E X E C U T I V E D I R E C T O R ’ S M E S S A G E
J o h n F . K y n e s – H i l l s b o r o u g h C o u n t y B a r A s s o c i a t i o n
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In his celebrated banking career that spanned more than half a century , Jerry Divers worked to help countless Tampa Bay area businesses and organizations succeed and thrive .
They include the Hillsborough County Bar Association and its sister organization , the Hillsborough County Bar Foundation , as well as other local legalrelated nonprofit groups .
For his extraordinary leadership and support over the years , this past May , the HCBA named Divers the 2023 Liberty Bell Award winner .
The award was presented at the HCBA ’ s annual Law Day Membership Luncheon held at the downtown Hilton .
The Liberty Bell Award has been presented annually by the HCBA since 1964 and is intended to honor a nonlawyer citizen who has worked tirelessly to preserve and strengthen our system of justice .
Past winners include Gen . Norman Schwarzkopf ; USF President Betty Castor ; Rev . Leon Lowry ; Mayor Jane Castor ; and coach Tony Dungy .
“ Jerry is a truly exceptional individual , and as a prominent banker and community leader , he has played a significant role in supporting the local legal community ,” HCBA President Jacqueline Simms-Petredis said in presenting the award . Divers was nominated by retired Judge E . J . Salcines . After serving in the Navy and Navy Reserves , Divers began his 50-plus year career in banking in 1961 when he joined the old Exchange National Bank in downtown Tampa .
Later , after rising in the ranks and serving in various leadership positions at other banks , in 1984 , he founded the Bank of Tampa .
Under Divers ’ strong leadership , the Bank of Tampa has grown into one of the largest and most successful community banks in Florida .
Divers continued to serve as president of the Bank of Tampa until 2015 .
2023 Liberty Bell Award winner Jerry Divers and HCBA President Jacqueline A . Simms-Petredis
During his long career , Divers served on the boards of many community organizations , including the Hillsborough County Bar Foundation , the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce , Tampa General Hospital Foundation , and United Way .
As a member of the Bar Foundation ’ s Board of Trustees from 2011-2015 , Divers was responsible for the Bank of Tampa becoming a significant financial sponsor of the Foundation ’ s Law & Liberty Dinner , which continues to this day .
And , over the years , the Bank of Tampa also has been a major financial supporter of the HCBA , which has been instrumental in helping the HCBA successfully carry out its mission to serve the legal profession and the community .
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