The Hermitage Artist Retreat recently announced its 2024-2025 Curatorial Council, comprised of national arts leaders spanning the fields of theater, music, visual art, literature and arts education. The newest additions to the council include Lynn Nottage, two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright; Shara Nova, three-time Grammy Award-nominated recording artist and composer; Lauren Groff, New York Times bestselling author and one of Time’s 2024 “100 Most Influential People”; Kimberli Gant, the Brooklyn Museum’s curator of modern and contemporary art; Courtney J. Boddie, New Victory Theater’s director of Education; Christine Kuan, president and executive director of Creative Capital; and Tina LaPadula, founder of Arts Corp and Arts Education Manager for the City of Seattle.

Hoyt Architects has announced that Gary Hoyt, its founder, president and design director, has been named to the American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) 2024 College of Fellows. 

The Lakewood Ranch Medical Center board of governors and Manatee Memorial Hospital/Manatee Health board of governors have announced the promotion of Andy Guz, CEO at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, to CEO at Manatee Memorial Hospital/Manatee Health, effective September 15.

The Florida League of Cities has announced that North Port city manager A. Jerome Fletcher II was recently appointed to serve on the Florida League of Cities 2024-25 Municipal Operations Committee, one of the league’s five legislative policy committees.

The Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation has named Kate Mulligan as its executive director. 

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties recently announced that the Boys & Girls Clubs of America has awarded the organization’s Keystone Club at the Roy McBean Boys & Girls Club first place for its national project, "Reaching Equity in Our Diversity," as well named it Keystone Club of the Year at this year’s National Keystone Conference. Additionally, Geoffry Gilot, teen program director at the Roy McBean Boys & Girls Club, was honored as Keystone Club Advisor of the Year for his leadership, dedication and positive impact on club members.

John Eagleton has been named the new tennis director at Cedars Tennis Club on Longboat Key.

The Twig, which serves local children in foster care between Venice and Bradenton, has announced that Nicole Britton will become its executive director, effective in October. Britton replaces founder and retiring executive director Dianne Weed. 

 The board of the Florida Solar Energy Industries Association has elected Sarasota's Bill Johnson, founder and president of Brilliant Harvest, as its new board president. He will serve a two-year term.

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce has announced that registration is open for the 2024-2025 Engage Sarasota program, part of the Leadership Sarasota initiative. The program is designed for individuals to establish meaningful business and civic relationships, connect with area leaders, and deepen their understanding of what makes Sarasota thrive.