Advisory Board Bio – Craig Swygert

Born and raised in Columbia, South Carolina, Craig Swygert earned a BFA Degree from The University of Tennessee – Chattanooga, where he met his wife, Judy. His first post graduate job was as a Graphic Designer & Production Manager of Notch/Bradley, a regional Advertising Agency specializing in Healthcare Advertising & Communications.

 

Just over a year later, Swygert’s 30-year Outdoor career started in Chattanooga with Peterson Outdoor Advertising as a Sales Account Executive. As he worked up through the ranks, he witnessed the consolidation of the Outdoor Advertising industry and worked for four different owners, which ultimately became Clear Channel Outdoor.  During this time Swygert has amassed 7 years of Sales Manager experience, and 17 years of Executive Management experience. Craig is currently President of the three Central Florida Markets and was recently recognized as “Branch of the Year” for 2019 by Clear Channel Outdoor.

 

Swygert’s passion is teaching and developing future leaders. He is a certified corporate sales trainer for Clear Channel Outdoor, with 18 years of experience in training Account Executives and Sales Managers across the nation on how to help local businesses compete with effective outdoor media campaigns.  He has hired, trained, and developed many managers around the country for CCO.

 

In addition to sales expertise, Swygert has amassed extensive Government Relations experience. In his role as Chair of BusinessForce he led the successful redevelopment of the organization which aims to grow probusiness candidates within Central Florida. He has been a partner in working with many City/County jurisdictions to update ordinances to allow for the development of digital billboards in Central Florida.

 

He also gives back to his community by serving on the Board of Directors for many organizations.  He recently served as President of The University Club of Orlando, and he serves on and is the Past Chairman of the Board of Directors for several organizations, including the Victim Service Center of Central Florida, BusinessForce, the Florida Outdoor Advertising Association, Florida Tax Watch and Project Opioid. He has previously served on the Board of Directors for Visit Orlando, the Tiger Bay Club of Orlando, Junior Achievement of Central Florida, Florida Citrus Sports, and the Central Florida Commission on Homelessness.

 

In 2014, Swygert was awarded “Father of the Year” by the American Diabetes Association in Orlando, which honors individuals who are exemplary businessmen, community leaders and model fathers.

 

Swygert feels his greatest accomplishment is his family. Swygert has been married 29 years to his wonderful wife, Judy, and has two daughters: Shelby, a 20220 UCF graduate, and a master’s graduate in 2022 and Avery, graduate from USF who plans to enter law school in 2024.