941CEO September-October 2016 by Gulfshore Media

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2016

941CEO.COM

MEET OUR 2016 GREATER GOOD WINNERS

HOW SOUTH COUNTYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BUILDING BOOM COULD BOOST YOUR BUSINESS GAME ON!

ALL NEW 2017 XT5

THE MORE YOU SEEK OUT EXCELLENCE...

2200 Bee Ridge Road Sarasota, FL 34239

941.922.1571

SunsetCadillacSarasota.com

ALL NEW 2016 CT6

THE MORE YOU BELONG IN A CADILLAC.

SARASOTA IS LUXURY

IN THE BIZ: CELEBRATING THE ORIGINALS’ FAMILY-OWNED RESTAURANTS NEARLY HALF OF THE SARASOTA MANATEE ORIGINALS’ LOCALLY OWNED RESTAURANTS FEATURE OWNERS WORKING ALONGSIDE THEIR FAMILIES: HUSBANDS AND WIVES, CHILDREN AND SIBLINGS, PARENTS, GRANDPARENTS AND MORE— THESE DYNAMIC FAMILY TEAMS POWER THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

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CARAGIULOS

SIESTA KEY SIESTA KEY OYSTER BAR OYSTER BAR. After sisters Beth and Jill went into business together, their husbands soon joined in: Keith, a former engineer, and Geno, a former programmer and bartender, have AR

ENRICH BISTRO. The Knowles family has deep roots in Manatee County, so it was only natural that executive chef Rich Knowles was inspired to start a restaurant after graduating. He traveled for a few years, then became the executive chef at Bradenton’s staple, Ezra Cafe. Rich and

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www.dineoriginal.com

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ENRICH BISTRO

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CARAGIULOS. The five Caragiulo brothers have owned and operated Caragiulos restaurant for 27 years. They grew up in the restaurant business as busboys, dishwashers and prep cooks, and they all agree: “The restaurant business is in our DNA.”

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EUPHEMIA HAYE. Chef Raymond Arpke grew up in a hospital kitchen run by his mother. The business fascinated him. In 1980, Chef Ray and his wife D’Arcy put their interest and talents to good use at the helm of Euphemia Haye restaurant. Their daughters, representing the third generation, grew up in the business, too.

VILLAGE CAFÉ. The Kouvatsos family moved to Sarasota with three AR YE young children who were raised in the business and have since moved VILLAGE CAFE on to college and beyond. Kay and Tom can be found in the restaurant seven days a week along with Tom’s father, who retired from New York and moved to paradise to AR E Y join the Village Café team. S

MIGUEL’S RESTAURANT

helped create the perfect dynamic for running a restaurant.

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CAFÉ BACI. Over the years, Roberto Mei has worked alongside his wife, motherin-law, two uncles and both kids at Café Baci. The family’s history in the restaurant business stretches back 200 years in Italy, and many of the team members have been there so long that they truly feel like family, as well.

MIGUEL’S RESTAURANT. Founded by their father, Miguel, in 1983, brothers Dan and Gabe grew up in the restaurant (mostly as washing dishes as punishment for typical teenage behavior). Gabe went on to culinary school at Johnson & Wales; Dan attended UCF. Following graduation, each brother returned to their father’s namesake restaurant and has been involved with operations since. Gabe, now the executive chef, and Dan, general manager.

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CAFE GABBIANO

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THE CROW’S NEST. “Restaurants are in my blood,” says owner Steve Harner, and he’s passed that tradition on to his family. Steve’s wife, Cheri, manages the restaurant and his son-in law, Matt, is assistant manager.

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GULF DRIVE CAFÉ & TIKI. Always on the job, husband-and-wife owners George and Wendy gave their children a restaurant upbringing: They did everything from bussing tables to bartending. Nowadays, you might still spot the kids working the floor during their college breaks.

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SHARKY'S ON THE PIER FINS AT SHARKY'S

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a new breed of american eatery

THE LOBSTER POT. Taking after his father, Glen started the restaurant with his wife Kathy, and now the third generation has arrived: Their sons, Mark and Tony, and their wives, Claire and Francine, run the restaurant.

THE BIJOU CAFÉ. JP and Shay opened Bijou three weeks before their son AR YE was born. At first, JP did all of the cooking with HARRY’S Shay taking care of the HARRY’S CONTINENTAL KITCHENS CONTINENTAL bookkeeping. Now that KITCHENS. A multitheir son and their business generational restaurant that was established are both 30 years old, Shay still works in in 1979. Harry & Lynn Christensen along the office, and JP still spends every day at with their son, Hal Christensen, continue to the restaurant. serve generations of families.

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OASIS CAFÉ & BAKERY. Jim and Melissa Palermo have been in the AR YE restaurant business since 1985, and founded popular breakfast spots, The Broken Egg and The Serving Spoon. They moved back to Sarasota with their three small children, and opened The Oasis Café & Bakery. All three children literally grew up in the business. Jim is head chef, Melissa is head baker and daughter Ashley is the general manager. OASIS CAFÉ & BAKERY

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POLO GRILL. Overseeing all aspects of the restaurant, husband-and-wife team Tommy and Jaymie Klauber share a passion for family, food and fun—as well as horses and beautiful sunsets, of course.

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CAFÉ GABBIANO. Husband-and-wife owners Marc and Laura complement each other’s strengths: Marc manages and cooks; Laura serves and helps in the back office. Plus, Marc’s uncle, Peter Tracy, manages daily operations, for family influence in all aspects of the business.

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THE LOBSTER POT

SHARKY’S ON THE PIER & FINS AT SHARKY'S. In 1986, childhood friends Mike Pachota and Greg Novack purchased Sharky’s, laying the groundwork for a multigenerational, family-focused success story. Mike’s son Justin grew up in the restaurant; now he manages operations.

PACIFIC RIM. Owners Ann and husband Veth, along with Ann’s parents, make sure their family and heritage shine in all aspects of the restaurant. They work together, cook together and love the business. Their motto: “Guests are family.”

MICHAEL’S ON EAST. Having grown up in the hospitality industry at The Colony, Michael Klauber opened Michael’s On East in 1987. His business partner, Phil Mancini, joined him shortly thereafter. Over the years, almost every member of both owners’ families has worked in the restaurant, wine cellar and/or catering operation.

his father, Dick Knowles, bought the restaurant and transformed it into the culinary playground that is enRich Bistro.

ROESSLER’S. Chef Klaus and Linda Roessler opened their restaurant in 1978, and, as the name shows, Roessler’s has always been a family business. Klaus and Linda’s children, Chef Klaus and Marilyn, run the restaurant today.

When you’re ready to make a difference, we’re ready to help We are proud to support the Greater Good Awards.

Giving back to your community is important to you — and to us. That’s why we’re committed to helping you make a difference. Mariash Lowther Wealth Management Brian J. Mariash, CIMA® Senior Vice President – Wealth Management Wealth Management Advisor Senior Portfolio Manager

Merrill Lynch 1819 Main Street Suite 1200 Sarasota, FL 34236

941.364.5678

fa.ml.com/mlwm

J. Barton Lowther, CRPC® Senior Financial Advisor Portfolio Advisor 941.364.5695

Life’s better when we’re connected® Merrill Lynch Wealth Management makes available products and services offered by Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, a registered broker-dealer and Member SIPC, and other subsidiaries of Bank of America Corporation. Investment products:

Are Not FDIC Insured

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May Lose Value

The Bull Symbol, Life’s better when we’re connected and Merrill Lynch are trademarks of Bank of America Corporation. CIMA® is a registered certification mark of Investment Management Consultants Association, Inc. CRPC® is a registered service mark of The College for Financial Planning. © 2016 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved. AR59DVTT | AD-08-16-0159 | 470945PM-1215 | 08/2016

LORI SAX

September / October 2016

CONTENTS 34

SOUTH COUNTY RISING

MEET OUR CHAMPIONS OF CORPORATE PHILANTHROPY

THE GREATER GOOD AWARDS

Talk

44 50 52 60

NO PLACE TO CALL HOME The region’s affordable housing crisis by the numbers, and possible solutions, too.

GOOD VIBRATIONS See what’s buzzing inside Sarasota’s HuB.

MILK AND MONEY Family farmers Karen and Jerry Dakin built a diverse agri-empire at Dakin Dairy.

THE SOUTH RISES Sleepy no longer, South Sarasota County braces for 33,000 new residential units.

ADVERTISING SECTION CareerEdge Funders Collaborative City of North Port Making a Difference Outstanding Family-owned Businesses Event Resource Guide

29 57 67 87 97

941CEO.com Check out our website, featuring new and archived articles, and sign up for our e-newsletter, Biz(941) Daily.

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2016

Stuff you need to know, from the new overtime pay rules to the best business wallets.

Tourism Beat

Visitors bureaus fight back against our worsening traffic.

What I’ve Learned

Reporter and talk show host Linda Carson on staying in the game.

100

Tech Beat

Four new mobile business apps for the exec on the go.

102

Fast Track

Movers, shakers and headline makers.

106

The Seen

People and events in pictures.

112

IT’S HARD TO SAY when South County growth reached a tipping point, but Venice, North Port and the surrounding area are booming, and nearly half of Sarasota County’s population now lives in South County. Big new communities, new businesses and thousands of new residents are transforming the area, and by the end of the next decade, many parts of it will look almost unrecognizable. This growth will shift the center of influence and resources as tax dollars, health care providers, educational institutions and businesses serve a region that we’ve long described as sleepy. We’ve featured the game-changing developments—and opportunities for business—in our story, “The South Rises” on page 60. We’re also celebrating our top corporate citizens in our second annual Greater Good Awards. All of our winners come from small businesses, which don’t have the resources to donate millions in philanthropy. But a 2015 survey by Alignable, a social networking organization for small businesses, showed that small business owners are the backbone of corporate giving locally, especially when it comes to human services. That’s definitely true for our winners, who are helping children prepare for college, aiding victims of domestic abuse, supporting community gardens with solar energy and feeding the hungry. We applaud all of our winners for the time, talent and financial support they’re expending to make this a better place for those they help—and ultimately, for all of us.

Off the Clock

Architect and dobro player Jerry Sparkman. COVER ILLUSTRATION

Michele Merchel

941CEO Greater Good Award Finalists

ADVERTISING & MARKETING GROUP PUBLISHER Kelley Lavin SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Kim Davis ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Debra Clark Maradiaga, Keith Magnuson, Sandy Moore, Dan Starostecki SALES AND MARKETING TEAM LEADER

Goodwill Ambassador Tim Holliday, in the retail category

Goodwill Ambassador Jaime DiDomenico in the professional services category

Your spirit of caring and generosity is what makes this community great!

CONGRATULATIONS! If you would like more information on becoming a Goodwill Ambassador, visit us at

experiencegoodwill.org

Regina Walters EDITORIAL EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Pam Daniel EDITOR-IN-CHIEF 941CEO Susan Burns MANAGING EDITOR Ilene Denton SENIOR EDITOR Kay Kipling ASSOCIATE EDITORS Cooper Levey-Baker, Hannah Wallace WEB EDITOR Megan McDonald INTERNS Margo Rometo, Alaina Upham

ART CREATIVE DIRECTOR Gigi Ortwein ART DIRECTORS Pepe Nieto,

Mark Howell

DESIGNER Amy Hoffarth

PRODUCTION PRODUCTION MANAGER Guy Vilt ADVERTISING SERVICES MANAGER

Katherine Orenic BUSINESS STAFF ACCOUNTANT Diana Clenney DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Tim Scott CIRCULATION COORDINATOR Joy Quici IT SPECIALIST Shawn Lamb

FOUNDER EMERITUS Dan Denton

“Thank you!”

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Kevin Allen, David Ball, Brad Edmondson, Tony D'Souza, Lori Johnston, Kim Hackett, Rich Rescigno, Jackie Rogers, Anu Varma, Johannes Werner, Sylvia Whitman

Neuro Challenge is funded by the generosity of our community.

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS & ARTISTS Barbara Banks, Salvatore Brancifort, Chad Spencer, Robert Castro, Alex Stafford, Lori Sax, Jenny Acheson, Everet Dennison, Evan Sigmund, Matthew Holler, Chris Lake, Gene Pollux, Fred Lopez

100% of your donation stays local. www.neurochallenge.org | (941) 926-6413

330 S. Pineapple Ave., Suite 205 Sarasota, FL 34236 Phone: (941) 487-1100 Fax: (941) 365-7272 941CEO.com | SarasotaMagazine.com

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One Donor 35 Innovative After-School Programs 200 Perfect Attendance Records 600 Better Report Cards

Be The One Each one of us has the potential to impact a person, a cause, a community. For more than 35 years, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County has matched donors to the right causes, creating lasting impact. You can be the one to make a difference. Call us today, (941) 955-3000. cfsarasota.org

Craft Bar Lunch

Farm to Table Menu Market OPEN DAILY Dinner Weekend Brunch

Happy Hour: M-F, 4-7 p.m. $5 Premium Wells, Wine, Craft Drafts & $3 Domestic

GULF SHORE MEDIA, LLC A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF SAGACITY MEDIA, INC. CEO & COFOUNDER Nicole Vogel VICE PRESIDENT, CONTENT & COFOUNDER

Scott Vogel SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, EDITORIAL & OPERATIONS Bill Hutfilz VICE PRESIDENT, CREATIVE Kate Madden VICE PRESIDENT, DIGITAL CONTENT

Rachel Ritchie VICE PRESIDENT, MARKETING & EVENTS

Emily Wyant DIRECTOR, PROCUREMENT & PRODUCTION

Norma Machado DIRECTOR, AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT

Becca Hersh DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL OPERATIONS & DEVELOPMENT Dan Derozier DIRECTOR, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Jimmy Fecteau CONTROLLER Simba Rusike NEWSSTAND CONSULTANT Joe Luca

Boca Kitchen Bar & Market 19 S. Lemon Ave., Sarasota, FL 34236 (941) 256-3565 www.bocasarasota.com

INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL

The 31st Year: The Search Continues

Gulf Shore Media is a member of the City and Regional Magazine Association, Florida Magazine Association, the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, Manatee Chamber of Commerce and The St. Armands Circle Association. All contents of this magazine are copyrighted ©2016. Unsolicited photographs and manuscripts are welcome, but return cannot be guaranteed. Circulation audited by U.S. Postal Service. Advertisements in this publication do not constitute an offer for sale in states where prohibited or restricted by law. 941CEO adheres to American Society of Magazine Editors guidelines, which require a clear distinction between editorial content and paid advertising or marketing messages.

Concert Series April 3, 6, 9, 12, 2017 The finest musicians of Europe and the Americas presenting both familiar and unusual chamber music. Sarasota Opera House

Sonata a Due December 6, 2016

An elegant evening to open the season: reception, recital and dinner. Recital features Derek Han, piano and Daniel Avshalomov, viola. The Field Club

Musical Chefs April 7, 2017

A lively interactive dinner event featuring La Musica artists leading the crowd in cooking demonstrations for the evening’s meal. Michael’s Wine Cellar

LaMusicaFestival.org 941.366.8450 ext. 7 8

Subscribe now It’s quick, simple and free. Your complimentary magazine subscription includes access to our digital edition.

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OR CALL (941) 487-1100 / (800) 881-2394

NEED A DAILY DOSE OF 941CEO? Start your morning well-informed with up-to-date news in Sarasota and Manatee with our e-newsletter BizDaily

TALK

PEOPLE, COMPANIES AND ISSUES YOU NEED TO KNOW.

INNOVATOR

Alok Sharma MobileNerd’s virtual desktop app works for everyone, everywhere. lok Sharma, a telecommunications specialist and Silicon Valley entrepreneur who splits his time between Sarasota and San Francisco, first recognized students’ computer disparities in 2013 as a volunteer at Pine View School, which his daughters attended. “Schools don’t have cuttingedge hardware,” he says, “while software is getting more complex. It requires more memory, more CPU, more graphics.” Plus, outside the classroom, 60 percent of his students went home to outmoded, hand-me-down computers, or no computer at all. So, in 2015 he created MobileNerd, an app that allows outmoded computers to process even the most data-heavy software, which can otherwise only run on expensive, highperformance machines. Using Microsoft Cloud, MobileNerd creates a virtual, personalized desktop from which a 10

user can operate any application on nearly any computing device. Today’s advanced software programs are measured in gigabytes, but because MobileNerd’s computational power is remotely located, the user’s computer only needs to process a scant 10 kilobytes. “You can have a $50, five-yearold machine,” says Sharma, “and have the same computing power and software applications at your fingertips as Bill Gates gets.” Sharma began using an archetype of the program in Kim withFaulhaber May 2015 atMartinez Sarasota’s fitness tracker on Fab Lab,her where students, bracelets. their own devices, use state-

of-the-art design software to interact with 3D printers and other manufacturing machines. Sharma says MobileNerd has endless uses for the $6 trillion global education market. Packaging it as a monthly subscription service, he and a handful of partners are discussing its implementation with select colleges and other entities. Sarasota remains the headquarters for the technology’s further testing and development. “We want Sarasota to be a hub of innovation,” Sharma says. “We’re eliminating the digital divide.”—Hannah Wallace 941CEO

ROBERT CASTRO

TALK BIZ RULES

Overtime Overhaul New labor rules mean stricter recordkeeping. ●● BY KEVIN ALLEN

n Dec. 1, new overtime regulations will make most salaried, white-collar employees earning less than $47,476 a year ($913 per week) eligible for time-anda-half pay for overtime work. For some employers, the rule will have little to no effect. For others, including many small businesses in the Sarasota/Manatee area, the Department of Labor’s new rules portend a culture shift. Employment attorney Christine Sensenig of the Hultman Sensenig + Joshi law firm sees it as an opportunity for employers. “A lot of my clients are taking a look at it and saying, ‘We have people working 45 hours a week and we don’t quite know why,’” Sensenig says. “This is giving them that forced opportunity to determine whether those employees really need to be working 45 hours a week or whether they’re being inefficient.”

The DOL predicts that an estimated 4.2 million employees will become newly eligible for overtime protection. This has three main implications for those employees. Either they’ll see a salary bump to $913 a week or more, they’ll receive overtime pay, or they’ll find themselves working fewer hours. One of the most significant changes for employers, Sensenig notes, is an increased vigilance in recordkeeping. Employers haven’t had to keep appropriate time records until the new rule because anyone making more than $455 per week was exempt. Now, salaried employees who never had to keep track of their time will have to keep accurate records. “You’re going to have a whole group of [employees] who are going to feel diminished, demeaned,” Sensenig says. “They’re not going to like the fact that they have to sign in, sign out; clock in, clock out. One of the things I’m telling my clients is to start the records keeping process [immediately].” For an employee currently making, say, $32,000, if that employee is currently working more than 40 hours a week, his or her employer could say that starting Dec. 1 they want that employee to cap their hours at 40. If they go over 40 hours, the employer will have to pay, but the employee could theoretically be reprimanded for violating company policy. In other words, employers should make it clear that any overtime must be preapproved. And if you think you can skirt the new rules by switching your affected employees’ status to independent

CHRISTINE SENSENIG’S ADVICE TO EMPLOYERS • Use this opportunity to look at the jobs you have and consider the job duties. Analyze whether the job duties truly qualify an employee as exempt or non-exempt. • Examine each position and determine whether the employee is using his time efficiently, or whether your employees may be overwhelmed. • You may tell your employees that you only want them to work 40 hours a week and that they must gain prior approval for any hours worked over 40. But if an employee works more than 40 hours without the required prior approval, you must still pay that employee. However, an employer can discipline an employee for violating a company policy. • Start keeping accurate records of hours worked now to avoid culture shock in December. contractors, Sensenig says beware. The DOL confirmed it has 66 wage and hour investigators assigned in Florida to ensure that companies are complying. “They are staffed up, they’re ready, and they’re going to use that notion of misclassification because they’re concerned that people are going to classify their employees as independent contractors,” Sensenig says. “Their answer is, ‘No, you’re not. We’ve got the staff and we’re going to check you out.’” Plus, Sensenig says, “Even if DOL doesn’t have as much of the manpower as they might need, there are a lot of law firms out there that do.”

THE BOTTOM LINE FROM THE DOL In response to the new overtime rule, employers can: A) Pay time-and-a-half for overtime work. B) Raise workers’ salaries above the new $47,476 threshold. C) Limit workers’ hours to 40 per week. D) Some combination of the above. Learn more at DOL.gov/featured/overtime. 12

941CEO

CONGRATULATIONS

STEVE HALL 941CEO GREATER GOOD AWARDS FINALIST

The compassion you show through your volunteerism and community service is an inspiration for us all. Thank you for everything you do!

STEVE HALL

CEBS. Market President of Alltrust

888.563.7278 EMPLOYEE BENEFIT . HUMAN RESOURCES . COMPLIANCE . TECHNOLOGY . WELLNESS | MULTIPLE LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT FLORIDA

TALK AGENDA OVERHEARD

SEPTEMBER−NOVEMBER

7-8

Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County Annual Meeting,

–J O H N E T T E I S H A M , executive director, Realize Bradenton, after winning Nonprofit of the Year from the Manatee Chamber of Commerce.

11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota, 1000 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota. $65. Register at edcsarasota.eventbrite.com.

sep. sep.

Venice Area Chamber of Commerce 92nd Annual Banquet and Installation of Officers, 5:30-9 p.m. at Mission Valley Golf & Country Club, 1851 Mission Valley Blvd., Venice. $65. Register at venicechamber.com.

Legal Aid Manasota presents “Access to Justice,” a 25th anniversary celebration featuring Bryan Stevenson, founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative, 6-9 p.m. at Michael’s On East, 1212 East Ave. S., Sarasota. For ticket information, visit legalaidofmanasota.org.

USF Sarasota-Manatee Brunch on the Bay, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at USF Sarasota-Manatee, 8350 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. $125. For details, visit usfsm.edu/brunch. nov.

oct.

