BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor
After several months of searching, the Corporation to Develop Communities of Tampa, Inc., has chosen its next leader. In the final analysis, the board selected one of its own.
The announcement of Ernest Coney, Jr., as the President/CEO was made by Board Secretary Denese Meteye-James. Coney has been serving as interim CEO since Ms. Toni Watts resigned last year.
Coney began his tenure with the CDC of Tampa in 2006 as the Chief Operating Officer. Prior to joining the CDC, an organization his mother, Mrs. Chloe Coney created, he served as a Senior Actuarial Analyst, Director of Operations, and Finance Administrator for several national healthcare companies.
Coney said, “This is an exciting time, as we have reached 20 years of service to the community. Over these 20 years, we have transformed from a volunteer led organization into a $5 million asset organization.
“We have seen many changes to the community, including the development of Lake and N. 29th Street, helping more than 400 residents obtain employment, and sending more than 500 youth to colleges across America,” he said.
A Tampa native, Coney is an honor graduate of Jefferson High School. Following graduation in 1990, he earned his undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College, in Hanover, New Hampshire.
Coney continued his education at the University of South Florida, where he earned a Master’s Degree in Public Health Administration and he recently graduated from the University of Tampa with a Management Certificate for Non-Profits.
During his tenure as Interim CEO, Coney led the CDC in leveraging more than $19 million dollars in joint venture projects, including real estate and program service projects.
Coney is married to Mrs. Anika Coney and the father of one daughter, Shelby. He is also a minister at the Spirit of Truth Ministries, where his father, Ernest Coney, Sr., is the Senior Pastor.
On Saturday, May 19th, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the community will have the opportunity to meet Coney at the Chloe Coney Urban Enterprise Center, 1907 E. Hillsborough Avenue.
