Paul Brinkmann: More changes hit Economic Partnership.

Staff shakeups continue at Orlando Economic Partnership, with Jim Thomas leaving his position as executive director of Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Thomas had been in the position for two years. His departure comes on the heels of a merger between the chamber’s parent organization, Central Florida Partnership, and the Orlando Economic Development Commission. The new name of the group is Orlando Economic Partnership.

Several other professionals previously left the Partnership, including Jen Wakefield, who had been vice president of marketing, and Dave Porter, senior vice president. Downsizing the staff had been anticipated as a result of the merger.

Also gone is Robert Agrusa, who led the Partnership’s lobbying arm, BusinessForce. He left this summer to become president at the Apopka Area Chamber of Commerce. Agrusa had a political background, having been a political liaison between Sen. Andy Gardiner’s legislative office and his responsibilities as Florida Senate President Designate.

Thomas also had a leadership position with Orlando Tech Association, which happened last year as the chamber took a greater role in trying to develop the region’s tech startup culture. He was interim executive director at first, and is now CEO of the group.

Diane Court is now executive director of Orlando Tech. She said on Friday that Thomas will take on an expanded role with Orlando Tech in 2018. Thomas, 42, had expressed a goal to connect smaller tech companies with more established businesses in Orlando when he took the position with OTA.

“I'll continue to serve as the CEO as we look towards 2018 and a larger more expanded OTA,” Thomas said in an email Friday. “I’m looking forward to continuing to work with Diane Court as we build out exciting plans for 2018.”

Efforts to reach his boss, Tim Giuliani, president and CEO of the Partnership, on Friday were not successful.

A statement provided by a spokeswoman at the Partnership said the organization is “actively seeking a proven leader to work with the board and members of the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce to further develop programs and services that strengthen businesses and our regional economy.”

Thomas is also now working as Chief Innovation Officer for his wife’s culinary and nutrition company, Welli.

Thomas had previously come from Los Angeles, where he worked for the Los Angelesbased social-media agency Fifty & Five. He helped establish an Orlando office when he moved here in 2011, and went to work

for another tech advocacy nonprofit, Orlando Trep, soon after that.

Giuliani was recruited to lead the Partnership in January. He was formerly president and CEO of the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce and VP of corporate outreach and engagement for the Florida Chamber of Commerce.

Jacob Stuart had led the chamber’s parent organization, the former Central Florida Partnership, for 32 years. He has still been working as an advisor to the partnership but previously said he was transitioning into retirement.

SBA Irma loans

Orange County is leading the way in Central Florida for businesses and individuals applying for Hurricane Irma-related loans from the Small Business Administration — which is still accepting applications for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program until June 11.

In Orange County, just more than 5,000 people or businesses have applied so far, and 1,065 loans were approved for a total of $32.87 million.

Seminole County saw just fewer than 2,000 applications from people or businesses, with 500 approvals, for a total of $16.3 million.

In Lake County, 1,565 people or businesses applied for loans. Of those, 405 were approved for a total of $12.75 million.

Osceola saw 1,610 applications, with 407 approvals for a total of $12.5 million.

The agency says the loans are not intended to replace lost sales or profits, but rather to pay debts or wages when income was interrupted. The SBA says a wide range of enterprises is eligible for loans, from charter boats to hotels, rental landlords to souvenir shops.

Loans are available up to $2 million with interest rates of 3.305 percent for small businesses and 2.5 percent for private nonprofit organizations, with terms up to 30 years.