The American Heart Association announced on Aug. 24, 2026, that Lance Zingale has been named chair-elect of the Southeast Board of Directors for the 2026–2027 fiscal year. The appointment was made by the Association’s Southeast leadership and was published from Tampa, Fla.
Zingale brings more than 45 years of professional experience in areas including business transformation, customer experience, private equity and consulting. He retired from SYKES Enterprises, where he served as executive vice president and chief customer officer. The news release highlights his extensive business background as a foundation for his new board leadership role.
Within the American Heart Association, Zingale has sustained long-term volunteer involvement. He currently serves on the Southeast Board of Directors and participates actively with the Tampa Bay Metro Board. His volunteer leadership record includes service on the Executive Leadership Committee of the Tampa Bay Heart Walk, where he also served a term as chair, and membership on the Association's International Committee.
During his term as chair-elect, Zingale will support the board’s efforts to strengthen the Association’s impact across the Southeast region. The release states he will use strategic leadership and collaboration to help guide initiatives focused on improving health outcomes, expanding access to care and advancing the Association’s mission of building longer, healthier lives for all.
The announcement emphasizes that the chair-elect role is positioned to back regional priorities and to work alongside board members and volunteer leaders to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease and stroke.
Zingale provided a personal statement included in the release: "Serving the American Heart Association has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my volunteer journey," he said. "As chair-elect, I am excited to help build on the organization's momentum and support efforts that make a lasting difference in the lives of individuals and families throughout our region."
Nina Morgan, executive director of the American Heart Association in Tampa Bay, is quoted in the release praising Zingale’s contributions: "Lance has been an extraordinary champion for the American Heart Association and a trusted leader throughout our region. His deep commitment to our mission, combined with decades of business and community leadership experience, will help strengthen our efforts to improve health outcomes, expand our reach and drive meaningful impact for the communities we serve across the Southeast."
The American Heart Association Southeast region, as described in the release, serves Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Puerto Rico. The statement notes that board members assist the organization in guiding efforts to reduce the incidence of heart disease and stroke, identified in the release as the leading and fifth leading causes of death for American men and women, respectively.
The release links Zingale’s role to strategic aims across this multi-state (and territory) region, including initiatives to improve health outcomes and expand access to care for diverse communities.
The release includes the Association’s boilerplate describing the American Heart Association as a long-standing organization dedicated to creating a world of longer, healthier lives. The statement notes the Association’s focus on equitable health in all communities, its more than one hundred-year history as a source of health information, and its support from more than 35 million volunteers globally. The Association funds research, advocates for public health, and provides resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. It cites efforts across science, policy and care to drive breakthroughs and implement proven solutions.
For media inquiries, the release lists Madison Potter at madison.potter@heart.org. For public inquiries, the release provides the AHA phone number 1-800-AHA-USA1 (1-800-242-8721 as also listed). The release directs readers to heart.org for additional information about the Association’s work in the Southeast region and ways to support its mission.
Note: All factual details above are drawn from the AHA news release announcing Zingale’s appointment. No additional data, timelines beyond the published date, or outcomes were provided in the source beyond those summarized here.