Florida TaxWatch’s[1] gathering in Orlando closed not with a major keynote speech, but with a dinner honoring longtime President and CEO Dominic Calabro.
At a ballroom at the Four Seasons Walt Disney World, a series of speeches and submitted videos from past chairs of the organization spotlighted the influence of the nonprofit leader.
Calabro, who has worked at the organization since 1980, has long stood as the face of TaxWatch.
He started the work as a Ways and Means staffer in the Florida Legislature, but by 24 years old had been tapped as executive director of what would soon be named Florida TaxWatch.
Calabro coined the term “budget turkey[2],” rebranded the group from its original name of the Citizens Council for Budget Research, and grew an operating budget 24-fold from about $64,000 a year.
Calabro, speaking with Florida Politics ahead of the event, said the organization has maintained its credibility and influence because of its willingness to treat everybody fairly, regardless of political expedience.
“We call like we see it,” Calabro said. “We’ll call out Ds and Rs, Rs and Ds. Doesn’t matter. We just focus on not who you are but what you do. Not what you say, but what you do to improve the value for the taxpayers of Florida.”
Photographs showed a younger Calabro interacting with Democratic leaders such as late Gov. Lawton Chiles, and also showing up unannounced at press conferences for occasional nemeses such as former Insurance Commissioner Bill Gunter.
The dinner at the Four Seasons saw statements from former chairs and supporters, some in person and some through video messages, something state Rep. Chuck Clemons called a “Dominic-palooza.”
“Florida TaxWatch has always done a lot for business,” said Barney Barnett.
“There’s something unique about TaxWatch,” said Belinda Keiser of Keiser University. “You know it and you feel it.”
Former Gov. Bob Martinez, who regularly runs leadership training for Florida TaxWatch, recalled meeting Calabro in 1980, while Martinez was still Mayor of Tampa. “I’m probably the one in this room, except his wife, that has known him the longest,” Martinez said. “He’s done a great job, no doubt about it.”
Calabro, as he was presented an award for his service at the start of the night, broke into light tears at one point. “I have only two words: Thank you,” he told those in attendance.
Calabro will continue to serve as President and CEO of the group through the end of the calendar year. At that point, General Counsel Jeff Kottkamp will become the President and CEO of the organization, a job he was selected for in May[3]. Kottkamp praised Calabro for laying the groundwork for the job.
“To be able to work with an iconic figure is iconic,” he said.
Many encouraged Calabro to enjoy his retirement. But Calabro will launch a new organization, the Florida TaxWatch Foundation. Calabro said he will remain involved in the organization in that capacity.
“I guess he’s just going to the office next door,” said John Zumwalt, another past Chair.
Calabro said he will be curious to see the organization transition when he steps away from the CEO role. He predicted Kottkamp will continue the culture of TaxWatch “with integrity, with dedication and commitment to honoring long-term interests of taxpayers in an unrelenting manner.”
He said the great boon of his time Florida TaxWatch was what he accomplished for those living in the state.
“The success is for the people,” he said, “and for that, we will never, ever give up.”
References
- ^ Florida TaxWatch’s (floridataxwatch.org)
- ^ budget turkey (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ in May (floridapolitics.com)