TAMPA, FL- September 6, 2016- Aakash M. Patel, Founder and President of Elevate, Inc. has recently been accepted into Mayor’s Neighborhood University (MNU) Class 6. Originally a campaign promise, Mayor Bob Buckhorn created the innovative training program, “Mayor’s Neighborhood University” in 2013 to empower neighborhoods, CEOs, entrepreneurs and Tampa’s next generation of leaders. The formal twelve-week leadership course is similar to the success of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program, Leadership Tampa. The training group, which will start in September and conclude in December, will look at the city’s infrastructure and challenge class members to think innovatively as it relates to local government.
“I’m grateful to Mayor Buckhorn for creating this program and honored he has selected me to participate in MNU,” Patel stated. “I’ve always believed that Tampa has a unique swagger, and it’s programs like MNU that bring passionate community leaders together to help share that message,” concluded Patel.
Patel is a graduate of the Florida State University where he earned degrees in English Literature and Political Science. He is a young entrepreneur who started his business in 2012 in order to help business owners learn, connect and grow in the community. Elevate, Inc. is a consulting firm providing public relations, community relations, target networking and social media to companies throughout Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.
Patel believes in community involvement and always tries to improve the future of the city. In addition to formal schooling, Patel is a graduate of Leadership Tampa Bay, FBI Citizen’s Academy, Tampa Police Citizen’s Academy, Leadership Tampa, Tampa Connection, and College Leadership Florida.
In 2014, Governor Scott appointed Patel as Chair of the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County (ELCHC) and as the youngest member of Florida’s Early Learning Advisory Council (ELAC).
In 2015, Patel was installed as an Honorary Commander to 6th Air Mobility Wing Director of Staff at MacDill Force Base. He considers this a great honor and believes it is a privilege to serve those who serve our country.
He is the Immediate Past Chair of the University Of Tampa Board Of Counselors, and on the Boards of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, Centre Club, and Leadership Tampa Bay.
Since 2013, the inaugural Mayor’s Neighborhood University has graduated nearly 200 alumni. For additional information on MNU, visit here.
