meet lisa:

A dedicated public servant, Lisa Montelione has sat on both sides of the dais.  In the non-profit sector, Lisa continues to serve our community. As the region struggles with filling the skilled workforce needs, she is working to train and employ those in our community who have found it difficult to re-enter the workforce. Previous to her non-profit work, she served as an elected Tampa City Councilwoman (2011-2016), and prior to elected office Lisa spent many years working in the private sector for small businesses. Through these experiences, she gained an understanding of overcoming obstacles, tackling tough issues and achieving success.

Upon moving to Florida 30 years ago, she began a career in banking as the Statewide Ad Valorem Tax and Lease Administrator for NationsBank (n/k/a Bank of America). Soon after the formation of BOA, she left banking to attend the University of South Florida, as she likes to say “as a student of non-traditional age,” graduating with a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Social Science, concentrating in Social Work and Urban Policy. After serving as an intern in Hillsborough County's Economic Development Division, she joined the Land Development Department as a Urban Planner, assisting citizens, builders and site selectors navigate complex zoning regulations which led to her position in the private sector as the Land Development Administrator for a residential developer.

It was then that she found her way into politics, volunteering with a few campaigns and on get out the vote efforts. When the opportunity came to run for a seat on the Tampa City Council, she rose to the challenge. Despite campaigning for just 45 days, Lisa defeated the incumbent in the first round of voting and won in the runoff election a few weeks later.

A passionate community servant, Lisa has worked with many local charities and educational groups. Lisa serves on several Hillsborough Countywide agencies as part of her duties as a Tampa City Council member. Her responsibilities include service on the Tampa/Hillsborough Metropolitan Planning Organization (as Chair of the Policy Committee and Chair of the Livable Roadways Committee), member of the Hillsborough/Pasco/Pinellas Transportation Management Area Leadership Group, and as Chair of the Interlocal River Board and member the Affordable Housing Advisory Board. Her desire to help individuals facing challenging health issues prompted her to volunteer as a board member of both the Ybor Youth Clinic and Northside Behavioral Health. The passion to serve those who are among the less fortunate in our community was fostered by her parents, who despite having limited formal educations, had enormous hearts. Their example of always putting others before yourself formed the ideals that Lisa Montelione brings to her service to her community and the people she serves.

Lisa lives in Tampa with her partner of 16 years, small local construction company owner Josh Geary. Lisa is extremely proud of her son, Christopher, who graduated from the University of Louisville on a full golf and academic scholarship, and has recently started his own small business in the Orlando area.