SMARTstartFlorida Economic Development Council Honors Bill Cronin
August 10, 2026
Pasco Economic Development Council President/CEO recognized as the 2026 Eunice Sullivan Economic Development Professional of the Year.
PASCO COUNTY, FLORIDA (August 10, 2026): The Florida Economic Development Council (FEDC) has awarded Bill Cronin of the Pasco Economic Development Council (Pasco EDC) with the Eunice Sullivan Economic Development Professional of the Year award in recognition of his accomplishments and efforts in economic development over the past 30 years.
“Receiving the 2026 FEDC Eunice Sullivan Economic Development Professional of the Year Award is an incredible honor and one that I accept with tremendous gratitude. While this award may have my name on it, I see it as a reflection of the extraordinary team we have at the Pasco Economic Development Council. Their talent, commitment, and passion for making a difference in our community are behind everything we accomplish,” expressed Bill Cronin, President/CEO, Pasco EDC. “I am also deeply humbled to join the distinguished list of past Eunice Sullivan Award recipients—economic development professionals whom I have respected and admired throughout my career. To now have my name among theirs is truly one of the great honors of my professional journey.”
Cronin joined the Pasco EDC as President/CEO in January 2016 after a nation-wide search. He has a long career in economic development spanning over 30 years in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. Cronin has extensive knowledge and experience which includes ten years with Enterprise Florida, now FloridaCommerce, specializing in international trade and business development.
Since he began leading the Pasco EDC in 2016, the organization has assisted companies through business expansions and relocations resulting in over $1.8 Billion in capital investment, and over 11,600 new jobs in Pasco County. Under Cronin’s leadership the Pasco EDC is recognized as one of 92 economic development organizations accredited by the International Economic Development Council as an Accredited Economic Development Organization.
"The Eunice Sullivan Economic Development Professional of the Year Award recognizes individuals whose careers have shaped Florida's economic future through leadership, innovation, and service. Bill Cronin embodies those qualities in every respect,” said Beth Cicchetti, CEcD, Executive Director, Florida Economic Development Council. “His ability to build partnerships, inspire collaboration, and deliver transformative results has strengthened not only Pasco County but the entire economic development profession in Florida. Bill's leadership has left an enduring legacy, and we are proud to honor him as the 2026 recipient of this distinguished award.”
The award was first given in 1985 and was renamed in 1991 to honor Eunice Sullivan for her outstanding dedication and commitment to the economic development profession and the Florida Economic Development Council. Cronin joins other economic development leaders who have also received the award, including:
- 2025 Keith Norden, Team Volusia
- 2024 Jeff Hendry, North Florida Economic Development Partnership
- 2023 Suzanne Christman, CEcD, MEDP, Pinellas County Economic Development
- 2022 Kelly Smallridge, BDB of Palm Beach County
- 2021 Marc Hoenstine, CEcD, Duke Energy
- 2019 Crystal Stiles, Florida Power & Light
- 2018 Cathy Chambers, JAXUSA Partnership
- 2017 Crystal Sircy, Orlando Economic Partnership
- 2016 Bob Swindell, Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance
- 2015 Allen Cherry, Madison County Economic Development
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About Pasco Economic Development Council
The Pasco Economic Development Council is committed to developing Florida's most competitive climate for business growth by providing businesses that seek to start, move, or grow in the North Tampa Bay area, a comprehensive suite of programs that can help them to reach their full economic potential. Since 1987, Pasco EDC has fostered a strong partnership funded by corporate and public investors focused on the economic vitality of Pasco County. Discover more at www.pascoedc.com.
About the Florida Economic Development Council
The Florida Economic Development Council educates, advocates, and connects Florida’s economic development stakeholders. It is a membership-based not-for-profit (501(C)(6)) corporation that relies on support from its members and investors to educate and inform business and government leaders about key economic development issues and initiatives. FEDC is Florida’s primary resource for economic development-related policy development, education, and networking.