Equality Florida to Honor Tech Data Executive at Annual Tampa Gala
Equality Florida to Honor Tech Data Executive at Annual Gala
John Tonnison, Tech Data’s Executive Vice President, Cloud Computing and CIO,
will receive the Voice for Equality Award at Equality Florida’s Tampa Gala
TAMPA, FL -- Equality Florida, the largest civil rights organization working to secure full equality for Florida’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community, announced the organization will recognize John Tonnison, Tech Data’s executive vice president, cloud computing and CIO, as the Voice for Equality honoree at the organization’s annual Tampa Gala on February 25th. The award recognizes individuals who, with courage, passion, and unwavering commitment, have moved the LGBT community closer to full equality. Tonnison has been selected for giving voice to companies that believe in full equality for LGBT individuals.
For more than 15 years, Tonnison has served in various leadership roles at Tech Data (TECD), assuming the top IT position in 2010. Representing Tech Data at the Florida Senate hearing of the Florida Competitive Workforce Act (Senate Bill 120) in 2016, Tonnison urged lawmakers to support the bill that would provide statewide nondiscrimination protections to LGBT individuals in the workplace, housing, and public accommodations. In his testimony, Tonnison emphasized the bill’s passage would help Florida recruit the best professional talent to the Sunshine State.
Aside from his efforts in Tallahassee, Tonnison participates as an advisory board member on Equality Florida’s Equality Means Business program, an initiative designed to highlight Florida employers that have LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination policies. As a board member, he attends events throughout the state, discussing the importance of a diverse and inclusive work environment for everyone. In an effort to help Tech Data specifically in this way, Tonnison helped create and develop the company’s LGBTA resource group, Spectrum. Since its inception in 2016, Spectrum has organized company events centered on LGBT issues and has participated in community events including St. Pete Pride and AIDS Walk Tampa Bay (the latter in which Tech Data earned the top fundraising team status). Further, Tonnison has elevated Tech Data’s visibility as a leader committed to workplace equality, playing a key role in securing the company’s support as one of Equality Florida’s top statewide partners.
The 2017 Equality Florida Tampa Gala will take place on February 25th from 7:30 - 11 p.m. at TPepin Hospitality Centre located at 4121 N, 50th St. in Tampa, Florida. The award will be presented by Equality Florida’s CEO, Nadine Smith. For more information about the event, please visit eqfl.org/TampaGala.
About Tech Data
Tech Data Corporation is one of the world’s largest wholesale distributors of technology products, services and solutions. Its advanced logistics capabilities and value added services enable 105,000 resellers to efficiently and cost effectively support the diverse technology needs of end users in more than 100 countries. Tech Data generated $26.4 billion in net sales for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016. It is ranked No. 108 on the Fortune 500® and one of Fortune's “World’s Most Admired Companies.” To learn more, visit www.techdata.com, or follow Tech Data on Facebook and Twitter.
About Equality Florida
Celebrating its 20th year in 2017, Equality Florida is the largest civil rights organization dedicated to securing full equality for Florida’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. Through lobbying, grassroots organizing, education, and coalition building, the organization is changing Florida so that no one suffers harassment or discrimination on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity.