SRQ MAGAZINE | February 2026

february 2026 the unstoppable family grocery store 62

Detwiler’s, the family-owned and operated chain of grocery stores, has been a mainstay of the Sarasota area for over 22 years, well-known and loved for its freshness, value and hometown hospitality. While the success may appear to have come easily over the past two decades, the company has weathered some overwhelming challenges, including a lost lease, deep freeze, multiple hurricanes and a global pandemic—all of which posed serious threats to the business that customers rely on to “eat fresh for less” as the slogan states. Yet Detwiler’s hasn’t just survived, it has flourished. Its success is a testament to the family’s long line of strong business instincts, decades of customer service experience, family devotion and deep foundation of faith—all maintained without a single college degree among the family management team. Today, Detwiler’s is stronger than ever, recently announcing plans to open its seventh location in the county. This is their story of triumph. WRITTEN BY

BARBIE HEIT | PHOTOGRAPHY BY WES ROBERTS

35 under 35 37

We are proud to celebrate this year’s 35 Under 35 Honorees, a group of driven young professionals who represent the next generation of leaders making a powerful impact across our community. Through their creativity, commitment and entrepreneurial spirit, they are helping shape a stronger, more connected region. COMPILED BY LAUREN SUTTER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYATT KOSTYGAN

11 BRANDSTORY

MICHAEL’S ON EAST

37 35 UNDER 35 MEET THIS YEAR’S HONOREES

69 ELITE TOP ATTORNEYS: GUIDE TO 2025 HONOREES SECOND PRINTING

Janelle Piersoll looks for any opportunity to make a difference. february 2026

srqist 19

Pork Roll Pete’s brings a taste of classic New Jersey bagels to Bradenton. We’ve got the scoop on Scoops and Sprinkles

Creamery. Karen Ferguson and Evan Potter started PlanIT Events with a passion for celebration. Architecture Sarasota partnered with Harvard University Graduate School of Design on a study of Sarasota’s Bayfront. Jordan Wenck is transforming beans into tasty treats with Beanie Bites. Get to Know Jessica Muroff, the new President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.

culture city 84

Origins: Sarasota Artist Colony tells the story of how Sarasota became an artistic haven after the Second World War. The Sarasota Ballet presents the iconic Martha Graham Dance Company this February.

cargo

91

Goods that celebrate the beauty of the bouquet and beyond.

forage 94

Parrish’s Gamble Creek Farms is redefining what it really means to be farm to table.

giving coast 98

S-One’s VP of Technology

This page, clockwise: Ed Chiles of Gamble Creek Farms, photography by Wes Roberts; Martha Graham Dance Company, photography courtesy of Sarasota Ballet; and, Beyond the Bouquet, photography by Wes Roberts. Cover: 35 Under 35 Honorees Caroline Odell, Tal Siddique, Cheyanne Clark, Erik Pendleton, Courtney Johnson, Ivan D. Richards for the 2026 competition, photography by Wyatt Kostygan.

A HOSPITALITY

Co-Proprietors Michael Klauber And Phil Mancini

As Michael’s On East celebrates its 40th anniversary, the landmark Sarasota restaurant marks the milestone with a major renovation, an unyielding commitment to innovation, and a steadfast passion for giving back to the community it has proudly called home since 1987.

A MENU THAT HONORS THE PAST AND THE FUTURE

The transformation extends to the menu, where new signature dishes reinterpret classics of the 1930s supper club era. The Filet Wellington Reimagined, Lobster Thermidor, and Baked Oysters Royale transport diners to a more elegant age while maintaining the creativity and precision that have defined Michael’s On East for decades. | Some things, however, haven’t changed. Michael’s Famous Bowtie Pasta, celebrated steaks, and thoughtfully sourced local seafood remain cornerstones of the menu—reflecting tradition alongside Klauber’s ongoing drive for innovation. | Each month introduces a new Epicurean Adventure— three-course dining experiences inspired by the global food and wine travels of the Gulf Coast Connoisseur Club (GCCC). Curated wine pairings a company each menu. “I’ve been fortunate to travel the world and experience great food, wine, and spirits,” says Klauber. “We want our guests to say, ‘Wow, I had fantastic meal and an unbelievable cocktail made with a spirit I’d never had before, or I was introduced to a wine from a region I’d never heard of!’”

ART DECO TRANSFORMATION

“We’re in the business of exceeding people’s expectations,” says Michael Klauber, co-owner of Michael’s On East. For 40 years, the fine-dining restaurant has done just that—earning national recognition as Sarasota’s only AAA Four Diamond Award restaurant and helping to shape the city’s culinary identity in the process. | In September 2025, Michael’s On East underwent its first major renovation since 1997, channeling the Art Deco glamour of the great supper clubs of the 1930s in New York, Paris, and Chicago. Led in collaboration with designer Kurt Lucas, every element of the space was reimagined, from custom-designed chairs and glittering chandeliers to richly layered textures and vibrant finishes. The restaurant’s signature bar was fully reimagined, expanding the spirits selection, while the piano lounge was elevated to complement the new Art Deco aesthetic. | “In addition to the fabulous new décor, we placed a strong emphasis on acoustics,” says Klauber. “We wanted to soften the live piano music, carefully integrating specialized acoustic materials throughout the ceilings and walls to create a more intimate, elegant dining experience.” The transformation was immediate. “A couple walked in that first weekend, and the wife grabbed her husband’s arm and said, ‘Honey, we’re in the wrong place.’ It’s that different!”

WHERE EVERY BOTTLE HAS A STORY

Michael’s Wine Cellar serves as the epicenter for the group’s wine, spirits, and beer program. Custom steel racks line the walls, housing thousands of selections sourced from around the world. Terracotta tile floors, exposed brick, and warm architectural details evoke the feel of a Parisian streetscape. | “The Wine Cellar feeds everything,” says Klauber. “It supports the restaurant, the ballroom, The Green Orchid, and our events throughout the region.” Designed as a wine store by day and an event space by night, every element is mobile—allowing the room to transform effortlessly from an intimate dinner for two to events for 100. | Klauber’s passion for sourcing wine helped elevate Sarasota as a serious food-and-wine destination. “When I came back to Sarasota in 1980, I often joked that it was a wine wasteland,” he says. “Back then, I spent much of my time traveling to California to discover boutique wineries and help bring them to Florida.” | “There are dozens of wineries we’ve worked with over the years—American and international producers, South African wineries, and even South African gins that we helped bring to the U.S.,” Klauber adds. “Our house wines are anything but ordinary. They’re thoughtfully crafted private-label wines, born of a close partnership with a family in South Africa and sourced from their pristine organic vineyards, offering Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet, and Shiraz.”

SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY, SARASOTA STYLE

Catering is in Michael Klauber and Phil Mancini’s blood. What began decades ago with the two cooking in clients’ condominium ovens while working at the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort has grown into Michael’s Catering and Events—one of the region’s most respected full-service catering operations. | At its heart is the Michael’s On East Ballroom, a fully customizable space seamlessly connected to the restaurant and Michael’s Wine Cellar. With soaring 18-foot ceilings, the ballroom can host seated events for up to 400 guests or receptions for as many as 1,000. In addition to its own ballroom, Michael’s is the exclusive catering partner for several of Sarasota’s most soughtafter venues, including Marie Selby Botanical Gardens and the new, state-of-the-art Ora Ballroom. | That spirit of hospitality begins in the restaurant. “We like to say that the restaurant is the door that opens people’s eyes to our catering,” says Phil Mancini. “It often starts with someone dining with us, and then a wedding, birthday, anniversary, or milestone celebration follows.” The same dedication to quality, innovation, and service that has earned Michael’s On East national acclaim carries through every catered event—from intimate gatherings to weddings and special events hosted at some of the region’s most iconic venues. Regardless of size or location, all food is cooked on site, with menus tailored to each client’s vision. “The restaurant is our home base— when we cater a wedding, clients come to the restaurant to taste, and together we build menus inspired by the dishes we’ve perfected here.”

THE GREEN ORCHID: ROOFTOP TO TABLE

The spirit of innovation continues at The Green Orchid, Michael’s On East’s newest restaurant on the downtown campus of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. Fully electric and powered by a nearly 50,000-square-foot solar array, The Green Orchid is the world’s first entirely solar-powered restaurant. | Above the dining room, a raised organic rooftop garden supplies fresh produce directly to the kitchen. “Every day, beautiful baskets of organic produce come down from above us, so we’re not just farm-to-table, we’re rooftop-to-table,” says Klauber. The Green Orchid serves lunches, while Michael’s On East remains the dinner destination. The rooftop garden is managed by Operation Eco Vets, a program that trains veterans with PTSD in commercial and residential gardening.

THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE EXPERIENCE

“One of the things we’re most proud of at Michael’s On East is our staff,” says Phil Mancini. “Many have been with us for more than 25 years, building their careers here through mentorship and trust. That continuity is something our guests feel right away–familiar faces, quiet confidence, and real pride in the work create a kind of hospitality you just can’t replicate.”

LEAVING A LEGACY

A special focus of Michael’s On East’s philanthropic efforts has always been its commitment to children and families in need. Michael Klauber and Phil Mancini have long supported 100’s of organizations such as Make-AWish Southern Florida and the All Star Children’s Foundation, using the restaurant and its reach to raise millions of dollars and vital awareness for life-changing programs throughout the region. | That spirit of giving extends well beyond the restaurant, exemplified by Klauber’s early leadership in helping transform more than 50 acres of Sarasota’s bayfront into what is now The Bay Park— a vibrant, inclusive public space designed to serve the community for generations to come. | Together, these efforts underscore a philosophy that has guided Michael’s On East for 40 years: true success is defined not only by longevity, but by the positive, lasting imprint left on the community it proudly calls home.

FEBRUARY 2026

CEO / PRESIDENT / EDITOR IN CHIEF LISL LIANG

EXECUTIVE PUBLISHER

WES ROBERTS

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS AND ENGAGEMENT

Ashley Grant

ACCOUNTS + CLIENT SERVICE AND DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Robinson Valverde

SENIOR SALES AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVE

Suzanne Munroe

SALES AND BUSINESS

DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVE

Nichole Knutson

Rob Wardlaw

VP OF PHOTOGRAPHY + VIDEO

Wyatt Kostygan

MANAGING EDITOR

Barbie Heit

SENIOR EDITOR

Dylan Campbell

CLIENT SERVICES DIRECTOR

Gabriella Alfonso

SOCIAL MEDIA, MARKETING + EVENTS MANAGER

Lauren Sutter

ART + VISUAL ASSOCIATE PRODUCER

Jennifer Villagomez

CONTRIBUTING SENIOR DESIGNER

Virginia Jankovsky

INTERN ASSOCIATES Jack Coleman, Rachel Constant, Cecilia Mould, Eden Shames

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS + ARTISTS

Andrew Fabian, Phil Lederer, Chris Leverett, Evan Olson, John Pirman, Kate Wight

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THE BAGEL BRADENTON’S BEEN MISSING

Pork Roll Pete’s brings a taste of classic New Jersey bagels to Bradenton. Cecilia Mould

Below: The pork roll is the star ingredient of the sandwiches at Pork Roll Pete’s; Andy Kutz, Pete Ferraro, AJ Altes and Chuck Casagrande; Attention to detail is a top priority for the employees of Pork Roll Pete’s.Pork Roll Pete’s, 4657 Cortez Rd W, Bradenton, 941-896-3333, porkrollpetes.com.

SINCE PORK ROLL PETE’S OPENED ITS DOORS IN BRADENTON LAST SUMMER, the New Jersey bagel shop has taken off—owner Pete Ferraro says there is no shortage of regulars and new customers stopping by to try the delicious breakfast and lunch options each day. The shop, which showcases the best of what New Jersey and New York have to offer, is introducing the classic deli-style options that characterize northeastern eateries to Florida. “It's really proven to be a great asset to the community,” says Ferraro. “We've got a ton of repeat customers. Year-round, residents and locals have all been able to experience a different type of cuisine than what they may be used to, or to get a taste of something that they’ve missed for years and years.” Central to the business’s success is its careful attention to detail. The store features its own “water maker,” which replicates the quality of New York City water that makes NYC and New Jersey bagels so delicious. Ferraro also says his store uses only the best quality ingredients, including non-bleached, non-bromated flour and specialty items imported from New York. But the star of the show for the Bradenton community is the pork roll—a pre-cooked and smoked meat commonly available in New Jersey and neighboring states. “It's been extremely well received. If anybody hasn't tried it and they come in, we're more than happy to give them a sample so that they can try it for themselves. The community has definitely embraced it with open arms. Being able to get quality sandwiches like that is something that has not been available in the area until now,” says Ferraro. Both Ferraro and business partner Chuck Casagrande own other businesses in Manatee County, a factor Ferraro says has helped them fully bring Pork Roll Pete’s into the small business community in the region. “It’s been great to bring another business into the area that provides not only great food, but is a great working environment for employees and contributes to the community,” says Ferraro. A favorite tradition they’ve started this year is attending holiday events throughout the area and serving bagels from their 1970s Volkswagen bus, decorated to the nines with lights, ornaments and a full sound system for music. “We've been floored by the support that we've gotten. We get multiple clients a day that drive anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours to come see us,” says Ferraro. “That's pretty powerful to see, that somebody is willing to take that time out of their day, just to take a ride down and come have a meal with us.” In the future, he plans to bring additional locations to the surrounding area—a move motivated by the support of the community and Ferraro’s love for the bagel business. SRQ

This page: Karen Ferguson and Evan Potter have built a one-stop shop for event planning with PlanIT Events. PlanIT Events, 5910 Cortez Road W., Unit #120, Bradenton, 941-685-4613, planiteventsllc.com

THE MOTHER-DAUGHTER DUO

Karen Ferguson and Evan Potter started PlanIT Events with a passion for celebration. Cecilia Mould

MOTHER AND DAUGHTER KAREN FERGUSON AND EVAN POTTER STARTED PLANIT EVENTS IN 2018, inspired by their personal passion for hosting and catering parties. “Throughout my life, my mom had planned amazing events at our house. One day, we thought, ‘Why don't we just start our own thing, and just see what we can do with it,’” says Potter. The pair says they had no idea how successful the business—which took off rapidly—would become, and soon they were both leaving their former jobs to run PlanIT full-time. “We felt like we needed to take that leap of faith, if you will, to make it a success,” says Ferguson. Now, they host a range of events for clients, including birthday parties, bridal and baby showers, celebrations of life and corporate events. The secret to their early momentum and long-lasting success, Ferguson says, is the close relationships they’ve built with their events team and clients. “We take every job seriously, and it's important to us. It matters to us as much as to our clients that their event is going to be as perfect as it can be. And we're honored that people trust us to be a part of major events for their families and friends, and we get to be part of making those memories,” she says. On working together as a mother-daughter pair, the two say they are best friends and that the business has brought them even closer. While they bring different perspectives and approaches to their work, Potter says that this is a blessing—they’re able to bring a variety of ideas to their clients and see what each client prefers. “We really respect each other and respect that each of us comes from a different point of view,” says Ferguson. “Lots of times, we're very different personalities in one way, but our core values are always the same.” Over the past seven years, Ferguson and Potter have built PlanIT into a one-stop shop for all their clients’ event-planning needs. The business focused solely on planning when it began, but they have since expanded to decorating and catering events as well. Most recently, the business acquired a liquor license and is now able to add a full-service bar to the range of services offered. Potter notes that they have distinguished themselves in the event planning industry with their adaptability—last-minute changes are not an issue for the pair and their business. “We can pivot at the last moment, which is particularly important with our corporate clients,” says Ferguson. “All through the years, I've just never encountered as nice of people, as creative of people, as we have through this business, from our clients to our vendor friends,” echoes Ferguson. “We talk about it almost every day, because we're so grateful for these people to be in our lives.” SRQ

Below: Harvard graduate students on their visit to Sarasota in March 2025; the students present their findings to a group of city officials, designers and nonprofit leaders.

A CITY BY THE SEA

Architecture Sarasota partnered with Harvard University Graduate School of Design on a study of Sarasota’s Bayfront. Dylan Campbell

AT THE CONCLUSION OF ARCHITECTURE SARASOTA’S 2024-25 DOWNTOWN SERIES, IN WHICH SIX LEADING URBAN EXPERTS, including creator of the 2001 Downtown Master Plan Andres Duany, analyzed the growth of downtown, President Morris (Marty) Hylton asked the experts what their critiques of the city were. The answer, Hylton reveals, was unanimous. “They all asked, ‘what is going on with our Bayfront?’” says Hylton. “They all talked about how such a critical, core urban space for the community was one, being underutilized, and two, not the vibrant public space that it could be.” For Sarasota, the water—specifically the Bayfront—is more than just a part of the city’s cultural, natural and economic identities. It is a lens—through which one can see a history of human settlement, industrial infilling and the United States highway system—an entryway to the immense beauty within the region’s subtropical climate and a barrier between the catastrophic power that the environment holds and downtown Sarasota. Spurred on by Architecture Sarasota’s Downtown series, city planners have begun the long process of updating Duany’s 2001 Downtown Master Plan. An understanding of Bayfront, in every aspect, is crucial to the process. In 2025, Architecture Sarasota partnered with Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design on a study of Sarasota’s Bayfront. The study was the result of a project-based seminar titled Climate Case: Subtropical Urbanism, taught by Chris Reed, Professor of Practice at Harvard GSD and founding director of STOSS Landscape Urbanism. Ten graduate students from various disciplines created five student teams to dissect research topics with the goal of creating a toolkit—one that could aid city officials, architects and urban planners in forging Sarasota’s next chapter by the water. Reed was drawn to the topic for two reasons. “I had been to Sarasota before and knew that there was an incredible design culture down here and that this is a place that values art and culture as much as it values landscape and environment, which was one draw,” he says. “And the fact that Sarasota had been battered by storms and hurricanes made this study very present. Climate resilience and adaptation is very much the center of what I do and what I teach.” Instead of creating a master plan for what Sarasota’s Bayfront could look like, Reed directed his class to think of the study as a series of toolkits applicable for addressing different areas of concern in future planning. “It allowed us to start thinking proactively about solutions, rather than just researching the problem. If you’re dealing with stormwater, you can look at this way, that way or the other way. If you’re looking at issues of heat, what are the tools that could be put together to address that?” says Reed. The students—who visited Sarasota in March 2025—systematically researched every angle of Sarasota’s Bayfront, from the historic land development and settling patterns dating back to indigenous inhabitation, to current and future climate threats from ocean flooding and rising sea levels to biodiversity, urban heat mapping and even the governance of the Bayfront. “At the end of the semester, we wanted to show how some of those toolkits can converge and be used together. Oftentimes one group of students would create drawings that were literally on top of the other group’s drawings, because one group was looking at wave attenuation and earth movement, but a second group was examining the vegetation you might plant there to create biodiversity,” says Reed. “In Sarasota, there's an absolutely unique opportunity that other cities don't have. It’s encouraging that the city and organizations like Architecture Sarasota are starting to have these very robust conversations about what is the future of this place. How do we deal with these challenges, but do so in a way that helps us move forward?” SRQ

MAGIC BEANS

Jordan Wenck is transforming beans into tasty treats with Beanie Bites. Kate Wight

“GARY VAYNERCHUK HAS A BOOK CALLED CRUSHING IT!, and he has a line in there that says that some people are born with a burning desire to build something,” says Jordan Wenck. “As soon as I read that I was like, ‘That’s me.’ There was just something inside me that was screaming to be let loose.” Wenck has always been a driven person. A Sarasota native, she studied marketing at Florida State University and earned a master’s degree in 2012. She spent time working in corporate marketing for major companies including Coca-Cola, Bridgestone and Puma, jobs that took her all over the country. But there was a sense of connection missing. Wenck has had a lifelong passion for wellness and in 2019 she decided to make a big shift, returning to school to pursue a master’s degree in nutrition. She returned to Sarasota in 2024, and in January of 2025 she launched her own business, called Beanie Bites. Beanie Bites is a baking mix designed by Wenck that is built on the idea that indulgence and nutrition can live side by side. Made with organic, sprouted chickpeas and naturally sweetened with dates, Beanie Bites Original is a versatile mix that can be used to make cookies, muffins, pancakes, waffles and more. Wenck has also developed the Beanie Bites Chocolate Brownie Mix, which incorporates organic sprouted black bean flour to create rich, fudgy brownies that are as nutritious as they are flavorful. Both mixes are available for sale on her website, but Wenck also operates stands at the Waterside Farmers Market in Lakewood Ranch and the downtown Sarasota Farmers Market. There, people can buy the mixes as well as baked goods. “All the baked goods I sell at the market are made from my mix,” Wenck says. “I try to have four options for people. I always have black bean brownies and banana bread, but then I rotate the others to show people how versatile the mix is.” If you happen to fall in love with one of Wenck’s baked goods, it’s easy to replicate at home. She’s listed the recipes on her website so people can recreate their favorites. “It always tastes better when you make it at home because there’s just something magical about cooking in your own kitchen,” Wenck says. “I’ve done the heavy lifting for you. All you have to do is add banana, egg and milk.”

Below: Triple peanut butter ice cream in a waffle bowl is a favorite at Scoops and Sprinkles Creamery; Danita Troyer serves with a smile at her shop in Pinecraft. Scoops & Sprinkles Creamery, 3303 Bahia Vista St., Sarasota, 941-225-3994, www.scoopsandsprinkles.com.