Station 2 Innovation OneYear Anniversary Celebration, 4-7 p.m. at Station 2 Innovation, 912 Seventh Ave. E., Bradenton. Details at station2innovation.com.

SCOPE 2016 Boundary Crosser Award Celebration honoring Dr. Barbara Shirley, 5:30-7 p.m. at Michael’s On East, 1212 East Ave. S., Sarasota. $45; Circle of Friends $100. Register at scopesarasota.org.

“ALL NONPROFITS ARE BUSINESSES. WE DO QUALITY OF LIFE. WE HELP YOU RECRUIT NEW BUSINESSES.”

METRIC

Average number of people who moved to Sarasota County each day in 2015.

(In 2009, the number of new residents was 3; in 2005 it was 26.) SOURCE: BUREAU OF ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS RESEARCH

941CEO

BRYAN STEVENSON: EQUAL JUSTICE INITIATIVE; SHUTTERSTOCK: LOFTLOW

sep.

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce 96th Annual Meeting, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota, 1000 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota. $55. Register at sarasotachamber.com. oct.

East Meets West Regional Business Expo, sponsored by the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance and Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce, 4:30-7 p.m. at Robarts Arena, 3000 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota. $5 in advance; $10 at the door. For details, visit eastmeetswestexpo.com.

oct.

Venice Area Chamber of Commerce Consumer Expo, featuring 100-plus businesses, 9 a.m.3 p.m. at the Venice Community Center, 326 Nokomis Ave. S., Venice. Open to the public; free admission. For details, visit venicechamber.com.

Partners Michael Harkins and William L. Mehserle, Jr. congratulate Scott G. Pinkerton, CFP, CIMA on being named to the Barron’s Top 1,200 Advisors list.

Pictured from Left to Right: Michael Harkins, Partner, Executive Vice President -- Investment Officer, Scott Pinkerton, Managing Partner, Principal Investment Officer, William L. Mehserle, Jr., Partner, Vice President -- Investment Officer

This is the 7th year that Scott has received this distinction which is widely regarded as a benchmark for putting the needs of clients first -- one of the core foundations of our firm. PINKERTON WEALTH MANAGEMENT GROUP OF WELLS FARGO ADVISORS FINANCIAL NETWORK 4240 S. TAMIAMI TRAIL, VENICE, FL 34293 PHONE: 9411 40888557 TOLL8FREE: 8661 20988557 WWW.PINKERTONWMG.COM Barron’s Top 1,200 Advisors (2014 & 2015) Prior to 2014 the Barron’s Top 1,200 was recognized as the Barron’s Top 1,000 Advisors. The rankings are based on data provided by thousands of advisors. Factors included in the rankings were assets under management, revenue produced for the firm, regulatory record, quality of practice, and philanthropic work. Investment performance isn’t an explicit component. Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC, Member SIPC, a non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. CAR 0716-04968

TALK The customers We are helping to bring smartphones into hospitals. How the technicians, IT staff and admissions use this technology to help people is incredibly inspirational. To see a concept go from an idea to watching the rubber hit the road moves me.

● INTERVIEW BY ISAAC EGER

The Gators My Gator 100 Award trophy, given to the top 100 companies founded by Florida Gator alums. It reminds me of my roots at the University of Florida.

Founder and president, Voalté My year-old son My purpose for being. With so much complexity in my world, he shows a simple kind of happiness that I never could have expected.

Before a big meeting I like to listen to this song. I know that it represents a guy getting ready for his first child, but for me it’s my hype song.

Motto

Wedding Ring

Tom Johnson, my mentor and a Voalté investor and board of directors member, taught me this motto: “You learn, earn and return.” It’s important for me to live up to that credo and give back to the community, specifically UF and the Center for Entrepreneurship.

My wedding ring is actually my grandfather’s. He passed five years ago. He was married to my grandma for more than 50 years. It’s a reminder of my namesake and the important value of commitment.

2001 Ford F150

William “Trey” Lauderdale IV

Semisonic’s “Closing Time”

It was the first truck I ever had. It’s got over 225,000 miles on it. Unfortunately, it can’t fit a car seat for my son, so it’s on vacation for a few years. The truck represents who I am. There’s nothing flashy or fancy about it. As soon as my kids are old enough to ride in it, I’m going back to it.

My wife, Allison Lauderdale Before meeting her I was a bachelor mess. With her, I feel more productive. She helps me with communication and empathy.

The Swamp Watching the Gators win football games at The Swamp [Ben Hill Griffin Stadium].

Soquel Vineyards My wife’s uncle’s vineyard in Santa Cruz, California. It’s nestled up in the Santa Cruz mountains. It’s the most beautiful place on the planet and the best pinot noir you’ll ever taste. It blows away Napa.

941CEO

WILLIAM LAUDERDALE IV PHOTO COURTESY OF VOALTE. SHUTTERSTOCK: MACROVECTOR, PHOTKA, STUART FORD, CARLOS E. SANTA MARIA, BILDAGENTUR ZOONAR GMBH

WHAT INSPIRES ME

NANCY GONZALEZ The Mall at University Town Center SARASOTA, 120 UNIVERSITY TOWN CENTER DR. 941.364.5300.

TALK BUSINESS CLASS ● BY JACKIE ROGERS

Wallets that Work

Innovative accessories for cash and credit cards.

STYLE SAVVY Look to Stella McCartney for rich colors and streamlined details in accessories. This wallet has room for eight credit cards, folding money and coins. Whip-stitched, gun metal chain detail and bold purple color make this wallet too beautiful to hide in your handbag. | Stella McCartney Falabella Wallet, $395, stellamccartney.com.

SIMPLICITY Swap the rubber band around your cash for a stylish money fold. Bills nest neatly inside the leather cover and are secured with a flexible band. An interior slot gives you space for a card. The simplicity works when money and an ID are all you need. Slim enough to carry in your front pocket. | Embossed leather, $75, Martin & Freeman Clothiers.

This intelligent accessory from Stewart/Stand will keep your credits cards and ID protected while putting you at the forefront of style. Made from woven stainless steel and leather, this clutch wallet remains slim despite its six credit card pockets, a divided bill compartment and a zippered coin pocket on the back. Fully lined with stainless steel, every credit card pocket protects from RFID theft. Comes in multiple colors or stainless steel finish in both men’s and women’s styles. | Stewart/Stand Wallet, $115, Write-On Sarasota. 18

941CEO

SIMPLICITY WALLET: ROBERT CASTRO

SMART AND BEAUTIFUL

DOUBLE DUTY If carrying a wallet and a phone feels unwieldy, opt for a cell phone case in leather with credit card and ID pockets on the back. Created with the finest materials by leather artisans with more than three generations of expertise, this refined wallet gets better with age. A micro-suede interior protects your phone and leather banding creates multiple pockets for your important cards. Slip a $20 bill inside the phone cover for those “just in case” moments. | Ankara iPhone 6 cell phone card case, $54.95, harringtoncatalog.com.

ALL WEATHER ADVENTURER When your profession or lifestyle requires a wallet that can withstand lots of abuse, Bellroy keeps it safe and sophisticated. Crafted in full-grain, waterproof leather with a sturdy zipper enclosure, this wallet has slots for multiple credit cards, bills, a key, SIM card, coins and your smart phone. Its slim profile makes it easy to carry while biking, hiking or enjoying a day at the beach. | Bellroy Elements Wallet, $119.95, bellroy.com.

TRAVEL ORGANIZED Streamline your airport business travel with an all-inone travel organizer. Your ID, passport, boarding pass, luggage receipts and credit cards all fit neatly organized in this embossed leather wallet. The zippered compartment inside is ideal for keeping the week’s business receipts in order. The leather tab has a snap-front closure that secures all documents in place. RFID protection provides a smart touch. | Camden Travel Organizer, $195, TUMI at University Town Center.

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2016

TALK ASK THE BOSS Carla Rayman

Associate Broker, Your Global Agents, Coldwell Banker

Has Brexit affected your business? Malaka Hilton CEO, Admiral Travel “WE HAVEN’T seen any effect whatsoever. People are still booking London. The dollar is so much stronger that now is the perfect time to go to Great Britain. We’re calling our guests who have hotel bookings, and telling them that if you want to prepay your hotel now, go ahead and do it. Any call that we’ve been receiving has to do with safety overall and ISIS. The same with the Zika virus. They may not be going to South America, but they’re booking trips elsewhere. We’re doing more Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii.”

David Teitelbaum President and owner, Anna Maria Island Resorts “WE HAVE four resorts on Anna Maria, and we do have a lot of visitors from England. They book mostly in the summer. At the present time, we’ve not seen any effect. However, being in the EU has allowed Great Britain to be a big global financial center and that could be jeopardized. If Brexit affects their economy that will affect us. Those high-paying jobs in the financial world will be affected first and it may trickle down. If we see anything it may be next year.”

CAREER PATH

● BY HANNAH WALLACE 1

(1976-1980) SOFTWARE AUDITOR, BURROUGHS, DETROIT

“They kind of said, ‘Here, sit in front of a PC and start playing. Hack away.’ So I taught myself how to write a program to read data. I got access to the corporate payroll system. They didn’t know whether to throw me in jail or say, ‘Good job.’”

THE OWNER OF SARASOTA LUXURY FURNITURE RETAILER HOME RESOURCE STARTED IN THE OIL INDUSTRY. 20

(1998-1999) CFO, RED HOT CONCEPTS (CHILI’S UK), LONDON

“It was a far bigger disaster than Domino’s. It had been in the pub business, diners, a country-style hotel. It was just a group of unrelated stuff. I got it back to the core.”

(2000 -2002) COO, EPICUREAN LIFE, SARASOTA

“Epicurean Life was just getting started. There was Fred’s and Morton’s, the Tasting Room, a bakery and this little kosher deli. I ran that for two years. Start-up and turnaround have similarities. It’s about defining the vision.”

(1983-1995) FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND STRATEGIC PLANNING, MOBIL CHEMICAL, BRUSSELS

“They f lew four of us to Brussels, put us in a hotel, and said, ‘Guess what? You don’t have an office. Create it.’ We set up offices in Europe, Northern Africa, Asia, Latin America, creating a market for the polyethylene production that would eventually be there.”

(1995-1998) PRESIDENT, DOMINO’S PIZZA UK, LONDON

“The Domino’s board shipped me off to the UK to turn their business around. It was about paring away all the sundry stuff—sit-down restaurants, Häagen Dazs ice cream parlors—that had been brought in. Focus on what you do best.”

(1980 -1983) DATA SECURITY AUDITOR, MOBIL CORPORATION, DALLAS

“I traveled throughout the company. People can see how well you perform, how you conduct yourself. What I didn’t realize at the time is that they were looking at me to be involved in starting a global business for them.”

Michael Bush

“SIXTY PERCENT of our work involves foreign transactions. It remains to be seen how this all washes out, but no one has said, ‘We’re not coming to Florida.’ It’s made some people more conservative. Instead of spending $500,000, maybe they’ll go to $400,000. On the flip side, the Brits are concerned now because their health insurance and travel were not affected when they went to Spain or France to their vacation home. Now that they will no longer be part of the EU, coming to Florida will be no different except it is a longer flight.”

(2003-PRE SENT) OWNER, HOME RESOURCE, SARASOTA

“During the recession, everyone else was focusing on price points. We invested in our staff, focused on the quality. That created a completely different customer base for us.” 941CEO

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TALK FIVE QUESTIONS

Rogan Donelly

It’s all in the family for Tervis’ new president. ●● INTERVIEW BY HANNAH WALLACE Q. Was it always the plan that you’d take over the company?

IN MAY, 31-year-old Rogan Donelly took over as president of Venice’s Tervis company, a national juggernaut in the drinkware industry known for its lifetime-guaranteed plastic tumblers. Tervis products (which also include sippy cups, wine cups and accessories) are sold in more than 9,000 retailers throughout the country— including Bed Bath & Beyond and Dick’s Sporting Goods— plus 47 company stores (with two more opening in Kansas City and Atlanta this month). Donelly has worked in various Tervis departments since 2009, but the company, now employing 900, has always been a part of his life: His grandfather, John Winslow, purchased Tervis and moved its headquarters to Southwest Florida in the 1950s, and his father, Norbert Donelly, took over in 1989 and remains chairman.

A. I think that was the hope. My parents did a good job of not forcing me into making any kind of decision, but it was going to be a topic of everyday conversation whether you like it or not. I never met my grandfather, but Tervis was always a large part of my life. Q. What industry trends are you taking advantage of? A. Consumers nowadays are appreciative of personalization. You can go online and personalize your Tervis tumbler any way you like. We have about 75 licensing partners, like the NFL, collegiate teams, Tommy Bahama, Harley Davidson, big movies, Marvel, HBO. Consumers don’t just want a water bottle; they want their own water bottle. You can even upload your own personal photos to be on your Tervis product. And we’re continuing to evolve that personalization. We’re working on expanding our licenses and adding premade templates. Q. How do you court brand loyalty? A. This summer, we reinstated the made-for-life return policy at our heritage stores as a direct result of listening to the consumer—folks weren’t happy mailing in their returns. [This month] we’re going to unroll that return policy

in all of our stores nationwide. We stand by our brand. If something isn’t working, we need to make it easier to return. We’re always asking, what can we do better? Q. Are you concerned about competition, especially from high-end aluminum tumbler manufacturers? A. We focus on our messaging. We have a strong price, we’re made in America, and our functionality is good: We keep cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot. Q. What’s your retail expansion philosophy? A. We’re opening eight [Tervis] stores this year, so we’ll have 49 total all over the country. They’re healthy revenue generators that also help us expand brand awareness. We have a good sense of where our consumer knows us. So we try to open stores not just in tourist destinations, but also where we have room to grow our brand recognition, especially in the Midwest. We’re also actively looking towards a way that we can grow the international business. We have a partnership, for instance, through Hard Rock Cafe, and they have stores in Europe. Step one is going to be to taking advantage of those partnerships.

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TALK Quay Sarasota vs. UTC Completion ● BY KEVIN ALLEN

s megaprojects go in the Sarasota-Manatee area, none are more game changing than the Quay Sarasota (formerly Sarasota Quay) property in downtown Sarasota and the University Town Center build-out in east county. As a rare, large waterfront property in a Florida downtown, Quay Sarasota is one of the area’s most discussed empty lots. After the original Quay property was demolished in 2007, the property changed hands a few times and even spent some time as property of the Irish government after previous owner Irish American Management Services defaulted. Jacksonville-based GreenPointe Holdings purchased the property in 2014 for $27 million, and the company is

Quay Sarasota

finally primed to break ground later this year on the needed infrastructure to support the site’s development of condos, a hotel, retail and office. It’ll have stiff competition from University Town Center in east county for businesses, residents and shoppers. Over the summer, county commissioners approved the final construction phases for Benderson Development Company’s UTC expansion, for which the University Town Center Mall serves as anchor. The final phases of that project will bring residents to 1,800 planned units in the area between the mall and I-75. The UTC build-out also includes three new hotels and a movie theater as part of its entertainment district. GreenPointe regional president Rick Harcrow downplays any competition and says that Quay Sarasota is “an extension of the downtown fabric” with shopping, dining, hospitality and entertainment. “Our plans are for a place to live, work, create and recreate,” he says. John Harshman, president of Harshman & Company commercial real estate, says both projects will bring in fresh retail names to the market, and new offices, restaurants, residences and hotels will “increase market attention” to both areas. And as far as poaching consumers goes, Harshman says shoppers tend to stay within a 15- to 20-minute drive time from home base. UTC will attract shoppers from a wider radius, but downtown shoppers will still shop downtown when they want convenience and ambiance.

University Town Center Expansion

The Specs: - Lot size: 14 acres - Condominiums: 695 - Hotel rooms: 175 - Retail space: 189,050 square feet - Office space: 38,972 square feet

The Specs: - Lot size: 281 acres - Condominiums and homes: 1,800 - Hotel rooms: 500 - Retail space: 600,000 square feet - Office space: 100,000 square feet

Timetable: Infrastructure work is expected to commence at the end of 2016, continuing into 2017. This is a multiphase, mixed-use project scheduled to be built over time [with an expected] 10-year build-out.

Timetable: The county has stipulated that development of the final phases of UTC will not exceed more than 484,000 square feet in one year between 2015 and 2019.

Unique feature: The property sits on the waterfront between the Hyatt Regency and Ritz-Carlton hotels, making it one of the most valuable lots in the area (and accessible by boat). Its proximity to downtown means it should be walkable.

Unique feature: Four acres that were previously slated for residential units will be set aside to preserve oak hammocks. The site also will include an entertainment district with a high-end movie theater.

QUAY SARASOTA: GREENPOINTE HOLDINGS, LLC; UTC: BENDERSON DEVELOPMENT

EMPTY LOTS

941CEO

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Jonna holds several licenses, including Series 7, 63, 65 securities registrations as well as life, health and variable insurance licenses.

. Member of the Academy of Preferred Financial Advisors . 2016 SRQ Women in Business Initiative Leadership Circle Ambassador/Finalist . 2016 Women of Influence, Sarasota-Manatee leaders and professional business women who motivate and encourage others throughout the community . 2016 941CEO Greater Good Awards — Winner . 2015 honoree, ABC 7 News for “personifying the spirit of volunteerism and making the Suncoast a better place” in their “Seven Who Care” broadcast. . 2015 Beverly Burton New Board Member of the Year, Boys and Girls Clubs, Florida . Chair Elect of Boys and Girls Clubs of Sarasota County . Committee Chair for the Women’s Leadership Council . Vice President and Board Member of T.R.E.K. (Tech Readers Enrich Kids) . Chair Member for Women in a Changing World . 2013 Panel Member and Speaker at the U.S. National Committee for U.N. Women At First Security Investments, our members receive a comprehensive approach to retirement planning by focusing on key elements, such as:

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Third-party rankings and recognitions are no guarantee of future investment success and do not ensure that a client or prospective client will experience a higher level of performance or results. These ratings should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor by any client nor are they representative of any one client’s evaluation. Securities and advisory services offered through SagePoint Financial, Inc. ◊ Member FINRA/SIPC. Insurance offered through First Security Investments, LLC and is not affiliated with SagePoint Financial. Working with an advisor that is a member of the Academy of Preferred Financial Advisors cannot guarantee investment success or that financial goals will be achieved. Advisors that participate in this program pay a fee to belong and receive coaching and marketing collateral. The APFA is not affiliated with or endorsed by SagePoint Financial.

TALK YOU DO WHAT? ● BY ILENE DENTON

TONY BREZEL had a successful career in real estate and in national direct sales

before launching a business that satisfies her true passion: breeding and training German shepherds. Not just any German shepherds, though; these are West German shepherds bred from a line of national champions, which she sells to dog lovers from all over the country, including to celebrities like Robert Wagner, Jill St. John and comedian Chelsea Handler. PUPPY LOVE

PERFECT MATCH

“I have my own stud dogs, and people from all over the country bring their females to me. My puppies go for $3,000 to $5,000. 26

Tony Brezel and her German shepherds.

I still call this my hobby, but if you love what you do it’s not work, and if you make money at it, that’s just a bonus.” BEST BEHAVIOR

“I do Schutzhund training for dog owners from all over Florida. The literal translation is ‘protection dog.’ This is extensive training. I do the foundation work with puppies, and I have an excellent trainer in South Carolina who comes down once a month, and then [the dogs and their owners] go to Germany to complete their training. There

are three training components: tracking, where they have to show they have a strong nose; obedience, with a lot of focus; and the bite work—the protection work. This is not training them to be aggressive, it’s the opposite; it’s a courage test.” TOP DOG

“German shepherds are so kind, so loving, so gentle. They want to be where you are; they’re great with children. Many of my dogs have become therapy, and search and rescue dogs.”

ALEX STAFFORD

“After I left real estate, I founded Starlight International [a dietary supplement distributor]. I was traveling to Europe quite a bit and wanted a German shepherd for added protection. I love the breed. In the mid-’90s, I brought over a beautiful female and male from Germany. I have a six-acre property east of town, so I started to have a litter from time to time, and [the business] grew. In 2000 I had the No. 1 German shepherd in North America, Burschy. Then my dog, Acka, became the No. 1 female. It opened a whole new world to me.”

941CEO

wE cAN’T wAIT TO INNOVATE

Opportunity is knocking, more and more loudly, across our region. That’s why we invest in projects and partnerships that open doors for growing businesses and future talent. From boosting entrepreneurs through our BIG initiative to supporting the new UF Innovation Station, we want to build an environment where innovators come together and co-create a vision for our region’s future. We can’t wait for you to join us. Together with our donors, we transform our region through bold and proactive philanthropy.

941.486.4600 | GulfcoastcF.org

TALK BIZ BITES ● BY HANNAH WALLACE

Main Street Trattoria Indulgent, affordable Italian fare in Lakewood Ranch.

the place A corner hotspot on Lakewood Ranch’s Main Street, the trattoria has ample indoor and sidewalk seating, as well as a bar with big sunlit windows for surveying passers-by. the people Ranch locals popping in for their usual lunch routine; Main Street shoppers taking a cocktail break.

time factor It’s a popular lunchtime destination, especially in-season, but ample seats and excellent service make it fairly easy to get a table. Still, the setting doesn’t lend itself to an in-and-out vibe. the food The gamut of classic Italian fare, from antipasto to zuppe, including a slew of salads

(Caesar, caprese, kale or chopped, starting at $8), pizza (starting at $10) and creative panino, like the grilled salmon with kale and smoked tomato garlic aioli ($13) or the indulgent Trattoria Grilled Cheese, with mozzarella, Gouda and Taleggio cheeses, served with a bisque-like tomato dipping sauce ($12). Many, many pasta options, too.

