ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

From the halls of St. Petersburg Catholic High School to the helm of one of Tampa Bay’s
most trusted insurance agencies, Derek Berset’s journey is a story of faith, family, and
service.

Derek grew up right here in St. Petersburg, Florida, and his ties to this community run deep —
both personally and professionally. As the third-generation Vice President of Comegys Insurance
Agency, he represents a remarkable legacy of service that spans more than eight decades.
Founded in 1939, Comegys has grown from a local agency into a respected provider of insurance
solutions for individuals, families, and businesses across the Tampa Bay area and beyond. For
Derek, the work is never just about policies; it’s about people.

A graduate of St. Petersburg Catholic High School, Derek credits the school with shaping the
values that have guided him throughout his life. “St. Petersburg Catholic High School instilled in
me the values of faith, service, and leadership, which have guided me both personally and
professionally,” Derek shared. “Creating this scholarship is my way of ensuring that future
generations of students continue to carry these values forward.”

True to those words, Derek recently took action that will impact St. Pete Catholic students for
years to come. He established The Berset Family Christian Servant Leadership Scholarship
— an annual award for graduating seniors who embody Christ-centered servant leadership.
Recipients are recognized not just for academic achievement, but for selflessly uplifting others in
the classroom, the school community, and beyond.

The scholarship reflects both Derek’s personal journey and the culture of Comegys Insurance
Agency as a whole. “We are thrilled to support the exceptional students at St. Petersburg
Catholic High School who prioritize service to others,” said Mark and Linda Berset, owners of
Comegys Insurance Agency. “This scholarship not only honors Derek’s personal journey but
also reinforces the importance of selflessness and leadership in building strong communities.”

Derek’s story is a reminder that the values learned within these walls don’t stay here — they
follow our alumni into the world and come back to bless the next generation. We are proud to
call him one of our own.

For more information: www.comegys.com | 727-521-2100

Aron Bryce is a community leader and civic organizer whose work is grounded in building connected, engaged, and equitable neighborhoods across St. Petersburg. He currently serves as President of the Stronger Together St. Pete Foundation, is the lead organizer of the St. Pete CommUNITY Festival, and is a board member of Radio St. Pete. Aron also serves as President of the Crossroads Area neighborhood association. He spent four years with the Council of Neighborhood Associations (CONA), including two years as President, where he helped rebuild the organization, strengthen its structure, and unite neighborhoods across the city around shared civic priorities and collaboration.

His grassroots organizing includes leading the West St. Pete Food Drive in partnership with 10 neighborhood associations for the Love Thy Neighbor Food Pantry, as well as organizing multiple environmental cleanups through Keep Pinellas Beautiful at Azalea Park and Walter Fuller Park. These efforts reflect a consistent commitment to practical, place-based impact and community stewardship.

Professionally, Aron spent three years as Statewide Coordinator for the Institute for Strategic Policy Solutions at St. Petersburg College, helping lead statewide policy, education, and workforce initiatives. He currently serves as Director of Communities & Outcomes for CodeBoxx, an AI-native coding academy that trains and develops talent for today’s workforce through alternative, skills-based pathways. Across all of his roles, Aron’s work is driven by a clear mission: creating access to opportunity, strengthening community systems, and building long-term outcomes for people and neighborhoods.

"My years at St. Petersburg Catholic High School stand out because of the incredible classmates and teachers who challenged, supported, and inspired me—many of whom I’m still in touch with today. Looking back, I realize how much my late mother, who passed from brain cancer in 2017, sacrificed to make sure I had a quality education. Her determination and perseverance shaped not just my school years, but the person I’ve become. Thinking about it all together, I’m deeply grateful for that experience and how it laid the foundation for who I am today."