The Central Hillsborough County Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Council is dedicated to serving and supporting our military (past, present and families) in the Central Hillsborough County community through advocating and educating the CHCC members and the community on how they can assist and participate in enriching the lives of our military community.  The Military Affairs Council advocates for the welfare and rights of military veterans, including access to healthcare, education, employment, and other essential services. The Council will work closely with veterans' organizations and government agencies to address the needs of former service members.  The Military Affairs Council will also facilitate communication and collaboration between the military, government, and civilian sectors to promote understanding, support, and cooperation on military-related issues. This may involve organizing public forums, outreach events, and educational programs.

Co-Chair - Joe Eletto, Century 21 Beggins
​(813) 789-8682
[email protected]

Co-Chair - Richard Rohde, R Processor, Inc.
(813) 405-5210
[email protected]​

Are you a military veteran, or have an employee who is a military veteran?  We want to recognize you!  Please provide your name and contact information so that we can reach out to you.  We would also love to have you join the Military Affairs Council.   

Send contact information

Join Our Facebook Group

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March Military Honoree

Richard Crowley, Air Force Colonel (ret.)
 
Richard Crowley is a retired Air Force Colonel with vast experience in nuclear operations and maintenance, program management, logistics, and transportation. His military service includes assignments as the Deputy Director of Logistics and Communications for Air Force Space Command, Vice Commander of the 90th Space Wing, well as several other Commander positions where he led units ranging in size from 500 to 3,000 personnel. During his career, he led the successful implementation of a $6.2B Intercontinental Ballistic Missile system modernization program, achieved record setting milestones in weapon system and vehicle fleet in-commission rates, and led a highly successful national-level, nuclear weapons accident response demonstration which was attended by 52 Senior-level North Atlantic Treaty Organization members.
 
Education
 
Master of Arts in Strategic Studies, United States Air University
Master of Arts in National Security, United States Naval War College
Master of Science in Safety Management, University of Central Missouri
Master’s Certificate in the Revolutionary War, American Military University
 
Certifications
 
Food and Beverage Management, Cornell University

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April Military Honoree

James Hines, Sergeant First Class (ret.)​

A dedicated husband, father, and veteran, James has been married to Tanya for 24 years and has resided in the Riverview area since 2004. They are proud parents of three sons: Cameron, a Tactical Air Controller in the Air Force; Garrett, a Military Police officer stationed at Fort Riley; and Avery, their youngest, who is 20. James' 26-year Army career, culminating in retirement as a Sergeant First Class with the 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team in 2021, took him to Bosnia, Kuwait, and Djibouti. These deployments, supporting operations like SFOR, Enduring Freedom, New Dawn, and CJTF-HOA, shaped his commitment to service.
Beyond his military experience, James pursued higher education, earning a BS in Business Management and an MBA in Project Management, alongside certifications as a Project Management Professional (PMP), Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, and Certified Scrum Master (CSM). Currently, he leverages these skills as an IT Program Manager at Caterpillar. James is also passionate about supporting fellow veterans, serving as a Career Readiness Instructor with FourBlock, a non-profit dedicated to facilitating successful transitions from military to civilian careers. Furthermore, he is one of the co-founders of Experienced Autism Alliance, an organization that empowers families and individuals affected by autism through resource connection, education, and community support.

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MILITARY EVENTS

Click for application.

REGISTER

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CHAMBER PARTNERS:

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Local Veteran Resources:

• Action Zone 
  A Veteran-owned business hub helping the military community put their business ideas into action. Their services are designed to help Veterans, Active Duty, Reservists, Guards and military spouses and dependents build businesses. actionzonetampa.com
  
  
• Allconnect.com
  Many companies across the country provide discounts on products or services for military veterans and active and reserve-duty personnel to honor their service. Here is a listing of military discounts across the country.  https://www.allconnect.com/military-discount-guide 
  
  
• American Legion Post #148
  Welcoming Veterans from all branches of the Armed Forces since 1946. americanlegionalafiapost148.org
  