MAIN STREET TRATTORIA: BARBARA BANKS; SHUTTERSTOCK: ZURIJETA

Salmon panino

main street trattoria 8131 Lakewood Ranch Main Street, Suite 101, Lakewood Ranch. (941) 907-1518. mstrattoria.com

TRENDSPOTTER

2014 AND 2015 WERE RECORD-SETTING YEARS FOR CHARITABLE GIVING IN THE U.S. Total giving was $373.25 billion in 2015, an increase of 4.1 percent from 2014. This is the sixth straight year charitable giving has increased. SOURCE: CHARITY NAVIGATOR

941CEO

S P ONS ORED R EPOR T

PATHWAY TO PROSPERIT Y A major challenge for employers regionally—and nationally— is finding skilled workers who not only perform their jobs at a high level, but also possess the people skills and work ethic essential for every workplace. For six years, CareerEdge Funders Collaborative has been providing those skilled workers through its workforce development programs. In the process, CareerEdge is helping to create vibrant, productive communities in a region that stretches through Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte counties. The goal is straightforward: CareerEdge wants every individual gainfully employed with a living wage so they can become financially stable and contribute to the economy. CareerEdge

has the ability to take each employee—and job seeker—on a well-planned journey that begins as early as middle school and goes all the way through employment. CareerEdge isn’t alone in this effort. Philanthropic, businesses, educational institutions, and government organizations also have partnered to bring job seekers and employers together. And now that CareerEdge is part of United Way Suncoast, workers and employers have another strong partner. To date, these partnerships have resulted in $23.4 million in new wages and raises. Join CareerEdge as it grows the regional workforce, provides a ladder to prosperity to low-income workers and builds healthy communities with an exceptional quality of life.

ADVERTISEMENT “CareerEdge is a leading force and an important tool for improving our workplaces. We do workforce development so our regional and relocating employers can find workers and our workers can improve their lives.”

CAREER EDGE

—Sarasota Area President, United Way Suncoast/ Executive Director, CareerEdge Mireya Eavey

careeredgefunders.com 29

S P ONS OR ED R EPOR T

Career Success Step-By-Step MIDDLE SCHOOL

HIGH SCHOOL

TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Career Awareness Programs

Career Planning & FAFSA Completion

Certifications and Core Skills Training

CAREEREDGE HELPS TO fund high-demand, highwage certification programs at local technical colleges

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

BY PROVIDING FAFSA

in order to fill employer skill

(Free Application for

gaps. In addition, CareerEdge

Federal Student Aid)

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area high school seniors,

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and UnidosNow, CareerEdge

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of the technical certifications.

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students access federal

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Booker Middle School to offer

grant funding for college.

professionalism, customer service, conflict resolution,

career exploration and coaching to

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students and their families. The goal is

career planning through

teamwork and time

to create a college-going culture early in

organizing employer field

management, the training

the childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s educational experience and

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core skills employers are

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to keep students on a

looking for and which

CareerEdge plans to create a replicable

straight path to career and

are essential for

model for other schools to follow.

college attainment.

employment success.

SP ONS ORED R EPOR T

Internships

Job Placement

On-the-job Training

GOAL Regional Prosperity through Financial Stability, Economic Development and Enhanced Quality of Life

CAREEREDGE’S mission is to provide an exceptional labor force to growing industries by WITH ITS EMPLOYER

leveraging community

Partnership Model,

assets and forming high-

CareerEdge continues to

performing workforce

fund employees through

partnerships. The goal

PARTICIPANTS

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is to move individuals

who complete training

Organizations receive

into jobs with family-

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funds for continuing

sustaining wages, thereby

are provided with job

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A FIRST OF ITS KIND,

placement support as

training that allow workers

for individuals as well as

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they look to enter the

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program helps students

workforce with their newly

pay increases. Employer-

the region. This creates a higher quality of life for

obtain the necessary skills

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programs are also

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reinforced, as are tuition

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reimbursement programs.

development of our area.

while they are enrolled in higher

graduates find the right job

education institutions or if

opportunity and match.

they have recently graduated. Employers pay interns a minimum of $10 an hour and CareerEdge will reimburse employers up to $1,500 per intern.

“CareerEdge has helped us expand our creativity in terms of what we can do to develop our employees.” ROD HERSHBERGER CEO AND CHAIRMAN PGT INDUSTRIES 39 1

SP ONS ORED R EPOR T

How are we doing?

C A R E E R E D G E I M P A C T 2 0 1 0 -2 0 1 5

Trained

Worked with

Created

1,212

3,142

jobs

people

employers

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CAREER EDGE

Helped

2,049

workers earn raises

541

workers achieve promotions

Invested

$6.3 million

in regional workforce development

$23.4 million in new wages and raises

Funders BANK OF AMERICA C H A R L E S & M A R G E R Y B A R A N C I K F O U N D AT I O N CIT Y OF BRADENTON DDA AND CCRA G U L F C O A S T C O M M U N I T Y F O U N D AT I O N JANE’S TRUST J O B S F O R T H E F U T U R E / WA L M A R T F O U N D AT I O N J O H N S . A N D J A M E S L . K N I G H T F O U N D AT I O N JP MORGAN CHASE MICROSOF T N AT I O N A L F U N D F O R W O R K F O R C E S O L U T I O N S S A R A S O TA C O U N T Y G O V E R N M E N T U N I T E D WAY S U N C O A S T S C H E I D E L F O U N D AT I O N

We Need Philanthropic, Businesses, Educational Institutions, Goverment Organizations and Nonprofits to Join Us CareerEdge’s community partnerships are crucial to training young job seekers and moving low-income workers into higher-paid positions. Our workers benefit, our employers benefit and the community benefits. Please, join us and become a partner.

Mireya Eavey Sarasota Area President, United Way Suncoast/Executive Director, CareerEdge CareerEdge Funders Collaborative, 1800 2nd Street, Suite 102, Sarasota, FL 34236 (941) 328-6973, MEavey@uwsuncoast.org.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Help the next software developer Bill, artist Georgia, film director Steven, foreman Bob, entrepreneur Warren or nurse Anna achieve their dream.

Invest in our communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s professionals one graduate at a time... Investments can be made in the form of recurring or one-time donations, equipment, supplies, and/or scholarships to help students reach their graduation milestone. No gift is too small.

Contact Cassandra Holmes

SCFFoundation.net

941-752-5390 or holmesc@SCF.edu

F Meet our champions of corporate giving. Photography by Salvatore Brancifort

or years, our region has enjoyed a national reputation for individual philanthropy. Our Greater Good Awards were designed to recognize the equally impressive generosity of local businesses and the executives who lead them. Corporate philanthropists know that reaching out to help neighbors in need is not only the right thing to do; it also keeps the quality of life here exceptional, which is key to attracting and retaining employees—and the new residents and customers who fuel growth. Our judges looked for nominees who show exceptional commitment to their community, develop innovative strategies for giving and achieve significant impact through their philanthropy. Our winners demonstrate all of that. To a person, they tell us that giving is good for their business. But many also say their support is first and foremost a personal value instilled by family and mentors who taught them—as Jaime DiDomenico of CoolToday told us—“When you get the opportunity, do what’s right and give back.”

THANKS TO JUDGES SUSIE BOWIE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE MANATEE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, AND CHRISTOPHER ROMINE, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND MANAGING DIRECTOR, NORTHERN TRUST. (EDITOR SUSAN BURNS WAS ALSO A JUDGE.) 34

941CEO

BUILDING AND DESIGN WINNER

Tom Shapiro

Sterling Manufacturing Soon after Tom Shapiro, president of Sterling Manufacturing, moved here in 2002, homebuilder Lee Wetherington introduced him to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota (BGCS), an organization “so positive,” Shapiro says, “you’d have to be dead for it not to be heartwarming.” On any given afternoon, children may be shooting hoops, playing video games, finishing homework or baking cookies. Shapiro, an Eagle Scout, grew up surrounded by adults who “imbued values and skills that have been useful throughout my life,” he says. Recognizing that not all kids start out so lucky, Shapiro has become a rainmaker for BGCS. Shapiro, who runs one of Florida’s largest countertop fabricators, says his father taught him that a good business gives back. To that end, Shapiro has chaired the BGCS board for two terms and, along with his wife, Debbie, twice spearheaded the annual Dream Makers Ball, netting more than $440,000. In addition to Sterling Manufacturing’s in-kind donations of materials and labor, the Shapiros have given BGCS more than $80,000—as well as the occasional surprise pizza party. Their gifts have seeded the BGCS’s new Tom and Debbie Shapiro Career Center on Fruitville Road. It complements after-school activities with support for young people writing college applications, practicing public speaking, learning trades and polishing resumes. BGCS guides them through “a socialization process, teaching them how to make decisions, have ambition, and succeed,” says Shapiro, turning “kids who might otherwise be out on the street” into “caring, contributing members of society.”—Sylvia Whitman

FINALIST: Jeff Charlotte , J.E. CHARLOT TE CONSTRUC TION CORP. This past year, homebuilder Jeff Charlotte donated time, talent, cash and materials to the Humane Society of Manatee County, the Loveland Center, Florida Gulf Coast University and the Kyle Jutras Scholarship Foundation. SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2016

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES WINNER

Jaime DiDomenico CoolToday

Jaime DiDomenico, owner and president of CoolToday, an air conditioning (and plumbing and electrical) company, loves to say, “I'm in the service business.” And he does mean service. DiDomenico, whose neon-green trucks are recognizable from Hillsborough to Charlotte County, has made service to the community as important to his company as service to customers. “We take care of people in our business, so why don’t we make it part of our strategy for the community?” he says. Last year, DiDomenico launched a Taking Care of People Today program that invites customers and employees to single out worthy individuals who need help themselves. One example: When a Habitat for Humanity volunteer couldn’t afford a new AC system, CoolToday gave her one at no cost. DiDomenico says he grew up in humble circumstances and received support and encouragement that helped him succeed. “Nobody makes it on their own,” he says. Last year, DiDomenico gave $250,000 in financial contributions, sponsorships and donated AC systems to many nonprofits. His contributions are also measured in time. He’s the chair of the Sarasota Boys & Girls Clubs and is a Goodwill Manasota Ambassador. He and his company recently won Goodwill’s Employment Impact Partner of the Year for training and hiring veterans. Service means supporting his employees, too. His wellness program, KickStart Today, encourages— and rewards—his 190 employees to accomplish health goals like losing weight and quitting smoking. And that, he says, is good for business. “When you give back to the community, it gives back to you,” he says. —Susan Burns

FINALIST: Steve Hall, ALLTRUST. As market president of Alltrust Insurance in the region, Hall still finds the time to hold leadership positions on multiple nonprofit and civic boards and financially support many more. 36

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LARGE COMPANY WINNER

CS&L CPAs With offices in Sarasota, Bradenton and Tampa, CS&L CPAs has a long history of corporate sponsorship for Goodwill Manasota, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Habitat for Humanity and other bigname nonprofits. More than 25 percent of the company’s 52 employees serve on a nonprofit board. To involve even more staff, the firm instituted a CS&L Cares campaign on its 60th anniversary in 2014. It organized food drives, fielded 5K race teams and organized mini office fund raisers. That campaign so motivated and empowered

employees that the firm created an ongoing calendar of opportunities for workplace philanthropy. Any staffer can propose a beneficiary, and the teambuilding committee decides how CS&L can best aid the cause. A companywide email goes out describing the organization and mission, with a link to its website and often a personal message from the employee advocate. For instance, pension manager Betsy Oakey noted the need for toilet paper, even half bottles of shampoo, at Turning Points, a Bradenton nonprofit that serves the homeless. For the CS&L office fund raiser, anyone who contributed $5 or personal care items could wear jeans—making it a very denim day.

“In the last 12 months, CS&L employees donated 370 business hours to community service activities,” says marketing director Lesley Hatfield. That outreach benefits the firm as well as the community. CS&L’s staff turnover falls “well below” the accounting industry average, which Hatfield partly credits to workplace philanthropy. “Learning about each other’s passions and volunteering together strengthens the team,” she says. —Sylvia Whitman

Robert Stanell, managing principal; Jeff Gerhard, audit manager; and Jay Clarkson, principal.

FINALIST: PGT Industries. Custom window and door manufacturer PGT Industries donates materials and financial support to numerous nonprofits such as Mote Marine Laboratory, where recently, all the glass for the Otters & Their Waters exhibit was donated. CEO Rod Hershberger holds leadership positions on high-profile boards. SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2016

REAL ESTATE WINNER

Real estate agent Lynne Koy made headlines this summer when she sold three properties for a total $6.29 million in just one day. But a day doesn’t go by when she doesn’t think back with gratitude to a darker time. In the early 1970s, as a mother of two young children in Chicago, Koy was a victim of domestic abuse. “I endured two years of physical abuse until, in the middle of one night, I took the kids and ran away to a kind neighbor who took me in,” she says. “She said: ‘You deserve better than this and one day I’m going to ask you to help someone who’s a victim.’ My passion and determination were formed then and there.” When Koy moved to Sarasota, she linked with SPAARC (Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center), first as a hotline volunteer answering middle-of-thenight calls from frightened women, and now as a board member. Every Friday morning for 10 years, she has delivered food to 15 homebound seniors. “It’s not the food I deliver; it’s my smile and kind word and a hug,” she says. Her business success has given her a platform to discuss such experiences and the means to make a difference. “It’s not about monetary success; it has to do with what it allows me to give back,” she says. Koy appreciates the full-circle nature of life. Her daughter has been CEO of the largest women’s and children’s shelter in Sacramento for 15 years. “I’ve watched her inspire so many people,” Koy says. —Ilene Denton

Lynne Koy Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate

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SMALL COMPANY WINNER

Brilliant Harvest Expanding access to solar power is a mission as well as a livelihood for Bill Johnson, president of the Sarasota solar contracting firm Brilliant Harvest, which he founded in 2009. “In the long run, solar is going to have as much impact on the planet as the internet,” he says. On the board of the Florida Alliance for Renewable Energy and the U.S. Green Building Council, Johnson advocates for renewable energy at sustainability conferences, Earth Day celebrations, Rotary Club meetings—anywhere he’s asked. Fossil fuels require expensive drilling, pumping, shipping and delivering. But solar and other renewable sources represent “a democratizing force in the energy world,” Johnson says. Locally, Johnson is vested in helping nonprofits save money while lowering their carbon footprint. Brilliant Harvest gave 53 solar panels to the Tampa Bay Watch education center in Tierra Verde; donated panels to Sarasota’s green demonstration nonprofit, The Florida House; and donated 10 cents per watt for every solar panel installed on the rooftop array at the Audubon Nature Center at the Celery Fields. Along with money and materials, the six-employee company donates hundreds of hours of expertise every year, Johnson says. He consulted with Mote Marine researchers on a solar-powered snook-tracking device and with three Sarasota community gardens on solarpowered water-pumping systems. “They ended up paying us in vegetables,” he says with a laugh. A Pine View School alumnus and dad, he also heads the Pine View Foundation, which is working on a replicable model for creating endowments for public schools. —Sylvia Whitman

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2016

FINANCIAL WINNER

Jonna Keller First Security Investments

Financial adviser Jonna Keller, owner of First Security Investments, inhales deeply as she describes the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota (BGSC) holiday party. Staff places gifts at different tables, and one by one kids enter the room to choose a present, perhaps their only one of the season. Keller recalls walking hand in hand with a child who stopped and asked, “Can I get something for my brother instead?” Keller partners with her clients to support many causes: All Faiths Food Bank, Sarasota Pops, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, Florida Studio Theatre, Embracing Our Differences, Howard University. With one member, Keller created Tech Readers Enriching Kids (TREK), a program to put electronic readers in the hands of children without easy access to books. They started at the YMCA, introduced TREK to BGCS, and are working on a public school pilot. But BGCS is Keller’s soft spot, perhaps because of her own experience as a single working mother of two daughters, now in their late 20s. Keller’s contribution is both high finance and high touch. As chair of the BGCS Women Ambassadors, she has helped raise $100,000, she says. She also contributes individually as expected of a board member, soon to be chair. It’s the mentoring that feeds her soul, though. She just sent a longtime club member who joined the Navy a plane ticket to fly home to Sarasota to visit her family. “You see how much these kids want to do better once they’ve been exposed to things they never knew,” Keller says. —Sylvia Whitman

FINALISTS: Brian Mariash, Bart Lowther, MARIASH LOW THER WEALTH MANAGEMENT. This wealth management team gives back in hundreds of volunteer hours and a percentage of their income to numerous nonprofits. Among their causes: Jewish Children and Family Services, Children’s Healthy Pantry, Circus Arts Conservatory, Sarasota Orchestra, Child Protection Center and Embracing our Differences. 40

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HEALTH CARE WINNER

Dr. Steven Tinsworth

Tinsworth Orthodontics “Open wide” is both an orthodontist’s buzz phrase and a description of Dr. Steven Tinsworth’s hands and heart. In the 1980s, this father of five brought water fluoridation to Manatee County and the City of Bradenton, which he considers his most significant accomplishment. Tinsworth earned the Manatee Community Foundation’s 2016 Leadership Spirit Award for wide-ranging civic engagement with organizations ranging from the American Cancer Society to the Sarasota Orchestra. He currently chairs the Bradenton Kiwanis Foundation and serves on the boards of Take Stock in Children and the Manatee Performing Arts Center. Then there’s all his pro bono work on behalf of smiles. As dental coordinator for the Remote Area Medical USA free clinic that came to Bradenton in November 2015, Tinsworth screened 600 patients over two days. “I saw some mouths of disaster I haven’t seen since dental school at the University of Kentucky,” he says. At the Kiwanis Club’s annual Christmas in August events, he orchestrates dental exams for homeless kids. The Manatee Chamber of Commerce named him a 2016 Champion of Healthcare. Volunteer hours per year? “I might be afraid to count up,” he says, but it could average an hour a day. He traces his commitment back to his roots: family, church, Boy Scouts, “that duty to God and country.” His father, a dentist, spent six weeks a year in retirement caring for Vietnamese boat people abroad. “Everyone feels uplifted helping those who need that extra little boost,” Tinsworth says. “The hands of God are working through you.” —Sylvia Whitman

FINALIST: Dr. Robert Hillstrom, HILL STROM FACIAL PL ASTIC SURGERY. Hillstrom has been involved in many nonprofits over the years and sits on numerous boards. As a board member of Hope Family Services, he helps victims and children of domestic violence with time, financial assistance and pro bono medical services for those who have been injured. SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2016

HOSPITALITY WINNER

John Horne

Anna Maria Oyster Bars Anna Maria Oyster Bars founder John Horne started his career as a busboy at the old Fast Eddie’s on Anna Maria. “The owner liked my work ethic and offered me a $1,000 college scholarship for two years,” says Horne. “He said, ‘I’m willing to commit to you if you commit to me.’ I stayed with him for 10 years.” That scholarship inspired Horne’s commitment to improving the lives of students. Horne is a former chairman of the Manatee Chamber of Commerce and winner of the Manatee and Sarasota chambers’ Small Business Awards, as well as former chair of the local Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association chapter and the state board. He is a major financial supporter of PACE Center for Girls, a “last-chance” alternative school; and, with his wife, Amanda, is co-chairing a multimilliondollar capital campaign to expand the campus. “I give because PACE makes a difference in these girls’ lives,” he says. The Hornes and friends Stewart and Trudy Moon of Air & Energy also provide scholarships to nontraditional college students who are also working through their annual Horne & Moon Scholarship Social, which in just two years has raised $275,000. “I’m looking for people who need a boost,” he says. Next summer, Horne hopes to establish a third grade reading level summer program at his Landside restaurant. In collaboration with the Manatee County school system, he’ll invite incoming third graders for an hour or two in the morning, give them a meal and a tutoring session from volunteer customers. “We want to make it work,” he says. —Ilene Denton

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RETAIL WINNER

Cynthia and Tim Holliday Children’s World

Cynthia and Tim Holliday bought Children’s World, a toy and uniform store, in 2001, and since then have expanded into new space and intensified their support for kid-centric nonprofits: Suncoast Charities for Children, Children First, Manasota BUDS, Easter Seals of SWFL, Hope Kids—and more. “Who’s going to do it if we don’t?” asks Tim. Their customers usually shop for wellloved and nurtured kids. The Hollidays make sure the less fortunate don’t get overlooked. The largest Toys for Tots site in Sarasota, Children’s World offers a 50 percent match SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2016

when customers buy a holiday gift to donate. They give goods and childcare to the Healthy Start Coalition’s annual “community baby shower” for pregnant women and new parents. Tim serves on the Child Protection Center’s advancement committee. In April, Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Hollidays decorate their store in blue to raise awareness. Kids thrive when their community is thriving, so the Hollidays sponsor a “give back to Goodwill day,” donating a portion of receipts. Their daughter, Faith, a 13-year-old

Girl Scout, serves as a Goodwill Community Ambassador. When a position for an embroiderer opened on their small staff, they filled it through Goodwill’s Veteran Services. No surprise: Children’s World won Goodwill Manasota’s 2016 Community Partner Award. The Hollidays estimate that they donate six figures worth of toys and uniforms in a year, as well as staff time. “As long as we have customers, we need to pass it along,” says Tim. “There’s so much more that’s got to be done.”—Sylvia Whitman 43

NO PL ACE TO C ALL

H ME AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS A GROWING HUMAN—AND ECONOMIC— CRISIS IN SARASOTA.

Sarasota-Manatee is the 11th fastest growing region in the United States, with condos, apartments and new housing developments sprouting from the Manatee River to North Port. Growth here is fueled by migration, not by births. (Deaths in this region, where 35 percent of people are over 65, sizably outpace births.) Sarasota County is adding 14 new residents a day to its current 405,549. County officials estimate that by 2020 the county will need about 22,000 more homes. But most new residences in Sarasota are being built for retiring baby boomers, half of them wealthy enough to pay cash for their homes. There’s a huge housing shortage for service workers, such as retail salespeople, nursing assistants and food prep workers, who affluent residents rely upon. Service jobs make up the fastest growing employment sector in Sarasota, and they pay low salaries, often well under $30,000 a year. The market is not satisfying their need for housing, and their choices are scarce. We’ve compiled statistics to provide a snapshot of our affordable housing challenge and asked some experts to shed light on the growing crisis.

