SPEAKERS

March 9, 2020

Melissa Zornitta, AICP – Planning Commission Executive Director, Hillsborough County
Ms. Zornitta began serving as the Executive Director of the Hillsborough County City-County Planning
Commission in January 2015. In this capacity, she manages the long range, comprehensive planning for
unincorporated Hillsborough County, City of Tampa, City of Temple Terrace and Plant City. Ms. Zornitta
has over 20 years of experience working in land use planning, comprehensive planning and community
planning for local governments in Florida. Before becoming Executive Director, Ms. Zornitta held a
number of progressively responsible planning positions with the Planning Commission, including serving
as Assistant Director for three years. Prior to working at the Planning Commission, she worked for the
City of St. Petersburg, Charlotte County and City of Tallahassee.
Ms. Zornitta holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Government from the College of William and Mary and a
Master’s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Florida State University. She is a certified planner
with the American Institute of Certified Planner. Ms. Zornitta is a Past President of the Florida Chapter
of the American Planning Association, serving as the President from 2014-2016. Previously she served
as the President Elect, Vice President of Section Affairs for the Chapter and as chair of the local Sun
Coast Section. Ms. Zornitta is also a member of the steering committee for the Women Leadership
Initiative for the Urban Land Institute Tampa Bay and the Secretary of the Rampello K-8 Downtown
Partnership School Parent Teacher Student Association.