Haines City EDC Welcomes Tim Clark as Chair of the Board of Directors

Haines City EDC Welcomes Tim Clark as Chair of the Board of Directors
Tuesday, January 20, 2026 by Haines City EDC Staff

Categories: Haines City News

The Haines City Economic Development Council is pleased to announce the appointment of Tim Clark, President and Chief Executive Officer of AdventHealth Heart of Florida, as Chairman of our Board of Directors.

Tim’s appointment comes at a defining moment for Haines City and the greater Polk County region. Our community continues to experience sustained population growth, increased business interest, and expanding infrastructure needs. As the Council works to support responsible economic development, leadership that understands both community needs and long-term investment strategy is essential.

Healthcare plays a central role in that equation. As President and CEO of AdventHealth Heart of Florida, Tim oversees healthcare delivery in East Polk County and brings more than 20 years of leadership experience within the AdventHealth system. His background spans hospital operations, strategic growth initiatives, workforce development, and community partnerships, all of which closely align with the mission of the Haines City Economic Development Council. Cyndi Jantomaso, President and CEO of the Haines City Economic Development Council, reflected on this leadership transition:

“I extend my heartfelt thanks to our outgoing Chairwoman of the Board of Directors, Stacy Campbell Domineck for her dedicated service and leadership at the Haines City Economic Development Council. At the same time, I warmly welcome our incoming Chairman, Tim Clark, and look forward to the continued growth and success of our community under his guidance. Tim is the President and CEO of AdventHealth Heart of Florida (located in Davenport, FL) and oversees AdventHealth's East Polk County market, including facilities like AdventHealth Lake Wales. With over 19 years in healthcare leadership all within the AdventHealth system Tim has expertise in hospital operations, process improvement, and building thriving workplace cultures. His involvement with the Haines City EDC reflects his commitment to community and economic growth in the region, representing the healthcare sector on the board.”

Cyndi Jantomaso, MEDP | President and CEO, Haines City Economic Development Council

As part of this announcement, we asked Tim to share his perspective on how healthcare investment intersects with economic growth in our region:

Question:

As CEO of AdventHealth and a board member of the Haines City EDC, how do you see healthcare infrastructure investments, like expanding facilities or workforce training programs, driving broader economic growth and job creation in our community over the next five years?

Response from Tim Clark:

As we all know, Polk County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the country, and Haines City is among the fastest-growing cities. With that population growth comes increased demand for essential community needs, housing, retail, restaurants, and, critically, access to high quality healthcare.

Healthcare is a powerful economic driver in growing communities. Expanding healthcare services creates high-paying jobs, which helps raise median household income and strengthens the local housing market. When families and businesses consider where to locate, access to strong schools and reliable healthcare consistently ranks at the top of their priorities. In that way, healthcare investment not only supports population growth it helps attract it.

When healthcare services expand, residents gain access to stable, well-paying careers across a wide range of professions. And when people both live and work in the same community, they are more likely to spend their dollars locally supporting restaurants, retail, and small businesses. This creates a multiplier effect. In fact, a recent AdventHealth economic impact study showed that for every job created by AdventHealth, one additional job is created in the communities we serve. As we grow, our communities grow with us.

Beyond direct employment, healthcare expansion drives significant business-to-business activity through the supply chain. Ninety-four percent of AdventHealth’s expenditures remain in Florida, fueling local, regional, and statewide economies. In 2023 alone, AdventHealth contributed more than $16 billion to Florida’s economy, with a meaningful portion of that impact felt right here in Polk County.

For healthcare to continue growing, sustained investment in workforce education and training is essential. The healthcare industry is facing a workforce shortage that will intensify over the coming years, particularly among nurses and physicians. Expanding workforce training programs is not only critical to meeting healthcare demand it also creates jobs within educational institutions and strengthens local economies.

AdventHealth’s recent expansion of AdventHealth University into the Tampa Bay area is one example of how we are investing in the future pipeline of healthcare professionals. Equally important are strong partnerships with local colleges and universities. Polk State College is an excellent example, with an exceptional nursing program that continues to grow. Our partnership to help retain top faculty supports that growth and ensures a steady pipeline of skilled professionals.

And nursing is just one piece of the picture. Nearly every healthcare profession will face increasing demand as our population ages. Polk State’s investment in the College of Health Sciences here in Haines City is a welcome and strategic addition. It supports healthcare growth, creates its own economic impact, and strengthens the long-term vitality of our community.

Healthcare is an essential service, and as health systems expand, they help drive demand for housing, construction, workforce education, supply chain activity, restaurants, and retail. Over the next five years, healthcare will continue to be a major engine of growth. And as AdventHealth grows, the broader economy will expand alongside it creating opportunity, stability, and prosperity for the communities we serve.

As Chair of the Board, Tim will work alongside fellow directors, community partners, and stakeholders to support strategic initiatives that strengthen Haines City’s economic foundation. The Council remains focused on attracting investment, supporting workforce development, and ensuring that growth is matched by opportunity and long-term sustainability.

We look forward to the leadership Tim brings to the Haines City Economic Development Council and to the continued progress of our community in the years ahead.