GET THE SCOOP

Scoops and Sprinkles Creamery crafts delicious treats . Kate Wight

LIVING IN SARASOTA COMES WITH PLENTY OF PERKS, from a vibrant arts scene to postcard-perfect beaches. But perhaps the sweetest benefit is the balmy, subtropical climate where nearly every day feels like ice cream weather. There is no shortage of ice cream shops in the area where locals and visitors can indulge in cool treats, but the hottest spot in Pinecraft is Scoops and Sprinkles Creamery. The Scoops and Sprinkles trailer has long been a familiar sight in Pinecraft. In 2022, Danita Troyer purchased the truck from its former owner. But in September of 2025, the creamery entered a new era, moving into a brick and mortar building in the same location. The move has allowed for expanded indoor and outdoor patio seating, but the ice cream is still that familiar favorite that has built up a devoted following over the years. “We serve Yoder’s Southern Creamery ice cream, which is made locally in Bradenton,” Troyer explains. Made in small batches with quality ingredients, the ice cream is scooped by hand and served in bowls or cones. Definitely try a waffle cone or bowl—the waffles are made fresh, by hand and in-house every day. There are several set flavors, as well as some limited edition flavors that rotate in and out seasonally. “The cookie butter crunch is my favorite,” says Troyer. “That one is amazing. It’s a cinnamon cookie ice cream with Biscoff cookies and cookie butter in it. There’s something about the flavor and texture that just leaves you wanting more and more.” Other popular flavors include the triple peanut butter and blueberry cheesecake. Scoops and Sprinkles also offers some dairy-free options made with pea protein base which give them a remarkably creamy texture. In addition to traditional ice cream, the shop also has two soft-serve flavors available daily. Vanilla is always on offer, with the other one rotating on a weekly basis. In the fall, it might be a seasonal flavor like pumpkin. In the summer, look for something light and fruity. “One of our topselling flavors for soft-serve, and people are very passionate about it, is our black raspberry,” Troyer says. “It has a whole following. We’ve had several customers tell us they put it on their calendar when we have it.” SRQ

BEYOND LIMITATIONS

Interview with Jessica Muroff of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. Barbie Heit

a position she had held since 2019.

JESSICA MUROFF, THE NEW PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SARASOTA COUNTY, arrives with great skills and a quest for big challenges. After six years transforming United Way Suncoast into a data-powered force for community impact, she’s bringing her energy, vision and collaborative spirit to her new role. She’s already worked closely with the Foundation on disaster recovery and nonprofit capacity building and now, she’s taking the lead in a full-time capacity. We recently caught up with Muroff to chat about her approach to philanthropy, her leadership style and her passion for outdoor adventures.

YOU'VE ENJOYED A VERY SUCCESSFUL CAREER IN PHILANTHROPY AND YOU'VE SPENT OVER SIX YEARS LEADING ONE OF THE LARGEST UNITED WAYS IN FLORIDA. WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO MAKE THE MOVE AT THIS TIME AND HOW DO YOU SEE THAT PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE GUIDING YOU IN YOUR NEW ROLE?

JESSICA MUROFF It was such an honor and privilege to lead United Way Sun Coast through some pretty challenging times— from COVID to multiple hurricanes. It was also an honor to work with our team—the way that we showed up every day for our community and all of the wonderful things that happened during those times. When this opportunity came with the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, I did spend significant time in reflection. It wasn't really something that I was actively seeking but what drew me in was the alignment of the mission, the opportunity for growth, the community that is the Sarasota region and all of the potential and opportunity there, especially with the Foundation’s community presence, its philanthropic innovation and its impact. As a leader, all of that really drew me in. When I met with the Board, it just seemed like a very natural next step to grow in my career and in my impact in the world of philanthropy.

AS YOU STEP INTO YOUR NEW ROLE, WHAT DO YOU SEE AS YOUR BIGGEST PRIORITIES? That is something that I will be working with the Board and the team on and I’ll really be doing a lot of listening coming in. The organization is in a strong place and has done a lot of great work across the region so it’s really about taking what is already an incredible organization and helping it to grow and do even more. I do see that there

is a lot of opportunity for collaboration across the region. I also see opportunities for strengthening, evolving and aligning strategy with the team. There's even more work that I would love to do around data—how do we use the data that we have to drive change in the community and expand partnerships? How can we use it to understand the ways in which the region wants us to provide leadership and how we can really step into that role? I plan on doing a lot of listening in the community to build trust and relationships, strengthening the strategy, awareness and collaboration across the region.

WHAT DOES

BUILDING TRUST AND

RELATIONSHIPS LOOK

LIKE IN PRACTICAL TERMS

FOR YOU? If you know me as a leader, one of my core values is being present— being very thoughtful about where I am showing up in community and being actually physically present. So whether that's with my team, my Board, our donors, community leaders or our nonprofit partners—when it comes to building trust and relationships, it's your presence initially and then it's really about some deep listening and taking input, feedback, learning about dreams, goals and really understanding the the dynamics of the region and the individual communities and creating actionable ways that we can respond to all of that input. Building trust and relationships is about actively listening and demonstrating how you're actively listening but the most important part is following through. That is something that's really core to my leadership. When I say I'm going to do something, I'm going to do it and I'm going to show you that I'm going to do it because that repeated behavior is what really builds that trust and faith.

WHAT ARE THE MOST PRESSING NEEDS RIGHT NOW IN SARASOTA, MANATEE AND SURROUNDING AREAS AND HOW DO YOU THINK THE FOUNDATION CAN PLAY A ROLE IN ADDRESSING THEM? The Sarasota region is blessed with incredible assets—natural beauty, a strong nonprofit ecosystem and an incredibly generous base of philanthropists and donors—but there's also a lot of complexity that comes with all of this. With growing disparity across the region and rising costs of living, we see stress on housing affordability, workforce systems and education. The rise of absenteeism across the state in education with our children has become a chronic issue in every county across the state and this is something that we need to address. The region has also been hit in multiple years with disastrous hurricanes. How can the Foundation show up to be that convenor and leader to help provide resources and solutions to tackle these issues? It requires systems thinking. This isn’t something we can simply grant money to—it isn’t going to fix the problem. We have to come together as funders and as a community. There has to be interconnectedness and some systems thinking on this issue, not just with funders but also with our local leaders. How do we come together to prioritize and address these issues?

I'm a very data-driven person, but you’ve got to go beyond the data and understand the qualitative side too, because the quantitative data will tell you one part of the story and the qualitative data—really listening to lived experience—will tell you why it’s happening and how you can truly move the needle. I think there is room in tackling these issues for experimenting and learning alongside our nonprofit partners and other partners, while also holding ourselves accountable

to measurable outcomes. There is an opportunity to look at some ways we've been doing things and try something new to see if we can move the needle in some way. I do believe the Foundation is a very strong bridge between the community, philanthropy, business, government and individual donors, and it serves as a strong leader and convenor. When you harness that collective will and action, that’s when real change can occur.

YOU'VE NAVIGATED THE UNITED WAY THROUGH THE PANDEMIC AND MULTIPLE HURRICANES. WHAT DO YOU THINK THOSE EXPERIENCES TAUGHT YOU ABOUT RESILIENCE, BOTH FOR YOUR STAFF AND FOR YOURSELF? So much. One thing I learned is that you can never be overprepared. You need to have a solid plan in place and rehearse it. We really saw a shift during COVID in the collaboration between nonprofits and funders across the sector. We had to do that—there was no other way and we have not veered from that discipline. We've seen it time and again in responding to natural disasters—we are much more successful when we work together. I have learned just how resilient and generous our region is. It constantly delights me to see how people step up and answer the call every single time. For me, this is not about when it happens next, but about making sure we have a plan in place, it’s rehearsed and we know what to do. We’ve affirmed those relationships, we know each of our roles and we know how we will work together to respond and serve our community, leveraging the systems, initiatives and impact we have at the Foundation to help our community bounce back from hardship.

BEYOND YOUR PROFESSIONAL LIFE, YOU'RE KNOWN AS AN ADVENTURE SEEKER—TACKLING MARATHONS, MOUNTAIN HIKES AND OTHER COMPETITIVE EVENTS. HOW DO THESE PERSONAL CHALLENGES INFLUENCE YOUR PROFESSIONAL APPROACH TO WORK? I really love my career. I love what I do and I work hard and so being able to have these goals and these challenges outside of my professional career is very fulfilling to me personally. Every single time I do something that's a little bit more difficult, I teach myself that I am able to accomplish things that are beyond what I thought my limitations were.

That kind of boundary pushing builds my resiliency because it takes deep mindfulness and being in the moment in order to push yourself through physically, completely exhausting, crazy, arduous challenges. I believe it makes me a more resilient, patient and mindful leader who can push through really difficult things.

IS THERE AN OUTCOME THAT YOU'VE BEEN MOST PROUD OF IN YOUR PHILANTHROPIC CAREER? There are so many, it’s hard to choose just one, but I believe that innovation is critical, and our sector must embrace technology to avoid

our region and where it's concentrated in specific zip codes to really help those living paycheck to paycheck and understanding how we can help prevent them from falling off the edge because so many people are living on the edge. It's these relationships and these partnerships where we've shared data, where we have collaborated on either disaster response or other issues—those relationships remain and I'm really proud of that. Sharing, collaboration and data only helps to make us all stronger. All of that helps me to step into this role with some really great relationships and some great perspective because at United Way, I’m both

“I believe that innovation is critical, and our sector must embrace technology to avoid falling behind. To address this, I led my team at United Way Suncoast in developing a platform called ‘Go United.’ This platform is designed to revolutionize our community relationships through a personalized, 24/7 digital experience.”

falling behind. To address this, I led my team at United Way Suncoast in developing a platform called "Go United." This platform is designed to revolutionize our community relationships through a personalized, 24/7 digital experience. Users who log in and create an account with United Way can access their complete relationship with United Way, including annual and lifetime giving and volunteering data, their personalized social return on investment, relevant community conditions and impact stories—all in one location. This digital connection provides real-time access to personal and community information, showing users how they can make a difference. It connects donors and volunteers with the United Way work in a more personal and transparent way. We have successfully built and launched "Go United" and there are significant plans to sell this platform to other United Ways.

YOU'VE COLLABORATED AS A PARTNER OF THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS ON A VARIETY OF ISSUES. HOW DO YOU SEE THAT EXPERIENCE AS HELPING YOU IN YOUR NEW ROLE? From a relationship perspective, the Community Foundation has been an incredible partner, whether it's utilizing 211 to help distribute Season of Sharing dollars, using ALICE data to highlight the need across

a funder and someone who provides services in a community and I’ve also led other nonprofits, so bringing that perspective to the foundation is also really important.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT IN THIS NEXT CHAPTER? Number one—the Sarasota region and community is incredible. Right now, I'm juggling a few regions so really being able to focus in on this region is something I’m looking forward to. At United Way I'm very focused in three specific areas, but at the Foundation it will be much broader than that. Having that broader platform by which to work with donors and our community to create change is really exciting for me. This Board and this team is ready to keep growing, innovating and pushing forward on meaningful change in our community and I am thrilled to be able to be a part of that and lead the team through those types of efforts. I love thinking about the future and strengthening organizations. I am not someone who comes in like a bull in a china shop, where everything's broken and we need to fix it—absolutely not. I'm a very thoughtful leader and I’m coming in to understand the organization, its people and our community and taking what that foundation is and growing it, strengthening it and evolving it based on the dynamics of our community, what we need and how we can do that together. SRQ

RECOGNIZING 35 YOUNG PROFESSIONALS UNDER 35 ON THE GULF COAST

We are proud to celebrate this year’s 35 Under 35 Honorees, a group of driven young professionals who represent the next generation of leaders making a powerful impact across our community. Through their creativity, commitment and entrepreneurial spirit, they are helping shape a stronger, more connected region. Beyond their professional accomplishments, their influence inspires others to lead with purpose and possibility. PRODUCED BY SRQ MEDIA | COMPILED BY LAUREN SUTTER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYATT KOSTYGAN

FRANCHESCA ANGOTTI

OWNER & GRAPHIC DESIGNER, ANGOTTI DESIGN

How did you make your start in your profession? It all started when I was “the creative kid” in third or fourth grade. I began putting together my classmates’ poster board presentations for $10 each. At the time, I didn’t realize it was graphic design, but over the years I always gravitated toward visually organizing things.

What aspect of your work do you find the most meaningful? Educating people, business owners and organizations about the power of a well-designed and intentional brand. Teaching these groups the importance of brand strategy, consistency and authenticity as it pertains to their brand, helping better position a business both internally and client facing. When you take the time to educate people, they better understand the importance of investing in themselves so their target audience will invest in them. That creates an unstoppable force for company culture and brand trust.

What makes the Sarasota-Bradenton area such a great place for young professionals? This area is like an entrepreneurial playground for all ages, but especially professionals. The possibilities are endless and there is a strong growth mindset here. The power of connection is incredible because you meet so many people from all over. If you want to start a business, there are resources to help you. If you want to try a new career, there are many opportunities to learn and grow into it. Like anything else, you get out what you put in, and this area is worth the effort and time because it is a powerful, connective place.

What is the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done? I am known for booking international trips on a whim with very little time to plan. I love it!

AMANDA BAAR

COMMUNITY IMPACT COORDINATOR, ADVENTURE FOR ALL

How did you make your start in your profession?

My path into nonprofit work wasn’t the one I originally planned. Five years ago, I was about to graduate with a degree in dental hygiene when I was unexpectedly diagnosed with a brain tumor. After brain surgery and months in the hospital, my perspective shifted dramatically. I knew I wanted a career that truly made a difference in people’s lives. That led me to become the operations manager at Rise and Nye’s, a coffee and ice cream shop creating meaningful job opportunities for individuals with exceptionalities. When the shop closed, I carried that same passion into my current role at Adventure For All, where I help

run outdoor adventure programs for individuals with exceptionalities. What began as a detour from my original plan has become my calling.

What aspect of your work do you find the most meaningful? The most meaningful part of my work is building spaces where individuals with exceptionalities can grow, belong and be celebrated for their strengths. This mission is also deeply personal for me—my youngest brother, Joey, was born with Down syndrome. Through my work, I’ve been able to witness the amazing things he is capable of, including riding 35 miles on his gravel bike, camping, hiking new trails and helping coach his peers. Watching him and others achieve milestones that society often assumes are out of reach is the greatest reward.

Share with us a local topic or trend that you are concerned about. One local trend I’m concerned about is overdevelopment in the Sarasota–Bradenton area. While growth can bring opportunity, the rapid pace has put pressure on our natural spaces, farmland and waterways—the very things that make this community special. My extended family has farmed here for over 50 years and I’ve seen how unchecked growth has changed the land and impacted our way of life. At the same time, this growth has helped transform Sarasota into a vibrant place to live, with new opportunities, businesses and cultural experiences. The challenge is finding balance, embracing progress while protecting our natural beauty.

What movie, show or cartoon character would you like to play in real life and why? I’ve always been a true-crime person, so this one’s easy, I’d choose Detective Olivia Benson from Law & Order. She’s strong, grounded and has this incredible way of showing compassion while still getting the job done.

What’s your favorite board game or video game? I’m a classic Yahtzee girl!

ALYSSA BARNSLEY

SENIOR

ASSOCIATE OF BRAND

STRATEGY, GULF COAST COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

What mistake in your career taught you the biggest lesson? It’s easy to want to finish a project as quickly as possible, but that doesn’t always push us to our fullest potential. I found myself making mistakes in routine tasks because I was so used to doing things a certain way that I wasn’t checking or challenging myself. I thought I could get it done and move on. When I stopped and questioned why I was still doing it that way, it opened new possibilities for approaching the work in a more exciting way. I want to keep growing and thinking creatively

about every project. When we fall into routine, we limit our natural creativity and don’t give ourselves the time to breathe and imagine.

Share with us a local topic or trend that you are concerned about. Working for a community foundation, I see and hear about the needs and challenges our community faces every day, from affordable housing and mental health resources to environmental concerns and dwindling support for local arts organizations. The common thread that concerns me most is a misunderstanding of each individual’s role. Too often, we talk about issues without getting to the root of the problem or how we can work together to solve them. Each area for growth in our community is interconnected. People may think an issue doesn’t affect them, so they ignore it or stop listening, without realizing it impacts them in some way. Everything in our community is part of a system that creates opportunities for change and I want to keep working to help people understand that each of them has a role to play.

What is your favorite podcast or YouTube Channel? Every day, I listen to History Daily, a podcast that explores events that happened on that specific day in history.

What are the top three items on your bucket list? Travel to Barnsley—a town in England (and yes also my last name), Go on an African safari, cage dive or free dive with sharks

AADI BHENSDADIA

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT AT PINE VIEW SCHOOL

How did you make your start in your field? I started inventing because I was a lefty. My first experience with engineering and research came in elementary school, when my fourthgrade science teacher, Mr. Maron, required all his students to participate in the school science fair. I spent days thinking about a problem I could solve until one morning, while reaching across the bathroom sink with my left hand to put my toothpaste on the shelf on the right side, I knocked my toothbrush into the sink. Any reasonable person would have kept their toothpaste on the left side, but I decided it would be better to overengineer a pneumatically actuated toothpaste squeezer. As my worldview broadened, so did the problems I wanted to solve. I have made bike safety systems, heart valves, organs-on-a-chip and more. And it all started because I wanted to squeeze toothpaste with my left hand.

Share something you did this past year to balance your work and personal life. Something I love doing is cycling through the county on the Legacy Trail. Almost every day, I put down what-

ever I’m working on, regardless of how much is done, and hit the trail for about an hour. The simple act of going somewhere is something most people don’t really think about, but commuting through nature to a place—whether it’s crowded or completely deserted—gives you a new point of view. If I bike ten miles, I feel like I’m looking at my life and my work from ten miles away. Any time you change your physical location, you change your perspective allowing you to relax and come up with new ideas.

What makes the Sarasota-Bradenton area such a great place for young professionals? For young professionals in biomedical engineering, the best part about being based in Sarasota is the ability to see the impact of your work. We’re known for having a large elderly population, and that population needs healthcare technologies that are advancing at a rapid pace through the work of biomedical scientists and engineers. Seeing the impact of what you do increases your innovative potential, and in my field, no place provides that motivation like SRQ.

What is the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done? When we were hiking a few years ago, my dad and I decided to jump into a frozen lake. We didn’t have a towel or a change of clothes, and needless to say, I would prefer to have some preparation beforehand next time.

COY CARTER

HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR, HARBORVIEW HEALTH CENTER SARASOTA

How did you make your start in your profession? I started in my profession with a passion for helping others. Human Resources provided the perfect platform to do that by hiring, training and developing employees who are central to achieving our mission of providing the best clinical outcomes for our residents. After earning my degree in organizational leadership, I became deeply interested in company culture and how it shapes the rhythm and success of an organization.

What aspect of your work do you find the most meaningful? The most meaningful part of my job is hosting Orientation. It marks a fresh start in each new hire’s journey and sets the tone for who we are as an organization. I enjoy laying the foundation and sharing our values, expectations and culture. What’s especially rewarding is seeing those same employees grow into leadership roles later on. It shows that the message shared on day one truly resonates and that our commitment to development and alignment is making a real impact.

What is your guilty pleasure? My guilty pleasure is my love for wings. No matter what kind of day I’ve had, wings always hit the spot. My goto place is Brewster’s — they have some of the best wings in the city of Sarasota.

NICHOLAS CICHIELO

ATHLETICS DIRECTOR, STATE COLLEGE OF FLORIDA, MANATEE-SARASOTA

What aspect of your work do you find the most meaningful? I love working with the athletes and students. There is no greater joy for me than serving as a mentor to them. They come to me as 17- and 18-year-old kids, and I get to help guide them on their journey to becoming productive members of society. I often say I won’t know how successful I am at my job until five to ten years from now, when my athletes have graduated, started careers, gotten married and had kids.

What makes the Sarasota-Bradenton area such a great place for young professionals? This is a great area, especially for sports. There is so much to do and see. I’ve been involved in the Leadership Manatee program and Manatee Young Professionals, and I’ve never been in another county that so intentionally supports young professionals and their leadership development. It is truly remarkable.

Share with us a local topic or trend that you are concerned about. I am concerned about the lack of affordable housing. This area has experienced tremendous growth and with that, housing prices have skyrocketed. A home that once sold for $250,000 is now in the $500,000–$600,000 range. Apartment rent ranges from $1,700 to $3,400 per month, while wages have not kept up with inflation. There are people in this county with good, full-time jobs who are struggling to afford their rent or mortgage. I want to help establish more cost-controlled housing in Manatee County.

What is your formula for success? Be relentless, think outside of the box, push the envelope and go after what you want with everything you have.

CHEYANNE CLARK OWNER, BRSH SALON

What aspect of your work do you find the most meaningful? The most meaningful part of my work is being able to make someone’s day, whether it’s through a haircut, recommending the right brush or providing a calm and inspiring space to be in. Helping people feel seen, heard and empowered through their hair and their

experience is something I never take for granted. When someone comes into the salon feeling a certain way but leaves refreshed, inspired and rejuvenated, that is the absolute best.

What mistake in your career taught you the biggest lesson? One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is to never take people or opportunities for granted. I started in this industry at 16 and didn’t yet understand the level of compassion and grace required to truly make someone’s day. Over time, I learned that being a hairstylist means showing up for people, even when they may not be at their best. This growth in empathy hasn’t always been easy, but it has been incredibly rewarding. You never know what someone is going through when they sit in your chair. Listening, showing kindness and being present make the difference. One of the most meaningful lessons I’ve learned is the power of investing in people, emotionally and personally.

Share something you did this past year to balance your work and personal life. When you’re building a brand and growing a business, it’s easy to get lost in the work and become stressed. Instead of focusing on how much I had to do, I started focusing on how blessed I am to get to do it. That small mindset shift, from this is a lot to this is a blessing, has changed how I approach my work and my personal life. When I talk to friends or family, I try to speak about my work with positivity and gratitude instead of stress. When I start to feel overwhelmed, my husband and I take short weekend trips to reset, which has been amazing for both of us and the business.

JULIANA CRISTINA DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT + MARKETING, SARASOTA CONTEMPORARY DANCE AND CEO OF WICKED COSMETICS

What aspect of your work do you find the most meaningful? The most meaningful part of my work is creating beauty and seeing how it reflects on both myself and others. I love how a single act of innovation, whether a performance, a story or a beauty product, can spark a ripple of inspiration that motivates people to express themselves and share it with their community. Blending creativity with purpose and witnessing how it moves and connects people is what keeps me passionate every day.

Share with us a local topic or trend that you are concerned about. Over the past few years, water quality in our area has noticeably decreased, raising concerns about public health and the environment. Factors such as population growth, industrial runoff and inadequate infrastructure have contributed to contamination in local water

sources. This decline affects not only drinking water but also aquatic life and overall ecosystem balance. Strengthening water management practices, improving treatment systems and promoting community awareness are essential steps toward restoring our local water quality

What is your formula for success? My formula for success is rooted in discipline, consistency, gratitude and alignment. I show up for myself every day because discipline sets the standard and consistency turns small habits into big results. I stay grateful because gratitude keeps me grounded and focused on what matters most.

