The Library Foundation for Sarasota County has announced the election of five new members to its board of directors. Tim Jaeger, Kelley Lavin, Todd Sweet, and Crishuana Williams will each serve three-year terms. Quinn Gulliver will serve as the Boys & Girls Club STAR (Students Taking Active Roles) board member for a one-year term. 

The Hermitage Artist Retreat and the Aspen Music Festival and School have announced that Matīss Čudars, a composition student at AMFS, has been selected as the recipient of the 2023 Hermitage Prize in Composition.

Temple Sinai has announced that Bethany Leinweber, director of youth education and family engagement, has enrolled as a rabbinical student in the Aleph Ordination Program  and has been named the temple’s student rabbi. 

Virtuoso has recognized Michelle Andersen of Admiral Travel International in Sarasota as a 2023 Virtuoso Cruise Icon, which honors advisors whose sales performance excel within the industry. 

The Manatee County School District announced that Kimone Cooper will serve as interim principal at Lee Middle School. Cooper replaces Shelly DeCesare, who has left the school district.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast’s board of directors recently elected Michael Nachef as chair for a two-year term. Other officers include past chair Randall Woods, treasurer Susan Flynn, and secretary Anthony Baldo.

All Star Children’s Foundation has named Karen Holbrook to its board of directors. Holbrook is the regional chancellor at the University of South Florida's Sarasota-Manatee campus.

Crystal Bailey has been promoted to chief operating officer and general counsel of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. She will oversee the organization’s strategic operations, including implementing best practices in risk management, compliance, and governance. She will also have responsibility for key areas including human resources, guest experience, administration, internal finances, facilities management, as well as all legal matters. Bailey also was elected corporate secretary of the organization by its board of trustees.

New College of Florida has announced the head coaches for each of its six varsity intercollegiate athletic teams which will begin competition in the 2023-2024 academic year.  They are Glodi Konga, men’s soccer; Debbie Pekel, women’s soccer;  Andrew Wingreen, men’s basketball; Brian Cruz, women’s basketball; and Aly Bermudez, softball.

SeaPort Manatee has a newly promoted team of senior staff members leading business development initiatives for the Southwest and Central Florida trade hub. Effective as of Monday, Aug. 7, Troy Layton is SeaPort Manatee’s director of business development, while Malcolm Edwards assumes the role of deputy director of business development.

The Manatee Literacy Council announced the addition of two new members to its board of directors. They are Ericka Dow and Kyle Peters.

The Child Protection Center, Inc. has announced the appointment of Elizabeth K. Topp as the capital campaign manager for the nonprofit’s ongoing expansion at its Campus of Healing.

Booker Promise Foundation, an organization dedicated to empowering Booker High School students with essential skills and resources for post-secondary success, has named Earl Young as its new president and CEO.

The Education Foundation of Sarasota County has announced the addition of three new members to its board of directors. They are Ron Mason, Gabriel Cordero and Luka Perry. 

Mike Meeks has joined Christopher Alan Homes as senior vice president of construction. In his role, Meeks will work collaboratively with each division’s production team to establish consistent, clean and effective processes for use in all markets.