Luz Corcuera, executive director of UnidosNow, will be stepping down at the end of 2022 to devote her full attention to her family. In her seven-year tenure at UnidosNow, Corcuera has strengthened and expanded its educational programs designed to put predominantly low-income, first-generation Latinx students on a path to a post-secondary education. These programs have resulted in more than 3,000 high school graduates securing more than $14 million in scholarships and grants. Additionally, Corcuera expanded the reach of the organization, launching new intergenerational programs including the Future Leaders Academy for Girls (FLAG) for elementary students, Future Leaders Academy for Middle Schoolers (FLAM), and the Parenting Leadership program. During the pandemic, Corcuera led the organization in uncharted territory establishing key partnerships to provide critical emergency assistance, health education/vaccine and treatment access to hundreds of Hispanic families in the region.

JFCS of the Suncoast has announced the appointment of Dr. Helene Lotman as its president and CEO, effective Jan. 1, 2023. Lotman brings to JFCS strong financial acumen, exceptional fundraising results by developing meaningful donor relationships and support, and a long track record of building and developing strong teams and supportive work cultures. She is currently is CEO and president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City, a position she has held since 2016. Previously, she was the executive vice-president of the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach, Florida.

School District of Manatee County superintendent Cynthia Saunders has announced her intent to retire at the conclusion of her contract which occurs at the end of the 2022-2023 school year. Saunders has served 34 years in public education in Florida, including the last five years as superintendent in Manatee County. Her last day as superintendent will be Friday, June 30, 2023.

The law firm of Icard, Merrill, Cullis, Timm, Furen, and Ginsburg, P.A., is pleased to announce that N. Macaire King and Meghan E. O’Connell have joined the firm as associates in their Sarasota office. King’s practice is focused primarily in the areas of land use, land use litigation, and commercial real estate. O’Connell is a litigation attorney practicing in the areas of personal injury and general civil litigation.

The medical staff of Sarasota Memorial Hospital’s Sarasota campus honored two physicians for outstanding service and installed its new slate of physician leaders for 2022-2023. Dr. Herbert Silverstein was awarded 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award, and Dr. Wilhelmine Wiese-Rometsch was named 2022 Physician of the Year. Selected by a committee of physician leaders from the Sarasota campus, Dr. Silverstein and Dr. Wiese-Rometsch were recognized at its annual medical staff meeting Oct. 18.

Acquisitions

PGT Innovations, Inc. has announced it has acquired Martin Door Holdings, Inc. for a purchase price of approximately $185 million. Martin is headquartered in Salt Lake City, UT, and is a leading custom manufacturer of premium overhead garage doors and hardware serving the Western U.S. residential and commercial markets. 

Accreditations

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce officially announced the U.S. Chamber of Commerce designation of "Accreditation with 4 Stars" for its policies,  organizational procedures, and positive impact on the community.

CenterPlace Health, a federally qualified health center, is pleased to announce that Tiona Settles recently became certified by the State of Florida as a community health worker. Tiona joined CenterPlace Health in May of 2022 and is working on a health equity initiative funded by Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. The certified community health worker (CCHW) credential is for front-line health workers who, by virtue of their trusted status in the community, serve as a liaison, link and intermediary between health services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service deliver.

The Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority has announced that Kent D. Bontrager, vice-president of engineering at  Sarasota Bradenton International Airport has been awarded the distinction of Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.) by the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE).

Moving

The Bradenton Area Economic Development Corp. (EDC) will move its office from Lakewood Ranch to the 26 West Center at State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota, in Bradenton in January 2023. Sharon Hillstrom, EDC president and CEO, announced the news during the organization’s 2022 Annual Update event on Friday, October 28, at the Bradenton Area Convention Center.