What movie, show or cartoon character would you like to play in real life and why? I’d choose Lady Mary Crawley from Downton Abbey. She’s poised, confident, loyal, the perfect blend of elegance and strength. She carries herself with grace but never lets anyone underestimate her.

What is your guilty pleasure? Charcuterie Boards and High Tea.

SARAH DENISON WILLIAMS

COMMUNITY EDUCATION MANAGER, BIG WATERS LAND TRUST

Share a recent achievement for which you are most proud. I’m most proud of launching the inaugural Bay Explorers Summer Experience, a free, all-inclusive environmental education program for teens hosted by Big Waters Land Trust. As the program’s designer and lead instructor, I guided it from idea to reality, writing and winning a competitive Bay Partners Grant from the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, coordinating a robust network of environmental professionals and community organizations and ensuring every detail, from curriculum design to daily logistics, supported our goals of equity, access and deep engagement with nature. Over two weeks, we engaged 20 underserved teens in hands-on outdoor learning, many experiencing kayaking, snorkeling and birdwatching for the first time, while connecting them to local ecosystems, cultural history and environmental careers in Sarasota and Manatee Counties.

What aspect of your work do you find the most meaningful? The most meaningful part of my work is watching people experience that moment of realization, when they see that nature isn’t something “out there,” separate from us, but something we’re all deeply a part of. I love seeing the shift when someone connects the dots between their everyday choices and the health of the land, water and wildlife around them, and understands that those things, in turn, shape their own well-being and quality of life.

Share with us a local topic or trend that you are concerned about. I’m deeply concerned about the rapid loss of natural areas and farmland across our region. Unsustainable development threatens every aspect of our lives, from clean water and wildlife habitat to food security and public health, especially as we face the accelerating impacts of climate change. Once these lands are gone, they’re gone forever. Protecting open space isn’t just about conservation, it’s about ensuring a resilient, livable future for everyone in our community.

What is the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done? Right after college, I left everything familiar behind and moved to Jamaica to serve in the Peace Corps. It was a huge leap of faith, equal parts terrifying and transformative, and one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

What is your favorite podcast or YouTube Channel? Podcast: Ologies with Alie Ward

What’s your favorite board game or video game? My favorite game is Magic: The Gathering. I love how complex and strategic it is, the way different cards and colors work together to create unique combinations. The artwork and design are incredible, and I especially enjoy building themed decks inspired by nature.

JOHNA DESROSIERS

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, PREFERRED SHORE REAL ESTATE AND PRESIDENT OF WOMEN’S COUNCIL OF REALTORS SARASOTA

Share a recent achievement for which you are the most proud. One recent achievement I’m most proud of is being elected President-Elect of the Women’s Council of REALTORS Sarasota Network for 2025. This honor reflects the trust my peers have placed in me and my dedication to leadership, mentorship and community building within our industry. In this role, I have the opportunity to impact the real estate community through leadership development, education, networking and referrals, helping Realtors® grow their businesses and strengthen professional relationships. It also allows me to make a meaningful difference in our broader community by partnering with charities such as Solve Maternity Homes, Suncoast Charities for Children and Selah Freedom. Through this position, I help curate impactful events like Celebrity Bartending, the 31st Annual Fashion Show and Taste of Thunder.

What makes the Sarasota-Bradenton area such a great place for young professionals? As a true Sarasota local born at Sarasota Memorial Hospital 31 years ago, I’ve experienced firsthand what makes this city so special. Growing up here

meant being immersed in a vibrant culture of theater, music and the arts. From the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall to the Sarasota Opera House, the ballet and countless galleries and community theaters, creativity and inspiration are everywhere. This artistic energy shapes the community and attracts people who value innovation and self expression. I’ve been part of Sarasota’s theater scene from a very young age, singing and performing to sold-out audiences at the Sarasota Opera House and The Players Theatre. One of my most memorable moments was sharing the Van Wezel stage with Kristin Chenoweth. These experiences deepened my connection to the community and its thriving arts culture.

What is your favorite podcast or YouTube Channel? My favorite YouTube channel belongs to one of my favorite pastors, Stephanie Ike O.

What is your guilty pleasure? My guilty pleasure is singing full Broadway ballads in my car like I’m headlining a show at the Met. It is free therapy, and the steering wheel has never judged me.

LAURA DYKSTRA

COMMUNITY IMPACT SPECIALIST, COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SARASOTA COUNTY

Share a recent achievement for which you are most proud. In my role at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, I’m honored to contribute to the future success of students pursuing post-secondary opportunities. In September, I had the privilege of sharing the collaborative work and student impact our region’s funding partners have achieved through our local scholarship providers network on a national platform. I was proud to represent the Community Foundation and co-present with Kiarra Womack from the Selby Foundation to participants across the country. We also received incredibly positive feedback for our webinar with the National Scholarship Providers Association, Bridging Funding Partners to Elevate Scholarship Opportunities and Student Success.

How did you make your start in your profession? I remember running up and down the aisles of SPARCC’s Treasure Chest as a little girl, helping my grandmother and other volunteers sort donations in the back room and prepare care packages of essentials for the shelter’s newest arrivals. These experiences instilled in me a desire to serve my community from an early age and have been a guiding light throughout my career. It’s wonderful to now serve the community by supporting scholarships and grantmaking at an organization whose core mission is creating a community where everyone can thrive.

What is the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done? When I lived in the Hague, I once hopped into a car to travel to Poland with a new friend that I had just met the day before. She was from Wroclaw and had to go back to take care of a few things and invited me along to join her and her friends on the road trip. I could have found any number of reasons to say no, but something told me not to bother. That spontaneity led to not only a beautiful trip across three countries but a life-long friend and a reminder to always stay open to adventure.

What movie, show or cartoon character would you like to play in real life and why? I could see myself as Merida from Brave. First off, I already have the hair. And, who wouldn’t want to gallop at full speed through the moody Scottish Highlands?

What is your favorite podcast or YouTube Channel? @ourportuguesehomestead. Lea and Maarten are friends from my university days, so I love catching up with their videos, which detail their life with their two beautiful children on an old, abandoned olive grove in Portugal. It brings me such joy to see them live out their dreams.

RENEE FERREIRA

MARKETING & EVENTS DIRECTOR, BIG CAT HABITAT

How did you make your start in your profession?

With a degree in advertising and mass communications, I initially started by helping friends with small businesses come up with fresh marketing ideas. It allowed me to apply what I had learned in a hands-on, meaningful way. At the same time, I’ve always had a deep love for animals, so when the opportunity at Big Cat Habitat came along, the timing was perfect.

What aspect of your work do you find the most meaningful? Knowing that I’m making a difference, not just in the lives of the animals we care for but also in the lives of the people they touch. There’s something incredibly powerful about the connection between humans and animals. Whether through education, conservation or simply giving someone a moment of joy during their visit, I see firsthand how these experiences inspire compassion, awareness and healing.

Share with us a local topic or trend that you are concerned about. The rapid growth and development in Sarasota and the possibility of losing the unique character and charm I grew up loving. I was born and raised here and now I’m raising my own kids in the community. Over the years, I’ve seen tremendous change and while growth brings new opportunities, I hope we can find a way to preserve what makes Sarasota such an amazing place to live and raise a family. It’s important to maintain a balance between progress and the close-knit, welcoming community that defines this area.

LORDANA GUILLAUME

STUDENT SUCCESS COACH AND PLANIT

SARASOTA COORDINATOR, EDUCATION FOUNDATION OF SARASOTA COUNTY

Share a recent achievement for which you are the most proud. I am most proud of the students I get to help every day. For some, that means one impactful conversation that changes their outlook. For others, it means walking alongside them through the college admissions process over one or two years. Teenagers and young adults are my favorite group to work with because they are full of potential and possibility. I see it as both my responsibility and my privilege to help them recognize that within themselves. Watching their eyes light up when they realize what’s possible gives me immense pride each day.

What makes the Sarasota-Bradenton area such a great place for young professionals? As a transplant from Miami, my move to Sarasota-Bradenton four years ago brought what I like to call “reverse culture shock.” Transitioning from a large, fast-paced city to a smaller one was an adjustment, but one that surprised me in the best way. What makes this area so great for young professionals is its close-knit, collaborative community. There’s a wealth of opportunity in a relatively compact area and many of those opportunities come through organizations that work closely together. This interconnectedness allows for organic networking, especially for those who prefer collaboration over formal mixers and makes it easy to build skills and relationships in a natural, authentic way.

Share with us a local topic or trend that you are concerned about. I am deeply passionate about educational access and equity, ensuring all students are equipped with the knowledge and tools to confidently pursue their postsecondary pathways. We live in a time of unprecedented opportunity and information, but that abundance can also be overwhelming. Many students struggle to discern what’s right for them amid conflicting advice and pressure. It’s critical that students and their families are provided with accurate, comprehensive guidance so they can make informed decisions about their futures.

CALEB JACKSON DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS, ORE DEVELOPMENT

How did you make your start in your profession? My career has had many starts and stops, however it truly began when Tom Bozzuto, Founder of the Bozzuto Group, became my mentor and eventually my first limited partner. His support

gave confidence to many, allowing us to become a top 15 owner of apartments and student housing at Johns Hopkins University. The second start of my career came when I joined ORE Development, where my skill set, deal flow and relationships expanded exponentially.

What aspect of your work do you find the most meaningful? Relationships. Having a team of partners you’re tackling opportunities and solving problems with makes every day enjoyable. The close relationships with our investors, who enable us to pursue opportunities, are extremely rewarding.

What makes the Sarasota-Bradenton area such a great place for young professionals? What I love about Sarasota is that nearly everyone I’ve met here has a growth mindset. I didn’t find it hard to make friends, especially with the large entrepreneurial community. There’s also a robust fitness community where people are focused on bettering themselves spiritually, financially and physically.

If you could compete in an Olympic sport, which one would it be? When I lived in Jamaica, I trained with Olympic Track and Field athletes, if I could do it all over again, I would do tennis only.

LOREN JEAN BAPTISTE

EARLY CHILDHOOD COACH TEAM LEAD, CHILDREN FIRST, INC.

What aspect of your work do you find the most meaningful? Leaving the classroom was one of the hardest decisions I’ve made, but coaching allows me to influence quality and outcomes on a larger scale. I still get to witness those “lightbulb moments” when teachers master a new strategy or when a child’s progress reflects that growth. I also find deep meaning in creating professional development experiences that are creative, relevant and responsive to teachers’ needs. I see my role as a bridge between research and practice, translating what we know about high-quality early learning into tools and strategies that work in real classrooms.

What is your formula for success? My formula for success is tapping into what you’re most passionate about and putting intentional effort behind it. To me, success is doing work that feels aligned with your purpose. When you pursue what fulfills you, you create a life without regret. It quiets doubt because you’re anchored in who you are and what you’re called to do.

Share with us a local topic or trend that you are concerned about. The limited access to affordable, high-quality child care in Sarasota County. The cost of care has become prohibitively high, with infant care often exceeding $1,500 per

Alyssa “Ali” Orme

VICE PRESIDENT AND SENIOR TRUST OFFICER | CALDWELL TRUST COMPANY

SHARE WITH US A CURRENT TOPIC OR TREND THAT YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT AT THE LOCAL LEVEL: A current topic or trend that I am concerned about at the local level would be how the rapid, extensive development of the Sarasota Bay area is affecting our natural wildlife and ecosystem. While I want the Sarasota area to grow, flourish and prosper, I have concerns about how rapid expansion throughout Florida has reduced natural wetlands and decreased our natural water quality. These issues are not new to Florida. Considering Florida is one of the United State’s fastest growing states, I think these issues need to become our top priority for resolution. We cannot risk the integrity of our beautiful state by ignoring the environmental changes that are occurring with our growing population.If we want to keep attracting new residents, we need to do it in a way that is sustainable and keeps this state preserved, healthy, and amazing. In my tenure in Sarasota, I am happy to say that I see these topics being discussed more frequently at a local and state level and I pray that it stays at the forefront of discussion.

WHAT MISTAKE IN YOUR CAREER TAUGHT YOU THE BIGGEST LESSON?

In my opinion, “mistake” indicates blame or personal failing. I wouldn’t say that anything in my career has been a mistake, rather, it is an opportunity for growth. I have been fortunate in my career to be surrounded by amazing, successful mentors and coworkers, many of whom are very tenured in their career. For a long time (and sometimes even still), I feared that my work or voice was not as powerful as those more tenured in the industry. I expressed these concerns to a mentor of mine who quickly made me realize that this was an area of growth for me. Instead of fearing that my age implied a lack of knowledge, I should take it as an opportunity to express new ways of looking at things or improving ‘old’ processes that could be done more efficiently. They helped me learn that age/experience does not imply or signify your worth or knowledge level with a company… everyone, regardless of age, has a perspective that should in invaluable to any company. It is something I have found invaluable and hope to spread to the next generation entering our industry.

”Change your thoughts and you can change your world”

—Alyssa “Ali” Orme

27 South Orange Avenue

Sarasota, Florida 34236

P: 941.926.9336 | F: 941.926.9335

aorme@ctrust.com

ctrust.com

month, while many providers are closing classrooms due to funding and staffing challenges. As an early childhood coach in Sarasota County, I see firsthand how this lack of access impacts both families and providers. Every week, I work with teachers and programs doing their best to meet children’s needs, yet many centers struggle to stay fully staffed or keep classrooms open, especially for infants and toddlers. Families often share that even when they find care, the cost can exceed their rent or mortgage, forcing some to leave the workforce or rely on unstable arrangements. These challenges ripple through our local economy, reducing workforce participation and placing additional strain on early learning programs already stretched thin.

What movie, show or cartoon character would you like to play in real life and why? Khadijah James from Living Single! She’s a natural leader who builds community, uplifts the people around her, and leads with confidence and heart. Khadijah balances ambition with authenticity.

CIARA JOHNSON

OWNER

& SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST,

CIARA JOHNSON SPEECH THERAPY LLC

How did you make your start in your profession? I began my career working for a nonprofit in Jacksonville, where I was part of a grant-funded program that screened thousands of children in low-income areas for speech and language disorders. This experience gave me a strong foundation in early identification and intervention, as well as a deep appreciation for the importance of access and equity in care. I later moved to Sarasota and joined Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, where I received valuable training in feeding disorders as well as language and literacy, further expanding my clinical expertise. After the birth of my daughter, I created my own private practice.

What aspect of your work do you find the most meaningful? The most meaningful aspect of my work is coaching and empowering parents to support their children during everyday, naturally occurring routines. A single therapy session each week can only go so far, but when families feel confident and equipped to embed strategies into daily life, progress becomes continuous and lasting. Helping parents realize they are their child’s best advocate and most powerful teacher is truly priceless and seeing the difference it makes in a child’s growth brings me the greatest joy.

What is your favorite podcast or YouTube Channel? I have a bit of a fascination with true crime, so my favorite podcast is Crime Junkie. I love

how the hosts tell each story with empathy and attention to detail, and it’s my go-to when I am folding laundry.

If you could compete in an Olympic sport, which one would it be? It would be rowing. I rowed in middle and high school for the Sarasota Scullers Youth Rowing Program. I have always loved how peaceful the water feels and how rhythmic and meditative rowing can be.

COURTNEY JOHNSON

OWNER, PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT CERTIFIED (PA-C), THE MANGROVE REGENERATIVE HEALTH

Share a recent achievement for which you are the most proud. I’m deeply proud of founding The Mangrove in January 2025 to address a critical gap in Sarasota’s healthcare landscape. There is a growing need for accessible, cutting-edge, patient-centered care to help patients look, feel and perform their best. I built the business from the ground up to deliver personalized, high-quality care focused on healing joints, enhancing athletic recovery, rejuvenating skin and restoring hair through preventative and regenerative treatments like PRP and PRF.

What aspect of your work do you find the most meaningful? Empowering patients to feel, look and perform their best through regenerative medicine and using their own bodies to heal. Seeing tangible results by addressing root causes, rather than simply treating disease, and helping people realize their potential is profoundly rewarding. Witnessing the motivation and transformation of patients through personalized treatments for both systemic and focal health is truly inspiring.

What makes the Sarasota-Bradenton area such a great place for young professionals? Personally, I’m drawn to the natural beauty and outdoor-oriented lifestyle. I thrive on a boat or beach day, hiking at one of our many nature preserves or paddleboarding through the mangroves. The job market is thriving with extensive entrepreneurial opportunities that give back to the community. It feels safe, it’s clean and it’s beautiful year-round. What’s not to love?

ZOE KASPER

OWNER OF CRANE CONTENT

CO

Share a recent achievement for which you are the most proud. Taking the leap to become a fulltime business owner in July 2025. I started my business last summer as a creative outlet while working full time, never imagining it would grow so quickly. What began as a passion project has

turned into a thriving agency serving clients across multiple industries and I couldn’t be more proud. Stepping away from the security of a salaried job to chase my dream has been equal parts terrifying and exhilarating, but it’s easily one of the most rewarding decisions I’ve ever made.

What aspect of your work do you find the most meaningful? Helping small business owners bring their dreams to life. Many know they need to grow their online presence but aren’t sure where to start and I love being the person who helps make that happen. Seeing their excitement when new clients walk through the door because of their social media or when they start gaining real traction online truly fills my cup.

What makes the Sarasota-Bradenton area such a great place for young professionals? This area doesn’t make you choose between career and life. You can build your business or grow in your industry and still be steps from nature, culture and community. Living in Lakewood Ranch and working throughout Sarasota, I get to experience the best of both worlds, the energy of a growing city and the warmth of a connected community. I love how this area is full of passionate small business owners who genuinely support one another. There’s so much room here to follow your passion, build something meaningful and truly thrive, both personally and professionally.

What movie OR show character would you like to play in real life and why? If I could play any character in real life, I’d be Lorelai Gilmore. She’s quick-witted, warm, community-driven, and builds something meaningful from her own grit and creativity. She leads with heart, brings people together, and proves you can be ambitious without losing your personality or authenticity.

CHAD LOUK OWNER, PRODIGY PEST SOLUTIONS

How did you make your start in your profession? My scout master as a child owned a local pest control company and I was able to secure a job working with him right out of high school. I fell in love with helping people and taking care of client relations. After just three years in the industry, I took the leap and started my own.

What aspect of your work do you find the most meaningful? My employees—hearing their success stories, like buying a house, taking their first vacation out of Florida, finding stability in their lives—that’s what keeps me going. I love knowing that what I’ve built has changed the lives of more than 100 people who took a chance on me to provide them with a job and a place to call home.

What mistake in your career taught you the biggest lesson? Early on, I learned that missing an opportunity can make all the difference in becoming a successful entrepreneur. The biggest mistakes are often the ones you never realize you made by not taking a chance. Any opportunity offered should be pursued to its fullest.

Share with us a local topic or trend that you are concerned about. Sarasota is great, but my concern is that we focus too much on new development and the coastal area, and not enough on our historic downtown or the older neighborhoods that built this city. We shouldn’t abandon our roots and more infrastructure and funding should be directed to these areas.

MICHAEL MANOOGIAN

OWNER AND CO-FOUNDER, MM INTERIORS

Share a recent achievement for which you are most proud. Starting my own interior design company and winning a National Aurora Award for design at just 22 years old.

What is your formula for success? I’ve found that prioritizing the happiness and well-being of others above financial gain, recognition or status has a profound and tangible effect.

What is your favorite podcast or YouTube Channel? Baby this is Keke Palmer is truly my favorite. She asks real, genuine, friend like questions. I’ve truly never seen notable celebrities be so relaxed in a space like that.

What movie, show or cartoon character would you like to play in real life and why? Borat. He is extremely funny, super quick whitted, and sometimes even raunchy. What I find in common with him is not being offended easily, saying whatever I want, and just being authentic.

Share the top three items on your bucket list. Visit Antarctica; I’m forever fascinated by it. I’d love to visit my home country of Armenia. I’m deeply rooted in my culture and it feels like a crime that I haven’t been there yet. To design and launch my own furniture line.

CRAIG MCGONIGAL

DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP ENGAGEMENT, THE GREATER SARASOTA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Share a recent achievement for which you are most proud. The Sarasota Chamber of Commerce being recognized by ACCE, the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, as a Top 3 Chamber in the United States and Canada for the second year in a row. This recognition reflects the importance of the work we’re doing in our community and honors our entire team for

the dedication they bring day in and day out. In addition, the Sarasota Chamber was named Florida Chamber of the Year in 2024 by FACP, the Florida Association of Chamber Professionals, and recently became a 5-Star Accredited Chamber by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, an honor held by fewer than 2 percent of chambers nationwide. Being a small part of that success brings a smile to my face, but sharing it with our entire team and knowing they played an even bigger role makes me especially proud.

What mistake in your career taught you the biggest lesson? A mistake I made when I was younger was taking criticism too personally. If you have a good mentor, leader or boss and they are “criticizing” you, they aren’t putting you down or saying you’re doing a bad job. You have to shift your mindset and realize they are trying to help you improve. A good leader will push you and has likely been through experiences you may be facing for the first time. They want to see you succeed, not fail. It’s not criticism, it’s a growth opportunity.

What is your formula for success? Showing up each and every day, no matter the circumstances. Having a routine and staying consistent with my schedule helps me stay focused during the week. I’m a morning person, so I love starting the day before the sun comes up and before most people are thinking about work. This allows me to catch up on anything I didn’t get to the day before and plan for the day ahead.

What is your favorite podcast or YouTube Channel? I’m a huge sports fan, so I have anywhere between 8-10 different podcasts that I listen to throughout the week. My favorite would be Green Light with Chris Long, a former football player who spent 11 years in the NFL, 2 of them with my favorite team, the Philadelphia Eagles.

If you could compete in an Olympic sport, which one would it be? Now that golf is an Olympic sport, I’d love to participate in it, notice how I didn’t say compete. I’d get absolutely smoked out there, but it would be an incredible experience to play a new course and be side by side with the world’s best.

ANNA MCLEAN-JOYNSON

INTERNATIONAL KEYNOTE SPEAKER & CONSULTANT

How did you make your start in your profession? I’m incredibly grateful to be one of the few who can call their work their true passion. I fell in love with rowing at school and never imagined it would become not just my lifestyle, but my career. I loved being on the water, the early sunrises and always wanting to stay out longer. One day I asked myself, “What’s the furthest someone can row?” The answer, across an ocean, sparked a dream

many said was impossible. From that moment on, I had a vision I couldn’t let go of. Turning that vision into reality meant launching a campaign and asking my brother to join me, which led to The Seablings. What followed were years of hard work, from sponsorships, branding and fundraising to intense physical and mental training. That simple question has now taken us across both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and earned three Guinness World Records along the way. The journey taught me that everything starts with a clear vision. Today, I’m grateful to have built a profession around that purpose, using my story through consulting and keynote speaking to help others define their vision, navigate challenges and pursue their own impossible goals.