EXPERTS WEIGH IN By restricting density, we’re causing house prices to go up. But if we want more density, officials require [developers] to make the project LEEDcertified, to do a certain kind of design, and so on. To achieve affordable housing, don’t burden developers with extraneous regulations that are complex and costly. Unfortunately, the public often doesn’t want affordable units in their neighborhood. They think it’s going to attract a different kind of person and bring in crime. People don’t understand that today affordable homes and apartments can be quite nice. We need to allow higher density at appropriate locations—downtown, along major traffic corridors or in employment centers. — REAL ESTATE AND LAND USE ATTORNEY BILL MERRILL OF ICARD MERRILL.

WHAT PERCENT OF INCOME SHOULD BE SPENT ON HOUSING? Any more than 30 percent and people struggle to pay other bills. 941CEO

Harvey’s Way

How an unconventional developer makes affordable housing pay. ● INTERVIEW BY COOPER LEVEY-BAKER

VENGROFF WILLIAMS INC. FOUNDER HARVEY VENGROFF, 75, owns apartment complexes that are home to 2,200 local working class individuals and families. That number is set to grow, with an additional 393 units coming to his recently approved Fruitville Road complex in the city of Sarasota, another 390 new apartments in a vacant Knights Inn motel in Bradenton and additional projects moving forward in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. Vengroff says there’s profit in renting to low-income tenants. So why aren’t more local developers following his lead? Q Everyone says it’s difficult to make a profit on affordable housing. How do you do it? Vengroff: If you were to buy an apartment building on Hillview or near the hospital, you’d pay about $75,000 to $100,000 per unit. You’re going to rent that unit for somewhere between $750 and $900 a month. Now, if you buy a motel for $20,000 a unit and put $5,000 into each room, you have a $25,000 investment per unit and you’re renting for $625 a month. It’s about three times more profitable. Even a

EXPERTS WEIGH IN

In recent years, thousands of market-rate homes, $300,000 and up, have been built, and we have plans to build thousands more over the next 5-10 years. But we are building virtually no housing that’s affordable to the service workers—our pool cleaners, landscapers, restaurant servers, medical support workers and retail clerks. For every 10 to 20 market-rate homes that are built in the $400,000-plus price range, a demand is created for one home affordable to a service worker earning at or near minimum wage. Acknowledging that service workforce housing is critical to our economic health and quality of life is a critical first step in creating viable solutions. —JON THAXTON, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT FOR COMMUNITY INVESTMENT, GULF COAST COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

HOW MUCH DOES HOUSING COST IN SARASOTA?

$224k

was the average monthly rent in North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota in July 2016, $60 more than July 2015.

was the median sales price for single-family homes in Sarasota County in 2015

Median monthly rent nationally: $847

Statewide median:

$1,280

$185k SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2016

$1,195

Sarasota’s median monthly mortgage payment is

381

North PortSarasotaBradenton ranked 19 among the 381 U.S. metro areas with the biggest rent increases from February 2006 to February 2016. 45

basic guy with a lousy education like me can figure that out. Q You paid $4.4 million for the Knights Inn motel in Bradenton and are building additional units there. What will your revenue be on that project? Vengroff: About $625 times 240 units. It’s like $150,000 a month for just the apartments. It’s very profitable. Creating a way for people to move from the street or from a bad situation to a $625 all utilities included, furnished apartment is a good thing. From there, the average stay is about eight months and then they move on to a two-bedroom or three-bedroom apartment or house, so we have a feeder system for our bigger apartments. Q Why don’t other developers follow that model? Vengroff: The government puts out a lot of information on how you make a living at affordable housing through subsidies. But the people I know who do that have enormous staffs because they have to do all the reporting to the government. And those places turn into less desirable places to live because you can’t

get rid of the bad guys fast enough. With our program, we have a 30-day window. If somebody’s not working or not willing to look for a job or not willing to help themselves, we kick them out. Q Do many of your tenants come to you in desperate situations? Vengroff: Most people don’t want to deal with these people. A lot of them need second chances. I’ll rent to people with criminal records, former drug addicts, people who have been homeless. They need a lot of hand-holding, and I hire managers who know how to do that. They’ll wake people up, take them to job interviews, help them dress appropriately. It all takes time. We have about 150 places along Old Bradenton Road. The investors we bought them from were just investors. These guys didn’t want to go there, because the quality of the tenant was not so good. They didn’t want to collect the rents, so they hired a manager, and the manager didn’t do what he was supposed to do because they didn’t supervise him and the place went to hell. Now it’s safe. The difference is somebody goes there and somebody manages it.

EXPERTS WEIGH IN

We build about 1,200 homes a year and 700 of them are in Sarasota and Manatee. We can build nice homes for people who earn Sarasota’s median income or a little less because we have old land—it was purchased at agricultural prices in 2004. But we don’t build very many homes for people who earn 80 percent of the median income. If a person at that income level has a $30,000 down payment, they can afford to buy a home from us for $179,900. But [having the down payment] is not often the case. A person with an income of $49,000 can pay $148,484 for a home. I don’t think any builder can build housing in Sarasota County at that price. In addition, Sarasota’s 2050 system and the fiscal neutrality component discourage affordable housing. —PAT NEAL, CEO, NEAL COMMUNITIES

HOW MANY SARASOTANS STRUGGLE TO AFFORD A PLACE TO LIVE?

73,700 households in Sarasota County (40 percent of the total 172,720) are “cost-burdened,” meaning they spend more than 30 percent of their income for housing.

percent of those households spend more than 50 percent of their income on housing.

It costs $2,378 in annual fuel costs to commute from North Port to Sarasota—at today’s unusually low gas prices. More than 60 percent of housing sales from JanuaryOctober 2014 that were considered affordable were located in North Port, South Venice and Englewood.

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Housing 3.0 EXPERTS WEIGH IN A portion of our population lives from week to week. Even if [their] income doubles, they can’t meet the down payment banks require for home ownership. There’s going to be a period of time they’re in a rental community. The average number of units an acre in Sarasota County is about three. We need 15 to 20 units per acre to do apartments and three to four times that to achieve affordability. West Villages will have rental units, but as a county we are so averse to multistory, multifamily units. Our tenants can’t afford two cars, so why do our regulations require two parking spaces per unit? We need to identify where we want affordable housing to occur and then put in the incentives to make that happen. —MARTY

Technology may address today’s housing crisis by changing where—and how—we want to live.

● BY BRAD BAKER

TECHNOLOGY IS CHANGING THE WORLD, touching every part of our life, including housing. Several trends will radically change how we look at housing, and planning departments in our region and throughout the nation will have to rethink and respond. Rentals and small homes are just fine, thank you The millennials graduated from college during the Great Recession. They witnessed their parents lose wealth. They also graduated with an average debt of $35,000. Fourteen percent of those aged 18 to 29 are unemployed, representing 40 percent of those without jobs

BLACK, GENERAL MANAGER, WEST VILLAGES, AND FORMER VENICE CITY MANAGER

WHY DON’T WE HAVE MORE AFFORDABLE FAMILY HOMES? Because of our affluent senior population, the majority of homes here are occupied by one or two adults, not families.

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SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2016

SARASOTA COUNTY HOUSEHOLD MAKEUP, 2010 24% - 3 or more persons 44% - 2 persons 32% - 1 person More than half of the single-person households in Sarasota County are occupied by someone 65 or older living alone. 47

in this country. This prevents them from making a down payment on a house or even buying a car. Many of them want smaller houses that are between 300 to 500 square feet. Sarasota’s zoning codes require a minimum of 900 square feet for a house. This new generation wants to recycle and use the least amount of resources, which includes living smaller.

you where you want to go. Parking will not be necessary as the cars will be owned by companies and always moving. Most people use their cars less than an hour a day and park it the rest of the time. Millennials can’t afford to buy a car and don’t feel that they should.  With Uber or Lyft, they can just call a car when they need it, saving the cost of the car, gas, insurance, parking and maintenance.

Forget the garage Current zoning often requires that a developer have two parking spaces for each new unit built. With new forms of transportation like Uber and Lyft, there is no need to have so many—or any—parking spaces. General Motors invested in Lyft; Tesla will soon be renting fully automated cars. The car of the future (just three years away) will not have a steering wheel. You will call it and it will show up and take

Aging in place Human lifespans are going to grow exponentially. Today, it is common for seniors to live past 90, and technology and medical advances will cure diseases and increase our average lifespan. Living to 150 will be the new norm, increasing the population of our country in the next few decades. The rapid advances we have seen in computers will happen in health care. Society will need senior-friendly homes that reflect this increased lifespan and changing quality of life.

“14% OF THOSE AGED 18-29 ARE UNEMPLOYED.”

Development is development, and every developer wants to see a return on investment. To develop affordable housing, you’d have to be able to cut costs. Where can you do that? You have land costs, hard costs— primarily construction— and soft costs, like architectural and legal fees. Florida is booming; land costs are high and subcontractors are busy and able to charge higher prices. It’s Economics 101. Local government could help a bit by cutting impact fees [and easing] regulations for affordable housing. But it is a difficult problem and I’m not sure there’s a magic bullet out there. —JASON

BRAD BAKER is a Sarasota-based tech entrepreneur and has been an affordable housing developer. In 1999, he served as executive director of the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, a public/private state corporation, which supplies

BARTZ, VICE PRESIDENT OF DEVELOPMENT, NDC CONSTRUCTION COMPANY

grants to promote affordable housing.

SARASOTA COUNTY HOUSEHOLD MAKEUP—CONT. We don’t have many rentals. 74 percent of all homes in Sarasota County are owned, nearly 10 percentage points higher than the state’s and 11 percentage points higher than the U.S. homeownership rate.

EXPERTS WEIGH IN

About 60 percent of housing units in Sarasota County are detached singlefamily homes, less than the 62 percent nationally, but still mirroring Americans’ preference for space, a lawn and privacy.

And the new homes being built today are mainly for affluent retirees, not working families.

IT’S GETTING WORSE By 2030, 87,000 Sarasota households will be cost-burdened. More than half of all renters will be cost-burdened.

94 percent of Sarasota County residential building permits in 2015 were for detached singlefamily homes.

SOURCES: Sarasota County; Florida Housing Coalition’s Home Matters for Sarasota County 2015 Report, Gulf Coast Community Foundation; U.S. Census; Zillow Rent Index; and Axiometrics Inc. for North Port MSA average rent. 48

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A D VER TI SEMENT

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GAIL BOWDEN TOP PRODUCER

My Top Three:

Notable Listings

1 HEART OF HISTORIC KISSIMMEE Class “A” multi-tenant office building with parking garage, 99% occupied. Long-term credit tenants. 85,000 square feet.

2 “Be advised. There is a difference.” Achieving #3 internationally and #1 in Florida for 2015 with SVN, with recent sales in medical office buildings exceeding $50 million, Gail Bowden knows that success sells. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience, Bowden is well known for her business ingenuity and ability to navigate the complexities of venture capital, project finance, construction and development. Her project list is extensive as well as her list of accomplishments as an expert and industry leader. Bowden’s determination to get the job done as well as her ability to remain focused regardless of the circumstances, along with her talent for orchestrating the many components of even the most complex deals while maintaining a demeanor of utmost poise keeps her in high demand among real estate investors and property owners alike.

•

Gail Bowden - Senior Investment Advisor 1626 Ringling Blvd., Suite 500 Sarasota, FL 34236 (941) 223-1525 GailBowden.com

All Sperry Van Ness® Offices are Independently Owned and Operated

FREE STANDING MEDICAL BUILDING Class “A” Medical Property. Vacant third floor is built out and ready for immediate occupancy. Venice, Florida.

3 INVESTMENT WAREHOUSE IN LWR Unique building with 16,200 sq. ft. on the ground floor, plus 2,224 sq. ft. of finished and load-bearing mezzanine space. A first-class building in a great location for long-term value. NNN.

More than 50 companies with 500 employees are headquartered at the HuB.

GOOD VIBRATIONS

HuB startup offrs.com now has 30 employees and uses artificial intelligence and smart data to predict real estate sales.

The third floor was designed as co-workspace. Up to 85 artists, engineers, programmers, designers, photographers and other entrepreneurs pay a monthly fee to use the space.

The HuB hosts breakfast socials, boot camps, meetthe-CEO receptions and educational seminars for creatives.

by Susan Burns

Photography by Barbara Banks

The HuB

was founded in 2009 by Rich Swier Jr., who believed local entrepreneurs needed a place to incubate their startups and collaborate with other innovators and investors. Now run by CEO Assunta Swier, Rich’s wife, the HuB also has evolved into an online community of thousands from all over the world. The HuB is located in a downtown Sarasota office building that also includes a bank and the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County; its center of activity is the cavernous third floor with a conference room, offices, shared open spaces and a big kitchen and bar (a keg is always on tap). Dreams and companies have been launched here. “It’s truly a family and one of the rare spots in Sarasota where young people can be found,” says a young tenant.

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Local artist Matt Pecsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work hangs on the wall.

HuB charter member BioLucid creates digital imagery and 3D technology for the health care industry nationally.

The HuB has helped launch 20 companies from DealersUnited, an online marketplace for 6,000 auto dealers, to the HuB Studios, which creates short films, web series and online marketing videos.

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2016

THE CEO

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Jerry and Karen Dakin

MILK AND MONEY by Anu Varma

Photography by Fred Lopez

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2016

DAKIN DAIRY HAS TAKEN FAMILY FARMING TO A MULTIDIMENSIONAL AGRICULTURAL OPERATION. 53

THE CEO aren Dakin watches preschoolers on a field trip spilling out from the Dakin Dairy Farm Café, still excited about seeing real cows. They dart over to the adjacent oak hammock where a swing dangles from a branch and goats roam under trees. It’s the kind of scene that makes people want to give up their desk jobs and go into farming. But Dakin Dairy Farms, owned and operated by Karen, 55, and her husband, Jerry Dakin, 48, is a sophisticated, challenging undertaking of five integrated corporations: a dairy farm, milk plant, a 700-acre dirt mining and compost operation, a realty division that handles property acquisitions and a department that manages agritourism operations. It’s one of only three remaining dairy farms in Manatee County. The other two—both boasting more than 1,500 milking cows—are owned by Karen Dakin’s brothers-in-law, whose father, Pete Dakin, began dairy farming in Manatee County in 1973. Karen and Jerry Dakin are succeeding in a difficult industry. The high cost of land and equipment, tight financing, fickle weather, labor costs and market vagaries make farming a high-risk endeavor. Only 2 percent of Americans are directly involved with any sort of farming, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, making most of us reliant on a dwindling number of farmers. In 1935, there were 6.8 million farms in the United States. As of 2014, there were 2.1 million farms, 97 percent of them family-owned, according to the USDA. With 1,200 acres, 5,000 head of cattle, 84 employees and their own milk bottling operation, Dakin Dairy Farms is one of the survivors. “In Florida, the cost to raise cows to milk is higher than any state except Hawaii,” Karen says. “It’s hard to be a small farmer down here. Can it be done? Yes, if you do the value added.” 54

Karen wouldn’t reveal revenues, but says the dairy, natural soils and bottling make most of their sales. “[Revenues] are a moving target,” she says. “Milk is a commodity, not a niche product. You can lose on one end and gain on another. Last year, milk prices were up for the farmer, which made it a challenge for the plant to make any respectable amount of money or even break even. So the dairy was doing well, but the plant was struggling. This year, flip the table.” This fall, the Dakins are poised to launch their latest venture: cheesemaking. The couple has converted a 40-foot by 25-foot space next to their bottling plant, invested in a $250,000 stretching machine and brought in a master Italian cheesemaker to help them develop a unique in-house cow’s milk mozzarella with authentic cultures from Italy that the public can sample during the farm’s season opening festival in October. Already, 8-ounce balls are going out for trial to their distribution base. Cheesemaking was one of Karen’s first dreams when they bought this property. She’s a cheese lover, sure, but she saw an opportunity. “Cheese is highly consumed by restaurants and fits with our distribution. The restaurants buy cases and cases of cheese every few days,” she says. And the price was right. A buffalo milk mozzarella maker in Clearwater went out of business when an entire container of buffalo curd got held up at the port and spoiled. The cheesemaker hadn’t been in business long enough to withstand the loss, and the Dakins were able to purchase his equipment for dimes on the dollar. Karen says she’s unsure about whether they’ll command significant returns on the investment—mozzarella is a competitive product—but it’s an opportunity. As her fatherin-law used to say, mistakes are “tuition.” Karen approaches her decisions this way: “You ask, ‘What’s the worst case scenario and can I live with it?’” Nearly three decades ago, Karen, a newly divorced single mother, decided she couldn’t live with her 60-hour workweeks at the telecommunications firm she co-owned. She bought 10 acres in Parrish where, armed with 941CEO

books, research and frequent calls to experts, she began growing onions. Six months of calling restaurants paid off when one offered to buy arugula, basil and parsley if she would grow them. “I was coming up with significant, serious dollars every week, but it was seasonal,” she recalls. So she got her real estate license. Providentially, it was the 1990s, and Panther Ridge on State Road 70 was just kicking off. “I was their first sales rep,” says Karen. She sat under a tent selling lots, and spent weekends writing contracts and managing her little plot of farmland. While she was selling those herbs in Parrish, Karen met Jerry Dakin, the son of a longtime Manatee dairy farmer, at a feed store. The two began dating, and even when evenings out took unexpected turns—such as the date that ended with Karen holding a pregnant cow in an indelicate position while Jerry pulled the calf out—Karen knew farm life was

“IN FLORIDA, THE COST TO RAISE COWS TO MILK IS HIGHER THAN ANY STATE EXCEPT HAWAII.” SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2016

Dakin Dairy’s milk is sold at Whole Foods statewide, Latin grocery stores in Miami, Winn Dixies and at local restaurants.

her future. She views her outsider status as an asset. “It’s fresh eyes looking at the same stuff,” she says. “The first time I went on the farm, all everybody could see was manure. All I could see was compost.” After the couple married, they bought their first 250 head of cattle from Jerry’s parents, who were ready to retire. When the newly minted dairy owners went looking for a property to buy, however, they came up short for the 25 percent down they needed for the land. A group of farmers developing a property called Sundance Trails in Hillsborough County approached the Dakins and offered to sell them the development with owner financing. Within four years, doing all the work themselves, they had cleared the mortgage, sold all the plots and had made enough money to head back south to Manatee County and make a down payment on the Myakka City acreage they had originally eyed. They bought more cows and added more land. They traveled around the country, studying sustainable farming practices and brainstorming 55

THE CEO

KAREN DAKIN’S LATEST VENTURE IS MAKING COW’S MILK MOZZARELLA. how to bring them to Florida. They enrolled in courses and seminars. Seven years ago, they did something radical for a dairy farm: They began to bottle their own milk. “[We were] stepping outside the protected comfort zone of a co-op picking our milk up every day on time and guaranteeing a paycheck,” says Karen. “There’s a certain amount of protection in that. Your milk has a market. The radical thing is the expense to build a milk bottling plant.” While most milk plants do 90,000 gallons a day, the Dakins do 90,000 gallons a week, a challenging amount because 90,000 gallons a week is large enough to make selling a challenge, but small enough so they can’t take advantage of volume to compensate for the low commodity price. At first, Karen had to give pallets of milk away to distributors, stores and restaurants to get them to take her 56

product. Now, she’s in Whole Foods statewide, several Latin grocery stores in Miami, local restaurants and 14 Winn Dixie stores. The gamble paid off for two reasons, she says, the rise in demand for local foods and the quality of their milk. The Dakins also learned how to turn disadvantages of Florida farming—heat and sandy soil—into advantages. Sloping, sanded barn f loors help wash the cow’s manure into a settling basin, where it is composted and put back in the ground to grow more proteinrich grass. The grass is blended with hay in a formula created by a nutritionist to create an optimal, all-natural diet for the cows. The sand is cleaned by the sun and reused for cow bedding in the farm. As for the extra compost? It’s sold by one of their enterprises, Dakin Natural Soils. Their buyers are wholesale landscapers. Nearly eight years ago, the Dakins began offering tours, field trips, hosting birthday parties and events and serving customers at a souvenir farm stand and restaurant. They were ahead of the agritourism trend, which was just beginning to pick up nationally. By 2012, agritourism and on-farm operations such as fishing and hunting were netting $704 million nationally, a figure up 24 percent since 2007, according to the USDA. Today, between 10,000 and 15,000 people pay $15 each to visit Dakin Dairy Farms every year. Agritourism has not been a financial quickfix. The Dakins spend $25,000 just to advertise in main venues. It would cost nearly $80,000 in marketing to get their agritourism business to a point of significant returns and quick turnaround, she says. It also took four years just to figure out the right mix of merchandise for the gift shop, and employees had to be hired to run the tours and staff the shop and café. "It's actually a labor of love,” she says. “It allows the public to come onto a farm for education. And it promotes our brand name. ‘Come see who we are. Come see how we treat our cows, and how we feed our cows.’” And now that her mozzarella is well under way, Karen Dakin has methane on her radar. There’s more than one use for all that manure, she says—and she’s prepared to delve into the ins and outs of making electricity from that enterprise. “I’m a project person,” she says. π 941CEO

SP ONS ORED R EPOR T

CityofNorthPort.com

A GREAT PLACE FOR YOU–AND YOUR BUSINESS– TO CALL HOME

North Port is booming, making this young city one of the most exciting communities in Florida. New businesses, neighborhoods, educational opportunities, parks and a significant investment in roads, technology and services have enhanced the city’s quality of life. Property values are rising and major developers are investing. National brands—such as Five Guys, Starbucks and Chico’s—are entering the market. Suncoast Technical College is expanding to North Port to provide skilled employees for local jobs. The city’s Blueways Project is connecting four city parks by water so residents can canoe and kayak from park to park, earning the city its seventh consecutive “Playful City USA” honor. And the accolades continue. Forbes has ranked North Port as one of the top 10 cities for job growth, and one of the top 20 cities to invest in for 2016. An A+ rating was given to North Port from Fitch Rating for 2015. No wonder a 2015 Gallup Survey ranked the North Port metro area No. 1 for well-being in the United States.

