Dogs Inc recently announced the appointment of Veronica Thames as chief executive officer. Thames was previously CEO of the Manatee Community Foundation.

Longtime Sarasota County advisory board member and environmental advocate Jono Miller has been selected to receive the 2026 Robert M. Artz Advocate Award from the National Recreation and Park Association. 

Sarasota Memorial Health Care System president and CEO David Verinder has been named chair of the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida. SMH was also recognized among the nation’s best places to work in healthcare, ranking No. 17 on Forbes’ 2026 list of “America’s Best Employers for Healthcare Professionals,” the highest ranked healthcare employer in the state of Florida.

The Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, in partnership with Sarasota County Schools, has recognized three educators with its Ripple Effect Teacher Award: Heather Bingle, science teacher, Atwater Elementary School; Eric Bishop, assistant principal, North Port High School; and Chelsea Tuggle, school counselor, Taylor Ranch Elementary School.

The Safe Children Coalition has named the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, The Florida Center for Early Childhood and philanthropists Elton and Gordie White its 2027 Champions for Children.

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens has named Melody Hardin of Parrish as the recipient of the 2026 Virginia B. Toulmin Leadership Scholarship. Additionally, the gardens recently added Sondra Biller, Dr. Richard Mones, Elizabeth Moore and Dr. Gail Morrison Morganroth to its board of trustees. 

Sarasota County Schools recently announced that 25 traditional public schools have been designated as Florida Positive Behavioral Interventions & Support (Florida PBIS) Model Schools for the 2025-2026 school year.

The Riverview High School Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame honored five members of the community at its annual awards ceremony, inducting three graduates into the Hall of Fame and presenting Legacy Awards to two longtime former educators. The 2026 Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame inductees are Dr. Pam Morey Hart ('96), Suzanne Bishopric ('71) and Dr. Patrick Cronin ('76). Legacy Awards were given to former Riverview educators Diane Bassett and Effa Beauette.

Neal Communities has ranked No. 3 among large companies in the Sarasota-Manatee Top Workplaces 2026 awards.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation has named The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce a finalist in its 2026 Citizens Awards.

The Southwest Florida Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) recently installed its 2026-27 board of directors. They are Evelyn Longa, president; Gracie Seidel, president-elect; Molly Schweers, treasurer; Heather Doane, vice president of professional development; Eric Jackson, vice president of membership; Nicki McTeague, vice president of communications; and Lisa Murray, vice president of credentialing. Additionally, Gabriella Garcia received FPRA's Rising Star Award, Violet Powell received the Pam Nulman Soaring Eagle PR Award, Heather Doane received the Unsung Hero Award, Nicki McTeague received the Chapter Member of the Year Award, Susan Frantz received the PR Professional of the Year Award and Lauren Bernaldo received the Friends of Janet Philanthropy Award.

Coastal Orthopedics recently announced the addition of a new sports medicine specialist, Dr. Johnathon R. McCormick.