What makes the Sarasota-Bradenton area such a great place for young professionals? From a very young age, I’ve recognized that what makes our home so special is the multi-generational community we foster. I know nowhere else where so many generations naturally mix across ages, perspectives and experiences and because of this, our community is thriving. Over the years, I’ve built a wonderful network of genuine, accessible friends who want to see you succeed and open doors to help you grow. From established leaders and business owners who have built incredible legacies to community organizations such as Rotary and Sertoma, Sarasota is a place where older generations collaborate with young professionals eager to innovate and give back.

What is the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done? Whilst rowing at Clemson, our coach told us to “stay active” over the summer but gave us no set training plan. Having never cycled more than around a park, I bought a road bike and cycled the entire length of the United Kingdom, from Land’s End to John O’Groats (LeJog). I covered 913 miles over 12 days, carrying all of my kit and camping along the way. Turns out, whenever I get an idea in my head, there’s only one thing to do, give it a go.

What movie, show or cartoon character would you like to play in real life and why? Moana! A girl with big dreams, a love for this world, and the courage to chase what is beyond the horizon. I’ve been known to sing her song “How Far I’ll Go” at karaoke a few times. It captures that spirit perfectly. Fearless, determined, and guided by vision, she reminds me that when you trust your inner voice and follow it, you will always find your way.

STEVEN MOORE

REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL MICHAEL SAUNDERS & COMPANY

Share a recent achievement for which you are the most proud. Being part of several condominium projects in Downtown Sarasota—it’s a proud mo-

ment to drive or walk past and see a building I was involved with from conception to completion. Last year, I was part of the development team behind the highest-sold property on Siesta Key, a milestone I’m proud to have been part of.

Share with us a local topic or trend that you are concerned about. Attainable housing is one of Sarasota’s biggest challenges and one we must solve to keep great talent here. Too many people in key industries leave because housing affordability simply doesn’t exist. The only real way forward is through creative collaboration, developers, local government and employers working together to finance projects that truly work. Allowing greater density in strategic areas can also help create more attainable options. Right now, housing costs put a strain on essential sectors such as medical, hospitality, education and emergency services. Without a coordinated effort on the development side, it’s nearly impossible to make these projects pencil out, especially in and around our downtown core.

If you could ask someone any question, who would the person be and what would be your question? Jeff Bezos. “What was the one thing that made you go all in on Amazon?”

What’s the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done? A couple of years ago the football team I support in England had a huge game on a Saturday afternoon. I booked a flight Thursday night, worked Friday, headed to the airport and flew to England. Watched my team play on the Saturday with my mum, had dinner with family that evening and flew back to Sarasota on Sunday to be back at work Monday morning.

JACQUELINE NIE

MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST, LAKE ERIE COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE

How did you make your start in your profession? I actually started out in broadcast journalism. After graduating from the University of Kentucky, I jumped right into being a news reporter. It was exciting and fast-paced and taught me how to think on my feet, build connections quickly and tell stories that mattered to people. Over time, I realized what I loved most wasn’t just reporting the news, it was the storytelling itself. I wanted to use those same skills to help organizations and communities connect with their audiences in a more intentional way, which led me into marketing and communications. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to work across industries, but what excites me most now at LECOM is telling stories that not only highlight events and initiatives but also make a real impact for students, donors and the community.

What aspect of your work do you find the most meaningful? The most meaningful part of my work is seeing how it directly impacts people. At LECOM, so much of what I do, whether it’s promoting the Student Scholarship Fund Gala or creating content around our community events, comes back to helping students pursue their education and future in healthcare. I get to be part of the bridge between donors, community members and students. When I watch a student meet someone who contributed to their scholarship, it makes all of the behindthe-scenes hours worth it. It’s not just about planning events or sending out campaigns. It’s about creating connections that open doors for future doctors and healthcare leaders.

Share something you did this past year to balance your work and personal life. This past year, I made a conscious effort to set healthier boundaries around my time. Working in events and communications means there’s always something happening and it’s easy to let work spill into evenings and weekends. I realized I wasn’t giving myself the same level of attention I was giving my projects. To find more balance, I began prioritizing routines outside of work, taking long walks after working in the office, joining friends for group workouts and making space for family dinners without checking my phone. I also became more intentional about scheduling downtime after big events so I could recharge. These changes may seem small, but they’ve helped me show up at work with more energy and creativity.

ETHAN NOTESTINE

VICE PRESIDENT AT TRINITY CUSTOM HOMES

What aspect of your work do you find the most meaningful? Being able to give people what they want and, at times, guide them toward something even better. Project owners want to build their dream home through an enjoyable process with a contractor who can streamline decisions and open new possibilities. Builders within my company want to learn, grow in their roles and understand what their future careers can hold. Tradespeople want their work to be efficient and rewarding. My wife wants her husband to provide a stable income and come home with a sense of fulfillment and joy. Ultimately, what’s most meaningful in my work is providing, through organization and forethought, a better present and future for as many people as I can.

Share something you did this past year to balance your work and personal life. This past year, to bring more balance to my work and personal life, I took up photography and videography as a hobby, focusing on capturing my family’s life.

That’s a fancy way of saying I bought a good camera to take better photos and make home movies of our goofy little family having fun. Since those moments can be fleeting, my wife and I wanted to be sure we captured more of them. Learning the skills to do so has been rewarding in itself.

What makes the Sarasota-Bradenton area such a great place for young professionals? What makes the Sarasota area so great for young professionals is the new wave of young people in what has historically been a retirees’ town. I’ve personally seen an influx of young professionals who value family and authenticity moving to the area. This younger population will help foster a revival of art and architecture in Sarasota.

What is your favorite podcast or YouTube Channel Maybe a little embarassing but my favorite YouTube channel is Kara and Nate.

What movie character would you like to play in real life and why? Definitely Ferris Bueller.

CAROLINE ODELL

MARKETING COORDINATOR, FAWLEY BRYANT ARCHITECTURE

How did you make your start in your profession?

A writer and artist since elementary school, I built the ability to conjure a story from thin air whenever I wanted. In marketing, that’s the foundation of making your voice heard. Tug at the heartstrings here, sound smart there, say it in less than six words, keep it succinct. Before graduating college, I was already looking for jobs. I hadn’t held internships, instead devoting my free time to nonprofit leadership, which strengthened me in many ways but left me lacking corporate experience. I accepted a position close to home as an Admin and Accounting Coordinator at Fawley Bryant Architecture. It didn’t take long before I transitioned to the marketing side, stepping into a role with much to learn and a three-decade legacy to uphold. Over the past year, I’ve experienced tremendous personal and professional growth. A few years ago, I didn’t know the first thing about how municipalities contract with service providers. Now, I manage that process for a multi-million-dollar firm, from identifying bid opportunities to winning projects.

What makes the Sarasota-Bradenton area such a great place for young professionals? The world needs more opportunities for human connection. I believe our local area has made a genuine effort to address disconnection and build natural, meaningful communities. I’m involved with the Sarasota Chamber Young Pro-

Erik Pendleton

CO-FOUNDER & CEO | REWIRED TECHNOLOGIES

WHAT IS YOUR STORY OF SUCCESS?

My success story is rooted in Sarasota and grounded in faith. We started Rewired because we love helping entrepreneurial people succeed, and we believe digital systems and AI can solve real business problems and unlock sustainable growth for niche industries.

Before launching Rewired, I worked across a variety of tech and advertising roles, always treating each position like I was the CEO of “my business” within the business. My first role in territory-driven sales taught me phone acumen, collaboration, accountability and how to simplify complex concepts instead of hiding behind industry jargon.

I later became the Director of Business Development for a growing startup, managing inside sales operations, hitting targets, solving challenges, and building systems from scratch. My early career experiences allowed me to develop deep expertise across the entire adtech spectrum, which includes organic, paid media, affiliate channels, native networks, AI, and every operational layer that turns digital strategy into revenue.

My final chapter before Rewired was at Dealers United, where I had to hunt, kill and eat every partnership the business secured. My business partners, Drew Detweiler, Dylan Griczin and I played a central role in evolving internal processes across marketing, sales, and account management —contributing to meaningful growth and helping shape the company’s direction during that period.

Rewired is the culmination of every lesson learned and chapter turned—a Sarasota-built company helping niche industries scale through digital marketing, operational systems, and AI-driven innovation. Our work has supported job creation, strengthened community partnerships, and helped Sarasota-based businesses grow and compete at a national level. This reflects our why: solving problems, empowering entrepreneurs, and creating meaningful success for the Sarasota community.

1343

941-352-1232 | rewiredtech.io

instagram: rewiredep

“Aim small, miss small” — Erik Pendleton

WHAT MISTAKE IN YOUR CAREER TAUGHT YOU THE BIGGEST LESSON? The biggest mistake I made early in my career was believing that everyone on my team wanted the same success I did. I assumed that shared goals automatically meant shared intentions, and I learned the hard way that not everyone operates with the same level of alignment, transparency, or integrity. I spent too much energy navigating internal politics instead of creating outcomes for clients, teams, and communities.

That experience taught me a foundational lesson: office politics drain creativity, slow decision-making, and limit growth. Real progress happens when you rise above it, stay focused on service, and build systems that reward performance, transparency, and trust. That clarity eventually led me to entrepreneurship. Instead of trying to “win” internal games, I decided to create a business where collaboration, accountability, and meaningful work are the norm — not the exception.

fessionals Group and Manatee Chamber Young Professionals Group, active in my church and its ministries and part of several young adult social groups, including a book club, craft club and run club. The Sarasota-Bradenton area offers a rare balance of city, suburb and rural life. Within thirty minutes, you can be at the beach, in a cow pasture, at a traveling Broadway show or walking downtown. As the population continues to grow, many new arrivals are young professionals drawn by education, the arts, walkability, lifestyle and opportunity. They see potential for business growth, entrepreneurship and mentorship, but what truly attracts them is the promise of connection.

What is your guilty pleasure? Setting an early alarm before I actually have to wake up, just so I can lay in bed for a little while and not feel pressed to get up immediately.

What is your favorite podcast or YouTube Channel? I listen to YouTube videos while I craft and create. Lately, that’s been mainly Ted Talks, Unreported World, Business Insider and Ascension Presents.

ALYSSA ORME

VICE PRESIDENT AND SENIOR TRUST OFFICER, CALDWELL TRUST COMPANY

How did you make your start in your profession? Coming out of college, I was a bright-eyed, ambitious graduate, ready to take on the world but unsure where to start. Through the recommendation of a dear friend and colleague, Debbie Smith, I began my journey in wealth and asset management. With her guidance, along with the support of many others, I discovered a passion for helping people with their estate planning and financial goals.

Share something you did this past year to balance your work and personal life. This past year, I made one of the toughest decisions of my life by leaving the corporate banking and trust world that I knew inside and out and joining a family-owned trust company here in Sarasota. In the short time I’ve been with Caldwell Trust Company, I can confidently say this is where I belong. Caldwell truly advocates for work-life balance. If my dog is sick, I’m encouraged to take the time I need. If my dad has surgery, they step up and help manage my workload. If I want to volunteer with a local organization, they ask how they can support me.

What’s the first job you’ve ever held? My first job was a server at Frisch’s Big Boy in Cold Spring, KY What makes the Sarasota-Bradenton area such a great place for young professionals? The Sarasota-Bradenton area is an attractive destination for young professionals thanks to a mix of ca-

reer opportunities, a strong networking scene and a vibrant lifestyle that blends culture and outdoor recreation.

What is your guilty pleasure? Late night, fresh out of the oven break-and-bake chocolate chip cookies.

CHRISTINE PELOSI

GENERAL MANAGER, GECKO’S HOSPITALITY GROUP

How did you make your start in your profession? From a young age, I’ve always loved creating experiences around food. As a kid, I played “restaurant” with my family and as I got older, I began planning and preparing real meals for them. Seeing people enjoy the meals I prepared sparked a passion that never left me. When it came time to choose where I would attend college and what to major in, my mom said, “You’ve been doing this your whole life, why not make a career out of it?” That led me to the University of New Hampshire, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in hospitality management from the Peter T. Paul School of Business and Economics.

What aspect of your work do you find the most meaningful? I take great pride in developing and empowering my team, watching individuals grow in confidence, take on new responsibilities and achieve their goals. Leading a team toward shared success, from building strong morale and a positive workplace culture to achieving operational and financial goals, is incredibly fulfilling.

If you could compete in an Olympic sport, which one would it be? It would undoubtedly be downhill ski racing. Having grown up as a ski racer, I’ve always been drawn to the intensity of the sport. The combination of speed, precision and sheer mental focus makes it a discipline I deeply admire and would be thrilled to pursue at the highest level.

ERIK PENDLETON

CO-FOUNDER AND CEO OF REWIRED TECHNOLOGIES

What aspect of your work do you find the most meaningful? The most meaningful part of my work is when a client who took a chance on us comes back a few months later and says, “You completely changed the game for us.” Hearing that their business is growing faster than ever and that they feel genuinely supported, not just serviced, makes it all worth it. At Rewired, we don’t just run ads, we build relationships. We do this because we believe small business owners, the ones grinding every day to support their families and teams, deserve the same level of strategy, technology and growth opportunity as the biggest brands in the world. Watching those partnerships evolve from cau-

tious beginnings into genuine friendships and long-term success stories is what drives me.

What mistake in your career taught you the biggest lesson? The biggest mistake I made early in my career was waiting for someone else to elevate me, for a mentor, a partner or an opportunity to “find” me. I eventually realized that growth doesn’t come from permission, it comes from ownership. The moment I decided to take the bull by the horns and create my own momentum, everything changed.

What movie, show or cartoon character would you like to play in real life and why? Saul Goodman from the Breaking Bad universe — Jimmy McGill—is one of the most legendary sales guys ever. Sure, he often uses his powers for the wrong reasons, but by the end of his character arc, he finally chooses the right path. Jimmy is a reminder that socially powerful people can use their gifts for good or for harm. We should all choose good.

What is the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done? When I was 14, my dad and I made a last-minute trip to Canton, Ohio to watch Dan Marino get inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It was a life-changing experience and a memory I’ll always cherish with my old man.

What’s the first job you’ve ever held? Bus boy at Dry Dock Waterfront Grill.

Share the top three items on your bucket list. Hike the Appalachian Trail from start to finish. Find “The Beach” in Thailand (a real one). Attend a Miami Dolphins Super Bowl.

IVAN RICHARDS

SVP COMMERCIAL BANKER, TRUIST

Share a recent achievement for which you are the most proud. Personally, becoming a father for the first time has been one of the most grounding and transformative experiences of my life. It reshaped my sense of purpose, as suddenly every decision carries more meaning. It’s taught me patience, perspective and what it truly means to lead with empathy. Professionally, earning my title as Senior Vice President in Commercial Banking was an incredible milestone. It wasn’t about the title itself, but what it represented, a decade of building trust, driving results and helping businesses thrive.

How did you make your start in your profession? My journey began with relationships and curiosity. I started in retail, learning the fundamentals, helping families, solving problems and understanding leadership from the ground up while building strong relationships. Along the way, I met a mentor who saw potential in me and gave me my first leadership opportunity.

Cheyanne Clark

OWNER & FOUNDER | BRSH,® THE SALON & HAIR SPA BY BRSH,® AND 1820 SALON BY BRSH

HOW DID YOU MAKE YOUR START IN YOUR PROFESSION AND WHAT ASPECT OF YOUR WORK DO YOU FIND THE MOST MEANINGFUL? Growing up, I spent many hours in my father’s salon looking at fashion magazines, training my eye for hair and fashion. As a third-generation hairdresser, I began my professional career at a young age, but even then, I knew that my journey would expand beyond working in the salon. During this time I was also taking steps toward working in editorial styling by entering in local and national hair competitions. One competition with Bumble which became the beginning of things to come! Winning this competition created opportunities for me I couldn’t have dreamt of.

Those opportunities blossomed into work in editorial, fashion and celebrity styling. Winning the contest opened doors to working in New York Fashion Week, W Magazine, and major industry events (like the Met Gala), along with local publications and media (like MTV’s Siesta Key). From working with other top-level stylists both on set and in the salon, I was inspired to create my own line of professional hairbrushes and accessories, which led to brsh®

A love for great design as well as a passion for providing exceptional service led my husband and I to grow the “brsh®” line while simultaneously opening a salon. The Salon and Hair Spa by brsh® was born— a luxury salon, scalp spa, and blow dry bar experience, a space that offers a sense of calm from the moment a guest walks through the door throughout their entire service.

“I believe I’m not just doing someone’s hair— I’m helping them see a new side of themselves. Whether it’s viewing themselves differently, learning to love themselves more or healing from something in their past, I know God is loving them through me.” That’s what makes it so special!

SHARE A MOST RECENT ACHIEVEMENT

FOR WHICH YOU ARE MOST PROUD. We just celebrated our 1 year anniversary of launching our brsh® line, and in that time our brsh®s have already been at fashion week in NY and Paris, swim week, and at multiple celebrity events!

®

“Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3

Share with us a local topic or trend that you are concerned about. As living costs continue to increase and purchasing power weakens, I see how this quietly pressures families, business owners and nonprofits in our community. Local businesses are forced to manage rising input costs and shrinking margins while employees face higher living expenses without proportional wage growth. The result is a widening gap between economic optimism and financial reality. I believe it’s more important than ever for professionals, especially in finance, to lead conversations around fiscal sustainability, sound investment and long-term resilience.

JUSTIN SENIOR

ATTORNEY, SHUMAKER, LOOP & KENDRICK LLP

How did you make your start in your profession? I started as a Shumaker summer associate in 2016 and quickly realized I could do national-caliber work with a local-firm feel. From day one, I was exposed to hands-on, collaborative strategy, high-stakes litigation and real client interactions. Shumaker invested in me and my future and I’m grateful for mentors who trusted me with meaningful responsibility

early on. Sarasota sealed the deal, offering a relaxed Gulf Coast pace while serving high-level clients, a growing arts and innovation scene and proximity to so many great destinations. At the end of that summer, Shumaker offered me a full-time position upon graduation from law school and I accepted. I’ve been here ever since, growing into a practice that handles complex and sophisticated matters and fast-moving injunction work, while staying rooted in the close-knit culture and community that first drew me in.

Share something you did this past year to balance your work and personal life. It’s uncommon for me to take much time off, but this year was a welcome exception. I got married and had an incredible two-week honeymoon traveling across Italy. I also made a point to prioritize travel despite a busy year, taking multiple trips to visit family in Connecticut and California. Learning to balance work and life early matters, especially for young professionals, because the habits you build in your first five years often become your operating system for the next twenty. The result is better work product, steadier leadership and relationships, at home and with clients, that you can truly build on.

What is your formula for success? Being process-oriented. Identifying what I need to do to achieve something and having the discipline to execute, while remembering that outcomes can be distractions. You can’t control outcomes, but you can control the processes that tend to create positive ones.

TAL SIDDIQUE

COUNTY COMMISSIONER, MANATEE COUNTY GOVERNMENT

How did you make your start in your profession? Prior to politics, I learned from my time in the tech industry that you have to tell a story with the data you have and not make assumptions about how people interpret it. Coming into politics, where data can often be sidelined in favor of agenda, it’s important to ground conclusions in facts. Doing so helps build legitimacy and gain consensus. What aspect of your work do you find the most meaningful? When people tell me during conversations that they feel their concerns are being heard. You wouldn’t believe how often I hear people say they’ve never heard from their local officials or had anyone canvass their doors.

Christine Pelosi

GENERAL MANAGER | GECKO’S HOSPITALITY GROUP

941.923.6061 geckosgrill.com facebook: GeckosGrillandPub

HOW DID YOU MAKE YOUR START IN YOUR PROFESSION? From a young age, I’ve always loved creating experiences around food. As a kid, I would play “restaurant” with my family, and as I got older, I started planning and preparing real meals for them. Each week, I’d make a grocery list and go shopping with my mom, I’d create a full menu for my family dinners and would host many parties. Seeing people enjoy the meals I prepared sparked a passion that never left me. When it came time to choose where I would attend college and what I wanted to major in, my mom said, “you’ve been doing this your whole life, why not make a career out of it?” That’s what led me to the University of New Hampshire, where I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Management from the Peter T. Paul School of Business and Economics. During my first semester, I took a food and beverage class and participated in a course called The Gourmet Dinner, and that’s when I truly fell in love with the restaurant side of hospitality. I started working in the dining hall doing prep and dish, then spent my summers and the rest of college working as a hostess/dining room manager at a local restaurant. Those early experiences taught me the value of teamwork, service and creating memorable guest experiences, lessons that have guided my entire career in hospitality ever since.

“I lead by example, love with intention, and live with energy”

— Christine Pelosi

my first semester, I took a food and beverage class and

What is your formula for success? In business, politics and life, don’t let the “no’s” wear you down. I remember canvassing homes during the 2024 election cycle and being told to go away before I even had the chance to introduce myself. If I had stopped campaigning after my first, or even my one-hundredth, “no,” I wouldn’t be a commissioner today.

What’s the first job you’ve ever held? As a teenager, and well into my college years, I used to spend my weekends selling used cars on Craigslist and eBay. I’d also help the auction record bids (and learn how to keep up with auctioneers) and help settle any disputes between bidders and auctioneers.

NATE SWEETMAN

SPORTS MARKETING MANAGER, VISIT SARASOTA COUNTY

Share a recent achievement for which you are the most proud. Earning my Sports Tourism Strategist designation through Sports ETA. Sports tourism is one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic sectors in the tourism industry and as

someone who lives and breathes this field every day, I wanted to deepen my knowledge and elevate how I serve both our local community and visiting athletes. Between January and September 2025, I completed all 32 required credits toward the STS designation. Courses included Introduction to Sports Tourism, Sports Tourism Business Strategy, Event Management, Sports Sustainability and The PR/Media Landscape. Earning the designation of “Nate Sweetman, STS” represents not just a professional milestone, but a personal commitment to continuous growth and leadership within the industry.

