land-based personnel in very diverse careers, a large number of which require education ranging from college and graduate degrees and beyond, to high school and technical school diplomas.

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Even in the current difficult economic climate, students discovered that for the foreseeable future, maritime industry jobs will grow at 15% rate over the next ten years. In short, students found that there is an education level and maritime industry career available for almost anyone, here in the Port of Tampa and elsewhere.

“Students were genuinely interested in learning about the Maritime Transportation Industry and what part it plays in the Tampa Bay area,” said Mr. Tager. “Students were very active during the classes, and asked excellent questions about various aspects of the maritime industry,” he said. Mr. Tager advised students that career paths in the maritime industry include land-based or seagoing careers which provide substantial and reliable salaries — whether developed in college and graduate school, with commensurate income in the marketplace that can easily reach six figures – or in more traditional, but well-paying and plentiful technical vocations.

“Like most, I was hesitant to take the time to participate given my heavy workload; however, after my experience the only thing I regret was that I did not sign up for the Great American Teach In sooner,” said Ms. Schrage.

Perhaps most importantly, the visiting professionals also brought news to students about Hillsborough County Public Schools’ maritime education programs, which were developed in close collaboration with the Propeller Club – Port of Tampa: the new Magnet Maritime and Marine Environmental Science Honors Academy at Tampa’s Jefferson High School, and the maritime education program at Blake High School. Students in these programs are exposed to a wide spectrum of maritime-industry career paths, including: information technology specialists, marine surveyors, trade/businesspeople, engineers, logistics specialists, naval architects, terminal operations personnel, admiralty lawyers, ship workers/officers, port operations personnel; as well as ship-building/repair career paths, including skilled iron-workers, electricians, machinists, and technicians; and many more. Many graduates of these programs can expect to go to colleges and universities, then on to very rewarding maritime industry careers; but some have the option to immediately begin reliable and profitable work in highly-skilled blue-collar jobs, whether seagoing or ashore.

The application period for 2015/2016 closes on December 17, 2014. Applications for Jefferson’s Magnet Maritime Honors Academy are available athttp://www.sdhc.k12.fl.us/magnet. All Blake students who want to be admitted to its maritime education program should apply directly to the school.

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