Michael E Urette

Michael E. Urette, is the founder and chief executive of Great American Corporation in Tampa. The thirty-two year old family-run company is a diversified real estate construction, development, and management company. He has been active in the Tampa community for over 30 years holding a variety of civic positions focused on the arts and support for the military. As Chairman of the Building Committee at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, he was responsible for over-seeing the construction of the 45,000sf Patel Conservatory. He was recognized with the 2010 Impact Award by Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts. Michael and his wife, Karen, are also donors to the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay, the Tampa Bay History Center and the Tampa Theatre. He has been president of the local Military Affairs Committee, the West Point Society and Leadership Tampa Alumni. Michael is currently an active member of the American Committee on Foreign Relations, the Society of International Business Fellows, and Tampa Yacht and Country Club. He is a graduate of the United States Military Academy, and holds advanced degrees in Operations Research and Economics from Indiana University. He and Karen have two children, Garrison and Tara Urette Hood, who have been active participants in the family business. He is a tennis player and a piano student, with no fame in either pursuit.