FRANK M. RYLL, JR.

From 1983 to January of 2008, Frank M. Ryll, Jr., stood at the helm of the Florida Chamber, having a profound impact on the state’s progress and growth. A native of St. Petersburg, he parleyed his love for Florida and his knack for identifying and partnering with great leaders into a powerful force for change.

Frank began his business career at the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, moved to the Greater Greenville South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, and joined the Florida Chamber in January 1980 as Senior Vice President for Economic Development. Despite, or maybe because of, his soft spoken but effective leadership style it wasn’t long before he was promoted to president. Since then both the Foundation and the Chamber have grown to be the premier voice for Florida’s businesses and a benchmark for chambers across the country.

Frank is a graduate of Florida State University, a U.S. Army Veteran of the Vietnam War, and a proud husband (Patti), father (two kids) and grandfather (five grandchildren). He is active at the local, state, and national levels and his many accomplishments include service with: the Florida Council on Economic Education, Enterprise Florida, Floridians for Better Transportation, Leadership Florida, Florida Association of Chamber Professionals, American Chamber of Commerce Executives, the Council of State Chambers of Commerce, the Florida Small Business Development Centers, Institute for Organization Management – University of Georgia Board of Regents, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Community Growth Educational Foundation, American Chamber of Commerce Benefit Trust, Tallahassee Community College Foundation, Pi Kappa Phi Properties, Inc., and Florida State University Alumni Association.