  
• CareerSource Hillsborough Pinellas
  If you’re a veteran, let CareerSource Tampa Bay assist you in securing employment through job referral and matching services, job development, job training and career management. https://www.careersourcetampabay.com/job-seekers/veteran-services/

• Caring - A Guide to Veterans' Benefits

​      Learn about the different types of benefits offered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), eligibility requirements, how to                  apply for benefits, and how to use them to help pay for or access senior care. A Guide to Veterans' Benefits - Caring.com

• FirstLight Home Care
  We support veterans and their families when they need it most and help guide them through the process of at home services when necessary. firstlighthomecare.com/home-healthcare-brandon-riverview-valrico/services/veteran-services
  
  
• Florida Advisory Council on Military Education  
  The Florida Advisory Council on Military Education (FL ACME) advocates and promotes delivery of meaningful higher education and provides appropriate educational resources for all Florida military affiliated adult learners. Contact George Colon at [email protected] for more information. fla-acme.org
  
  
• Haley House
  Providing support to families in need during rehabilitation of loved ones away from home. HaleyHouseFund.com
  
  
• Hillsborough Community College Veteran Student Affairs
  Educational benefits are one of the most valuable benefits afforded to Veterans and qualifying dependents. hccfl.edu/veteran-student-affairs.aspx
  
  
• Hillsborough County Veterans Helping Veterans, Inc.
  Advocating for the hungry, needy and politically under-represented members of our Veteran Community. hcveteranshelpingveterans.org
  
  
• Hillsborough County Veterans Services
  Veterans Affairs is a Hillsborough County agency that assists all Veterans, their dependents and survivors in accessing federal, state, and local benefits. hillsboroughcounty.org/en/government/departments/consumer
  
  
• Honor Flight of West Central FL
  HFWCF provides all expense paid flights for World War II Veterans in the Tampa Bay area to visit their memorials in Washington, D.C. honorflightwcf.org
  
  
• ID.me
  ID.me helps you prove your identity across multiple websites. It serves the same purpose as the physical ID cards you carry in your wallet — but for the internet. Troop ID, powered by ID.me, allows you to easily prove that you are a member of the military community. id.me
  
  
• Marine Corps League Riverview Detachment 1226
  Non-Profit Organization, comprised of retired and former Marines and FMF Navy Corpsmen, that works in the local community on various projects for community improvement. mclriverview.org
  
  
• My Warriors Place
  Grief counseling for military personnel and family support. mywarriorsplace.org
  
  
• Tampa Crossroads - Supportive Services for Veterans Families (SSVF)
  The SSVF program helps homeless veterans to move into permanent housing and help veterans with low income who are at imminent risk of becoming homeless to obtain stable housing. tampacrossroads.com
  
  
• Veterans Corner Radio provides valuable information for veterans and is hosted by William (Bill) Hodges once a month on radio stations Sun Radio WSCQ FM 96.3, New Beginning Radio WKOT FM 102.1, Phoenix Community Radio WPHX FM 101.9, and Power 901 WYPW FM 90.1. Podcasts are also available thru iTunes and Google. For more information contact Bill (813) 641-0816 [email protected]
  
  
• Veterans’ Council of Hillsborough County
  The objective of the Veterans' Council of Hillsborough County is to serve as a local affiliate of military veterans' organizations, act as liaison between County government and Veterans organizations on actions affecting veterans and veterans benefits, as they affect veterans and their families in Hillsborough County. hillsboroughcounty.org/en/residents/social-services/veterans/action-folder/apply-for-the-veterans-council
  
  
• Veterans Memorial Park
  The price of freedom is visible here. veteransparkhc.com
  
  
• V.F.W. Riverview Post #8108
  To foster camaraderie among United States veterans of overseas conflicts.  To serve our veterans, the military and our communities.  To advocate of behalf of all of these. facebook.com/VFWFL8108
  
  
• Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation
  The WWIA is dedicated to serving our nation's combat wounded, Purple Heart recipients, by providing world-class outdoor sporting activities. wwiaf.org