“Our company has grown as a direct result of our location. We relocated here after more than 15 years in Texas. North Port is conveniently located near many transportation hubs and right on the interstate system. The work force is available and skilled. And the city boasts of a wonderful year-round climate.”

Kevin Harris, CEO of Hot Sauce Harry’s, which sells custom-labeled hot sauces to a national market and Canada

SP ONS ORED R EPOR T

One of the fastest-growing and largest cities in Florida, North Port is the lead city in the North Port-BradentonSarasota Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA).

GREAT LOCATION “The City of North Port represents a unique demographic in Sarasota County with an ideal blend of youth (median age of 40) and seniors. The emergence of young professionals in the community – particularly in the realm of new business innovation – is an ideal platform to inform and influence planned community development. We envision North Port as a model of progressive planning that will help redefine the future of quality aging.” Dave McCarron, Business Development & Research Associate, Capital Care Associates, offering business advisory services to owners and operators in senior living, and co-founder, Hive, a coworking studio in North Port

STRONG EDUCATIONAL ASSETS

62,325

Strategically located in Sarasota County between Tampa and Fort Myers on Florida’s Gulf Coast

CityofNorthPort.com

Median household income

and international, regional and municipal airports

1 hour’s drive from the Port of Manatee, the closest deepwater seaport to the Panama Canal

PUBLIC SCHOOLS:

elementary schools

middle schools

high schools

89.4%

Home to the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee, and serviced by State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota and Edison State College

$52,260 40.9

Total population, nearly tripled since the year 2000

Excellent access to

Median age

of residents have a high school diploma or higher

16.7%

have a bachelor’s degree or higher

HEALTHY DEMOGRAPHICS

SP ONS ORED R EPOR T

HOME TO

Housing options for every income level, including 2 agriculturally zoned sections, North Port Estates and Woodland Estates

gated communities (3 of them golf course communities)

Achieve anything in North Port

and

Playful City USA for the seventh consecutive year – Humana Foundation, 2016

deed-restricted communities

A+ Rating – Fitch Rating, 2015

DIVERSE HOUSING

NATURE ENVIRONMENT FEST The 1,023-seat North Port Performing Arts Center is the third-largest theater in Sarasota County

FIRECRACKER 5K RUN

POINSETTIA PARADE AND FESTIVAL – just some of the community events that take place year-round

CULTURE AND RECREATION

“A great benefit of being in North Port is our ability to recruit talent to an area where they would want to live. With the quality of life being so important to people these days, it helps when your facility is in a great location such as North Port.” Jeffrey King, President, King Plastic Corporation

Top investment city 2016 – Forbes

1st in well-being nationwide – Gallup, 2015 Top 10 in U.S. for job growth 2015 – Forbes Second-best metro area in Florida to work for small business – Wallet Hub, 2014 Ranked among Top 15 Cleanest Cities in the U.S. – American Lung Association, 2014 Ranked in Top 10 Digital Cities survey for the third consecutive year – Center for Digital Government and Digital Communities, 2013

For more information about the City of North Port, Florida, call: 1-8NORTHPORT (1-866-784-7678) And discover more about the City of North Port at: CityofNorthPort.com Follow us on social media.

THE SOUTH RISES

941CEO

SOUTH COUNTY IS EXPLODING WITH NEW DEVELOPMENTS AND RESIDENTS.

or years overshadowed by North Sarasota, sleepy little South County is waking up with a roar. Bulldozers, construction workers and brand-new gated communities cover a swath from S.R. 681 in Nokomis south to Toledo Blade and I-75, just outside the southern North Port city limits. More than 33,000 new residential units are already planned for the decades ahead, bringing an estimated 54,000 newcomers by 2030 and sparking new businesses of every sort. “It’s a place where people want to be,” says Venice Mayor John Holic. “It’s no longer a secret.” Here’s a look at some of the major projects that will transform the region in the coming years.

by Kim Hackett

Nor th Por t

West Villages

EVERETT DENNISON

Going up: A home in WCI’s Sarasota National, one of 33,000 homes that will be built in South County.

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2016

A new city is rising south of Venice, one that will alter South County just as Lakewood Ranch has transformed Manatee County east of I-75 since it was announced 20 years ago. Called the West Villages, the community has a Venice zip code but became part of North Port more than a decade ago when North Port annexed the former Taylor Ranch. The annexed community is separated from North Port’s former northern border by about nine rural miles. But that separation will disappear as the West Villages develops. Canadian-based Mattamy Homes, North America’s largest privately owned homebuilder, saw the potential to build a city in a growing retirement area and bought thousands of acres for the West Villages several years ago. The company looked at legendary planner John Nolen’s blueprint for downtown Venice, and New Urbanist communities, such as Celebration, for inspiration. “It’s 9,800 acres within a mile and a half from the beach,” says Marty Black, the West Villages’ general manager (and Venice’s former city manager), who helped Mattamy find the property. “There aren’t many parcels left like that.” Mattamy will build 23,000 residential units and 3 million square feet of commercial development over the next three decades. The West Villages is a community development district, which can tax residents to build infrastructure. It has a governing body and functions much like its own city. But it’s not just the sheer number of homes that will change North Port. The mammoth development also is aimed at a more affluent market. “It will be its own brand,” says Ruth Buchanan, North Port’s economic development director. “It’s got a different demographic of mostly older, more affluent retirees than North Port proper.” North Port has a median age of 40 and a large population of blue-collar workers and middle-income retirees. So far, 1,000 houses have been built, along with roads, pipelines and other infrastructure. Buyers are coming from Lakewood Ranch, Sarasota and other Florida coastal communities as well as retiring Midwesterners and people from the Northeast. Construction begins this fall on the district’s first phase of commercial development, a 68,000-square-foot New Urban town square, anchored by a grocery store whose name Mattamy has yet to reveal. 61

Grand Palm in east Venice combines villages on rural land with walkable, compact neighborhoods and a variety of housing.

“We are building a destination downtown with streetside parking,” Black says. “It’ll be like four blocks of downtown Venice, with restaurants on the water [a manmade lake], a hotel and retail shops.” It could also have a major baseball team. Local officials are negotiating with the Atlanta Braves to build a spring training stadium in the West Villages. The proposed campus would have training facilities, practice fields and a 7,500-seat stadium on a 100- to 150-acre site, with direct access to U.S. 41 and West Villages Parkway. Ve ni c e S o u t h

Grand Palm, Sarasota National Other housing developments near the West Villages are springing up, including Neal Communities’ 2,000home Grand Palm in east Venice. The $80-million community was the first development approved under the county’s 2050 plan, which seeks to create villages on rural land with walkable, compact neighborhoods and a variety of housing. Located on the southwest corner of Center and River roads, Grand Palm has villas and single-family homes, a recreation center, tennis courts, ball fields, picnic pavilions, dog parks and 28 miles of walking and bike trails. About one-third of the 1,003 acres will be undeveloped. Grand Palm, which broke ground in 2012, is targeting OPALs (older people with active lifestyles), who are 80 percent of Grand Palm 62

buyers. About 57 percent of all buyers are from within Florida. Prices start in the low $200,000s for a singlefamily home. Build-out is expected in 2026. About six miles to the west of Grand Palm is WCI’s upscale golf course community Sarasota National, which eventually will include 1,584 single-family homes and villas on 2,400 acres. Homes are priced in the $200,000-$600,000 range. A big draw is the setting. The Audubon Society helped plan the community and preserve land, and the golf course is Audubon-certified. Ve ni c e I s l an d

New Hotels and Tra Ponti Villagio While growth to the south and east of Venice are getting much of the attention, Venice Island—so named because it is separated from the rest of the city by the Intracoastal Waterway—is also adding new developments and hotels. The last hotel built in the city limits was a Hampton Inn in 1997. Now three sites on Venice Island are being eyed for hotels: the former Circus Arena site, where two developers have pitched proposals; the site of shuttered Pineapple’s Restaurant on U.S. 41 Business near the entrance to downtown; and the current site of the U.S. Post Office downtown. 941CEO

Sarasota 2050 Plan

Palmer Ranch

Venice

HIGH GROWTH Venice Island LOW GROWTH

Sarasota National

Municipality Major Road

Grand Palm

North Port

West Villages

Urban Service Area Boundary Future Urban Service Area Boundary

2015-2025 Population Growth

OPPOSITE PAGE: NEALSCOMMUNITIES.COM. RENDERING THIS PAGE: SOTHEBY’S

Source: Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan Forecast. Prepared by Sarasota County Planning Services, January 2016, and modified by 941CEO.

One prominent developer has a familiar face. Mike Miller was associated with major projects during the boom years more than a decade ago, including three, eight-story condos along the Intracoastal Waterway. When the market collapsed, many of Miller’s buyers simply walked away. It took years to recover, but today, he says the market is on stronger footing and the buyers are different. “We’re getting almost all-cash buyers,” he says.

Miller’s current projects include Tra Ponti Villagio, 23 homes priced between $600,000 and $1 million near the Intracoastal Waterway and the Venice Avenue Bridge. He’s also building the first condo project on the island in a decade, Che Vista, with 15 homes across the Esplanade from Venice Beach, with three floors over a garage. Those homes will sell for $670,000. And Miller is one of two bidding to develop a hotel on the former Circus Arena site.

Tra Ponti Villagio will have 23 homes near the Intracoastal Waterway and the Venice Avenue Bridge. SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2016

C i t y o f Ve ni c e

Villages of Milano, Bellacina, the Hammocks The city of Venice’s growth epicenter is in the Jacaranda Boulevard and East Laurel Road area, which the post office calls North Venice. Neal Communities has two new communities: Villages of Milano and The Woods with about 1,000 planned homes. The newly expanded Honore Extension, which provides an I-75 alternate route from Pinebrook and Laurel roads north to Sarasota, also has spawned new communities. Taylor Morrison’s Bellacina by Casey Key will bring 302 houses; and the Hammocks, the southernmost Palmer Ranch development at the end of Bee Ridge Road, is expanding south to Honore to include about 400 single-family homes and villas. All these new houses will create a seamless community along the southernmost Honore Extension between Palmer Ranch and Venice.

SOUTH COUNTY STATS NEARLY HALF OF SARASOTA COUNTY’S POPULATION OF

395,000 NOW LIVES IN

SOUTH COUNTY SOUTH SARASOTA COUNTY, WHICH MEASURES

368.92

—square miles— HAS A POPULATION OF

178,268

NEARLY 60,000 MORE RESIDENTS THAN IN 2000. GROWTH ESTIMATES WILL REACH

A home in Neal Communities’ Villages of Milano. Ve ni c e ’s R e t a i l Hub

Jacaranda Junction

IN FIVE YEARS AND

DOWNTOWN VENICE ISLAND WILL BECOME A “MINI ST. ARMANDS.”

Not all the growth is residential. At Jacaranda Junction, which broke ground in June, a Wawa and Culver’s are the first businesses committed to what is expected to be 300,000 square feet of retail along Jacaranda Boulevard from Executive Drive to East Venice Avenue. Agent Loyd Robbins, who is marketing the property for Jacaranda Junction LLC., a group of local investors, says the development is also pursuing upscale grocers such as Whole Foods, Fresh Market and Trader Joe’s. Robbins, a lifelong Venice resident who has worked in real estate here for 45 years, says the area is ripe for more upscale retail, including on Venice Island, where he sees the downtown district becoming a “a mini St. Armands.” “Venice is just a very strong market,” he says. “People are understandably attracted to the accessibility to the beaches and water. The prices are reasonable compared to many other areas.” 64

191,445 232,270 BY 2030

THE AREA IS OLDER, WHITER AND HAS A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN THAN THE NATION OVERALL. THE MEDIAN AGE IN SOUTH COUNTY IS

58.3

THE POPULATION IS

91.4 52.2

PERCENT WHITE AND PERCENT ARE WOMEN

941CEO

A rendering of Suncoast Technical College opening next year in North Port.

The biggest challenge, Robbins says, will be traffic. River Road, for example, has long been viewed as dangerously inadequate, and the thousands of new homes coming to the nearby West Villages will only exacerbate the problem. “River Road is a disaster that should have been addressed years ago,” Robbins says. Nor th Por t

OPPOSITE PAGE: NEALSCOMMUNITIES.COM. THIS PAGE: SUNCOAST TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Heron Creek With a half-million square feet of commercial projects in various stages of development in North Port, Sarasota County’s largest municipality is also becoming a business magnet. The New Urban development of Heron Creek will give North Port a real downtown, with shops, restaurants and offices, something sorely lacking ever since North Port was created by General Development Corp in the late 1950s. The Heron Creek Towne Center is a planned 40-acre mixed-use development, with above-the-store residences, similar to downtown Venice, and sidewalks lined with restaurants and shops. The new community will connect to North Port’s municipal campus, which functions like a town square. The campus is home to City Hall, the police and fire departments, the post office and the George Mullen Community Center and its vast park, where sports teams compete and the community holds many of its festivals. “It’s going to give us a Main Street,” says economic development director Buchanan. SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2016

Nor th Por t

Cocoplum Plaza North Port’s retail scene dramatically changed when Benderson Development opened its 375,000-squarefoot Cocoplum Plaza in 2012. Before then, residents had to travel to neighboring Venice and Port Charlotte to do most of their national retail shopping and dining. Now, the city has a Hobby Lobby, Ross, TJ Maxx, Panera and about three dozen other stores and restaurants. Cocoplum is the largest strip plaza between Fort Myers and Sarasota, according to Benderson. “It’s a growth success story,” says Mark Chait, Benderson’s leasing director. “All the stores there are doing very well.” Benderson has invested in several South County retail centers, mostly redeveloping existing centers, including Jacaranda Plaza in Venice, home to LA Fitness, Bonefish Grill, First Watch and a dozen other businesses. Nor th Por t

Suncoast Technical College One of the challenges southern Sarasota County faces is providing a trained workforce to meet the needs of rapid growth. Suncoast Technical College, which began in 1967 as Sarasota County Vocational Training Center, plans to open a campus in North Port next year, training students for a variety of careers. The extension will be built in phases, with the first stage to include a business conference center, a public library and the Suncoast Technical College’s Culinary Program. π 65

AD VER TI SI NG SECTI ON

MAKING A DIFFERENCE Sarasota and Manatee counties are known for their philanthropy. This special section empowers you to learn more about organizations and causes that are making a difference in our community. Take your first step toward sharing your resources, time or talents so these organizations will be able to continue their valuable work.

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2016

ADV ERTISIN G SEC TION

COMMUNITY IMPACT POWERED BY PHILANTHROPY Each one of us has the potential to impact a person, a cause, a community. For more than 35 years, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County has matched donors to the right causes, leveraging donorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; charitable intentions to create lasting impact. From humble beginnings, the Community Foundation has grown donor by donor to more than $292 million in assets, showing a collective power that reflects the visions and stories of generous people from all walks of life. We connect with other funders, nonprofits, the government and the School District to find effective solutions to our communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s problems and stay alert to emerging issues and opportunities. And through a national network of community foundations, we can advise you about charities all over the country and around the world, and stay on top of best practices so that you can be the one to make a difference.

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Making a Difference Through the visions of donors, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County has awarded more than $80 million over the last five years to make an impact in the arts, human services, education, environment, youth development and animal welfare. The Foundation has played a vital role in multifaceted, multi-year commitments that change the course of individual lives for good.

Tanysha’s Story A fourth-generation Newtown resident, Tanysha was introduced to the Community Foundation of Sarasota County in 2014. Working multiple minimum-wage jobs and struggling to pay for the bare necessities, Tanysha realized she did not want her three children to live the same life. After meeting with a social worker from Alta Vista Elementary, she realized a dream to become a nurse, and thanks to a full scholarship from the Edward K. Roberts Fund at the Community Foundation, Tanysha attended an American Red Cross Nurse Assistant Training Program. To then enroll in a Licensed Practical Nursing program, she also needed to complete her GED. After months of hard work, help from tutors, and community support from Sarasota Technical College’s Newtown campus, Tanysha received her diploma this summer. Tanysha now has a secure and flexible job in the medical field, and with assistance from the Community

Tanysha realized she did not want her three children to live the same life.

Foundation, plans to continue her pursuit of an LPN degree.

Her compelling personal story demonstrating hope is just one of many we have had the privilege to know through the committed moms who are moving their families forward with support from the Community Foundation.

^ Season of Sharing Prevents homelessness by providing targeted financial assistance, primarily for rent/mortgage and utilities to families who are on the economic edge. ^ Campaign for Grade-Level Reading Ensures that more children in low-income families are reading on grade-level by the end of third grade, an early and important predictor of school success and preparedness for college. ^ Arts Integration in Education Creates access to arts education programs and out-of-school experiences and resources for local students. With a “Two-Generation” approach, the Community Foundation focuses on significant local and national initiatives that create and support an intergenerational cycle of opportunity for parents and children living in poverty in our region through four key components: Education, Economic Supports, Social Capital, and Health & Well-Being. The Community Foundation of Sarasota County is proud to be the intersection where the community’s needs meet the people with a vision of a better future. Every person can be the one to make a difference.

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EASTER SEALS OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

MI S S I O N To provide exceptional services for persons with disabilities and their families across a lifetime by empowering individuals to live their lives to the fullest.

Inclusive preschool environment with individualized instruction for children with disabilities and those that are typically developing. Life and work skills are the focus in the high school and adult programs. Individuals work with an onsite employment specialist for job placement.

Blended afterschool and summer camp programs for elementary students that incorporates a reading program component.

Respite programs for families with medically fragile children and those with disabilities.

Helping abilities shine. EASTER SEALS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA began in 1946 as Happiness House, offering hope to children with disabilities and their families in the SarasotaManatee community. For the past 70 years, the services have changed and evolved in many ways to meet the needs of today’s population. Easter Seals began with the pediatric population, which remains a significant part of its services, but today’s Easter Seals includes an alternative high school program as well as an adult program, ages 22-87 and counting, serving the entire lifespan. While the age of the population served has varied over the years, one core aspect remains the same: to help individuals with disabilities and their families achieve the greatest level of independence. Caring intervention and services are provided to people who, for the most part, endured hard times early in life through a diagnosis of autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, spina bifida, developmental delays and intellectual disabilities. For some, it’s an acquired disability. In either case, Easter Seals services allow each to achieve his or her full potential while enriching their lives along the way.

WANT TO HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE? 70

Integrated therapies including speech-language, occupational, physical and behavioral provided onsite and in select partner locations.

350 Braden Ave. Sarasota, FL 34243 (941) 355-7637

Visit easterseals-swfl.org

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GOODWILL MANASOTA

MI S S I O N Changing lives through the power of work.

In 2015, Goodwill Manasota: • served 22,739 individuals. • placed 961 people in jobs. • assisted 359 veterans. • diverted 41 million pounds from local landfills. • had an economic impact of $81.3 million. Jo Rita Stevens, volunteer and Goodwill Ambassador.

The “Power” behind Goodwill Manasota. GOODWILL AMBASSADORS, like Jo Rita Stevens, are committed to educat-

ing and sharing how Goodwill Manasota improves the quality of life for many by creating jobs and more employable people. The Goodwill Ambassador program exists to promote Goodwill Manasota’s mission of building a strong, healthy and engaged community by connecting volunteers with opportunities to advance the mission of Goodwill in a tangible way. The goals of the Goodwill Ambassador program include: educating the public about Goodwill’s mission; building organizational strength and image in the community; participating in fund raising or in-kind resources; relaying ideas/input from the community; and forming partnerships. Goodwill provides the training and education, and its Ambassadors inform the community of the improvements Goodwill makes in the quality of so many lives, and the paths to self-sufficiency Goodwill creates. There are several ways to be a Goodwill Ambassador, such as, attend a lunch and learn about the Goodwill mission; enjoy networking socials; schedule a behind-the-scenes tour; schedule a Goodwill speaker for your service organization, church, club or business; or volunteer to help with Goodwill initiatives.

WANT TO HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE? SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2016

CORPORATE CAMPUS 2705 51st Ave. E. Bradenton, FL 34203

Visit experiencegoodwill.org

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THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF SARASOTA-MANATEE

MI S S I O N To strengthen Jewish life and identity in our community, provide for Jewish people in need, and promote support for Israel.

• Meeting the human needs of the local Jewish community and of fellow Jews worldwide. • Promoting a positive Jewish identity; fighting anti-Semitism and encouraging diversity. • Supporting and advocating on behalf of Israel. • Involving and building community through interfaith relationships in Sarasota-Manatee. • Working with partners in the arts to bring Jewish culture to our community through music, art and live performances.

Changing lives. THE JEWISH FEDERATION fulfills its mission by supporting programs that assist people in need in Sarasota-Manatee, in Israel and around the world. These programs include providing food for the hungry, rescue and relief efforts for isolated Jews in distressed regions, and supporting innovative educational outreach initiatives. The Federation creates a sense of community for thousands of area residents through programs aimed at strengthening the relationship between the Sarasota-Manatee Jewish community and the broader society of which it is a part. Through its various community partners, the Federation provides a wide range of cultural and educational opportunities. Whether distributing grants for children to attend summer camp, disbursing thousands of dollars in college scholarships, or providing life-sustaining food and medical assistance for homebound seniors in the former Soviet Union and Ukraine, the Federation changes lives. Your support makes these and so many other programs possible.