What aspect of your work do you find the most meaningful? Seeing an event’s vision come to life from start to finish. In sports tourism, no two events are the same. We support more than 80 annually and each one brings a new set of challenges, partnerships and opportunities to showcase our destination. Whether it’s coordinating promotional items, connecting organizers with local photographers or pitching stories to media outlets, I love being part of the full process that helps an event succeed. There’s a real sense of joy and purpose in knowing that my work directly contributes to the athlete experi-

ence, community engagement and economic growth in Sarasota County. Seeing that impact unfold firsthand reminds me why I’m so passionate about this industry.

Share with us a local topic or trend that you are concerned about. The overall state of tourism in Florida and how legislative decisions can impact the industry. Tourism supports more than two million jobs statewide and saves Florida residents an average of $1,900 annually in taxes. Redirecting these funds could shift the tax burden to residents and potentially jeopardize the state’s income taxfree status. Issues like this surface often and serve as reminders of how important it is to stay engaged. Working in sports tourism, I’ve seen firsthand how this industry fuels jobs, supports small businesses and showcases what makes Florida special. That’s why I believe in closely monitoring state and local actions, advocating for our profession and educating decision-makers on the vital role tourism plays in sustaining Florida’s economy and community well-being.

Loren Jean Baptiste

EARLY CHILDHOOD COACH TEAM LEAD | CHILDREN FIRST

HOW DID YOU MAKE YOUR START IN YOUR PROFESSION AND WHAT ASPECT OF YOUR WORK DO YOU FIND THE MOST MEANINGFUL? After graduating from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health, I knew I wanted to combine my passion for early childhood education with my commitment to community wellness. When I discovered Children First, it felt like the perfect intersection of those two worlds. I began my career there in 2018 as an Infant Toddler Specialist, creating nurturing learning environments and collaborating with families to support children’s development. Over time, I found joy in mentoring fellow teachers, which led me to seize the opportunity to become an Early Childhood Coach when the position was created and, ultimately, to be promoted to Early Childhood Coach Lead. Helping build our coaching department from the ground up confirmed that empowering adults is just as meaningful as teaching children. What I find most fulfilling is being a teacher in a new way— supporting educators so they can help every child thrive.

Address: 1723 N. Orange Avenue

Sarasota, FL 34234

941.953.3877

childrenfirst.net

Social Media: @ChildrenFirstHeadStart

Justin P. Senior

PARTNER | SHUMAKER LOOP KENDRICK, LLP

SHARE A RECENT ACHIEVEMENT FOR WHICH YOU ARE THE MOST PROUD. Last year I successfully argued an issue of first impression in federal court and won, persuading the court to adopt our position where no Eleventh Circuit precedent existed. In plain terms: the court hadn’t ruled on this question before in our region, and our win created new law and set the roadmap other lawyers and judges can now follow. That experience validated the years I devoted to building and refining my skills and reaffirmed my daily commitment to this profession.

“To find fulfillment in life is to find your true purpose and align it with what you do every single day.”

— Loren Jean Baptiste

“What

you want wants you too”

240 S. Pineapple Ave, 10th Floor

Sarasota, FL 34236

941.364.2792

shumaker.com/professional/justin-p-senior/

MICHELLE THOMAS

PARTNER & BOARD CERTIFIED PEDIATRIC DENTIST, PEDIATRIC DENTAL SPECIALISTS OF FLORIDA

Share a recent achievement for which you are the most proud. Creating Pediatric Dental Specialists of Florida with my partner, Dr. Robbie Harrell. Our practice is unique in that it will serve the underserved children of our community who require dental treatment under general anesthesia due to their young age, extensive treatment needs, inability to cooperate, special health care needs or a combination of these factors. Previously, children in Sarasota County needing this level of care often had to travel hundreds of miles to receive it. We decided to start the practice when we were told there were more than 1,000 children requiring this treatment in Sarasota County each year. Bringing this specialized service to our community has come with challenges, but we have remained steadfast in our mission.

What is your formula for success? At Pine View School, they taught us the power of “The Extra Degree.” Like water turning to steam, one extra degree of effort creates power and momentum that can make all the difference. At 211°F, water is hot, but it isn’t until it reaches 212°F that it transforms into steam, capable of generating electricity, launching aircraft off carriers and even sterilizing dental instruments. That extra degree of effort is often the single step that makes a huge difference. Beyond that, I’m a big believer in the

RECOGNIZING ALL NOMINEES OF

saying, “nothing ventured, nothing gained.” It never hurts to ask and persistence paired with hard work is always key to success.

If you could compete in an Olympic sport, which one would it be? Sailing! I raced sailboats competitively from age 11 through college. In high school, I sailed with the Pine View Sailing Team at Nationals in 2006 and 2007 and went on to sail in regattas all over the country at the varsity level with the University of Florida Sailing Team, where I eventually became team captain. After graduating undergrad, I focused fully on dental school, but it’s been exciting to watch and cheer on many of the sailors I raced with and against at the Olympic level. While I certainly don’t plan to pursue an Olympic career myself, I do hope to get back into sailboat racing locally.

MADELINE TYMPANICK

SENIOR ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF CENTER FOR CAREER ENGAGEMENT & OPPORTUNITY, NEW COLLEGE OF FLORIDA

What aspect of your work do you find the most meaningful? Collaboration. At the heart of everything I do is the opportunity to build connections that empower others, students, colleagues and community partners alike. I collaborate with students as they explore and define their career paths, helping them translate their experiences into purpose. I partner with faculty to integrate career development into the class-

THE 2026

room, ensuring learning extends beyond the academic experience. I also consult with employers to design impactful recruitment pipelines and internship programs.

Share with us a local topic or trend that you are concerned about. Retaining young, promising talent in the Sarasota-Bradenton region. I see firsthand the impact of connecting students with local internships and work-based learning opportunities. These experiences help students envision a future career here at home and increase the likelihood they’ll stay in the area after graduation, supporting local employers and contributing to the region’s economic vitality.

What’s the first job you’ve ever held? As a teenager, I got my first taste of entrepreneurship through babysitting and selling handmade jewelry. What began as a small creative hobby quickly grew into something bigger. I started partnering with local shops, including the beloved Persnickity Cat, which proudly featured my pieces. Before long, I wasn’t just supplying the store, I was working there, opening and closing the shop and helping showcase the work of other local artists.

What is your guilty pleasure? Right now, my guilty pleasures are Dancing with the Stars and The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. Between the glitter, the plot twists, and all the over-the-top drama, I can’t help but be completely entertained. SRQ

“35 UNDER 35 AWARDS” PROGRAM

Thank you to the community for nominating young professionals for consideration in the 2026 35 Under 35 Awards —we support and recognize our young professional community in Sarasota and the Bradenton Area region.

Travis Alexander

Frankie Angotti

Amanda Baar

Alyssa Barnsley

Amanda Baxter

Matthew Berman

Aadi Bhensdadia

Priscilla Boward

Jake Brandenberger

Gina Brockman

Jack Cannon

Coy Carter

Nicholas Cichielo

Cheyanne Clark

Kelsi Collins

Juliana Cristina

Keith Curcio

Mathieu Danon

Sarah Denison Williams

Johna Desrosiers

Laura Dykstra

Renee Ferreira

Shannon Furey

Francis García Fernández

Catherine “Catie” Gladding

Andoni Goitiz

Lordana Guillaume

Haley Haxton

Zach Henkel

Caleb Jackson

Loren Jean Baptiste

Ciara Johnson

Courtney Johnson

Yehia Kandil

Alison Kanter

Zoe Kasper

Marisa Knight

Jeffrey “Shane” Ladwig

Chad Louk

Lauren Mangiafico

Michael Manoogian

Craig McGonigal

Anna McLean-Joynson

Kaisen Mitchell

Steven Moore

Faith Danielle Nawara

Jacqueline Nie

Ethan Notestine

Caroline Odell

Ariana Olivo

Alyssa Orme

Christine Pelosi

Erik Pendleton

Ivan Richards

Anthony Scionti

Justin Senior

Tiona Settles

Maxwell Shrem

Tal Siddique

Monica Sirocchi

Dionysios Skaliotis

Sarah Smith

Cullen Steger

Nate Sweetman

Diana Syros

Dimitri Syros

Justin Taylor

Michelle Thomas

Madeline Tympanick

Jean-Marc Ulysse

Ashley Walsh

Cheyenne Williams

Shaun Williams

THE UNSTOPPABLE FAMILY GROCER

DETWILER’S FARM MARKET HAS FACED CHALLENGES OVER THE YEARS—ONES THAT HAVE HELPED THE BUSINESS TO GROW STRONGER THAN EVER.

DETWILER’S, THE FAMILY-OWNED AND OPERATED CHAIN OF GROCERY STORES, HAS BEEN A MAINSTAY OF THE SARASOTA AREA FOR OVER 22 YEARS, well-known and loved for its freshness, value and hometown hospitality. While the success may appear to have come easily over the past two decades, the company has weathered some overwhelming challenges, including a lost lease, deep freeze, multiple hurricanes and a global pandemic —all of which posed serious threats to the business that customers rely on to “eat fresh for less” as the slogan states. Yet Detwiler’s hasn’t just survived, it has flourished. Its success is a testament to the family’s long line of strong business instincts, decades of customer service experience, family devotion and deep foundation of faith—all maintained without a single college degree among the family management team. Today, Detwiler’s is stronger than ever, recently announcing plans to open its seventh location in the county. This is their story of triumph. WRITTEN BY

BARBIE HEIT | PHOTOGRAPHY BY WES ROBERTS + WYATT KOSTYGAN

IT ALL BEGAN WHEN AT JUST 18 YEARS OLD, Henry

Detwiler Sr., the founder and CEO of Detwiler’s Farm Market, launched his own small farm stand following the lessons learned about butchering and retailing from both his father and his grandfather. In 1986, Henry relocated from Pennsylvania to Florida and settled in Sarasota, his wife Natalie’s hometown. In the late 1990s, the growing family picked up and moved to Virginia, where they operated a small country market that offered produce and Amish furniture. They returned to Sarasota in the early 2000s with their strengthened merchandising skills and began assisting a local egg farmer with grading and packing eggs. When the farmer decided to sell some produce at the egg stand, Henry told him about his previous selling experiences and the Detwilers stepped up. They put out small yard signs on Fruitville Road directing people to Richardson Road and letting them know they could buy eggs, tomatoes, corn and watermelon at the stand. “We always got underneath the county’s skin a little bit because you weren’t really supposed to do that,” recalls Henry’s son, Sam, the president of Detwiler’s. “But that’s how we started and it didn’t take very long for us to get up and running.”

By early 2003, the family farm stand moved to a larger location at Fruitville Grove, off Fruitville Road, which offered more space and better road exposure. The new location was a pole barn, a simple wood and tin building without air conditioning, featuring an overhang. Early struggles there included being exposed to rain and heat, leaving the family to dream of one day being in an air-conditioned store. Sam, who was around 15 at that time, remembers his dad telling the boys to make themselves busy when a car pulled in because no one would want to shop somewhere that’s slow. “We would try to greet the customers, thank them for coming, grab our pocket knives to cut an orange for them to sample and almost chaperone them through our market when we weren’t busy. From doing that, we got to be really good friends with consumers who would buy from us.”

The Detwilers began planting some strawberries and bell peppers, trying to farm a bit, but they quickly found out they weren’t really farmers. “We learned that we were better merchants and so instead of farming, we needed to spend some time getting to know the local farmers that could grow better stuff than we could,” Henry explains.

Within a few years, the family’s newfound success took a downward turn during the summer of 2009 when they lost their lease at Fruitville Grove. “They gave us 30 days to move and we didn’t have anywhere to go,” says Sam. “It really hurt our family because we started out at one rate and ended up at a different rate—it just felt like whatever we could do, it wouldn’t keep the landlords happy.” On their way out, the Detwilers gathered as many emails and phone numbers as they could and promised to stay in touch with their customers. “The community was really frustrated and we didn’t know how to start all over again. We were just a simple family trying to figure it all out,” recalls Sam.

Later that year, the Detwilers found a 5,000 squarefoot vacant concrete building at the corner of Palmer and Packinghouse and secured a lease, despite finding the space challenging in many respects. The community’s support was overwhelming when they reopened there. Sam remembers their first Saturday being “crazy” with people parking beside the road. Henry notes that in the first seven years there, they made a lot of friends—not so much money—but that the new, tighter space forced them to learn effective merchandising, product placement and how to operate profitably.

Just as the family was beginning to get comfortable in the winter of 2010, the entire state experienced the worst freeze in Florida history, significantly impacting the produce business, causing prices to skyrocket. The store’s claim to fame was local produce, but this disaster forced the Detwilers to import food and led to substantial debt due to selling food at cost. To survive, they diversified by adding a deli, selling sliced meats and cheeses and introducing snacks and chips. They also began selling seafood,

starting with head-on white shrimp, which was successful because it was a unique item in the market.

After recovering from the freeze in 2011, the business stabilized and started turning a profit. In 2013, they opened a Venice location after an uncle offered them space in a 50,000 square-foot building. They started there with just some plastic tables and fresh produce, “I’m almost embarrassed when I look back…how did anyone even want to shop like that, I wonder, but I think the reason people did is

“We stay strong by leaning on and respecting each other’s strengths and not by focusing on our weaknesses. As a family, we work together, we go to church together and we hang out together, in and out of work. It’s a lot of family time, but I wouldn’t trade it.”

— Sam Deweiler, president of Detwiler’s Farm Market.

because it just really loved the old-fashioned experience–it was almost like going to a friend’s house in our little farm market. There were lots of smiling faces and we were just happy for our customers to be there. We welcomed them and we lived by the Golden Rule: treat everyone the way you want to be treated,” says Sam. They grew quickly in Venice, becoming a 10,000 store with bulk items in addition to a large produce area, deli, seafood and ice cream sections.

“All of us boys—there are four boys in our family—and our five sisters were working so well together, but we knew we needed a bigger store,” says Sam. By 2015, Detwiler’s Farm Market opened in their University Parkway location, a much more professionally built store with a layout similar to the one used in all their stores today. It was a huge success with $35,000 in sales on the first day of business and $60,000 on the first Saturday. The family started implementing formal roles such as store and department managers and a human resource specialist, learning these functions “brick by brick” through on-the-job experience. To support the growing operations, they established a small distribution center off Porter Road. As they expanded further, they leased a 20,000 square-foot center from Benderson Development Group, which offered cold docks and allowed them to ship food to stores twice daily.

In 2017, the Detwilers purchased and renovated a 50,000 square-foot former Winn-Dixie market in Palmetto, their first real estate purchase. The grand opening was meticulously planned. Hundreds of customers started lining up the night before, with an estimated 1,600 people waiting in line on opening day. “I remember our family was so honored that people supported what we’ve done so much that they would be willing to stand in lines to just come to get their groceries,” shares Sam. “We never wanted to be

a normal grocery store and this solidified that we aren’t a normal grocery store. We always wanted to be a place where people come and shop to find great deals—where employees are interacting with them and they could hear shout-out announcements like ‘we’ve got local shrimp, just off the boat for $12.99 for two pounds’ and people could meet the farmer and get high-quality goods at great prices—kind of like a fun day at Walt Disney World.”

The Clark Road location, another former Winn-Dixie store, opened in 2019, also with a high customer turnout at its grand opening. With multiple stores and a strong organization, the company was poised for further expansion when the world suddenly shut down. COVID-19 greatly impacted operations, making the shopping experience less personal and more focused on survival mode, according to Sam. “All of a sudden, we went from this fun place to shop where everyone’s laughing and smiling and hugging to staying six feet away from one another, between plexiglass and a face mask,” he recalls. The Detwilers quickly regrouped and responded by developing a contact-free, drive-thru service inspired by Chick-fil-A, offering the top 120 essential items. This offering was highly successful, serving 700 cars alone on the first Saturday at the Palmetto location.

Following the height of the pandemic, the company stopped aggressive growth efforts to focus on refining its existing six stores’ operations and improving product quality. “We backed out of leases and we just held tight for a few years,” explains Sam. “The family was worn out—we were growing, growing, growing and then we got hit with COVID, which made us rethink how we do business. We got together to focus on what makes Dewiler’s what it is and how we can do it better. How do we get better bakery goods out of our ovens? How do we get a better steak, better ground beef, better fish or what’s the right produce to put in the stores? What’s the right price? We learned a lot and we also discovered that we needed a new distribution center because we didn’t have enough room.”

Finally feeling ready to expand once again, Detwiler’s opened its West Bradenton location just about two years ago, which the family believes is their “nicest store to date,” including new features like fried chicken, pizza and a doughnut shop. This location has been their strongest store opening yet.

One major challenge that has been ongoing for the stores has been hurricanes, with the most recent, powerful storms causing significant damage. Sam notes, “The hurricanes have been extremely rough on us. Every single store lost power and we also lost some of our roof at our West Bradenton store in 2024. We suffered substantial losses then.” Beyond managing store recovery during storms, the company prioritizes its more than 800 employees. Sam explains, “We always spend a lot of money to help those employees who are taking care of our customers, whether they need their windows boarded or other preparations before the storm hits.” This commitment

Above,clockwise:

The Detwiler stores are supported by the Palmetto redistribution center; Henry Detwiler Jr, Josh Detwiler, Henry Detwiler Sr, Caleb Detwiler and Sam Detwiler. The employees at Detwiler’s take pride in serving the freshest food at all of their locations.

involves working with the local church and community to safeguard employees’ homes, ensuring they can return to work, “because if they don’t work, we can’t sell food.”

In September 2025, the company made a major investment to support their six stores and high volume of food movement, and partnered with Benderson Development Group again to lease a 133,000 square-foot state-of-theart cold storage and redistribution center at Florida International Tradeport in Palmetto. This new facility features 33 cold docks and nine dry docks, greatly improving food control, cleanliness and overall storage efficiency. The new center strengthens the company’s local supply chain, creates new jobs and positions Detwiler’s for continued growth while ensuring that prices stay affordable.

In November 2025, the Detwilers announced that they would open a seventh supermarket location in the Sarasota/Manatee County area in the Braden River Plaza, another former Winn-Dixie market, transforming it into a 43,000 square-foot store. “As a family, we are excited to continue growing,” shares Henry. “We’re so thankful for our loyal customers who make this growth possible and for the op-

portunity to serve even more people in our community.”

Despite the numerous challenges over the years, the enduring fact that the Detwiler family remains the sole owner and operator is seen as a source of strength. This family-owned status means the family members constantly work and socialize together. Sam attributes their ability to collaborate to a unique bond shared among the siblings, a bond that has never been broken since none of them ever left home for college. He notes, “I don’t know what life looks like without my brother around me.” The company’s significant expansion has been instrumental in managing the close relationship, as each family member can now oversee a distinct area of the business. This structure encourages collaboration while preventing them from “getting into each other’s hair.” Sam emphasizes the value of their diversity: “What makes our family great is that we’re very diverse. We stay strong by leaning on and respecting each other’s strengths and not by focusing on our weaknesses. As a family, we work together, we go to church together and we hang out together, in and out of work. It’s a lot of family time, but I wouldn’t trade it.”

WITH SARASOTA’S ECONOMY ALREADY ESCALATING, SUNCOAST

VENTURE STUDIO HOPES TO BRING A NEW FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION TO THE REGION.

TECH ECOSYSTEM

WRITTEN BY CECILIA MOULD | PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYATT KOSTYGAN

SUNCOAST VENTURE STUDIO, FOUNDED IN APRIL 2025 BY TRAVIS PRIEST, WILL DOLAN AND PAUL HARDER, is aiming to form a “tech ecosystem” in Sarasota, building new companies from scratch and attracting leaders from the technology industry to the area. Rather than operating as a traditional startup incubator or accelerator, the studio focuses on developing business ideas internally, launching them as independent companies and then bringing in entrepreneurs to take over the businesses. “The model essentially, as we launch these businesses, will help us build a tech ecosystem here, because the businesses are anchored here with us,” explains Priest. “We’re part of the Tampa Metro, but in Sarasota, we’re a little bit far removed and don’t see the direct tech ecosystem benefit that we would from building our own. The studio model helps do that.”

The studio, which focuses on financial technology, manufacturing automation and health technology, was created to meet the unique needs of the Sarasota economy. Financial technology helps automate financial services, saving costs and increasing accessibility. Priest also notes that retirees create demand for highquality healthcare, and Sarasota County is home to more than 450 manufacturing companies—manufacturing automation helps streamline their process by incorporating technology. In contrast, a younger demographic of remote workers who have moved to Sarasota following COVID creates a strong workforce for potential entrepreneurs to bring into the studio.

Priest was inspired to bring more of a technology-focused industry to the area when he moved to Sarasota three years ago and noticed that there was an opportunity for growth. Although a typical model would be a business incubator, which creates a space for entrepreneurs to collaborate and supports new start-ups, Priest realized that this model might not be successful in Sarasota. “When you bring in entrepreneurs with ideas, run them through a training program and teach them how to build a business, they then would graduate from that program, look around Sarasota and think ‘there’s not enough of a tech ecosystem here. I can’t draw enough people to build my business,’” he says.

“The studio model is a little different. Instead of waiting for an entrepreneur with an idea to come to your area and build, here, we come up with the ideas and bring the entrepreneurs to execute them.” Priest and Dolan first met through Harder, who was a mutual friend—when the three began discussing the potential for increased entrepreneurship in Sarasota, they saw an opportunity to build on already-impressive growth in the technology industry. “It was

Travis Priest’s idea to build the studio, and then Paul Harder and I helped him formulate exactly how to do it, what it would need and how we would fund it,” says Dolan. “It was through other group events and the network that we came together on this, but Paul and I both really resonated with Travis’s idea and wanted to help him out.”

Both Priest and Dolan come from backgrounds in technological innovation and have experience building businesses from zero. Dolan says that a key part of the start-up process is ensuring that an idea or product is unique and can contribute something new to the local market. “The studio is really that model of ideation and creating ideas that can then potentially become a business, if they meet the criteria that an investor or a market would allow that company to enter and fit well within the industry,” says Dolan. The founders’ combined experience led them to build a step-by-step approach to building a startup. First, the studio comes up with an internal idea based on problems that could be solved with new technology, or hosts industry discussions in target segments to understand what needs could be met with innovative ideas. Then comes an internal business proposal and market testing, which involves speaking to more industry leaders to gauge market sentiment for the potential product. As a final step, the studio puts together a full business plan and pitches the product to their internal advisory board. If the studio gets final approval from the board it is finally time to launch the business and bring in one or two co-founders.

