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Connecting professionals. Sharing knowledge. Advancing best practices
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President's Message
WOW, the Winter quarter was BUSY for the LAI FL Suncoast Chapter! ... and Chapter activities continue into the Spring!
On January 21, the Chapter hosted a superb meeting sponsored by Hoyt Architects and hosted at The Cafe on St. Armands Circle. Joshua Ewen, Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County VP Economic Development, gave an excellent presentation on What's Next for Sarasota County Economic Growth.
February closed with the One-by-Land, Two-by-Sea Tours and the Water Challenges, Economics, and Nature-Based-Solutions LED (Land Economics Dialogues.) Both events were well attend by local and global LAI members as well as guests. Post-event documentation is included in the final newsletter section.
The One-by-Land, Two-by-Sea Tours were the first tour in the LAI SemiQ East Coast Tours: Land Use & History (1776-2026) that celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Mark your calendars for the Chapter Spring meeting on Tuesday, May 19 5:30 - 7:30 pm. Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority Executive Director Richard Anderson will present on Regional Water Supply Program and the delivery of safe drinking water that is reliable, sustainable, and protective of our natural resources.
Thanks to Woodruff & Sons generous sponsorship, the meeting free to attend yet requires registration.
REGISTER HERE for the May 19 meeting.
The FL Suncoast Chapter brings value to its membership and the community via a myriad of activities and opportunities for active participation. It is an honor to lead the vibrant chapter.
With Honor,
Holly Elmore
LAI FL Suncoast Chapter President
City of Sarasota skyline image courtesy of Holly Elmore Images (HEI).
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Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority’s
Talk on the Regional Water Supply Program
In our next LAI event, Richard Anderson, Executive Director of Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply
Authority discusses the Regional Water Supply Program and the delivery of safe drinking water that is reliable,
sustainable, and protective of our natural resources.
Thanks to Woodruff & Sons' generous sponsorship the event is free to attend by chapter members, their guests, and potential members. Registration is required.
SPEAKER: Richard Anderson, Executive Director of Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority
LOCATION: EVEN Hotel Sarasota – Lakewood Ranch. 6231 Lake Osprey Dr, Sarasota
5:30 pm Reception with appetizers & cash bar
6:00 pm Program
7:00 pm Open Networking
SPONSORED BY: Woodruff & Sons
REGISTER HERE.
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January 21 Chapter Meeting
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What's Next for Sarasota County Economic Growth.
At the January 21 FL Suncoast event, Joshua Ewen, CEcD, VP of the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County provided an overview of the County’s economic growth trends including an update on the future of business parks, and high-wage job creation related to development planned across Sarasota County.
Chapter Emcee John McCarthy welcomed guests to the meeting, facilitated a quick round of introductions. and inducted two new members: Gary Hoyt, Owner at Hoyt Architects, and Barbara Williams, Real Estate Consultant at Mapp Realty and Investment Company.
Thanks to Hoyt Architect's generous sponsorship the event was free to attend by chapter members, their guests, and potential members.
Post meeting, guests enjoyed the lovely reception and lingered while making new friends and reconnecting with long-term acquaintances.
The HEi album, 01-21-26 LAI FL Suncoast Meeting, gives a pictorial recap to the meeting. Joshua's PPT presentation is available at the LINK.
Photo: Gary Hoyt after his induction ceremony pictured with John McCarthy and sponsor Jay Brady; photo courtesy of HEI.
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Don O’Leary Lifetime Achievement Award - Kelly Gilliland
Kelly Gilliland, President at Integrity Mortgage Capital, was honored with the inaugural Don O’Leary Lifetime Achievement Award at the Lakewood Ranch Community Activities (LWRCA) 25th Anniversary Appreciation Awards in November 2025. The award, which recognizes exceptional volunteerism and community dedication, honored her long-standing impact on Lakewood Ranch. The Observer article, Resident's long-lasting heart for Lakewood Ranch stems from a mother's love, celebrates Kelly's professional career. Photo by Mark Gordon for The Observer.
