The William G. and Marie Selby Foundation is awarding 45 graduating high school students with scholarships to support their four undergraduate years of college. This year’s “Selby Scholars” includes 24 first generation students, those who represent the first in their families to go to college. 

Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Ron Turner was recently sworn in as president of the Florida Supervisors of Elections (FSE). As an organization, FSE represents all 67 supervisors of elections in Florida who collectively serve more than 14 million registered voters statewide. In his role as president, Turner will support FSE’s mission to conduct fair, honest and accurate elections in Florida and continue the important work of past FSE presidents.

Dr. John L. Clark, a research botanist at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, has been reappointed as a research associate in the Department of Botany at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History (NMNH). Clark’s appointment lasts for three years, until May 2026. It continues an affiliation he has had with the Smithsonian since 2005.

The School Board of Manatee County selected Jason Wysong, current deputy superintendent in Seminole County, to be the next superintendent of Manatee District schools during a special meeting today at the Walter E. Miller School Support Center in Bradenton.

The Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau announce that Aimee Blenker has joined as its new domestic and international leisure sales manager.

Ian Black Real Estate has hired Heidi Haber as sales associate. Haber has nearly 10 years of experience in real estate and 20 years of sales experience. In her new role, she will complement the existing team and focus on sales and leasing of commercial properties in the Sarasota-Manatee area.  

Congressman Vern Buchanan has announced the hire of Tara Poulton to serve as his new district director. She will replace long-time district director and one of his first congressional hires, Sally Shely, who is retiring.

Center For Sight has announced Dr. Brittany Coyle as its incoming resident for the 2023-24 Residency in Ocular Disease, a program sponsored by Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry and accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ASCO) and the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE).

Safe Children Coalition has announced that architectural firm Clifford M. Scholz Architects (with Rick Oswald leading the team) is designing its new facility. Tandem Construction has recently been retained as the builder.

The Patterson Foundation has named Cathy Layton as the newest member of its governing board. Layton’s appointment is scheduled to begin Aug. 1. 

The Gulf Coast Community Foundation has selected 29 participants from across the region for its 2023 Gulf Coast Leadership Institute. They are Jasmine Akins, CAN Community Health; Charlene Altenhain, The Glasser/Schoenbaum Human Services Center; Uzi Baram, New College of Florida; Emilie Campos, Harvest House; Kecia Carroll, KC Roberg; Chris Collins, Ability to Include, Inc.; Misty Daniels, Community Volunteer; Grier Ferguson, Church of the Redeemer; Marlene Hauck, Lee & Bob Peterson Foundation/Sunshine from Darkness; Megan Howell, Second Heart Homes, Inc.; Ashley Jimenez, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens; Jessica Johnston, SPARCC; Cynthia Keaton, Prescott HR; Amber Lamerson, The Bay Park Conservancy; Will Luera, Florida Studio Theatre; Cole McHargue, Merrill Lynch; Michael Meerman, CareerSource Suncoast; Anne Miller, Operation ECO Vets; Sarah Miller, NAMI Sarasota and Manatee Counties; Nan Morgan, Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida; Steven Pajevic, Crystal Clean Green Cleaning; Karen Pharo, Children First; Mark Royce, Bayside Sod Inc.; Evan Samson, DMSI International; Tiona Settles, Centerplace Health; Lauren Stroman, The Sarasota Ballet; Kiarra Womack, William G. and Marie Selby Foundation; Earl Young, Take Stock in Children/Booker Promise; and Lisa Zachary, SunCoast Blood Centers.

Sarasota County Schools has announced that Keith Little, currently an assistant principal at Riverview High School, has been selected to serve as the new Director of Transportation, effective July 1, 2023.