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Klingenstein Jewish Center 580 McIntosh Road Sarasota, FL 34232 (941) 371-4546

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MOTE MARINE LABORATORY & AQUARIUM

MI S S I O N Mote is an independent marine research institution with worldclass scientists dedicated to the conservation and sustainable use of our oceans through world-class research and education.

Education Programs: Mote’s education programs serve over 27,000 children grades K-12 each year. Research Programs: 25 diverse research programs are conducted by 36 Ph.D. scientists and 77 scientific staff.

Sea Turtle Rehabilitation: Mote’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital has treated more than 560 sick or injured sea turtles since 1995. Aquarium: Mote Aquarium hosts over 311,000 visitors from all over the world every year.

Marine Research: Mote’s world-class marine research has a presence on all seven continents.

World-class scientists devoted to the ocean and its future. THE EMPLOYEES AND VOLUNTEERS at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium are guardians of the sea and all living things that depend upon it. They are scientists, explorers and stewards of the ocean. Driven by research, education and excitement, they work passionately to observe, discover and extrapolate the information, data and science-based results that will enable the human race to create a better environment for future generations. The ocean is their passion. And science is their catalyst to help our oceans heal, thrive and continue to be havens of sustainable life, life-improving science and life-giving solutions. The brightest minds will have the greatest impact. And some of the world’s most inspired scientific minds in the ocean community are right here in your back yard at Mote Marine Laboratory.

WANT TO HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE? SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2016

1600 Ken Thompson Parkway Sarasota, FL 34236 (941) 388-4441

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NEW COLLEGE OF FLORIDA

MI S S I O N New College offers a distinctive academic program which develops the student’s intellectual and personal potential and fosters the individual’s effective relationship with society.

Student extraordinaire and in-depth researcher. CONSTANCE SARTOR’S PARENTS put a mask and fins on her when she was 3, and she’s never turned back. Her next stop: an internship with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Sartor is a winner of the nationwide Ernest F. Hollings Scholarships for 2016, which provide two years of tuition assistance and a paid internship at an NOAA research facility. She is one of 127 winners nationally, and the only one from a Florida public college. Sartor is also part of a NSF-funded research program for undergraduates at Mote. Over spring break, she traveled to St. Croix for a coral epidemiology project. She did 10 scuba dives to survey the spread of disease, and is now analyzing the data in GIS to create disease prevalence maps. “I think that New College has prepared me best for the field of environmental science/research by inspiring me to be a ‘go-getter.’ I constantly encounter hardworking students doing fascinating research—and I feel the need to do the same.” Sartor is looking next at graduate studies and a career in ecological engineering.

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A topnotch education: New College is ranked No. 4 among all public liberal arts colleges in 2016 U.S. News and World Report.

All-star students: The class of 2016 had one Frost, two Fulbright, and three Gilman Scholarships. 82 Fulbrights since 2001.

A real college education: A 10:1 student faculty ratio, with all classes taught by professors, not graduate assistants.

High-achieving alumni: New College graduates include scientists, scholars, attorneys, physicians, diplomats, CEOs and the presidents of Chatham University and the New York Federal Reserve.

An affordable college education: More than 90 percent of students get financial aid and more than half graduate with no debt.

New College Foundation 5800 Bay Shore Road Sarasota, FL 34243 (941) 487-4800

Visit ncf.edu

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THE ROSKAMP INSTITUTE

MI S S I O N To conduct scientific and clinical research to discover therapies to treat diseases of the mind, including Alzheimer’s disease, traumatic brain injury, Gulf War illness and PTSD.

Cures: Dedicated to understanding causes of and finding cures for neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. Halting Alzheimer’s Disease: A novel drug with potential to modify the course of Alzheimer’s disease is currently in a Phase III trial in Europe.

Better science. Real discovery. THE ROSKAMP INSTITUTE IS devoted to understanding the causes of and finding cures for a range of neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. With an emphasis on discovering new and effective treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, The Institute utilizes a broad range of scientific approaches in its therapeutic discovery programs. The interdisciplinary team of highly skilled scientists and technicians from around the world works under one roof, allowing for rapid advancements, including an Alzheimer’s disease treatment currently in a Phase III clinical trial in Europe. The Institute’s President and CEO, Fiona Crawford, Ph.D., was part of a pioneering team of British scientists at the University of London that discovered a genetic mutation in the beta amyloid gene, which leads to the accumulation of the protein in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients—the hallmark amyloid plaque pathology of Alzheimer’s disease. Blocking production of this protein has become one of the main therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer’s researchers around the world. Tours of The Roskamp Institute are conducted monthly. Reservations are required for this insightful experience. For more information or to schedule a tour, contact Jane Thompson at (941) 552-9832 or jthompson@roskamp foundation.org.

WANT TO HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE? SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2016

Scientific Research: World renown for breakthrough discoveries in Alzheimer’s research, some of which has become the baseline for

global scientific advances. Clinical Trials: Roskamp clinic conducts trials in Sarasota for Alzheimer’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and migraine studies, among others. Educating Tomorrow’s Researchers: The Roskamp Institute offers a unique Ph.D. program in Neuroscience. Currently seven students are enrolled and conducting research at The Institute.

2040 Whitfield Ave. Sarasota, FL 34243 (941) 552-9832

Visit roskamps.com

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2016 CHILD HUNGER SUMMIT

ALL FAITHS FOOD BANK

THE 2016 CHILD HUNGER SUMMIT, hosted by All Faiths Food Bank,

reflects a compelling body of research that reveals the startling costs of childhood hunger in our community, and in communities across the country. Florida Surgeon General Dr. Celeste Philip will deliver the keynote address, following national experts from the Pew Charitable Trusts and the American Academy of Pediatrics. The panel of experts will examine the impact of hunger on children’s health, ability to learn, workforce readiness and the toll that hunger ultimately takes on a community. Food is the fuel kids need to thrive. Imagine a hungry child. You want to feed that kid, to make sure she’s smiling and not hurting. Research shows that hungry kids are more likely to become chronically unhealthy adults. Help ensure this doesn’t happen. Sarasota Municiple Auditorium, Sept. 27, 2016, 8 a.m.-noon. Breakfast will be served. Application has been made for CEUs/CMEs.

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By informing and mobilizing the health care, government and private sectors, the 2016 Child Hunger Summit will establish ongoing commitment and collaboration to end child hunger.

8171 Blaikie Court Sarasota, FL 34240 (941) 379-6333 allfaithsfoodbank.org

HELPING PEOPLE ATTAIN SELF-SUFFICIENCY.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES, DIOCESE OF VENICE, INC.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES STRIVES TO assist everyone who asks for help with the ultimate goal of achieving self-reliance. Young mothers and their children who require a safe place to live turn to Our Mother’s House of Catholic Charities for shelter, guidance and the skills to reach independence. Preschool students from struggling, workingpoor families receive a full range of services and quality education to be ready for kindergarten at St. Martha’s Early Learning Center of Catholic Charities. Homeless families in crisis reside at the Catholic Charities Family Haven and obtain long-term care that solves their housing and economic issues to become self-supporting. The First Time Homebuyer Class instructs at-risk buyers with realistic steps to successful home ownership. Your generosity and support of Catholic Charities enables those in need to live a better life. Thank you!

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In devotion and adherence to the teachings of Jesus and the Catholic Church, Catholic Charities seeks to serve and empower all in need regardless of race, nationality or creed.

5055 N. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34234 (941) 355-4680 catholiccharitiesdov.org

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ENRICHMENT, EDUCATION, ENTERTAINMENT.

THE CIRCUS ARTS CONSERVATORY

CIRCUS ARTS CONSERVATORY’S extraordinary mission underscores its commitment to sharing the enrichment, education and entertainment that circus arts provide. The Sailor Circus Academy, America’s longest-running youth circus, is an athletic performing arts training program. Participating students develop life-management skills, gain self-discipline and bolster confidence all while learning the circus arts. The Humor Therapy Program—“humor with a serious purpose”—uses the age-old art of clowning to bring joy and memory stimulation into care facilities to enhance the residents’ quality of life. The Humor Therapy Program impacts the lives of its participants, their family members and the care staff as well. Additionally, thanks to the education program’s teaching artists, thousands of area students have learned to succeed in math, science and language arts through a unique, arts-integrated curriculum that meets academic state standards. THE

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To educate students using innovative learning programs; improve the quality of life for individuals in care facilities; advance the legacy and heritage of the circus arts. 2075 Bahia Vista St. Sarasota, FL 34239 (941) 355-9335 circusarts.org

CELEBRATING 14 YEARS OF GIVING BACK TO SARASOTA.

DESIGNING WOMEN BOUTIQUE

DESIGNING WOMEN BOUTIQUE HAS given grants and gifts of merchandise to more than 75 worthy local causes including the Asolo Endowment, Ringling College, NICU Sarasota Memorial and the Sarasota Ballet. Through its boutique sales of high-end fashions, furniture and interior design items, along with a full program of fundraising social events and prestigious concierge estate liquidation and downsizing services, DWB is truly “where fashion meets philanthropy.” The charity has a stellar reputation for carrying international brands such as Chanel, Gucci, LV, Prada and Leiber along with the ever changing collection of fine art, furnishings and unique home accessories all donated and consigned from local fashionable closets and homes. During this 2016 Giving Challenge, DWB invites you to “Be The One.” Support your favorite local charity. You can make the difference.

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To meaningfully grow funding for Sarasota’s arts and human services organizations.

1226 N. Tamiami Trail, Suite 101 Sarasota, FL 34236 (941) 366-5293 designingwomensrq.org

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CHANGING LIVES, SAVING FAMILIES.

FIRST STEP OF SARASOTA, INC.

ONE OUT OF 10 INDIVIDUALS is facing addiction. If not you, someone you care deeply about may be fighting a serious battle. Addiction is a chronic and incurable but treatable disease comparable to diabetes, hypertension and asthma. When left untreated, the disease of addiction has a devastating impact on the person, their families and friends, communities and even the nation. The heroin epidemic, DUI crashes and prescription drug abuse are all faces of the same disease: addiction. For nearly 50 years, First Step has offered quality, affordable substance abuse treatment programs. Its compassionate, evidencebased, specialized programs help people regain their lives, their families and reunite them with their children. First Step clients learn about addiction and its core issues, techniques to stay clean and sober and gain the opportunity for successful, fulfilling, productive lives.

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First Step prevents and treats alcohol and drug addictions and associated disorders. It fosters fully functioning, productive individuals by offering a full array of services in partnership with our community.

(941) 366-5333 fsos.org

THE GLASSER SCHOENBAUM HUMAN SERVICES CENTER has been

THE GLASSER SCHOENBAUM HUMAN SERVICES CENTER

home to more than 56 human service nonprofits since opening its doors in 1990. A concept revolutionary before its time, the Center’s collective impact on the community is extraordinary. The current 18 tenant partner agencies who occupy our 14 buildings offer programs and services to a three-county region, totaling a $14 million economic impact. More than 150 staff members employed on the campus operate 87 programs that serve over 2,000 clients each month. These numbers are achieved through the Center’s reduced rent, all-inclusive business model. The tenant partners are able to save approximately half a million dollars in operational expenses annually, allowing them to provide more direct services to those who need them the most. For more information and tours of the campus, contact Kameron Hodgens, Ph.D., exective director/CEO at: khodgens@gs-humanservices.org.

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Leading a collaborative community by providing highquality, accessible facilities and resources to the local human services nonprofit sector.

1750 17th St., Bldg. J-1 Sarasota, FL 34234 (941) 365-4545 gs-humanservices.org

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JFCS HELPS PEOPLE.

JFCS OF THE SUNCOAST, INC.

FOUNDED IN 1985, JFCS OF THE SUNCOAST is a fully accredited, community-based social service organization providing a wide array of services to children, adults, families, seniors, caregivers and veterans. Provided to anyone in need on a non-denominational basis, services through JFCS are offered to individuals and families, including financial and housing assistance, intervention, cancer support and wellness programs, Alzheimer’s support and education services, volunteer opportunities and more. JFCS provides a safety net for the entire community and promotes self-sufficiency—empowering people with the resources to cope and overcome life’s challenges.

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Guided by the Jewish tradition of helping all people, JFCS empowers individuals and families toward self-sufficiency.

2688 Fruitville Road Sarasota, FL 34237 (941) 366-2224 JFCS-Cares.org

INNOVATION, COLLABORATION, COMMUNITY, CREATIVITY.

KEY CHORALE

KEY CHORALE, SARASOTA’S SYMPHONIC Chorus, presents provocative concerts featuring professional guest artists, musicians from the Sarasota Orchestra, world premieres, commissioned works, and music that is rarely performed in the U.S. This year is a celebration of Maestro Joseph Caulkins’ 10th anniversary, and under his direction Key Chorale has become a producer of high-quality collaborative events that support and embrace the talents of our community. An integral part of Sarasota’s arts and cultural community, Key Chorale prides itself on giving back in new and meaningful ways each year. The past 10 years have included numerous collaborations with arts organizations, choreographers, human services organizations, and local schools. Key Chorale is reaching higher than ever before and will step onto the national stage with performances in Washington, D.C. at the July 2017 Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

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Key Chorale is dedicated to performing and promoting choral music of the highest quality.

key chorale

Sarasota’s Symphonic Chorus Joseph Caulkins, Artistic Director

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2016

P.O. Box 20613 Sarasota, FL 34236 (941) 921-4845 keychorale.org

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CLOSE YOUR EYES… NOW CROSS THE STREET

LIGHTHOUSE OF MANASOTA

THE THINGS WE TAKE for granted—making a pot of coffee, walking

the dog or grocery shopping—can be quite overwhelming with limited vision. The specialized training provided by the Lighthouse of Manasota allows individuals of any age experiencing vision loss to acquire new techniques, using tools and low- vision aids to learn new ways of accomplishing everyday tasks. Individualized training, such as using a white cane, accessing the assistive technology on mobile devices, cooking and kitchen safety, personal and home management and magnification workshops gives people with vision loss the skills they need to regain independence and have confidence in their abilities. “I spent seven years in a room scared to death that my life was over when my vision slipped away, and then I found the Lighthouse!” says one happy client.

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The Lighthouse of Manasota exists to promote independence, enhance the quality of life, and empower people affected by vision loss. 7318 N. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34243 (941) 359-1404 lighthouseofmanasota.org

MEALS ON WHEELS PLUS OF MANATEE

CHANGING LIVES, ONE MEAL AT A TIME—PLUS. “SO MUCH MORE THAN HOT MEALS” is a recurring refrain from clients,

members and volunteers who are always impressed by the breadth of services offered by Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee. The organization’s many programs are centered on feeding the hungry, assisting the elderly of our community and increasing the quality of life. In addition to home-delivered meals, Meals on Wheels PLUS operates community services including the Food Bank of Manatee, Daybreak Adult Day Care Center in Lakewood Ranch, Renaissance on 9th Banquets and Catering, 9th Street Bistro, Gift & Thrift Shops, the Enrichment Center @ Renaissance on 9th, PLUS Transportation Services, Friendship Dining, The Lunch Club and Grandma’s Goodies: Cookies and Cakes for a Cause.

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To assist individuals to live independently by providing nutrition and caring supportive services. 811 23rd Ave. E. Bradenton, FL 34208 (941) 747-4655 mealsonwheelsplus.org foodbankofmanatee.org renaissanceon9th.org

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CARE. NO MATTER WHAT.

PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF SOUTHWEST AND CENTRAL FLORIDA

CARE. NO MATTER WHAT. That is their promise to our community. One in five women has turned to Planned Parenthood as a trusted provider of high-quality, affordable, and non-judgmental reproductive health care and information. PP health centers throughout the region serve the insured and uninsured, women and men, providing lifesaving cancer screenings, birth control, prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted disease, and breast health services. In Sarasota and Manatee counties, more than 5,500 patients are served annually. Outreach education is also provided to thousands of area young people through evidence-based programs and sexuality education presentations. At Planned Parenthood, they believe that care is much more than the services they provide—it’s the way they approach the world. For more than 100 years—50 years locally—they have been the country’s leader in providing and protecting reproductive health care, rights and access.

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To provide affordable access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare and accurate health information through patient care, education and advocacy.

Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida

736 Central Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 (941) 365-3913 myplannedparenthood.org

FAITH, KNOWLEDGE, SERVICE.

ST. MARTHA CATHOLIC SCHOOL

ST. MARTHA CATHOLIC SCHOOL is a Catholic Christian community that strives to integrate the message of Jesus into the lives of its students. This is based on the belief that home and school are partners responsible for creating an environment that nurtures spiritual, physical, psychological, social and intellectual growth. St. Martha Catholic School strives to provide a curriculum which gives opportunity for growth in the student’s relationship with Jesus, while building confidence in academic disciplines, basic skills, aesthetic appreciation and physical development. Its faculty recognizes that Catholic faith is not merely taught from books, but is more realistically inspired by the teachers who strive to provide a model for Catholic living. It is the generous support of so many volunteers and donors that allows the school to provide the highest quality Catholic education, where students develop their strength in faith, excellence in knowledge, and character in service.

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In partnership with Jesus Christ and the teachings of the Catholic Church, the mission of St. Martha Catholic School is to provide each student with diverse opportunities which develop strength in faith, and excellence in knowledge and learning.

4380 Fruitville Road Sarasota, FL 34232 (941) 953-4181 stmarthaschool.net

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2016

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EXPLORE THE WORLD AROUND YOU.

SOUTH FLORIDA MUSEUM

THE SOUTH FLORIDA MUSEUM (SFM) has been helping people explore the world around them for generations—engaging audiences, encouraging understanding and inspiring all ages to connect to the past, present and future of the planet we all share. The only natural history museum on the Gulf coast, SFM is an anchor attraction in downtown Bradenton and a vital part of the region’s educational, tourism and business landscapes. A state-of-the-art digital planetarium, a manatee rehabilitation aquarium featuring Snooty™, the 68-year-old manatee, and changing exhibits help visitors explore the far reaches of the universe as well as the natural history of our planet and its life from a distinctive Florida perspective. SFM offers programs for students and curious people of all ages, including think+drink (science) discussions, live star talks, Family Nights, summer camps, lifelong learning sessions and lectures.

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To engage and inspire learners of all ages; to protect, interpret and communicate scientific and cultural knowledge of Florida, the world and the universe.

201 10th St. W. Bradenton, FL 34205 (941) 746-4131 SouthFloridaMuseum.org

NATHAN BENDERSON PARK

SUNCOAST AQUATIC NATURE CENTER ASSOCIATES, INC.

SUNCOAST AQUATIC NATURE CENTER ASSOCIATES, INC. (SANCA)

is the nonprofit organization created to manage Nathan Benderson Park, a Sarasota County park, community asset and world-class, multiuse sports venue. SANCA is committed to operating the park that generates ROI to benefit taxpayers and the State of Florida; is an Olympic-level training center for regional, national and international athletes; promotes a better quality of life by offering fitness and recreational opportunities for residents; and provides entry into aquatic and sports programming through community outreach. Complementing the national and international attention are SANCA’s efforts to bring a local draw to the venue. Nonprofit and for-profit businesses may utilize the venue to host events and raise awareness for their causes. SANCA is proud to give back to the community by supporting these events and by bringing national and international recognition to the Sarasota-Bradenton area.

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To improve the quality of life for our community and be an economic generator for our region.

5851 Nathan Benderson Circle Sarasota, FL 34235 (941) 358-7275

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CONNECTING PEOPLE. CREATING CHANGE. IMPACTING LIVES.

UNITED WAY SUNCOAST

ACHIEVING ONE’S FULL POTENTIAL is a challenge that starts early

for many in our community. Undereducated, impoverished children are nearly three times more likely to drop out of school, struggle financially and repeat the cycle of poverty. Working families face challenges also, struggling daily with financial and employability issues. United Way Suncoast works to change their stories through programs such as the new Booker Middle School Resource Center, supporting middle school students and their families; CareerEdge, a workforce development program providing training so individuals can secure higher wage employment; and the new Financial Sustainability Initiative, launched in partnership with the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, which helps families once struggling with homelessness gain financial literacy while increasing savings, improving credit and working toward long-term financial goals. United Way Suncoast helps increase opportunities for all and activates the community through philanthropy and volunteerism.

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To break the cycle of generational poverty through educational programs that give children the skills to succeed and help adults achieve financial stability.

1800 Second St., Suite 102 Sarasota, FL 34236 (941) 366-2686 unitedwaysuncoast.org

ENRICHING LIVES THROUGH THE PERFORMING ARTS.

VAN WEZEL FOUNDATION

VAN WEZEL FOUNDATION operates as a partner, but independently, of the city-owned Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. Since 1987, the foundation has directed millions of dollars to support the Hall’s capital improvements and ongoing educational efforts, including the award-winning Schooltime Performance program. Last year alone, the Schooltime program enabled over 27,000 children from four counties to attend nine shows linked to their classroom curriculum. For many, it was their first time experiencing live theater where they were inspired by a theatrical experience they could never have imagined before. The impact is significant. Exposure to the arts has been tied to improvements in math, reading, critical thinking and verbal skills, and can also improve motivation, concentration, confidence, and teamwork—all fundamentals for lifelong success. With your support, VWF can continue to bring the arts to children in the community. Please join their mission to enrich these young lives. THE

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To enrich the lives of members of the Gulf Coast community, with an emphasis on children, through the performing arts while supporting the needs of the Van Wezel—the region’s premier performing arts hall.

777 N. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34238 (941) 366-5578 vwfoundation.org

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2016

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TOURISM BEAT

Traffic Control Visitor bureaus are creating strategies to ease drive time in season. ● BY COOPER LEVEY-BAKER

hink traffic in Sarasota and Manatee counties gets worse every year? You’re not wrong.

