Plant City resident finalist for Tampa 'outstanding leader' award

Plant City resident Karen Gillman has been named a finalist for a Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce's leadership award.

Gillman is one of three people in the running for the award in the outstanding leader in the small business category. She is sales manager for Intelligent Office, a family-owned office services company in Tampa.

This is the second year Gillman was nominated for the award but the first time she advanced to the finals.

Intelligent Office, 3111 Dr. W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., provides virtual office services to 260 small businesses, such as receptionists, phone numbers, office space on demand, notary, translation services and more. The company's website is www.intelligentoffice.com.

Gillman and her husband of 10 years, Mark, have lived in Plant City for six years. Mark's family has been in the Plant City area for more than 50 years.

They are active in Pleasant Grove Assembly of God where Mark is employed as the worship leader. Karen Gillman serves on the board of directors for Hillsborough Achievement and Resource Centers and also runs her own networking group, Charity Chics, with business colleague Lisa Ford, owner of Invent Your Image. Karen also actively serves at Dress for Success, PACE, and various client events.

Gillman, 43, serves as a national spokeswoman for Johnson & Johnson in support of the company's gastric banding product. She has lost 145 pounds since she underwent the procedure more than five years ago.

Other finalists competing with Gillman for the award are Greg Celestan of Celestar Corp., and Jon Yob of Creative Recycling Systems Inc.

The winner will be announced at a Sept. 24 banquet at the Tampa Convention Center.

Karen is thankful for what she called "the overwhelming support from family, friends, and clients."

"It is easy to be perceived as a good leader when you surround yourself with great people," she said.