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CREA President - Barbara Williams
As announced in Elevate Magazine, Barbara Williams Leads the Way as 2026
CREA President! Barbara Williams, PA, REALTOR®, of Mapp Realty & Investment Co., brings decades of professional insight, deep community roots, and a clear vision for
strengthening CREA’s role within the commercial real estate industry. Her presidency will focus onadvancing member engagement, elevating professional development, and fostering meaningful connections across the region’s commercial real estate community Photo courtesy of Elevate Magazine.
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CAC Climate Champion - Sara Kane
Sara Kane, Sustainability and Resilience Manager for Sarasota County, was named a 2026 Climate Champion by the Climate Adaptation Center (CAC). She was honored at the 4th Annual Climate Champions Awards ceremony on March 11, 2026, for her leadership in advancing regional strategies for sea-level rise, flooding, and sustainable development.
Sara was recognized for her contributions to sustainability, building resilient communities, and addressing the growing risks of sea-level rise and flooding in Sarasota County through strategic planning, community empowerment, collaboration, and the pursuit of funding needed to turn adaptation ideas into meaningful action.
Photo of Sara on stage with the other two Climate Champions courtesy of HEI.
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LED Microforest Video - Tim Rumage
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After the formal LED presentations concluded, Tim Rumage, Professor of Environmental Studies at Ringling College of Art + Design, shared on the local microforest projects supported by the Rotary Club of Sarasota Bay. Videographer Bill Wagy of Bill Wagy Communications produced a superb video of Tim's educational presentation. The compelling video incorporates microforest clips from the Wagy repertoire to illustrate the rapid ecological results of the native plantings.
View the video HERE.
Microforest video graphic courtesy of Rotary Club of Sarasota Bay.
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A Wonderful Event!
In February, the LAI FL Suncoast Chapter hosted the One-by-Land, Two-by-Sea Tours (Tours) with grand success! LAI members and guests traveled from across North America to sunny Sarasota for two days of tours celebrating Land Optimization.
The Regeneration in ACTION (RiA) article, Land Optimization: a key to economic and environmental success, celebrates the Tours with a synopsis of the event. Links for PPT-presentation downloads are included in the article.
For a pictorial recap of the Tours, visit the HEI three-part One-by-Land, Two-by-Sea Tours Gallery. Group photo of the Tours attendees courtesy of HEI.
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Thank you to those who attended the Water Challenges, Economics, and Nature-Based Solutions LED (Land Economics Dialogues) on Wednesday, February 25.
After the excellent morning presentations, LED Moderator John McCarthy spearheaded a dynamic afternoon session organized by the following discussion points:- Part 1. What’s going on with water? What is going on with water in your world – either your professional or personal observations?
- Part 2. Where are the gaps in our efforts to protect water resources and related economies?
- Part 3. LAI is multidisciplinary - What kind of professional intersections will help us bridge the gaps?
An impressive foundation was established on February 25 for future LED events. Strategy sessions are underway for future LED activities - contact Holly if you choose to participate.
The RiA article, Water Challenges, Economics, and Nature-Based Solutions, documents the empowering day in a detailed fashion. The HEI LED Photo Gallery contains related images.
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The feedback for the Tours/LED arrived in various forms and through diverse channels. During the recent Annapolis/Washington D.C. Tours, attendees and those who followed the events from afar shared abundant praise for the program.
Many of these sentiments arrived through emails, social media, and professional correspondence. A particularly meaningful reflection came from Durga Poudel, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of GeoScience at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, who noted:
"The Land Economics Dialogues (LED) and the 'One-by-Land, Two-by-Sea' tours were simply outstanding. The thoughtful integration of economics, environmental stewardship, and practical field experience made this one of the most meaningful conferences I have ever attended."
The photo of Durga and his lovely wife Shanta on "the Hill" at the Celery Fields is courtesy of HEI.
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Chapter members: consider joining one of the ad hoc committees and/or volunteer to support chapter activities. Potential chapter members: LAI FL Suncoast Chapter membership is via a sponsored nomination by an existing member. As a nearly 95-years-old land economics honorary, LAI-member criteria includes ten-years of experience in land economics-based professional endeavors as well distinguished achievements. For further information, please contact Chapter President Holly Elmore via info provided below.
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