DIEGO SCHTUTMAN / SHUTTERSTOCK

According to Florida Department of Transportation data, in just the past five years, the average number of cars crossing the Ringling Causeway in a given day increased by 2,000, up to

35,000 a day. Traffic out to Anna Maria Island over the Anna Maria Island Bridge increased by 1,400 cars during that same period. And near the Cortez Bridge, average daily traffic shot up by 2,900 cars. Mix that congestion with a flurry of new construction in urban areas and along the keys, plus lane closures SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2016

forced by infrastructure upgrades, and you have a recipe for traffic chokeholds at key points, not to mention a ton of griping. The complaints run the gamut from the general (why do we need all these condos?) to the specific (why can’t I get to my Van Wezel show on time?). And they are often directed at tourists, whose numbers continue to grow year after year. In

Sarasota County, tourist development tax collections totaled $3.3 million this March, up 3.6 percent from March 2015 and 11.5 percent from March 2014. Manatee County tourist tax collections, meanwhile, hit almost $2 million this March, a 10.8 percent increase from 2015. The intensity of the tourist season is at odds with how the

The intensity of the tourist season is at odds with how Manatee County has branded itself as a “detox, low-rise, low-key” area.”

county has branded itself as a “detox, low-rise, low-key” area, in the words of Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director Elliott Falcione. “One of our brand elements is our promise, ‘Come to Anna Maria Island and leave your everyday life behind,’ and if it’s a congested environment, then we’re not selling the right promise,” Falcione says. With that in mind, Falcione’s office is withdrawing some of its promotional spending from the spring months and shifting it to the summer and fall, when tourism traditionally dips. Market research predicts a 3 percent to 85

TOURISM BEAT 4 percent growth in Manatee County visitation in spring 2017, but Falcione says he’d be content with flat numbers or even a slight decrease, as long as summer and fall numbers increase in turn. Falcione says those out-of-season visitors could stay longer, too. Of course, Falcione’s plan depends on steady national growth. If the larger economic picture deteriorates, “We may need to quickly shift dollars back to the spring season,” he says. Visit Sarasota County also is taking complaints about congestion seriously. President Virginia Haley says she hears the laments loud and clear: “Our head’s not in the sand.” But what can be done? The Visit Sarasota County board recently tasked Haley and her staff with researching what kinds of alternative transportation tourists might actually use. Scooters,

jitneys and pedicabs can get tourists around Siesta Key more quickly than cars, while water taxis might be an effective way to get people from downtown Sarasota to the keys. A shuttle or trolley system perhaps could work for downtown Sarasota. Overall, consumers are increasingly looking for destinations where they don’t need to rent a car to get around, Haley says. But the key is devising a system that’s easy to use for people who aren’t familiar with the area. Streetcar systems in cities like Portland, Oregon, for example, are instantly recognizable and simple to hop on. Consumers here are already using ride-share apps like Uber and Lyft. Those products might not take cars off the road, but they do eliminate cars circling the city hunting for

Access toJustice SPE CIAL GUE ST SP E AK ER

BRYAN STEVENSON acclaimed lawyer, author, TED Talks speaker and expert on race, poverty and the justice system.

parking spaces. The City of Sarasota opened its State Street Parking Garage last year and is planning a new structure that will add 334 spaces to St. Armands Circle. Construction will begin in January 2018. Those additions might make parking easier; they also encourage more people to drive. Locals may not like it, but the spike in local traffic since the end of the Great Recession hasn’t yet damaged the tourist experience. According to Visit Sarasota County surveys, 99 percent of visitors were “very satisfied” or “satisfied” with their visit this spring, up by 2 points from last year. Ninety-seven percent of those visitors also plan to return. It’s hard to improve on those numbers, but Haley wants to head off any potential dip in satisfaction: “We don’t want to wait for a drop.” ■

Celebrating 25 years

Anniversary Dinner to beneﬁt

Legal Aid of Manasota

Cocktails and Dinner 6-9 p.m.

Michael’s On East 1212 S. East Ave., Sarasota

Presentation begins 7 p.m.

For more info & Tickets Visit Us at www.legalaidaccesstojustice.eventbrite.com or call 941-366-0038 x 107 THANKS TO OUR EVENT SPONSORS Andrea M. Johnson, P.A. Dickinson & Gibbons, P.A.

Gulf Coast Builders Xchange

Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP

Kerkering, Barberio & Co.

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Family-owned business are often the most innovative, entrepreneurial and generous businesses around. The stability, innovation, care for employees and civic involvement of these family-owned businesses make them stand out in the community.

Outstanding Family Businesses

AL PURMORT INSURANCE Al Purmort Insurance has been providing personal and commercial insurance in the Sarasota community for over 30 years. They strive to satisfy customers with personalized service and BUSINESS expert insurance advice. API will protect you from the unexpected and plan for the predictable. Their concierge-style approach and world-class carrier network allows them to create the most cost effective protection while building long-term partnerships that go beyond insurance. If you build it, live in it, work in it, drive it or simply love it, Al Purmort Insurance can insure and protect it. YEARS IN

President of Al Purmort Insurance, AlÂ Purmort Jr., and business partner and COO, Patrick Del Medico.

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2016

Sarasota, Bradenton, Tampa, Fort Myers, Naples (800) 713-5763 alpurmort.com

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Outstanding Family Businesses

2020 VISION USA

To shop online, visit 2020visionusa.com

Twenty years have flown by since Phil Meyer decided to bring reading glasses to laid-back Sarasota, BUSINESS building his business locally with nothing but a good product and great customer relations. His word was the contract, signed with a handshake. When his daughter, Denise Foster, joined him, her years working in the style and fashion capitals of the world were the missing spark that set this company ablaze. Their mission is to create beautiful, fun readers that are driven by YEARS IN

aesthetics, bringing new life into a market traditionally ruled by functional necessity only. Their glasses are now available in hundreds of locations in all 50 states, as well as internationally, and still growing. Amazingly, 2020 Vision USA has kept the incredible personal customer service that Phil Meyer started, as can be seen by one glowing review after another, as well as their policy of contributing and giving back to affect positive change in the world. 2020 Vision USA gives a heartfelt thanks to all its loyal customers. You are what makes it all possible!

2020 Vision USA, Sarasota, FL (214) 769-2227 / 2020visionusa.com

Their mission is to create beautiful, fun eyeglasses.

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Outstanding Family Businesses

BEN BROWN INSURANCE AGENCY

Ben Brown

Ryan Brown, Michael Brown and Evan Brown

Ben Brown Insurance Agency is an independent insurance company whose only loyalty is BUSINESS to you. It's been family owned and operated since 1956. BBI is committed to meeting the constantly changing demands of the insurance industry and improving business practices to stay current and streamlined, and maintaining a professional and dedicated staff. The agents truly care about the details of each policy, each client and each claim. Three generations of the Ben Brown family and a stellar client retention rate reflect that dedication. BBI pledges to pursue the coverage that is best suited for YEARS IN

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2016

your specific needs whether it's business insurance, homeowner's insurance, auto coverage, boat insurance or life insurance to protect your family. Agents diligently search for new ways to make your insurance protection stronger and your policy premiums more affordable. Personal and professional service is the hallmark of their business. “Our mission at Ben Brown Insurance Agency is to exceed the expectations," states the agency team members. "We are committed to meeting the constantly changing demands of the insurance industry and developing life-long relationships through best practices while maintaining a professional and dedicated office.”

3731 S. Tuttle Ave., Sarasota, FL 34239 (941) 366-9373 / benbrownins.com

Our mission at Ben Brown Insurance Agency is to exceed the expectations of our clients.

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Outstanding Family Businesses

COOL, PLUMBING & ENERGY TODAY

Cool, Energy & Plumbing Today supports their TCP Today Initiative both externally and internally.

Cool, Energy & Plumbing Today has been taking care of people since 1963, not only customers but BUSINESS also its entire team. CEP Today will protect you from the extreme summer heat with HVAC systems running at peak performance. They provide safety and protection in your home by ensuring electrical systems are working properly. The plumbing division keeps things flowing and can provide safe, clean drinking water with water filtration systems. Most importantly, CEP Today will ensure that you are protected when they enter your home, as all team members YEARS IN

are background checked as well as expertly trained and insured. Within the company, the team takes part in “KickStart Today,” a health and wellness initiative that has encouraged members to lose hundreds of pounds combined. The program encourages team members to work together while motivating and encouraging individuals to meet their personal health goals. “We believe it all starts with our people; with a healthy and happy team we are able to continue to “Take Care of People” for another 53 years.” For more info on how Cool, Energy & Plumbing Today is Taking Care of People, visit TCPToday.com.

6143 Clark Center Ave., Sarasota, FL 34238 (941) 404-1349 / cooltoday.com

We believe it all starts with a happy, healthy team.

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A D VER TI SEMENT

Chris Jones & Dan Hoffe, CFP

CAPSTAN FINANCIAL CONSULTING GROUP Service. Integrity. Collaboration.

Chris Jones and Dan Hoffe bring more than 35 years of combined industry experience to Capstan, with a focus on helping business owners and corporate executives during their careers and in their transition to retirement. They believe that their clients deserve the very best advice and enjoy helping them craft their financial lives as they move on to what they desire to do next. Prior to joining Capstan, both worked for J.P. Morgan’s Private Bank in Sarasota/ Bradenton, where they have lived for almost 20 years. Jones and Hoffe joined Capstan in order to offer their clients truly independent and objective invesment advice. The addition Leveraging decades of of Jones and experience and experthey are able to help Hoffe brings tise, their clients maximize all the total elements of their finannumber of cial lives. Additionally, both are team members at Capstan heavily involved in giving to 20. back to the community. They have served on the boards of The Ringling College Library Association, The Ivy League Club of Sarasota/Manatee, The YMCA, The Manatee Community Foundation and The Animal Rescue Coalition. Jones and Hoffe can be reached at Capstan Financial, a locally owned and operated independent full-service financial firm.

Chris Jones

Dan Hoffe

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

▶

25-PLUS YEARS FINANCIAL SERVICES EXPERIENCE SPECIALIZES IN PLANNING FOR CORPORATE EXECUTIVES AND BUSINESS OWNERS B.S., ECONOMICS AND FINANCE, UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS HOLDS SERIES 7, SERIES 65 REGISTRATIONS

▶

16 -PLUS YEARS FINANCIAL SERVICES EXPERIENCE CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP®) J.D., BOSTON COLLEGE LAW SCHOOL M.B.A., UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA B.A., BROWN UNIVERSITY HOLDS SERIES 7, SERIES 65 REGISTRATIONS SPEAKS FLUENT GERMAN, FRENCH, JAPANESE

238 S. WASHINGTON BLVD., SARASOTA, FL 34236 (941) 256-9300 / capstanfinancial.com

*Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network is not a legal or tax advisor. Investment products and services are offered through Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC (“WFAFN”), member FINRA/SIPC Capstan Financial Consulting Group is a separate entity from WFAFN.Investment products and services are offered through Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC (“WFAFN”), member FINRA/SIPC Capstan Financial Consulting Group is a separate entity from WFAFN.

A D VER TI SEMENT

COMPANIES WHO CARE

CS&L CPAS

POSITIVE IMPACT THROUGH LEADERSHIP

CS&L CPAs supports numerous nonprofit organizations throughout the year through volunteer

hours, fundraising efforts, sponsorship support, donations and more.

Through generosity of time, money and passion to serve, CS&L employees are making Southwest Florida a great place to live andÂ thrive. 92

COMMU NI TY S ERVIC E More than 30 percent of CS&L employees currently serve in a board or committee leadership capacity and many more volunteer their time and energy all year round.

CS&L HAS THE DISTINCT PRIVILEGE of working in a community with outstanding philanthropic opportunities and it has a history of rising to meet the responsibility of good corporate citizenship. Annually, the firm is a corporate sponsor for more than 20 charitable events and activities for charitable organizations across the region. The firm also coordinates frequent employee volunteer projects and donation drives with local organizations who need extra hands. Beyond its firm-hosted programs, CS&L encourages individual community involvement and service. More than 30 percent of CS&L staff members currently serve in a board or committee leadership capacity and many more volunteer their time, dollars and energy to local organizations all year round. For these engaged individuals, CS&L provides support through event sponsorship dollars, in-kind donations and time off so employees can perform their board leadership responsibilities. Enthusiasm and dedication are characteristics that all CS&L employees exhibit, whether working to solve a complex client challenge or volunteering their time and talent to assist local organizations. Through generosity of time, money and the passion to serve, CS&L employees are making the region a great place to live and thrive.

BRADENTON: 1001 Third Ave. W., Suite 700 FL 34205 | (941) 748-1040 SARASOTA: 1515 Ringling Blvd., Suite 900 FL 34236 | (941) 954-4040 TAMPA: 101 E. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 1460 FL 33602 | (813) 490-4490 CSLcpa.com

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COMPANIES WHO CARE

38 YEARS OF SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY.

JAN MILLER

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND TRUST OFFICER

Jan Miller has been involved with human services within her community, including Tidewell Hospice and Florida Center.

Caldwell Trust Company has donated over $1.5 million to our community. Jan and her co-workers have over 10,000 volunteer hours of service. SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2016

COMMU NI TY S ERVIC E Always passionate about the community, Jan has served as chairperson of several local boards.

JAN MILLER JOINED CALDWELL TRUST COMPANY in 2001 where she serves as director of fiduciary services and Sarasota manager. Jan began her career in the financial services industry at Winters Bank in her native Dayton, Ohio, while attending Sinclair College. In 1977, Jan moved to Sarasota to join the Trust Department of Southeast Bank, and upon completion of the Florida Graduate Trust School in 1981, Jan became a trust officer, and eventually senior trust officer, for the bank. She successfully completed the curriculum through the College of Financial Planning. As the trust industry changed focus toward selling investment products, Jan left the business, unwilling to put herself at conflict with her clientsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; best interests. She returned to the trust industry when introduced to Caldwell Trust Company by a former colleague who was one of Caldwellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s founding directors. Always passionate about the community, Jan has served as Chair of several local boards and currently serves as vice chair of Tidewell Hospice, vice chair of Stratum Health and she serves on the Development Committee of Mote Marine Laboratory assisting in their planned giving efforts.

Jan Miller, Sarasota Office 1561 Main St., Sarasota, FL 34236 jan@ctrust.com ctrust.com

WHAT I’VE LEARNED

Linda Carson

This ABC-7 reporter started her journalism career in the ’60s. ● BY KIM HACKETT

BC-7 TV REPORTER AND TALK SHOW HOST LINDA CARSON covered Coretta Scott King during the 1960s civil rights movement, held a microphone near President George Bush at Emma E. Booker Elementary School on Sept. 11 when terrorists crashed into the Twin Towers, and has reported all over the country. And now, more than five decades after she donned a miniskirt to keep a job as weather “girl,” Carson, 78, is still brimming with story ideas and a contract that will keep her on the air until she is in her 80s. Carson, married to the late football coaching legend Bud Carson, has been honored with numerous awards, including an Associated Press Award for her death row interview of serial killer Danny Rolling.

“You won’t be on the air after age 30. That’s what my first TV boss told me. I’m still here and I laugh about it now. There was so much sexism back then. I once had a politician put a $20 bill down my shirt. The only way I could get a TV job was to wear a miniskirt. I did it, but I wouldn’t do it now.”

SALVATORE BRANCIFORT

“Success comes from hard work, sometimes free work. I became a reporter after I told the news director that I’d go out and do a story, for free, of course.” “If you can’t change it, let it go. I was a one-man band in 2006 and 2007, anchoring the morning news and reporting. I saw so many colleagues leaving in tears because they lost their jobs. Eventually I was the only reporter on the air. I just kept reporting and trying hard through management changes.” “Just ask. Many of my exclusive interviews happened because I have an ‘aw-shucks’ Southern gal demeanor, and I asked for an 94

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interview. I wrote serial killer Danny Rollins and told him I wanted him to tell me how a woman could avoid being raped. He was the nicest guy you’d ever meet. And that was scary. Rollins was good-looking, friendly and he killed nine people. He told me that pure evil exists.” “Be engaged and interested in other people. Be kind to people; try to put yourself in their shoes, even if they are a mass murderer.”

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“You are always replaceable. This is my 12th station. I’ll be here when I’m 84 as long as I can do it. I’m good at what I do, but I’m replaceable.” “The ‘game’ or the ‘show’ is everything. Be prepared. I was a sports reporter all over the country, including Los Angeles when Bud was coaching the Rams. I would study and know everything about the teams and the game plans for weeks in advance. Bud was allgame, all the time. I was driven. The two careers worked together.” “Know who you are, not who people say you are. When the Rams had a losing season, Bud was fired. We would sometimes come to the games in a limo, with all these perks, and then just like that, it was all over.” “Age is a true benefit. I can get away with saying anything. I talk about sex on Suncoast View. Very few subjects are off-limits. It’s a divine group, even when we disagree. We are all very close.” ■

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2016

SUBSCRIBE TODAY 2016-2017 Season Get the best seats and save. Anu Tali, Music Director

941-953-3434 SarasotaOrchestra.org

Last season a record-breaking 46 concerts sold out. Subscribe now and don’t miss a note!

EvEnts of Distinction • AttEntion to DEtAil 941.374.6026 • www.MAryKEnEAlyEvEnts.coM

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Event Resource Guide Captivate. Inspire. Entertain. MICHAEL’S ON EAST

The Michael’s On East team has been creating memorable culinary experiences for 30 years, from candlelit dinners for two to dazzling receptions for hundreds. Your guests will be impressed by the fine cuisine and unsurpassed service offered in Sarasota’s only AAA Four Diamond Award restaurant, candlelight wine cellar or timeless ballroom with its adjacent glass-covered atrium. Michael’s Events & Catering is also proud to serve as the exclusive caterer for the area’s premier waterfront wedding venues: Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in downtown Sarasota and Bay Preserve in Osprey. From stunning cocktail receptions, corporate events or casual barbecues to elegant weddings and memorable black-tie galas, Michael’s Events & Catering is the community’s trusted partner in delivering excellence for all occasions.

Phil Mancini, co-proprietor | (941) 366-0007 phil@bestfood.com

MOTE MARINE LABORATORY & AQUARIUM

Whether you’re planning a wedding, corporate meeting, dinner or holiday party, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium has just the right venue to fit your needs. From mid-size rooms, to larger halls to a chickee hut that provides a unique outdoor setting with a Southwest Florida feel, the waterfront location showcases everything that is special about Sarasota and her islands. At Mote, you can have cocktails with the fish, dinner among the sharks, luaus at a tiki hut and rooms with waterfront views. Mote venues are available for private rentals each day of the week, including weekends. Prices are reasonable, and—best of all— proceeds generated from rentals support Mote research and public education efforts.

1600 Ken Thompson Parkway | Sarasota, FL 34236 (941) 388-4441 | mote.org/venues

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Event Resource Guide Captivate. Inspire. Entertain.

NATHAN BENDERSON PARK

Host your event by the lake at this picturesque park. The team of highly skilled event staff will assist in coordinating your event, making it one that will not be forgotten. From runs to regattas and weddings to corporate retreats, NBP is the venue for you. Located in North Sarasota County, but convenient to I-75 and Manatee County, NBP is a prime location for you and your guests. Thousands of participants, athletes, spectators, and park goers come to NBP throughout the year for local, national and international events, as well as community programs and classes. The park staff has the ability to create an intimate setting or a large-scale event and everything in between. Welcome to Nathan Benderson Park!

5851 Nathan Benderson Circle | Sarasota, FL 34235 (941) 358-7275 | NathanBendersonPark.org

PIER 22

Pier22 Catering brings a blend of innovative regional and international cuisine, outstanding presentations and highly professional service to wedding receptions, banquets, holiday parties, galas and fund raisers. From formal dinners to light refreshments, large events or small groups, Pier22â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s professional and experienced special events team offers services and presentations surpassed by no other. The team takes pride in providing unique hors dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;oeuvres, buffets and complete formal sit-down meals that will exceed your expectations. Choose Pier22 catering for your home, office or setting of your choice. Whether your event is an executive luncheon for 10, a wedding for 100 or a company banquet for 1,000, Pier22 Catering is equipped to serve your needs.

1200 First St. W. | Bradenton, FL 34205 (941) 748-8087 | pier22dining.com

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THE CIRCUS ARTS CONSERVATORY

When you want all the excitement the circus arts have to offer, The CAC delivers intriguing and suspenseful world-class artistry and experiences—at your event or one of our unique venues. Book the best to dazzle your guests!

2075 Bahia Vista St. | Sarasota, FL 34239 (941) 355-9335 | CircusArts.org

THE FRANCIS BALLROOM

Sarasota’s special events venue is perfect for parties and events of all kinds. This stylish multi-function space offers innovative cuisine from a top notch culinary team that artfully blends ambiance with attentive service. State-of-the-art A/V and complimentary covered parking. 1289 N. Palm Ave. | Sarasota, FL 34236 (941) 552-9688 | sarasotamodernevents.com

LOUIES PRIVATE DINING ROOM

Louies Modern showcases design and culinary ingenuity and a varied menu that includes handcrafted cocktails and awardwinning wines. A sophisticated and contemporary spin on classical dining, our private dining room is modern and clean, while still being cozy and inviting. 1289 N. Palm Ave. | Sarasota, FL 34236 (941) 552-9688 | louiesmodern.com

MODERN EVENTS

A top-quality catering and venue provider known for being innovators in the event industry, and surpassing the expectations of clients with dedication to producing outstanding events. By never compromising, Modern Events has gained the trust and respect of clients, partners and staff. 1262 N. Palm Ave. | Sarasota, FL 34236 (941) 552-9650 | sarasotamodernevents.com

SOPHIE’S AT SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

Host your next event with us! Just steps off the shopping floor, Sophie’s is a stylish and elegant setting for business and social events featuring an outdoor terrace. Open kitchen and private dining area for parties from 10 to 120. The sales floor is also available for event space subject to approval from Saks Fifth Avenue.

