What I've Learned

Sylvia Safford Barber Blazed a Trail for Women in the Military

Safford rose to the rank of lieutenant commander, earned a graduate degree from the Defense Intelligence School and became a Cold War analyst focused on the Soviet Union's military buildup in Cuba.

10/02/2019 By David Hackett

What I've Learned

Tennis Pro Jimmy Arias on Young Stardom, Starting Over and Coaching

"Playing to your strengths is crucial.”

09/01/2019 By David Hackett

What I've Learned

Malcolm Lazin’s Varied Career Is Grounded in Social Justice

Lazin, 75, remains active, including as president of Siesta Key’s Gulf & Bay Club condo association, where he lives part of the year.

05/30/2019 By David Hackett

What I've Learned

Love of Rock Music Launched David McGough's Starry Career

McGough, 60, has a new book, Fame, that features his photographs and stories of Mick Jagger, Elizabeth Taylor, Donald Trump, Michael Jackson and scores of other celebrities.

04/30/2019 By David Hackett

What I've Learned

Retired General and Venice Resident Gerald E. McIlmoyle Played a Major Role in the Cuban Missile Crisis

"I’ll never forget President Kennedy telling me eyeball to eyeball, ‘I’ll never be able to thank you enough for bringing back those pictures and allowing me to peacefully settle this crisis.’"

04/01/2019 By David Hackett

What I've Learned

Builder Tom Jackson on Sarasota's Changing Landscape

Today, Jackson lives near downtown and relishes what Sarasota has become—a vibrant, walkable culture center teeming with amenities.

02/28/2019 By David Hackett

What I've Learned

Charlayne Hunter-Gault on Journalism, Civil Rights and Faith

“As a reporter, I consider myself a servant of the people."

01/21/2019 By David Hackett

What I've Learned

For 30 Years, Laurel Community Activist Sandra Terry Has Improved Lives, and She’s Still Not Done

Since 1988, Terry has been president of the Laurel Civic Association, an organization whose reach has touched nearly every aspect of the community.

01/02/2019 By David Hackett

What I've Learned

What I've Learned: Dr. Judith Shank Shares Her Career Trajectory

Nurse, physician, health care reformer and arts supporter Judith Shank always says “Yes.”

12/03/2018 By David Hackett

What I've Learned

From Tech Pioneer to Repairing the World, Entrepreneur Nelle Miller Shares Her Career Trajectory

"My liberal arts education taught me how to write and communicate, skills that have been enormously beneficial in business."

06/27/2018 By David Hackett

What I've Learned

Lessons on Building Companies and Community from Chuck Barancik

Chuck Barancik and his family set up a $100 million foundation to benefit Sarasota youth and humanitarian causes.

03/28/2018 By Susan Burns

What I've Learned

Life Lessons from Diversity Consultant Michele Redwine

"I tell my children all the time, ‘You take one step back, but you go two steps forward.’ There’s always a solution and there’s always a reason to get engaged and to learn new things and experience life.”

02/28/2018 By Susan Burns

What I've Learned

Former Wyeth CEO Robert Essner Shares the Secrets to His Long Career

Essner and his wife, Anne, now split their time between their Lido Shores home and an apartment in New York.

01/25/2018 By Susan Burns

What I've Learned

Life Lessons from Former Universal Studios CEO Bob Gault

Life lessons from Bob Gault, former top exec at Universal Studios and Sea World.

12/27/2017 By Susan Burns

What I've Learned

Karen Solem Discusses Her Long Career Working with Romance Authors

For two decades, Solem has been one of the most influential figures in the genre of romance fiction.

11/29/2017 By David Hackett

What I've Learned

Politics, Baseball and Women's Issues Have Fueled Lucy Calautti's Career

Calautti is the former director of government relations for Major League Baseball.

10/23/2017 By David Hackett

What I've Learned

How Loyalty and Thousands of Potholders Helped Build a Real Estate Empire

Merle Whitehead created RealtyUSA, the largest independent real estate company in New York.

07/19/2017 By David Hackett

What I've Learned

What Former McDonald's Global Marketing Officer David Green Has Learned

'Nothing can take the place of being passionate, persistent and honest about the company and its products.'

06/23/2017 By David Hackett