Priest says that a key part of the studio’s forward-looking and innovative approach is artificial intelligence, which they use to help enhance their business plans. “AI offers two immediate opportunities. One, it allows us to work a lot faster, and then two, AI is changing the workflows in so many industries. It’s making a lot of things able to

be automated that couldn’t be before. There are big opportunities for us to introduce tools to help industries automate from this perspective. So it’s a game-changer,” says Priest. With careful use of prompts, the studio has adapted to using AI not as a replacement for their own work, but as a tool to help streamline the process.

The studio has even developed its own AI tool to assist with new ideas and creating business plans. “We use it every day in what we do, not to replace anything, or to create work where people are needed. Our approach is a little bit different. We think AI is an enablement tool that allows us to focus on the areas where our skills are needed in a more concentrated effort, where AI can fill in the gaps and help us accelerate and automate some of the things that will allow us to bring companies to market,” says Dolan.

Approaching its first anniversary, the studio has been busy building its capabilities—they’ve brought in new team members and come up with a backlog of over 25 different company ideas. Now, four of those ideas are in various stages of development. “There’s been great progress in terms of the mechanics of setting up the company and getting all the processes in place, and now we’re actually in the process of executing and starting to really take these companies forward,” says Dolan. “That’ll be the first wave of businesses that we launch.”

The studio’s future plans are focused on launching three to five ventures per year. With these new businesses will come opportunities for job growth and farreaching impacts to Sarasota’s economy. “We hope to create about 200 new jobs in the area in the next five years,” says Priest. “And we hope that our ventures will raise between $75 and $100 million in investment capital to launch.” SRQ

OSPREY

VENICE

NOKOMIS

2025 ELITE TOP ATTORNEYS LEGAL GUIDE | SECOND PRINTING

SECOND PRINTING

WELCOME

From courtrooms to conference rooms, the Sarasota and Bradenton Area is home to some of Florida’s most respected legal minds. Each year, SRQ Magazine presents the Elite Top Attorneys program, a peer-nominated guide that shines a spotlight on outstanding legal professionals across the region, from Anna Maria Island and Lakewood Ranch to Downtown Sarasota, Venice, and Nokomis. We asked attorneys to nominate the colleagues they most respect, those they trust to stand beside them or challenge them across the aisle, and the response was overwhelming. Peer recognition is one of the highest forms of professional praise, especially in a field built on trust, intellect, and advocacy. This year’s honorees have earned the confidence of their fellow attorneys through years of dedication, sharp legal acumen, and unwavering ethical standards. In the 2025 Elite Top Attorneys Legal Guide and awards section, you’ll meet the individuals whose work helps shape outcomes for clients and sets a high bar for the legal profession. Many are also leaders in our community, lending their expertise to causes and organizations that uplift our region. The law is more than a profession, it’s a pillar of a just society. The attorneys honored here are stewards of that ideal, ensuring that disputes are resolved with fairness, contracts are honored with clarity, and justice is pursued with integrity. We’re proud to share this year’s honorees with you. Join us in celebrating the 2025 class of SRQ Magazine’s Elite Top Attorneys.

METHODOLOGY To create the list, the magazine contracted DataJoe Research to facilitate an online peer-voting process and Internet research process. DataJoe Research is a software and research company specializing in data collection and verification, and conducts various nominations across the United States on behalf of publishers. To create the list, DataJoe Research facilitated an online peer-voting process. DataJoe checked and confirmed that each published winner had, at time of review, a current, active license status with the appropriate state regulatory board. If we were not able to find evidence of a lawyer's current, active registration with the state regulatory board, that lawyer was excluded from the list. In addition, we checked available public sources to identify lawyers disciplined for an infraction by the state regulatory board. These entities were excluded from the list. Finally, DataJoe presented the tallied result to the magazine for its final review and adjustments. We recognize that there are many good lawyers who are not shown in this representative list. This is only a sampling of the huge array of talented professionals within the region. Inclusion in the list is based on the opinions of responding lawyers in the region. We take time and energy to ensure fair voting, although we understand that the results of this survey nomination and Internet research campaign are not an objective metric. We certainly do not discount the fact that many, many good and effective lawyers may not appear on the list.

DataJoe uses best practices and exercises great care in assembling content for this list. DataJoe does not warrant that the data contained within the list are complete or accurate. DataJoe does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any liability to any person for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions herein whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause. All rights reserved. No commercial use of the information in this list may be made without written permission from DataJoe. Only one ballot per person was accepted for each entry year. Nominators were asked to vote for a professional only if they had personally witnessed his/her skill and expertise. If a nominator voted for themselves in any category, they were also required to vote for at least two candidates outside of their practice in that same category. All nominators and nominees must be actively practicing within the Sarasota and Bradenton Area region. For research/methodology questions, contact the research team at surveys@datajoe.com.

ARBITRATION AND MEDIATION

Steven J. Chase LEGACY

Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick LLP

240 S Pineapple Ave, 9th Flr

Sarasota, FL 34236

941-364-2708

LISTINGS

BANKING AND FINANCIAL

Malcolm J. Pitchford

Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick LLP

240 S Pineapple Ave, 9th Flr Sarasota, FL 34236

941-364-2705

BANKRUPTCY AND WORKOUT

Mark D. Hildreth

Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick LLP

240 S Pineapple Ave, 9th Flr Sarasota, FL 34236

941-364-2747

BUSINESS LAW

James D. O'Donnell

Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick LLP

240 S Pineapple Ave, 9th Flr Sarasota, FL 34236

941-364-2725

Michael E. Siegel

Shutts & Bowen LLP

1858 Ringling Blvd, Ste 300 Sarasota, FL 34236

941-552-3775

CIVIL

LAW LITIGATION

Adria Maria Jensen

Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick LLP

240 S Pineapple Ave, 9th Flr Sarasota, FL 34236

941-364-2739

Hunter G. Norton

Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick LLP

240 S Pineapple Ave, 9th Flr Sarasota, FL 34236

941-364-2771

CIVIL LAW LITIGATION

Michael Schuchat

Lutz Bobo & Telfair PA 2 N Tamiami Trl, 5th Flr Sarasota, FL 34236

941-951-1800

COMMERCIAL

LITIGATION

Daniel J. DeLeo

Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick LLP

240 S Pineapple Ave, 9th Flr Sarasota, FL 34236

941-364-2740

Justin P. Senior

Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick LLP

240 S Pineapple Ave, 9th Flr Sarasota, FL 34236

941-364-2792

Meghan O. Serrano

Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick LLP

240 S Pineapple Ave, 9th Flr Sarasota, FL 34236 941-364-2783

CONSTRUCTION

Erik M. Hanson

Shutts & Bowen LLP 1858 Ringling Blvd, Ste 300 Sarasota, FL 34236 941-552-3774

E. Zachary Rans Shutts & Bowen LLP 1858 Ringling Blvd, Ste 300 Sarasota, FL 34236 941-552-3787

Timothy J. Rudge

Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick LLP

240 S Pineapple Ave, 9th Flr Sarasota, FL 34236 941-364-2785

Christopher A. Staine

Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick LLP

240 S Pineapple Ave, 9th Flr Sarasota, FL 34236 941-364-2718

Christian T. Van Hise

Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick LLP

240 S Pineapple Ave, 9th Flr Sarasota, FL 34236 941-364-2711

FAMILY LAW

Paul M. McDermott

McDermott Law Offices PLLC 6151 Lake Osprey Dr, Ste 300 Sarasota, FL 34240 941-837-5071

Kyle Stalnaker

Stalnaker Law

6704 Professional Pkwy Lakewood Ranch, FL 34240 941-359-7825

LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT

Jason A. Collier

Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick LLP

240 S Pineapple Ave, 9th Flr Sarasota, FL 34236

941-364-2791

Jennifer B. Compton

Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick LLP

240 S Pineapple Ave, 9th Flr Sarasota, FL 34236 941-364-2754

Patrick J. Duggan

Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick LLP

240 S Pineapple Ave, 9th Flr Sarasota, FL 34236 941-364-2735

Ryan M. Guerin

Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick LLP

240 S Pineapple Ave, 9th Flr Sarasota, FL 34236 941-364-2704

Christine Sensenig

Sensenig Law Firm PA 1515 Ringling Blvd, Ste 230 Sarasota, FL 34236 941-953-2828

LAND USE ENVIRONMENT

Casey Colburn The Colburn Firm 7321 Merchant Ct, Ste A Lakewood Ranch, FL 34240 941-928-6801

PERSONAL INJURY

Drake Buckman

Buckman & Buckman PA 2023 Constitution Blvd Sarasota, FL 34231 941-676-9897

Nicholas J. Castellano II Buckman & Buckman PA 2023 Constitution Blvd Sarasota, FL 34231 941-676-9897

Stephen Fernandez

Goldman Babboni Fernandez Murphy & Walsh

2822 University Pkwy Sarasota, FL 34243 941-954-1234

Courtney Isop

Mallard Perez PLLC

889 N Washington Blvd Sarasota, FL 34236 941-952-1682

LISTINGS

David Goldman

Goldman Babboni Fernandez

Murphy & Walsh

2822 University Pkwy Sarasota, FL 34243

941-954-1234

Barbara H. Gormley

Law Offices of Barbara H. Gormley PA 2831 Ringling Blvd, Ste 214E Sarasota, FL 34237

941-366-1290

Christopher Hallet

Mallard Perez PLLC

889 N Washington Blvd Sarasota, FL 34236

941-952-1682

Damian Mallard

Mallard Perez PLLC

889 N Washington Blvd Sarasota, FL 34236

941-952-1682

Daniel Murphy

Goldman Babboni Fernandez

Murphy & Walsh

2822 University Pkwy Sarasota, FL 34243

941-954-1234

Alan L. Perez

Mallard Perez PLLC

889 N Washington Blvd Sarasota, FL 34236

941-952-1682

Bill Robertson

The Robertson Law Firm

330 S Pineapple Ave, Ste 110 Sarasota, FL 34236

941-364-2455

Charles W. Telfair

Lutz Bobo & Telfair PA 2 N Tamiami Trl, 5th Flr Sarasota, FL 34236

941-951-1800

Elizete Velado

Mallard Perez PLLC 889 N Washington Blvd Sarasota, FL 34236

941-952-1682

Bernard F. Walsh

Goldman Babboni Fernandez

Murphy & Walsh

2822 University Pkwy Sarasota, FL 34243

941-954-1234

REAL ESTATE

Kathryn Angell Carr

Shumaker Loop & Kendrick LLP

240 S Pineapple Ave, 9th Flr Sarasota, FL 34236

941-364-2709

Crystal D. Golm

Golm Law Firm

4916 26th St W, Ste 132 Bradenton, FL 34207

941-704-4049

John Patterson

Shutts & Bowen LLP

1858 Ringling Blvd, Ste 300 Sarasota, FL 34236

941-552-3770

Jan W. Pitchford

Shumaker Loop & Kendrick LLP

240 S Pineapple Ave, 9th Flr Sarasota, FL 34236 941-364-2710

Cynthia A. Riddell

Riddell Law Group

3400 S Tamiami Trl Ste 202 Sarasota, FL 34239 941-366-1300

Steven D. Solowsky

Shumaker Loop & Kendrick LLP

240 S Pineapple Ave 9th Flr Sarasota, FL 34236 941-364-2775

Benjamin C. Sorrell

Shutts & Bowen LLP 1858 Ringling Blvd, Ste 300 Sarasota, FL 34236 941-552-3505

Juan C. Villaveces

Shumaker Loop & Kendrick LLP 240 S Pineapple Ave, 9th Flr Sarasota, FL 34236 941-364-2765

SECURITIES LAW

Scott A. La Porta

Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick LLP 240 S Pineapple Ave, 9th Flr Sarasota, FL 34236 941-364-2759

Jarrod J. Malone

Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick LLP 240 S Pineapple Ave, 9th Flr Sarasota, FL 34236 941-364-2715

LEGACY

Michael S. Taaffe

Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick LLP 240 S Pineapple Ave, 9th Flr Sarasota, FL 34236 941-364-2720

Brandon M. Taaffe

Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick LLP

240 S Pineapple Ave, 9th Flr Sarasota, FL 34236

941-364-2773

TECHNOLOGY VIRTUAL

C. Jade Davis

Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick LLP

240 S Pineapple Ave, 9th Flr Sarasota, FL 34236

941-364-2799

WILLS

Allie R. Buckman

Buckman & Buckman PA 2023 Constitution Blvd Sarasota, FL 34231 941-676-9897

LEGACY

Charla M. Burchett

Shutts & Bowen LLP

1858 Ringling Blvd, Ste 300 Sarasota, FL 34236 941-552-3780

Sunny Dingman

Shutts & Bowen LLP

1858 Ringling Blvd, Ste 300 Sarasota, FL 34236 941-552-3786

Cheryl L. Gordon

Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick LLP

240 S Pineapple Ave, 9th Flr Sarasota, FL 34236 941-364-2706

Sarah J. Harnden

Shutts & Bowen LLP

1858 Ringling Blvd, Ste 300 Sarasota, FL 34236 941-552-3785

Jen J. Hensley

Hensley Law Offices

5190 26th St W, Ste D Bradenton, FL 34207 941-755-8583

Ashley S. Hodson

Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick LLP

240 S Pineapple Ave, 9th Flr Sarasota, FL 34236 941-364-2723

Joleen K. Searles

Shutts & Bowen LLP

1858 Ringling Blvd, Ste 300 Sarasota, FL 34236 941-552-3773

CRYSTAL D. GOLM

HONOREE | REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS LAW

CRYSTAL D. GOLM, ESQ. is the founder of Golm Law Firm, P.A., based in Manatee County, Florida. A Florida Bar-licensed attorney with a J.D. from Nova Southeastern University, she brings over 15 years of experience in real estate and business law. Crystal has overseen hundreds of millions of dollars in commercial real estate transactions and successfully closed thousands of residential deals. Recognized for her meticulous attention to detail and unwavering commitment to clients, she provides tailored legal solutions to business owners, landlords, and commercial clients navigating complex transactions. She’s an active member of the Florida Bar’s RPPTL Section and multiple professional women’s and real estate associations. Outside the office, Crystal is a devoted mother and passionate community supporter.

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR FIRM. Golm Law Firm, P.A., based in Manatee County, Florida, is led by Crystal D. Golm, Esq. The firm focuses on real estate and business law, representing buyers, sellers, entrepreneurs, and real estate professionals such as developers and investors. With extensive experience in residential and commercial transactions, the firm offers skilled, responsive representation from contract to closing. Crystal also advises on business formation and strategy.

WHAT DISTINGUISHES YOUR WORK AND YOUR FIRM FROM OTHERS? Golm Law Firm offers big-firm experience with boutique-level service. Clients work directly with Crystal Golm, a seasoned attorney widely respected for her precision in complex legal transactions. Her personalized approach and attention to detail ensure clients receive thoughtful, tailored solutions.

HOW DO YOU REPRESENT, PROTECT AND SUPPORT YOUR CLIENTS? Crystal Golm personally guides each client through their legal matter, offering clear advice, strong advocacy, and risk-focused strategies. Whether handling transactions or disputes, the firm prioritizes client education, communication, and protection at every step.

SHARE A TESTIMONIAL. “Very professional firm. From the very start, the admin was very prompt and directed me of the process of reaching the attorney. Attorney Crystal Golm is very sharp and experienced. From our phone consultation she was able to identify a major issue in the offer of our potential home purchase. This issue would have put me at risk of losing tens of thousands of dollars if pursued. Thank you for all your advice. They have definitely earned my business and will be using them when I am ready to close on my home."

BARBARA H. GORMLEY, ESQ.

HONOREE | PERSONAL INJURY

OVER THE LAST 26 YEARS, attorney Barbara H. Gormley has proudly represented only individuals that have been injured as a result of the negligence of another. Ms. Gormley is rated “AV Preeminent” which is the highest level of peer rating and means that her peers, lawyers and judges, have ranked her at the highest level of professional excellence for her legal knowledge,

FLORIDA BAR DATE OF ADMISSION

April 16, 1999

DEGREES

Juris Doctor, Nova Southeastern Shepard Broad Law Center

PRACTICE AREAS

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Trucking Accidents

Motorcycle, Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents

Negligent Security

Resulting in Injury

Slip/Trip and Fall Accidents

Nursing Home and ALF abuse

communication skills and ethical standards. Ms. Gormley has provided the highest quality of legal services both inside and out of the courtroom since 1999 and is known for treating every case as if it is going to trial. She represents clients throughout the State of Florida.

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR FIRM.

Her practice involves personal injury, including serious and catastrophic injuries, wrongful death as a result of automobile and trucking accidents, pedestrians and bicyclists hit by a motor vehicle, motorcycle accidents, trip/slip and fall cases on commercial and residential properties, negligent security resulting in injury cases, as well as nursing home and assisted living facility abuse cases.

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF

Juris Doctor, Nova Southeastern University

Shepard Broad Law Center, Davie, Florida

Deans List Member of the Nova Southeastern University’s Moot Court Honor Society

State Bar of Florida, Admitted 1999

Admitted to the U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida Florida Bar Association, Trial Lawyers Section Member

Eagle Member of the Florida Justice Association Sarasota County Bar Association

Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent® 2014 to present Member of the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys

LAW FIRM

Law Office of Barbara H. Gormley, P.A.

CONTACT

2831

BILL ROBERTSON

HONOREE | PERSONAL INJURY

1925–2025 | A CENTURY OF COMMITMENT. A LEGACY OF JUSTICE.

In 2025, the Robertsons mark a major milestone in the legal community—100 years of serving Sarasota and southwest Florida. In 1925, Bill Robertson's great-grandfather and grandfather founded Robertson & Robertson, beginning a century-long tradition of legal advocacy and public service.

BILL HAS A LENGTHY AND ROBUST BACKGROUND FOCUSING on personal injury and wrongful death claims throughout Florida, with a proven track record handling auto and motorcycle accidents, bicycle and pedestrian accidents, plane crashes, trucking accidents, slip and fall incidents, propane and natural gas explosions and defective products. Over the course of his career, Bill has recovered over $250 million for his clients. Carrying forward his family’s century-old legacy of public service in Sarasota, Bill is a community-based lawyer recognized both locally and nationally for his dedication to helping national heroes and veterans. He has held an AV preeminent rating from Martindale-

FLORIDA BAR DATE OF ADMISSION

October 18, 1984

PRACTICE AREAS

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Wrongful Death

Traumatic Brain Injury

Hubbell magazine—the highest level of professional excellence— for 20 consecutive years. Bill has also received accolades from America’s Top High Stakes Litigators, National Lawyers of Distinction and America’s Most Honored Lawyers, Super Lawyer in Florida, Top Attorneys in Florida and Top Attorneys in Tampa Bay. Bill’s advocacy in the fight against the opioid crisis earned him national attention, including a feature by Fox News journalist Geraldo Rivera. Beginning in 2013, Bill was also instrumental in recovering tens of millions of dollars in damages for his clients throughout Florida after the Deepwater Horizon oil well explosion occurred in the northern Gulf of Mexico in April of 2010. He has hosted a local call-in radio show called Let’s Talk Law with Bill Robertson on WSRQ. A proud member of the Florida Justice Association, Bill dedicates countless hours helping people navigate the legal system on a pro bono basis. As the Robertson Law Firm enters its second century, Bill continues to uphold the values that have guided the firm since 1925—service, integrity and results.

SHARE A TESTIMONIAL “When my son was hit by a car last year while sitting at an intersection on his bicycle, I knew we would need legal help. I felt dealing with someone who had been involved with Personal Injury law in this area for over 30 years was a better option for us than some of the big box law firms. It proved to be a good decision. Bill, his staff, and associates did a masterful job of getting my son a healthy settlement. I don’t think you could have a better representative fighting for your well being than the Robertson Law Firm, P.A.”

DEGREES

Stetson University College of Law, St. Petersburg, FL; Juris Doctorate

Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL; Bachelor of Science, Government

FLORIDA BAR ADMISSION

April 15, 2020

DEGREES

Juris Doctorate

PRACTICE AREAS

Estate Planning

Wills, Trusts, Power of Attorney

Probate and Trust Administration

Adversarial Matters

LAW FIRM

Hensley Law Offices, LLC

JENNIFER J. HENSLEY

HONOREE | WILLS & TRUSTS

JENNIFER’S PASSION FOR SERVING OTHERS began early—shaped by life experiences that reflect the challenges many clients face. With empathy, dedication, and a deep belief in protecting what matters most, she’s built a practice rooted in trust, advocacy, and compassion.

MISSION At Hensley Law Offices, we don’t just draft documents—we build legacies

CONTACT 5190 26th Street West, Suite D Bradenton, FL 34207 | 941.755.8583

Firm@jenhensleylaw.com jenhensleylaw.com

FLORIDA BAR ADMISSION

May 10, 1991

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science, University of Tampa on a full ROTC scholarship, 1987

Attended Officer Basic School at Fort McClellan, 1988

Juris Doctorate, Stetson University College of Law, 1990

Stanley Milledge Award

Retired from the US Army Reserves as Captain in 2000

YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

35 years

LAW FIRM

Lutz, Bobo & Telfair, Trial Lawyers

CHARLES W. TELFAIR, IV

| PERSONAL INJURY

CHARLES W. TELFAIR IV is a Personal Injury Attorney. Telfair began his career at Holland and Knight back in 1989. Holland and Knight chose to relocate to Tampa and Lutz, Bobo and Telfair opened its doors in April of 1992. Through his career Telfair has had the privilege of working with some of the biggest corporations in the world: Tropicana, Volvo Penta, Stanley Bostich, to name a few. Telfair believes accessibility and honesty are what his clients appreciate the most. Personal Injury law is personal. Telfair puts forth his energy, knowledge and time to ensure the best possible outcome for his clients.

MISSION Telfair and Lutz, Bobo and Telfair are rated AV by Martindale Hubbell. This means that our peers have given us the highest rating for both ethics and legal ability. Here at Lutz, Bobo & Telfair we are privileged to work with you, and we are honored to share our experience with you. At Lutz, Bobo and Telfair we treat our clients the way we prefer to be treated.

