Though Michael Cameron was Plant City’s Citizen of the Year last year, his reputation as a prominent figure in the community will continue in 2015 as he serves as chairman of the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce. Cameron was instated at the annual Chairman’s Banquet Thursday, Jan. 29.
“My whole attitude is, if I’m going to be involved with something, it might as well be in a leadership position,” Cameron said.
As an Edward Jones financial adviser at Cameron Financial Management, Cameron has been a member of the chamber of commerce for 14 years. He has chaired or served on many of the chamber’s committees, but Pig Jam was one of his favorites.
The chamber has presented numerous awards to Cameron over the years, including Growing Business of the Year (2008) and Ambassador Team of the Year (2010, 2012 and 2014). He also received the Good Egg award in 2003.
“The relationships I’ve built through the chamber have given me a medium to grow my business,” Cameron said.
During his one-year term as chairman, Cameron hopes to build relationships among the members of the chamber. He also hopes to strengthen the chamber’s communications, both internally and externally, “so that the rest of the world can find out how wonderful Plant City is.”
“I want us to grow so that we’re a destination for other people, but maintain our small town feel,” Cameron said. “I would like to see us have a vibrant downtown and a vibrant Midtown.”
Cameron is a fifth-generation Plant City resident who has continually demonstrated his dedication to the community. In addition to the chamber, he currently is a leader within the Plant City Lions Club and First United Methodist Church of Plant City. In the past, he has served as president of Friends of the Bruton Memorial Library, Plant City Toastmasters and Plant City NPI.
“This is my hometown, these are my people. This is what I know and love,” Cameron said. “I love all aspects of it. … It’s kind of neat to be in the vacation mecca of the world, and still have a small town feel.”
Cameron has a background in agriculture, but because his father was an educator, he approaches financial management from an educational angle. He tries to explain investments in a way that all of his clients can understand.
“I keep things simple,” Cameron said. “I like explaining. I do very well at taking extremely difficult concepts and breaking them down and making them easy.”
Cameron Financial Management
Michael Cameron began his finance career with Edward Jones in 2001. His office is located in Historic Downtown. He offers services related to investments, financial planning, insurance and tax planning.
Contact Catherine Sinclair at csinclair@plantcityobserver.com.