SPEAKERS

February 13, 2023

Brian Butler is President and CEO of Vistra Communications (Vistra), a Tampa, FL based communications and consulting agency.

Since its founding in 2007, Vistra has grown to nearly-120 employees with offices in Tampa and Northern Virginia and provides services to government,
commercial and nonprofit clients. Vistra’s portfolio includes healthcare, information technology, transportation, sports and entertainment clients.
Vistra supports over twelve federal government agencies and several Fortune 500 clients.

Brian is a combat decorated, retired career military officer. Prior to founding Vistra, he provided strategic communications counsel to senior leaders at U.S. Central Command and served as a policy director on the Homeland Security Council in the White House. He also served as a Spokesperson for an Army Secretary and on the Communications Team for a Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the Pentagon and worked in the Washington, DC office of Fleishman Hillard. Brian is a frequent guest speaker and panel member/moderator on topics including leadership, entrepreneurship, diversity, and service.

Recognized for his leadership, Brian is one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in Tampa Bay, Florida 500 Most Influential Business Leaders, Tampa Bay Chamber Outstanding Leader of the Year among other awards. He recently received the Service to America Award from Freedom Alliance, a national level nonprofit focused on supporting injured service members and their families.

Vistra was the Florida State Minority Supplier Development Council 2020 Doing Well While Doing Good® Humanitarian Award winner and the 2019 Class 3 MBE Supplier of the Year, Tampa Bay Chamber 2016 Small Business of the Year, and the SBA South Florida District Veteran-Owned 2016 Small Business of the Year. Vistra is an Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Private Company.

Brian holds master’s degrees from the National War College and Central Michigan University, a bachelor’s degree from Hampton University and certificates from leading universities and programs including the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program with Babson College.

An active and avid community supporter, Brian serves on local and national boards including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Veteran Owned Businesses, Florida State Minority Supplier Development Council, Tampa Bay Partnership and WEDU Public Broadcast Television.
Brian currently serves as Chairman of the Board of the Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Encore Bank, one of the fastest growing banks in the United States. Brian founded the CEOs in Schools initiative with Hillsborough County Public Schools and co-created the Advancing Racial Equity on Nonprofit Boards Fellowship program with the Nonprofit Leadership Center of Tampa Bay.