CONTACT

2 North Tamiami Trail, 5th Floor Sarasota, FL 34236 | 941.951.1800

cwtelfair@lutzbobo.com LBTLaw.com

PAUL MICHAEL McDERMOTT, ESQ.

HONOREE

| MARITAL & FAMILY LAW

MR. MCDERMOTT has practiced family law for almost 25 years and has extensive experience in negotiation, mediation and litigation. He earned his Juris Doctor degree from Regent University (VA) in 2001 and his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of WisconsinMadison in 1998 where he double-majored in history and sociology. He is a member of the Family Law Section of the Florida Bar and the Family Law Section of the Manatee County Bar Association.

WHAT

SETS YOUR YOU/YOUR FIRM APART FROM OTHERS?

At McDermott Law Offices, we strive to provide top-tier customer service to our clients. This starts by identifying our clients’ needs and goals at the initial consultation, devising an effective strategy to accomplish their goals and then implementing their strategy through to completion. We promptly communicate with our clients to provide case updates, answer questions and outline available options to clients as we compassionately advocate for their interests. We aim to treat our clients how we would want to be treated if we were the client.

CONTACT

6151 Lake Osprey Drive, 3rd Flr. Lakewood Ranch, FL 34240 941.225.2550 mcdermottlawoffices.com

CYNTHIA RIDDELL

HONOREE | BOARD CERTIFIED REAL ESTATE ATTORNEY

CYNTHIA A. RIDDELL is the managing attorney at Riddell Law Group. She is admitted to practice in Florida as well as the U.S. District Court in and for the Middle District of Florida and the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in and for the Middle District of Florida. She focuses her practice on transactional residential and commercial Real Estate Closings and Title Insurance. She is a Director on the Board for the Sarasota County Bar Association from 2022-2025 and a member of the Real Property Probate and Trust Law Section of the Florida Bar as well as the Business Law Section of the Florida Bar. She received her B.A. in History from University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida and her Juris Doctor from Stetson College of Law, St. Petersburg, Florida. Cynthia grew up in Sarasota and returned to the area after law school to join her father, Jeff Riddell, in the practice areas of real estate, bankruptcy and estate planning. Prior to attending law school, Cynthia worked as a Florida licensed title agent for Riddell Title & Escrow, closing both residential and commercial real estate transactions.

CONTACT 3400 S. Tamiami Trail, Ste 304 Sarasota, FL 34239 | 941.366.1300 criddell@RLGLAWFIRM.COM www. RLGLAWFIRM .com

FLORIDA

April 2, 2015

DEGREES

Juris Doctor

PRACTICE AREAS

Marital & Family Law

Divorce

Collaborative Law

DEGREES

Juris Doctor, Bachelor of Arts

PRACTICE AREAS

Estate Closings

FLORIDA BAR ADMISSION

February 22, 1996

DEGREES

University of South Florida, B.A., B.A., 1988, and MLA 1992

University of Florida

Levin College of Law, J.D. 1995

RECOGNITION

Florida Trend Magazine

Legal Elite, 2009-2024

SuperLawyer, 2015-2025

University of Florida

National Alumni Leader of the Year, 2009,

AV Rated by Martindale Hubbell

LAW FIRM

Sensenig Law Firm PA

CHRISTINE SENSENIG

HONOREE | LABOR & EMPLOYMENT

CHRISTINE SENSENIG is the managing partner of The Sensenig Law Firm, P.A. She provides human resources and employment law advice as well as litigation defense to employers of all sizes in all aspects of the employment relationship. To build strong long-term relationships with clients, the Firm explores the “why” behind a client’s concerns. In employment law, clients have needs in “real time” and the Firm believes in being an accessible resource to our clients. Christine Sensenig is grateful to have been recognized in her community by colleagues that she respects and admires as a member of SRQ Magazine’s Elite Top Attorneys.

“I do my best because I am counting on you counting on me.” — Maya Angelou

CONTACT 1515 Ringling Blvd., Ste. 230 | Sarasota, FL 34236 941.953.2828 | csensenig@senseniglawfirm.com senseniglawfirm.com

FLORIDA BAR ADMISSION

June 12, 2012

DEGREES

UC Berkeley (Undergrad) and Stetson Law

PRACTICE AREAS

Family Law

Personal Injury

LAW FIRM

Stalnaker Law, P.A.

KYLE STALNAKER, ESQ.

HONOREE | FAMILY LAW

KYLE STALNAKER is an experienced attorney with over 13 years of legal practice, known for delivering strategic counsel and dedicated client advocacy. A graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, Kyle went on to earn his law degree from Stetson University College of Law. Over the course of his legal career, attorney Stalnaker has built a reputation for integrity, diligence, and results-driven representation in family law and personal injury.

WHAT SETS YOU/YOUR FIRM APART FROM OTHERS

The legal challenges for family law or personal injury are never just about the law, they are deeply personal, emotional, and often chaotic. What sets Stalnaker Law apart is our ability to manage that chaos with clarity, compassion, and strategic focus. We don’t just guide you through the legal process— we help you regain a sense of control in a time that may feel overwhelming. We are highly responsive, and uniquely equipped to handle the intense demands of high-stakes legal matters while keeping the client’s best interests at the center of everything we do.

CASEY COLBURN

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FLORIDA BAR ADMISSION

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Also licensed in Pennsylvania

PRACTICE AREAS

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culture city

This spread: Co-curators of the exhibition Tim Jaeger (left) and Bill Hartman; The John Ringling Causeway by Wilfrid Berg, 1946; Bill Hartman scans through a treasure trove of Artist Colony-era paintings in his studio. Origins: Sarasota Artist Colony, January 20-March 28, Ringling College Galleries and Exhibitions, 2700 N Tamiami Trail, 34234, 941-359-7563

ORIGIN STORY

Origins: Sarasota Artist Colony tells the story of how Sarasota became an artistic haven after the second World War. Dylan Campbell

IN 1945, WILLIAM HARTMAN HOOKED UP A TRAVEL TRAILER HE’D BUILT TO AN OLD CAR HE’D BOUGHT FROM A WIDOW DOWN THE STREET IN MUSKEGON, MICHIGAN AND DROVE SOUTH. Hartman was joined by his friend and fellow artist Wilfrid Berg—both had worked as Works Progress Administration artists before serving in World War II—and his daughter, Carol, whose mother had died while Hartman was deployed overseas. The trio had a destination—Sarasota, where Hartman and Berg were set to enroll in the Ringling School of Art on the GI Bill—and the dream of carving out careers as working artists. Beyond that, nothing was set in stone.

“They put their trailer in White City Camp in Whitaker Bayou, just across the street from the school, and went into the office to sign up for classes,” says Bill Hartman. “There was a young brunette behind the desk, named Martha Dye, who would become his future wife and my mother. They fell in love, got married and had me. They both had fallen in love with Sarasota as well, and decided to make their lives here.”

What William Hartman, Martha Dye and Berg didn’t realize in 1945 was the influence they would have on the artistic landscape of Sarasota, carriers of a cultural legacy that began with John Ringling and still lives on today. That influence of the trio, and the countless other artists who flocked to Sarasota from 1945-65, is being commemorated in the Ringling College Galleries exhibition Origins: Sarasota Artist Colony. Part history lesson, part art show, Origins will transport viewers back to the mid-20th century, to a time where Sarasota was transformed into an artists’ haven.

Artists such as Hartman and Berg came to study at Ringling on the GI Bill, later becoming faculty members or opening art schools and galleries of their own.

“It was a tight-knit community,” says Hartman. “Using the GI Bill to study at Ringling meant you had this close-knitness between these young men, especially because of their shared experiences, which would set them apart from everyone else for the rest of their lives. I think of it as a Greatest Generation story—many young men and women created, between them, the cultural ambience for us to then blossom over the years into the arts community we all enjoy today.”

By 1951 Sarasota was already gaining national recognition as an “artist colony,” where, similar to cities like Gloucester, Rockport or St. Augustine, artists could create, teach and thrive with one another. In 1952, Hartman and Dye founded the Hartman School of Art and sales gallery and by 1953, 13 different art schools could be found across

Sarasota. Groups such as the Petticoat Painters, which Dye founded to provide an avenue for female artists to showcase their work, were created and juried exhibitions at art galleries around town were immensely popular. While some of the artists, such as Berg, Syd Solomon, Hilton Leech and Jerry Farnsworth achieved national recognition, many were known only regionally. Teaching was their way of carving out a life for themselves in post-war America, catering to a population hungry for art instruction. “I’d say that nine out of 10 of the artists came from blue-collar backgrounds,” says Bill Hartman, who was raised in White City Camp and in converted barracks on the grounds of SRQ Airport. “Sarasota was in many ways, a holdover from an earlier period of American life where there was a popular trend in taking painting lessons amongst the leisure class. When the war ended, you had a significant population of retired professionals who were anxious to pick up where they’d left off when the war started.”

culture city

Despite garnering national recognition as an artistic destination in the 1950s, the era of the Sarasota Artist Colony is one that is oft-overlooked. It is a period of time that is crucial to the cultivation of Sarasota’s modern identity as Florida’s Cultural Coast, and yet, a simple Google search of “Sarasota Artist Colony” leaves one grasping at straws. Hartman and his co-curator Tim Jaeger, director of the Ringling College Galleries, created Origins in an effort to preserve and give credence to this piece of Sarasota’s past. “The message that we’re trying to convey is that something wonderful happened here and there is no firsthand memory of it any longer. What we have are the ephemera of it—the newspaper articles, the clippings, the photos, the paintings—and there are not many people that can even tell this story,” says Hartman. “If we don’t do it, who will? It’s not going to get any easier for people down the road.”

Origins will feature roughly 30 paintings, 20 of which are sourced from Hartman’s collection, from over two dozen artists. The subject matter of the paintings themselves, which range from plain air watercolor landscapes to oil portraits of circus performers and everything in between, harkens back to a less-developed era of Sarasota. Familiar landmarks like bridges, fields and beaches are transformed by the passage of time. “One thing I think a lot of viewers will find interesting is that when they look at these various scenes in Sarasota and then make the geographic connection, they’ll realize how much it’s changed,” says Jaeger. “This exhibition bridges the past with the present; it provides ideas about how our artistic heritage has informed our ongoing creative development.”

More than just a collection of paintings, Hartman and Jaeger plan to transform the exhibition space itself, creating a time capsule reminiscent of the Artist Colony’s era.

An LED wall will provide a video narrative of the time period, vintage photographs, newspaper clippings and other artifacts such as Christmas cards artists sent to one another will adorn the space. Everything in Origins is curated to present the collective nature of the movement, crediting not just a few painters, but the community of artists who brought forth John Ringling’s vision of Sarasota as a city rooted in the arts.

“People have this idea that history is created by big men, that you can point to this individual or that individual. They don’t realize that history is made by communities of like-minded people, which is what we’re trying to convey here,” says Hartman. “It’s terribly unfair to point to a specific few artists as the reasons this happened—it happened because about 1,500 people participated between the adult students who contributed to and bought paintings from the professional artists that made their careers here.” SRQ

A LEGACY IN MOTION

The Sarasota Ballet presents the iconic Martha Graham Dance Company this February.

Dylan Campbell

CONTRACTION AND RELEASE. At its core, these are the starting principals of the Graham technique, pioneered by American contemporary dance legend Martha Graham. Graham, who lived from 1894-1991, was so pivotal in the world of dance that her influence, both in the technique—the first ever codified method of contemporary dance—and in her choreography, still lives on today. The Martha Graham Dance Company, founded in 1926, became famous for nurturing the careers of iconic dancers and choreographers of the 20th and 21st centuries, working with the likes of Merce Cunningham, Sir Robert Cohan, Elisa Monte and many others.

This spread: Xin Ying and Lloyd Knight in Pontus Lidberg’s Woodland; Xin Ying in Martha Graham’s Diversion of Angels; Xin Ying in Pontus Lidberg’s Woodland. Photo courtesy of Hibbard Nash Photography.

P5—Martha Graham Dance Company, February 27-March 2, FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N Tamiami Trail.

In 2023, the Company embarked on a three-season long celebration of its 100th anniversary. This February, the Company will touch down in Sarasota, where it will perform four works for Program Five of the Sarasota Ballet’s season. “For me, Martha Graham is the godmother of modern dance,” says Iain Webb, director of the Sarasota Ballet. “She was an extraordinary figure and her ideas pertaining to movement were just mindboggling. There is a way that the energy flows differently through the body, which audiences have an amazing visual appetite for.”

Webb welcomes the chance to continuously present work of companies other than the Sarasota Ballet, both for the benefit of audiences and for his dancers. “I love presenting a company other than our own every season, it’s a chance for me to give our loyal audiences and supporters a chance to see what is going on in the dance world,” says Webb. “It’s also very important for our company to see these dancers perform, whether it’s Graham Dance Company or Mark Morris Dance Group, so that when we dance their ballets, we have a better understanding of the choreography as well.”

The Company will be performing four works while in Sarasota: We The People, Immediate Tragedy, Errand and En Masse. We The People, with choreography by Jamar Roberts and music by Grammy-Award winning folk artist Rhiannon Giddens, premiered in February 2024 in the first of the three season celebration

of the company’s 100th anniversary. Keeping in line with the 2023-24’s theme, “American Legacies,” We The People explores themes of protest amidst Americana, pairing Giddens’ explosive folk music with the equally electric dancers of the company.

Immediate Tragedy harkens back to 1937, when Martha Graham choreographed the solo as a reaction to the horrors of the Spanish Civil War. The dance, which depicts a fierce female figure of resilience, was all but forgotten when Graham stopped performing it in the late 1930s. In 2020, however, choreographer Janet Eilber rediscovered Graham’s solo and reimagined the choreography for a newer work. Additionally, conductor Christopher Rountree created a new score for the work, inspired by hand-written pages of music from Immediate Tragedy’s original composer Henry Cowell. Errand is another updated version of an original Martha Graham work, Errand into the Maze, which premiered in 1947 with a score by Gian Carlo Menotti. Errand into the Maze is a duet derived from the Greek myth of Theseus, the Athenian hero who descends into the labyrinth to conquer the minotaur. In Errand into the Maze, Graham tells the story from the perspective of Ariadne, who in the original myth helps Theseus defeat the monster only to be betrayed by him afterwards. “It is such an iconic piece of Graham’s and used to be so visually fantastic, so I’m very much interested to see what this new concept has in store,” says Webb. In Errand, which premiered in 2013,

director and choreographer Luca Veggetti retained Graham’s iconic choreography, but recreated the setting, costumes and context for the work. Veggetti has done away with traditional sets, using lighting to set the stage and created basic costuming—all in an effort to contemporize the work and reinvigorate it with urgency and intensity.

En Masse, which made its premiere in October 2025, was commissioned specifically for the 100th anniversary of the Graham Company. En Masse is in many ways the fulfillment of a partnership between Graham and legendary composer Leonard Bernstein that never fully came to fruition—although the two deeply considered collaborating on a work inspired by American social issues, nothing ever came to light. That is, until the Leonard Bernstein Foundation uncovered an unknown piece of music titled Vivace in the “Martha/ Lenny” file that they believe was written for Graham. The Graham Company once again turned to Rountree to compose a score for this new work, an expansion of Vivace, aptly titled “For Martha (Variations on a Theme by Leonard Bernstein)”. Two-time Bessie Award winner Hope Boykin choreographed a work for seven of the company’s dancers for En Masse

In Program Five of Sarasota Ballet’s season, the Company will once again contract, pulling in audiences with its masterful mix of athleticism and grace, before releasing viewers back into the world. SRQ

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This spread, clockwise: Zack Rasmussen and Natasha Ahuja are all smiles as the ride through Gamble Creek Farms; house-made sausage made with wild boar from Shogun Farms; the delectable chicken salad croissant sandwich.

forage

WHERE THE ROOTS REACH THE SEA

Parrish’s Gamble Creek Farms is redefining what it really means to be farm to table. Dylan Campbell

GAMBLE CREEK FARMS IS A PLACE OF STORIES. It tells the story of proprietor Ed Chiles’ development into more and more environmentally conscious operations, of caring for more than just what goes on his tables, but of the entire ecosystem. It’s a story of wild hogs and papayas, of permaculture, agroforestry and ecological succession. It’s a story of farming truly sustainably, with an ear to the land instead of an eye on the market. The story of Gamble Creek Farms in many ways mirrors the story of natural Florida—of what it once was, of a history marked by land development and a path toward a greener future.

Situated on Manatee County’s Gamble Creek, the 26-acre Real Organic Certified farm was an orange grove for over 40 years before morphing into a community sustainable agriculture (CSA) program. In 2013, the Chiles Group—former owners of Manatee County restaurants the Sandbar, the Beach House and Mar Vista—began to lease the farm as a means to creating a more sustainable culinary ecosystem, providing local produce to and processing waste from its restaurants. “There initially was a culture shift in our restaurants,” says Chiles. “We started composting everything off the plates in our restaurants and using it to build soil, and then got more and more into layers of

the process. We didn’t want to just be 50% organic, we wanted to be 100% organic, and rebuild the nutrition of the soil that had been degraded from being an orange grove.”

In 2021, Chiles bought the property and Gamble Creek Farms underwent its latest metamorphosis, growing from a CSA into an outpost that has created a circular economy and includes a LEED-certified farm market and commissary kitchen and an event deck.

At Gamble Creek Farms, the soil is treated akin to gold. Gamble Creek is part of the Manatee River watershed, which means that everything planted in the soil—all of the work done at the farm—impacts the three coasts of Bradenton, Longboat Key and Sarasota. That

devotion to the soil, to sustainability, is why Gamble Creek Farms does not operate like a normal farm. “We are all about permaculture and agroforestry,” says Natasha Ahuja, administrative farm manager. “The idea is companion planting, not just having one vegetable, one fruit, but having a whole array of different varieties of crops.”

“Our whole idea is that we’re succeeding towards a forest,” adds Zack Rasmussen, the farm’s general manager and Ahuja’s husband. “Every weed that is growing in an open pasture, if it would be speaking, would say, ‘one day I will be the forest,’ because that’s how ecological succession goes. As opposed to most farming systems where it’s 90%

implementation and 10% observation, ours is flipped to 90% observation. We start moving once we’ve studied the forest and we’re trying to replicate those natural systems.”

Following the principles of agroforestry, Gamble Creek Farms yields an incredible variety of organic crops from lettuces, microgreens, squash, radishes and root vegetables throughout the winter to fruits such as pumpkins, papaya, watermelon and more in the warmer months. The variety is intentional—the biodiversity within the fields themselves allows the crops, and the soil underneath, to flourish. “The new science actually says that if you have more than eight plant families planted together in a system, they start working cohesively. If one species ends up sick in the system, the others will sacrifice their lives to feed and heal it,” says Rasmussen. “The idea is putting the roots down towards the forest, so that the crop has everything it needs in the pattern of ecological succession.”

That ethos of ecological succession is what allows Gamble Creek’s Farm Market to shine. While the farm does provide wholesale produce to an assortment of local restaurants and institutions, the Market is where the fruits of Rasmussen and Ahuja’s labors—and the partnerships Chiles has forged along the way—come to life.

A partnership with Shogun Farms yields wild boar, which head butcher Toffer Jacob turns into an assortment of meats. Succulent sausages—from mushroom-boar to blueberry and beyond—line the display cases along with cured meats, cold cuts, bacon, pork chops, ribs and more. The entire pig can be used—from lard for baking to creating chicharones out of the skin, turning an invasive, destructive species into a sustainable product for the masses.

In the kitchen, Farm Market manager and chef Kenny Pisciotta’s relationship with Rasmussen and Ahuja allows him to experiment with seasonal offerings. “Typically, with being a chef you order your ingredients, they come in and then you prepare it,” says Pisciotta. “Here, you walk out into the field and pick what you want.”

An autumn salad employs Gamble Creek’s pumpkins, diced and sautéed in brown butter, tossed with fresh microgreens, dried cranberries, pecans, crumbled goat cheese and topped with a mulberry vinaigrette. Those same berries can be found in the chicken salad croissant—the flaky deliciousness courtesy of Sarasota-bakery Bread Bandits—a fresh, punchy sandwich perfect for lunch. The hybrid pumpkins as well as squash, assorted legumes and papayas make their way into fan-favorite soups.

It is difficult to categorize all that the market offers, because quite frankly, the process never ends. The cyclical nature of the seasons yields a myriad of products, either grown at the farm or sourced from a partner that values sustainability as much as Gamble Creek Farms does. Everything from locally caught stone crabs, clams and grouper to the papayas used in smoothies, salads and soups makes its way to the market.

In the future, Chiles’ aims to expand the event offerings at the Market, furthering Gamble Creek Farms as a conduit for agricultural and environmental sustainability in the region. Like the farm itself, Gamble Creek is merely a stream, but that stream leads into a river, which leads into a bay and eventually, a sea. What happens here, in this 26-acre micro farm, in the middle of one of the fastest growing zip codes in the entire country, matters. “We live in an unprecedented time. Every generation has left us off better, but what we’re seeing now are more and more weather events, more and more pollution in our water,” says Chiles. “Shame on us if we’re not fighting to turn the tide—we owe nothing less to the future generations.” SRQ PHOTOGRAPHY BY WES ROBERTS.

giving coast

GROUNDED BY GIVING BACK

Janelle Piersoll looks for any opportunity to make a difference. Barbie Heit

JANELLE

PIERSOLL IS A DEDICATED MOTHER OF FOUR AND HAS BEEN HAPPILY MARRIED FOR 11 YEARS. She attributes her family life to keeping her grounded and inspired. Much of her time is devoted to her children’s activities, particularly baseball. Her husband coaches their son’s team, and she serves as the team parent for all her boys’ baseball teams—covering both travel and Little League. This role encompasses everything from coordinating events to providing support for the coaches and families.

Beyond the ballfield, Piersoll is actively involved in the community. She serves on the PTO board at Ashton Elementary School as the Business Partner Coordinator, where she connects the school with local resources and support. She also served as the Secretary of the Board for the Early Care Center, her son’s daycare, offering organizational support and assisting with governance. Outside of her professional and parenting responsibilities, Piersoll enjoys traveling, especially to places with personal significance. She and her husband honeymooned in Costa Rica and plan to return to the meaningful destination soon. Born and raised in Minnesota, Piersoll moved to Sarasota in March 2011 to work for S-One Holdings Corporation, where she is still employed today. “I’ve lived in the Sarasota area for 15 years come March, and it truly feels like home, both because of the community and the balance it offers for raising a family,” she says. “I’m currently the VP of Technology at S-One, where I’ve spent the last several years growing both personally and professionally. My focus is on leading our technology strategy, driving innovation and enabling our teams with the tools they need to succeed. I work closely across departments to modernize systems, streamline processes and support the continued growth of a company I care deeply about.”