120 University Town Center Drive | Sarasota, FL 34243 (941) 662-9777 | sophies.com

TECH TOOLS

Keep Track

Stay organized with these four business mobile apps.

● BY KEVIN ALLEN

Kevin Allen (@KEVJOSEPHALLEN) IS A SARASOTA-BASED CLOUD TECHNICAL EVANGELIST FOR IBM, WHERE HE HAS WORKED AS AN EDITOR AND WRITER FOR THOUGHTS ON CLOUD AND DEVELOPERWORKS. HIS ARTICLES HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED IN ENTREPRENEUR, PR DAILY, THE CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, ESPN, FOX SPORTS AND MANY MORE PUBLICATIONS.

I’m

not kidding when I tell people that I don’t know how I would work without a smart phone. I think back to my first job, or two or three, out of college, and I cringe at all the fumbling through emails and flash drives and the countless hours wasted on my morning commutes on Chicago’s L train where I wasn’t working because the tools simply weren’t available. In today’s business landscape, there’s simply no excuse. With all the increasingly powerful (and affordable) mobile apps on the market, you almost have to try to be unproductive. That’s why this month I’m sharing my favorite business apps, without which I’d be completely lost. Slack You cannot consider yourself of the Digital Era until you’ve used Slack to collaborate with colleagues on a project. It is the app for the modern workplace (and I mean that in the physical and nonphysical sense). While it’s widely regarded as a collaboration tool, it’s so much more than that. It can make even the most widely dispersed team feel like they’re co-located. The concept is simple: Someone (a team lead, perhaps) creates a Slack channel (for free,

100

mind you) and invites team members to sign up. From there, you have a lobby where everyone can see general messages, and then you have channels where groups of users collaborate on specific projects. You can share files —huge ones—and privately message other Slack users. A paid version adds features like group calling and higher storage capacity, and the company is working on an enterprise version. No wonder it saw a nearly $4 billion valuation before its third birthday. Available for: iOS, Android, Mac, Windows Linux Cost: Free, with premium versions starting at $6.67 per user, per month Developer: Slack Technologies, Inc. Wunderlist As soon as you download and start using Wunderlist, you’ll scoff any time someone suggests making a penand-paper to-do list. It can help in the household by allowing users to collaborate on things like grocery lists and travel plans, but its real value lies in its business use. Create teams, assign tasks, manage billing, share files and get reminders on due dates. If you’re someone who thrives on checking off tasks, you need Wunderlist. Available for: iOS, Android, Mac, Windows Cost: Free. Pro version starting at $4.99 per month, per user Developer: 6 Wunderkinder Genius Scan If you need to save receipts for expense reports or if you need to sign,

scan and send documents quickly, this app could be your best friend. Simply take a photo, adjust the margins, and Genius Scan turns it into a PDF. You can then use the app to send or save the PDF with another app like Box, iCloud, Google Drive, OneDrive or practically any email app. When I’m traveling for work, I no longer need to worry about tracking down misplaced receipts. Every time I make a workrelated purchase, I snap a photo and save it to Genius Scan. Available for: iOS, Android Cost: Free Developer: Grizzly Labs Toggl Looking to keep track of your employees’ time (or your own, for that matter)? Toggl makes it ridiculously easy. It’s the punch clock for our mobile world. And now that the Department of Labor is requiring businesses to pay overtime to anyone making less than $47,476 (see page 12), it’s going to be critical for employers to keep accurate time records. Toggl’s added benefit is its in-depth reporting that gives users a view of how they’re spending their time—and how to improve their time management. Because it’s cloud-based, users can access their data from their desktop, laptop or mobile device. Available for: iOS / Android / Mac / Windows Cost: Free for individuals with paid team versions starting at $9 per user, per month Developer: Toggl 941CEO

CONG RAT UL AT I ON S

ROD HERSHBERGER 94 1CE O G R EA TER G O O D A WA R D F I NA L I S T

PGTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S PHILANTHROPIC MISSION STATEMENT: Provide support to our community to develop programs that enhance the opportunities for families and children to live in a healthy, educated and safe environment.

PGT has a 30-year history of manufacturing outstanding quality and innovative products. From impact-resistant windows and doors to porch enclosure products, PGT provides a range of custom options to complement the unique design of your home.

PGTINDUSTRIES.COM

N. VENICE, FL

FAST TRACK TALK MOVERS, SHAKERS & HEADLINE MAKERS

POSITIONS TAKEN

ANGIE OXLEY

▶ ▶ D AV I D M U L H O L L A N D , audit manager; and A N G I E O X L E Y , audit principal, Shinn & Co.

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BRIAN CRAFT

JESSICA M. FARRELLY MARK MARTELLA

and attorneys, law firm of Icard Merrill. ▶▶ D R . R O N A L D C I R I L L O , medical director, Bill Galvano One Stop Center Clinic at Turning Points. ▶ ▶ M E R C Y C O R T E Z , banking center manager, Sunshine Bank Bradenton branch. ▶ ▶ B R I A N E AT O N and J O E F E R N A N D E Z , vice presidents of operations, Suffolk Construction. ▶▶ S U Z A N N E S E I T E R , executive director, Library Foundation for Sarasota County. J E S S I C A M . FA R R E L LY

MARK MARTELL A ,

▶ ▶ J E F F E S L I N G E R , area sales manager, Neal Signature Homes. ▶▶ D R . B R A D L E Y T H I E S S E N , director of institutional performance assessment, New College of Florida. ▶▶ R A C H E L L I V I N G S T O N , marketing manager of the Protect Our Reefs specialty license plate and grant program, Mote Marine Laboratory. ▶ ▶ D A N H O F F E and C H R I S J O N E S , executive vice presidents, Capstan Financial Consulting Group.

▶ ▶ E R I C A W U O R I O , alumni coordinator, State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) Foundation. ▶ ▶ B R A D J O N E S , promoted to president and CEO, The Haven (formerly Community Haven for Adults and Children with Disabilities).

▶ ▶ B R I A N C R A F T , director of marketing and outreach, Manatee Performing Arts Center.

▶▶ C H R I S T O P H E R H I R D , director of education and principal of the Margaret Barbieri Conservatory, Sarasota Ballet.

AMANDA LUNSFORD

DAVID MULHOLLAND

▶ ▶ J O N AT H A N E VA N S , assistant county administrator, Sarasota County. ▶ ▶ R O G A N D O N E L LY , president, Tervis Tumbler Company. ▶ ▶ E VA D U E R R , staff development coordinator; and M A R Y VA N S A N T , admissions coordinator, Plymouth Harbor Smith Care Center.

▶▶

ERICA WUORIO

TERRY DER AMMEL AERE ,

CHRISTOPHER HIRD

▶▶

human resources director, Gettel Automotive Group.

JEFF ESLINGER

JONATHAN EVANS

▶ ▶ J A C K W I L L I A M S , vice president of construction, Lee Wetherington Homes. ▶ ▶ M I K E M C C OY , SarasotaManatee market president, Bank of America.

▶▶

AMANDA LUNSFORD,

office manager, Home Helpers of Bradenton. 941CEO

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2016

▶▶

D R . M AT T H E W

BONANNO,

plastic surgeon, Riverchase Dermatology and Plastic Surgery. ▶ ▶ M A R K H A N S O N , director of operations, Selah Freedom. ▶ ▶ G W E N L E R OY- K E L LY , partner, Hive Architects. ▶ ▶ J E F F R E Y K A H A N E , music director, Sarasota Music Festival.

ELENA TOMEO-CASELLA

ROB LAGASSE

ROB L AGA SSE

DR. MICHAEL J. SHEREFF ▶▶

DR. MICHAEL J.

S H E R E F F,

foot and ankle specialist, Coastal Orthopedics Sports Medicine and Pain Management. ▶▶ M I C H A E L P I E R C E , general counsel, New College of Florida.

ELENA TOMEO -

CASELL A ,

executive director, Foundation for Dreams.

ACCOLADES ▶ ▶ T O M K O S K I is the new board chair of the Education Foundation of Sarasota County. Other officers are J A S O N S W I F T , immediate past chair; L O U I S D E C O N G E L I O , vice chair; T R I C I A F U LT O N , treasurer; and A R I A N E D A R T , secretary. ▶ ▶ J M X B R A N D S ranked 870 on Internet Retailer magazine’s Second 500, which ranks North America’s fastest-growing mid-tier web merchants.

FRANK MAGGIO

and K A R I pool designers, Waterscapes Pools & Spas. ▶ ▶ PAT R I C I A H E A LY , senior vice president of research and portfolio manager; and K I M B E R LY D O U G L A S , compliance officer, Cumberland Advisors. ▶▶

OSNES ,

Jim Miller of fast-growing internet retailer JMX Brands “projects 18-25 percent growth this year.”

▶ ▶ D A N I L E O N E , promoted to office manager, Discount Med Direct.

▶▶

KARI OSNES

FAST TRACKER

JIM MILLER PORTRAIT BY EVAN SIGMUND

XENA VALLONE, owner of Xena Vallone Realty, is the incoming 2017 president of the Realtors Association of Sarasota and Manatee, which provides education, public advocacy and community outreach to support its 6,400 members. A former real estate paralegal in Buffalo, New York, Vallone moved to Florida and became a licensed realtor in 2003 and opened her own company in 2009. A large portion of her business is retirees looking for a second home and foreign buyers. Vallone says the realtors association will continue to be highly involved at the state level in the upcoming year, joining Florida realtors in Tallahassee to meet with legislators. Association representatives also go to Washington, D.C., once a year and speak with Congresspeople on such topics as mortgage interest deductions, affordable housing options and home ownership rights. Vallone predicts a busy real estate market in 2017. Inventory was low at the beginning of 2016, but activity has been picking up as sellers are seeing prices rise. “Once we hit the six-month mark in inventory—we are at the fourand-a-half to five-months range— we will have a more balanced market,” Vallone says. —Alaina Upman

▶▶ C H E R I E H E A S L E Y , communications manager, Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center (SPARCC). ▶▶ R E B E C C A L E W I S , nonprofit services manager; and A B I G A I L O A K E S , coordinator, nonprofit services, Community Foundation of Sarasota County.

▶ ▶ F R A N K M A G G I O of Insignia Bank received an Outstanding Leadership Award from the Leadership Sarasota County Alumni.

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FAST TRACK TALK

MARK BOEHMIG, JEDD

ERIN CHRISTY ▶ ▶ E R I N C H R I S T Y received the Active Community Impact Award from Junior League of Sarasota; J E N N I F E R F O W L E R - H E R M E S was elected to the Executive

and have joined the board of Realize Bradenton. H E A P, D R . M I K E M E A R S SUE REVELL ▶▶

S A R A S O TA M E M O R I A L

H E A LT H C A R E S Y S T E M

was one of just 2.2 percent of hospitals evaluated by the federal Centers for

▶ ▶ D A N I E L D E L E O of the law firm of Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick has joined the board of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.

JENNIFER FOWLER-HERMES

SUE REVELL ▶▶

Medicare & Medicaid Services to earn the government’s first-ever 5-Star rating for overall quality and safety. ▶ ▶ PAT O S B U R N of Boyd Insurance and Investment Services and E R I K A L I S C H of Cavanaugh & Company have joined the board of Turning Points.

DANIEL DELEO

The proposed Manatee County mixed-use development, L A K E F L O R E S , was named the 2016 Outstanding Development by the Florida Planning and Zoning Association. ▶▶

Council of the Florida Bar Association’s Labor and Employment Law Section and secretary of the Manatee County Bar Association; and B O N N I E L E E P O L K was named 2016– 2017 president of the Judge John M. Scheb American Inn of Court. All are with the law firm of Williams Parker. ▶ ▶ Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center (SPARCC) has elected the following board officers: S U S A N E R H A R T , chairperson; R O S E M A R Y E U R E , first vice president; L O R I R O D G E R S , second vice president; C O R A L P L E A S , secretary; and K AT H L E E N WA L K E R , treasurer. ▶▶

MOTORWORKS BREWING

won a gold and silver medal at the U.S. Open Beer Championships.

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FAST TRACK Blalock Walters attorney joined the board of Turning Points. ▶ ▶ SUFFOLK CONSTRUCTION ’s Southeast region was named Contractor of the Year by Engineering News-Record, and Florida Trend named the company one of the Best Large Companies (250 or more employees) to work for. ▶▶

JAY MCHARGUE

MARISA J. P OWERS

was elected chair of the board of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation; J U DY C A H N was elected vice chair.

MICHAEL J. FUREN

▶▶

SARASOTA COUNT Y’S

received an Achievement in Excellence in Procurement Award from the National Procurement Institute for the second consecutive year. ▶▶

GOLD COA S T E AGLE

came in first out of 632 wholesalers DISTRIBUTING

MOVING AND OPENING ▶▶

PROCUREMENT DEPARTMENT

▶ ▶ M I C H A E L J . F U R E N of the law firm of Icard Merrill was recognized as a 50-year member of the Florida Bar.

J AY M c H A R G U E

in the annual AnheuserBusch InBev’s Ambassadors of Excellence National Championship. ▶ ▶ PAT R I C K M O R E O , dean of the USF Sarasota-Manatee College of Hospitality & Tourism Leadership, received the Howard B. Meek Award for lifetime achievement from the International Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education.

MICHAEL SAUNDERS

opened its 19th sales and rental office at 6000 Marina Drive in Holmes Beach. ▶ ▶ Dr. Coleman Pratt has opened a concierge medicine practice, M E D M O D E R N , at 5861 Cortez Road W. in Bradenton.

& C O M PA N Y

▶▶

BR AND STORY

EXPERTS,

a marketing firm, expanded to 519 13th St. W. in Bradenton. ▶ ▶ Joe Kelly, AIA, launched HIVE ARCHITEC TS INC .

in Sarasota. ▶ ▶ Dr. Dennis Corona opened A D VA N C E D D E N TA L C A R E O F E A S T S A R A S O TA at 8282 Bee Ridge Road in Sarasota. ▶ ▶ The A E S T H E T I C A N D WELLNESS CENTER

moved to 5219 S.R. 64 E. in Bradenton. ▶ ▶ E V O AT H L E T I C S , a gymnastics, cheerleading and Ninja warrior training facility for children 3 and up, has opened at 7188 E. 15th St., Unit 2, in Bradenton. ▶▶

Y U N I K U J A PA N E S E

has opened at 8341 Lockwood Ridge Road in Sarasota. ■ R E S TA U R A N T

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2 3

1 PHOTOGRAPHY: LORI SAX

941CEO WOMEN OF INFLUENCE EVENT AT ASOLO REPERTORY THEATRE

1 Hetty Feather performers, Asolo Repertory Theatre 2 Beth Graves, Michelle Brault, Alyssa Holcomb, Mary Jo Heider, Circus Arts Conservatory 3 Hailey Martin, Chelsea Shaw, Charlie Salon 4 Myrdalis Diaz-Ramirez, Randy Matscherz, Max Allure 5 Molly Maginn, Asolo Repertory Theatre 6 Sherilynn Dougherty, Aaron Jones, DAI Solutions; Anita Rose, Counterpart CFO 7 Vicki Scarpanato; Jenny Townsend, Music Compound; Mireya Eavey, CareerEdge 8 Suzanne Collard, Permanent Makeup by Suzanne; Kimberly Ann Papa, Spa PH 9 Lana Walsh, Grow Financial Federal Credit Union; Sarah Myers

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9 941CEO

ASOLO REPERTORY THEATRE WORLD CLASS THEATRE • MADE IN SARASOTA

GUYS AND DOLLS NOVEMBER 15–JANUARY 1

THE GREAT SOCIETY JANUARY 11–APRIL 2

THE ORIGINALIST JANUARY 18–MARCH 5

BORN YESTERDAY FEBRUARY 8–APRIL 15

THE LITTLE FOXES MARCH 15–APRIL 15

BEATSVILLE

WORLD PREMIERE APRIL 27–MAY 28

THE ELABORATE ENTRANCE OF CHAD DEITY IN THE COOK THEATRE APRIL 5–30

SUMMER PRODUCTION

TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON! JUNE 1–25

Single tickets go on sale online on October 1 and at the box office and by phone on October 3. From top to bottom: Jenna Burns and Marc Koeck in West Side Story. Photo by Cliff Roles. Deborah Cox in Josephine. Photo by Paul Tate dePoo III. David Breitbarth in Ah, Wilderness! Photo by Gary W. Sweetman. Peggy Roeder in Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner. Photo by John Revisky. Nick Wyman in All the Way. Photo by Cliff Roles. A.K. Murtadha and Ally Farzetta in Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner. Photo by John Revisky.

SUBSCRIPTIONS ON SALE NOW!

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941.351.8000

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SARASOTA MAGAZINE/941CEO

“KEEPING SPONSORS HAPPY” 1 Mischa Kirby, Selby Gardens; Emily Wyant, SagaCity Media; Dianne Jacob, PNC Bank 2 Jennifer AhearnKoch, JAK Consults; Julian Norman-Webb, JNW Studios 3 Merdith Scerba, Russ Yurk, World Rowing Championships 4 Chad Doritan; Lauren Hersh, Sarasota Orchestra; Stacy Quaid, Ringling College

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5 Dianne Jacob, PNC Bank; Ann Logan, Selby Gardens 6 Minta Getzen; Melissa Howard 7 Linda Whitacre, Judy Bokorney, Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice Inc. 8 Megan Wenger, Children First; Yolanda Mancha, CYD; Elaina Mand, All Faiths Food Bank

A D VER TI SEMENT

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not just each and every client relationship, but also the surrounding community where they all proudly live and work. Though uncommon elsewhere, volunteerism, charitable contributions and spirited community involvement are part of the Capstan commitment, and a big part of what makes service a cornerstone of the company’s overall mission. The Capstan team has a level of loyalty they believe is rarely found in the ever-changing financial services industry, and they bring this longterm commitment and dedication to every client relationship.

Investment products and services are offered through Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC (“WFAFN”), member SIPC. Capstan Financial Consulting Group is a separate entity from WFAFN.

COMMUNITY SERVICE: Capstan’s independent ownership structure allows us to focus our resources to support the charitable intentions of our clients, our team and our community.

238 S. Washington Blvd. Sarasota, FL 34236 (941) 256-9300 capstanfinancial.com

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2016

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MANATEE CHAMBER SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS 1 Brian Carter, PACE Center for Girls; Amanda Horne, Tim Bingham, Steve Anice, Anna Maria Oyster Bar 2 Christine Olson, Karen Mahlios, Goodwill Manasota Inc. 3 Michael Ludwig, BB&T; Johnette Isham, Realize Bradenton 4 Stephanie Edwards, Kona Ice NW Bradenton; Sandy Groseclose, Amy Wick-Mavis, Manatee PACE; Chris Edwards, Kona Ice NW Bradenton 5 Maribeth Phillips, Meals on Wheels; Kim Dalglish, Manatee Chamber of Commerce 6 Edward Viltz, Manatee County School Board candidate; Chuck Elzer, South Florida Museum 3

6 PHOTOGRAPHY: LORI SAX

Volume 13/Number 5, September/October 2016, 941CEO (ISSN 1936-7538) is published in January, March, April, June, September and November by Gulf Shore Media, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of SagaCity Media, Inc., 330 S. Pineapple Ave., Suite 205, Sarasota, FL 34236. Subscriptions are free to qualified individuals. For customer service inquiries, subscription inquiries or to change your address by providing both the old and new addresses, contact: 941CEO, Subscriber Services, PO Box 433217, Palm Coast, FL 32143. Phone: 1-800-331-8848, Email: 941CEO@emailcustomerservice.com. Periodicals postage paid at Sarasota, Florida, and at additional mailing offices. Copyright 2016 by Gulf Shore Media, LLC. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Unsolicited manuscripts without return postage will not be returned. DISCLAIMER: Advertisements in the publication do not constitute an offer for sale in states where prohibited or restricted by law.

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OFF THE CLOCK TALK ● BY ILENE DENTON

THE PLAYER Architect Jerry Sparkman taps into his musical side on the dobro.

t’s been a couple of high-profile years for Jerry Sparkman and his colleagues at Sweet Sparkman Architects. They’ve done the acclaimed reimagining of the Siesta Public Beach concession pavilions and the sea-oat themed pavilions at Caspersen Beach and other Sarasota County beaches, the design of county fire stations and the new visual art center at Ringling College of Art and Design, and received invitations to exhibit at the world-renowned Venice, Italy, Architecture Biennale twice, in both 2012 and 2016. “We’re having fun,” says Sparkman, “and fortunately we have great clients.” To decompress, Sparkman taps into his other creative outlet, playing the dobro, a type of acoustic guitar. He performs with professional musician Michael Miller at places like Café in the Park, the Tea House and Slim’s Place on Anna Maria Island, and performs occasionally with the Schmitz Brothers Band. He also played for 10 years with the folkrock troupe Radio Free Carmela and The Transmitters. “Music is a nice complement to architecture because it’s such a different mental experience,” he says. Sparkman grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee, playing the guitar in rock ‘n’ roll bands. He took up the dobro and folkrock music 20 years ago after a roommate at the University of Tennessee introduced him to a recording of dobro virtuoso Jerry Douglas. “I went nuts,” he says. His upbringing in the heart of Appalachia, first in Tennessee, and later in Charlottesville, Virginia, where he got his master’s degree at the University of Virginia, enhanced his love of this folk music. “The connection coming out of Appalachian towns and the connection between Irish music, the rhythm and cadence, the way they built their songs and told stories, I love all that,” he says.” ■

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BARBARA BANKS

“MUSIC IS A NICE COMPLEMENT TO ARCHITECTURE BECAUSE IT’S SUCH A DIFFERENT MENTAL EXPERIENCE.”

J. L. B A I N B R I D G E & CO.

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