S-One is often recognized as a philanthropic leader in the region. With a deeply rooted culture of giving back, philanthropy isn’t just something they talk about; it’s something woven into the fabric of the company. “One of our strongest partnerships is with All Faiths Food Bank, where our teams volunteer regularly, helping provide meals to families in need,” she shares. “S-One organizes volunteer days throughout the year and employees are encouraged to participate through our paid volunteer time program. It’s one of the things I love most about the company: giving back is truly a shared priority.” She explains that S-One looks for any opportunity to support the

community—not just through volunteering. “We’ve donated school supplies for local students, contributed supplies to pet adoption organizations and hosted blood drives. There’s also a fundraising element to nearly every event we hold; we find creative and meaningful ways to make sure that fun at work also leads to impact in the community. For me, it’s incredibly meaningful to be part of an organization that consistently steps up for families, children and those facing hardship. I’ve always believed that companies have the ability and responsibility to uplift their communities, and S-One truly lives that out in action.”

Piersoll personally has volunteered with SCF students interested in technical careers, which she feels has been one of the most rewarding parts of her volunteer experience.

“I’ve spent several years partnering with their Coding Bootcamp, helping students prepare for careers in technology,” she says. “I’ve given multiple talks on interviewing and career readiness, including serving as the keynote speaker for two of their Demo Days. Beyond speaking, I’ve also mentored students directly, and even paired members of our IT department at S-One with students so each person had an industry professional to learn from. Seeing these students gain the confidence to enter the tech workforce has been incredibly meaningful.”

Piersoll is guided by two primary mantras: “Leadership is service” and “Leave things better than you found them.” She lives by “Leadership is service” because she believes in showing up for others—at home, work and in the community—and leveraging her resources and talents to create opportunities for someone else. Her second mantra, “Leave things better than you found them,” applies universally to people, organizations and communities. One of the most meaningful experiences Piersoll remembers involves mentoring a high school student through the Faces of Accomplishment program. “When we met, she was at a point where she

needed guidance, structure and someone who believed in her potential. Over our three years together, I watched her grow, make better choices, push through challenges and ultimately graduate high school, something she wasn’t sure she would achieve,” she recalls. “Today, she’s a manager at Publix and thriving. Watching her succeed, knowing that consistency and encouragement made a difference, is something I will carry with me forever. It reminded me that mentorship doesn’t have to be complicated; it just has to be consistent and genuine.”

For those hoping to become philanthropically involved, Piersoll shares this advice: “Start with something that resonates with you personally. Philanthropy becomes sustainable and impactful when it aligns with your values. Begin with one organization or cause that sparks your interest, ask where help is genuinely needed; it may not be the glamorous role, but it’s often the most meaningful. Be sure to show up consistently, even in small ways and don’t underestimate the power of mentorship or hands-on support. Sometimes, giving your time can change someone’s life more than writing a check. Our region is full of opportunities to contribute, from schools and food banks to youth mentorship programs and workforce development initiatives. Once you take the first step, you’ll find there’s no shortage of ways to make a difference.”

Piersoll is incredibly humbled to be recognized as a Good Hero because to her, it means that the effort, care and commitment she tries to show every day, as a parent, a leader, a mentor and a community member, has made a positive impact. “It motivates me to keep going, keep giving and keep lifting others up. Our community is full of amazing people doing meaningful work, and being included among them is an honor I don’t take lightly. Giving back is something that grounds me and brings purpose to everything I do.” SRQ Janelle Piersoll was recognized as a Good Hero by SRQ Magazine in December 2024.

UMBRELLA HOUSE + LIGHT IT UP WITH FAMILY BUSINESS

CONTENTS H & D

Home design stories, inspiration and thoughtful architecture on the West Coast of Florida— from Anna Maria Island and Lakewood Ranch to Sarasota, Venice and the Barrier Islands.

10 WONDERLAND

This holiday season, Lisa Beddigs— founder and stylist-in-chief of Scarlett J Designs —found a new passion for holiday decor. With a special project for an apartment at the St. Regis on Longboat Key, Beddigs brought a Hallmark Christmas wonderland to life.

12 SECOND LIFE

Caitlin White is no stranger to second chances. Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, she majored in environmental science in college. But when she moved to Sarasota in 2018 to be with her now-husband, she seized the opportunity to explore her lifelong passion for visual arts.

16 UMBRELLA UNFOLDED

While the Umbrella House has had a lasting impact on architecture, nature has had an impact on the Umbrella House. Over the years, the house and grounds have had to undergo restoration

work as time and weather have both taken their toll. Recently, Oasis Landscape Architecture (OLA) had the opportunity to design an exterior space for the Umbrella House.

22 LIGHTING IT UP

Electricity depends on connection. Power travels along wires and through circuits, moving steadily from one point to the next until a light switches on. Most of this work happens quietly and out of sight, a careful network doing its job without fanfare. When everything is working together, something ordinary becomes transformative: an invisible force creating warmth, clarity and atmosphere in a space.Like electricity, family also depends on connection. It’s fitting then, that Bee Ridge Lighting serves as a kind of hub connecting a network of family businesses.

Written by Cecilia Mould.

H & D WONDERLAND

Lisa Beddigs focuses on a client-first approach to every interior design project.

This holiday season, Lisa Beddigs—founder and stylist-in-chief of Scarlett J Designs—found a new passion for holiday decor. With a special project for an apartment at the St. Regis on Longboat Key, Beddigs was able to bring a Hallmark Christmas wonderland to life. “It was seriously such a dream job for me, because this home was a blank slate for them. This is the family’s second home, and it was also their first time having Christmas here,” she says. “I really was able to allow the design to set the stage for the memories that they would build from this season on, to many more holidays in this home.” Beddigs launched Scarlett J Designs, her interior design firm, in May 2025, working on a range of decor projects for new or remodeled homes in the Sarasota area. When the holiday season rolled around, she began accepting clients who were hoping she could decorate their homes for Christmas. Although these projects differed from typical interior design, Beddigs soon found a love for holiday decorating. “Now, I know how much I love holiday design and hope to really put a big emphasis on that in my business, more than maybe I thought I was going to. But I love it so much that it’s just allowing me, in 2026, to pivot to those areas,” says Beddigs. Complete with a classic Hallmark Christmas theme and a traditional color palette, Beddigs created a full design featuring a fully-decorated and personalized tree, a hot chocolate bar and a custom-made floral piece. While Beddigs hopes to expand her work on holiday designs, she also enjoys the full-service interior design projects she completes throughout the year. Inspired to start her own business after spending 25 years working in corporate marketing, Beddigs now brings her business expertise and her passion for design together in her own work. With a Master of Business Administration and multiple interior design certificates—including Applied Color for Design from the New York School of Interior Design, Beddigs says she has loved every aspect of owning her own firm. “Being able to shift my focus to what I really love to do gave me a fresh sense of the business side.” As she looks to the future of Scarlett J Designs, Beddigs hopes to continue the work she loves most and eventually bring her daughter into the firm. “Building this business was important to leave a legacy for my daughter, and something that, if she wanted to, she could carry on and be part of the business,” she says.

Written by Kate Wight

H & D SECOND LIFE

Caitlin White is no stranger to second chances.

Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, she majored in environmental science in college. But when she moved to Sarasota in 2018 to be with her now-husband, she seized the opportunity to explore her lifelong passion for visual arts. “When I moved here, I decided I was going to pursue interior design,” White says. “I interviewed at an architecture and design firm for an interior design position with absolutely no background, just seeing what would come of it. They hired me to work the front desk, and after a year I became the office manager. And then quickly after that, I was working right underneath the lead interior designer because I just kept pushing. I was there for over six years working on high-end residential design, and I haven’t turned back since.” During her daily drives to work, White would often spot furniture that had been left by the curb. It was then that she would discover that she had a knack for refinishing old furniture–giving it a second chance if you will. “I started seeing these vintage, quality pieces of furniture by the side of the road and I couldn’t leave them there,” she laughs. “I would find full dining sets and take them home.” White learned how to refinish furniture, and she began fixing up her curbside friends, bringing them back to life. Some she kept: she found a beautiful arts and crafts desk, and when she peeled off the veneer, she discovered it was made out of solid red oak. That still sits in her kitchen to this day. Other pieces she sold to owners who could appreciate them in this new phase of their lives. “When I started refinishing, it was a creative outlet for me,” White says. “It made me realize that I really appreciated this creative independence and the freedom to really trust my instincts. I kind of pieced together that maybe it was time for me to go out on my own just to have that creative autonomy that it seemed like I had been longing for for so long, because I had this thing on the side that I was doing that had allowed me to explore that.” Now an RIDQC-certified interior designer, White opened her own studio, Coburn Designs, in 2024. Coburn Designs is a full-service interior design studio, offering a wide array of services. If you’re building a new home from the ground up, Coburn Designs can be there from day one, working on everything from millwork design to finishes to procurement to installation. White also works with clients on procurement projects to furnish a particular space whether it’s one room or two, or a whole house. Coburn offers staging and styling which can be super helpful if you’re trying to sell a home, and also offers renovation services. On occasion, some of her refinished furniture pieces find a new home in one of her new projects. “At Coburn Designs, we create spaces that tell stories. We want to be more than just a style. We want to craft collected, meaningful interiors that really are deeply personal to the client,” White says. “I think my biggest thing is, I want people to feel inspired. And I want people to understand it’s okay to take risks and follow your intuition.” White, who is also no stranger to following her own intuition, should know.

Coburn Designs, 941-299-5026, www.coburndesigns.com.

WRITTEN BY

KATE WIGHT, PHOTOGRAPHY

COURTESY OF OASIS

LANDSCAPE

ARCHITECTURE

This spread: Originally designed by renowned architect Paul Rudolph in 1953, the Umbrella House stands as an enduring icon of mid-century residential architecture.

Arron Diedrich of Oasis Landscape Architecture talks about the exterior design of Sarasota’s iconic Umbrella House.

UMBRELLA UNFOLDED

Sarasota is celebrated for its beautiful beaches, an exciting culinary scene and a thriving arts community. What’s often overlooked is that the city is home to a rich architectural history. Much of Sarasota’s architectural legacy can be traced back to the Sarasota School of Architecture, a significant midcentury modern movement spanning between 1941 and 1966. Also known as Sarasota Modern, this regional style of post-war modern architecture is characterized by open-plan structures, climate-responsive features like self-ventilation and integration with nature. Many of the architects who pioneered this style would go on to become world-renowned, particularly Victory Lundy and Paul Rudolph, and many of the buildings constructed as part of this movement are still considered iconic. One of the most recognizable and beloved is the Umbrella House.

ALSO KNOWN AS THE HISS RESIDENCE, the Umbrella House is a midcentury modern home designed by Paul Rudolph. The owner of the home was Philip Hanson Hiss III, an entrepreneur who planned to open a real estate development on Lido Shores. Hiss was a supporter of midcentury modern architecture, and he thought that taking a radical approach to design would might attract international attention to his development. He approached Jack Rudolph to design a prototype home that would serve as the model for future structures. Originally built in 1953, the building combines elements of modernism and indigenous tropical design and is now considered one of the most remarkable homes of the twentieth century.

While the Umbrella House has had a lasting impact on architecture, nature has had an impact on the Umbrella House. Over the years, the house and grounds have had to undergo restoration work as time and

weather have both taken their toll. Recently, Oasis Landscape Architecture (OLA) had the opportunity to design an exterior space for the Umbrella House. Arron Diedrich, the principal landscape architect and creative director at OLA shared some insight into that process. Originally from West Virginia, Diedrich worked in Charleston, South Carolina before relocating to Sarasota seven years ago. He cut his teeth working at a large national firm and then some local firms before opening OLA two years ago. During that time, he began volunteering with Architecture Sarasota, a nonprofit organization that stewards the legacy of the Sarasota School of Architecture. “I started working with Marty Hylton and we did a pop-up garden for one of their events, and from there we met the owner of Umbrella House,” Diedrich explains. “We did the exterior design for their private design and that led to us becoming involved with Umbrella House as well.”

The OLA team had to balance several priorities while planning out their landscape design. First, was historical accuracy. The team planned to utilize landscape materials that would have been available at the time of construction in 1953, in a manner that complemented the home’s unique architectural style. At the same time, they wanted to place an emphasis on coastal resiliency, designing the outdoor spaces in a way that would allow them to withstand and recover from coastal hazards like storms and erosion, using nature-based solutions, such as native plants.

“It seems like everyone in the Sarasota School came out of that Bauhaus movement, so we looked at those principles and thought about how we could essentially borrow those from the architecture and incorporate them into the landscape design,” Diedrich says. “I think for us, the biggest thing was we wanted to focus on designing when the landscape was to essentially be submissive to the architecture, right? Everything that we were doing was intended to be very subtle and really complement that.”

Drawing inspiration from the architecture led Diedrich and the team to create a sequenced experience for guests that accentuated the garden experience and its correlation to the architecture while using key focal points to frame views.

“A lot of it really started out from creating these views or these vignettes so that, when you walk in the house, you have this lush green backdrop at the back of the umbrella,” he says. “But going back to the Bauhaus principles, we are also doing things that are very linear, very structural. It’s almost architectural the way everything’s laid out.”

The OLA team didn’t want to inundate the space with vegetation, so they stuck to using native plants that were period-appropriate (primarily sea grapes, buttonwoods and sabal palmettos).

OLA actually began designing the project in March of 2024, but before they could get started, Sarasota was hit by back-toback hurricanes later in the year. That only reinforced the thought that coastal resiliency needed to be part of the design plan.

Through the course of the project, Diedrich and his team discovered they had a real affinity for these historic landscape designs, and have now taken on more projects in that vein. It’s a unique niche for an upand-coming firm to explore.

“I didn’t know about the Sarasota School until I moved here and started getting more involved in the local architecture scene and learned more about the significance of these folks,” Diedrich says. “To be a design professional and be able to work on any of these historic projects, it really is fantastic and never anything I would have thought I would have had the opportunity to do. Getting to work on a Paul Rudolph House and add something to that, even if it’s only temporary, isn’t something I take lightly.”

SRQH&D

WRITTEN BY

WIGHT,

Electricity depends on connection. Power travels along wires and through circuits, moving steadily from one point to the next until a light switches on. Most of this work happens quietly and out of sight, a careful network doing its job without fanfare. When everything is working together, something ordinary becomes transformative: an invisible force creating warmth, clarity and atmosphere in a space.

Four family businesses shine brighter together.

LIGHTING IT UP

LIKE ELECTRICITY, FAMILY ALSO DEPENDS ON CONNECTION. It’s fitting then, that Bee Ridge Lighting serves as a kind of hub connecting a network of family businesses. First, there is Bee Ridge Lighting itself, a family-owned showroom and retail space managed by Rob Barnard. Then there is Barnard Bros Electric. Owned by Rob’s younger brother Rory Barnard, Barnard Bros provides expert electrical services for homes and businesses. Rob and Roy have a sister named Erin Glueck who owns Eridel Design and Construction with her husband Oliver Glueck. Finally, the three siblings have a cousin Corey Gannon, the owner of Vice & Virtue Furniture. While all four businesses stand on their own, they’ve found that when they collaborate, they shine even brighter.

“My parents started Bee Ridge Lighting on July 5th, 2006,” says Rob Barnard. “I was out of school and ready to start a family, so running the business kind of fell to me. I’ve been here since the beginning.” Over the past twenty years, Bee Ridge Lighting has become one of Sarasota’s premier lighting stores. With an 11,000 square foot showroom, there is ample inventory to choose from. And because the business remains locally and family-owned, they’re able to provide the kind of personalized service you won’t find at a big box store.

“We have four great salespeople and they’re very hands-on,” Rob says. “Not everyone has an interior designer, so they’ll work in concert with customers to make sure they satisfy a certain look that the customer is going for. We can store lighting for up to two years if you’re designing a new custom home, and we’re one of the only stores that will deliver and install. We even get into lighting controls a bit, with dimmers. We’re more full-service than any other showroom around.”

Bee Ridge Lighting didn’t always offer installation. That’s where younger brother Rory comes in. Rory started working at Bee Ridge Lighting after high school and with encouragement from his brother he decided to pursue an electrician license. After getting licensed, he set up an office for Barnard Bros Electric at Bee Ridge Lighting where he continues to work closely with his brother.

“We do some residential work, remodels, new construction,” Rory says. “We do light commercial work and service work. We get a lot of lighting installations with Bee Ridge Lighting so we do all their installations and work with some of their contractors too.” And that’s not the only family business on-site. Upstairs, you’ll find an office for Eridel Construction and Design. Like her brothers, Erin Glueck also had a stint working at Bee Ridge Lighting. She had a degree from

Ringling College of Art and Design in illustration, but through working with architects and designers at the family store she discovered she had a passion for design. She went back to Ringling and got a second degree in interior design, then worked in Los Angeles and New York City before returning to Sarasota and meeting her now-husband Oliver Glueck.

“We met in 2014, and then I started Eridel Design Studio,” Erin remembers. “We didn’t have a conversation, but it was just a known alignment that this was something we were going to eventually do together.”

Oliver had been working for his dad for about a decade installing solar panels. He knew he loved working with his hands, so he started working for builders and learning every aspect of the industry from the ground up. After becoming a licensed general contractor, he started Eridel Construction in 2021. He and Erin merged their businesses together in 2023. “People ask how we both work and live together,” Erin says. “It’s very easy, because this is something where we trust each other in their area of expertise. There have been times when I’m working with other contractors and I need to know that the designs I’m putting forward are buildable and realistic, so I run it by Oliver. It’s really cool to be able to utilize each other, even when he’s working with a different designer and I’m working with a different contractor.”

“Honestly, the things I’ve learned from Erin have helped me become a better builder,” Oliver adds. “I’m not the typical contractor with cookie cutter options.” Someone else who stays away from cookie cutter options is Corey Gannon. Cousin to Rob, Rory and Erin,

he took a different path into the family business. After serving in Iraq for a few years, he returned stateside in 2006 and purchased a home with his wife, then a firstyear English teacher.

“It was dilapidated. It had been semi-abandoned. So we needed to do a lot of work,” Gannon recalls. “Without a lot of money, it’s imperative to just make a house habitable and start there.” In addition to teaching himself to fix up the house, Gannon also started building furniture. What started as something he pursued out of necessity soon became something he found a deep affinity for. Over the last several years he has refined his technique and craft, and in the process has begun to make some truly beautiful furniture.

“I take a lot of inspiration from the studio furniture movement of the fifties and sixties, names like Wendell Castle, George Nakashima and Sam Maloof,” Gannon says. “I’m not claiming I’m on that level. But I would love to someday be a very small part of bringing that back.” Gannon recently opened his own studio so people can experience his work in person. Naturally, Oliver did some work on the space and Rory did the wiring for the shop. Corey has also had a chance to collaborate with Erin and Oliver on a custom built-in for a project, and they often turn to Rob and Rory for light fixtures and wiring. After all, it’s all about connections.

SRQH&D Barnard Brothers Electric, 3909 Bee Ridge Rd., Sarasota, 941-2281667, barnardbroselectric.com. Bee Ridge Lighting, 3909 Bee Ridge Rd., Sarasota, 941-922-2626, beeridgelighting.com.. Eridel Construction and Design, 3909 Bee Ridge Rd., Sarasota, 941-599-1980, eridelconstruction. com. Vice & Virtue Furniture, 1542 4th St. #112, Sarasota, vvfurniture.com.

TROPICAL INTERIORS FLORIST

“Our success reflects the passion of our incredible team and the support of this community,” Chanté shares. “We’re honored to continue the legacy of Tropical Interiors Florist and can’t wait to welcome new faces every day as we serve Manatee and Sarasota County.”

— Chante’ DeMoustes, Owner

Chanté is passionate about championing local floristry and educating customers on the artistry behind each arrangement: “Floristry is a chain of passionate artisans,” she says. “Supporting your local florist means supporting quality, care, and creativity that can’t be duplicated by online order gatherers or big-box stores.”

Through the shop’s website, customers can order arrangements or schedule pickups, making it easy to bring fresh blooms home or give the gift of floral beauty year-round. Proudly, flowers are deliverd all over Manatee and Sarasota counties.

tropicalinteriorsflorist.com

TRIBUTE TO BUSINESS ON THE CREATIVE COAST

CHANTÉ DEMOUSTES IS THE VISIONARY OWNER AND DRIVING FORCE BEHIND TROPICAL INTERIORS

FLORIST, one of the Sarasota–Bradenton region’s most beloved boutique floral studios — proudly celebrating nearly 50 years in business since 1975. Tropical Interiors has been a fixture in Manatee and Sarasota communities with a reputation for quality, creativity, and heartfelt service. In 2025, Tropical Interiors Florist was voted both the Best Florist in Florida and the Best Florist in Bradenton, a testament to its craftsmanship, community love, and outstanding floral experience.

When Chanté took over the business in 2020, she set out not just to preserve a legacy, but to build an extraordinary creative team that shares her vision and pushes the brand forward with fresh energy and innovative floral artistry. Together, they’ve transformed the shop into a European-inspired floral boutique — a rustic French flower-market-style showroom that showcases premium blooms, curated gifts, and design experiences unique to the area. Located at 1303 53rd Ave West in Bradenton, the Tropical team collaborates daily to deliver intentional, artful florals rooted in quality, creativity, and exceptional care. From everyday arrangements to stunning event installations and custom designs, every creation reflects a shared passion for floral expression.

As a dynamic entrepreneur and community supporter, Chanté partners with theatres, nonprofits, corporate clients, luxury venues, and local celebrations — but it’s the collective talent of her team that brings each vision to life. Tropical Interiors Florist offers an extensive range of services including:

• Daily floral design and premium wrapped bouquets

• Tropical and specialty imported blooms

• Houseplants and botanical décor

• Corporate accounts and office arrangements

• Sympathy and funeral florals

• Wedding and event design consultations

• Weekly and monthly flower subscriptions