Year: 2025
Around the Ranch – January 2025
SMR Wins Appeal, Securing Thoughtful Expansion of Lakewood Ranch
Lakewood Ranch, FL – January 29, 2025 – Schroeder-Manatee Ranch (SMR) has successfully defended its right to extend the vision of Lakewood Ranch, ensuring the continued delivery of high-quality neighborhoods, infrastructure, and amenities that have defined its success for over 30 years. The final ruling by the 2nd District Court of Appeal clears the way for Lakewood Ranch Southeast (LWRSE) to be seamlessly integrated into the fabric of the #1 multigenerational community in the United States since 2018.
The approval allows for the creation of up to seven distinctive villages, offering a range of price points and lifestyle options while maintaining the quality, design excellence, and sense of place that have made Lakewood Ranch a national leader in community development. As with all areas of Lakewood Ranch, this new addition will feature a comprehensive network of greenways, parks, and trails, along with services that enhance outdoor recreation, fire and emergency services and connectivity.
Demonstrating its continued commitment to responsible planning, SMR is funding over $200 million in master infrastructure improvements to support new development, including:
~ A four-lane arterial roadway extending Bourneside Boulevard to Fruitville Road (4.8 miles)
~ Expansion of University Parkway to four lanes between Lorraine Road and Bourneside Boulevard (2.8 miles)
~ An expanded trail system that will connect seamlessly to the Florida Gulf Coast Trail
“Florida and our region will continue to grow, and that growth must be met with responsible, well-executed planning,” said Rex Jensen, president & CEO of SMR. “Lakewood Ranch has always set the standard for thoughtful, high-quality community development—delivering infrastructure, amenities, and neighborhoods that enhance quality of life while supporting the broader region.
“When our rights and proven approach are unreasonably challenged, we will stand firm in defending our track record, and our commitment to building a community that serves both present and future generations,” Jensen said.
About Lakewood Ranch
Lakewood Ranch is the 33,000+-acre award-winning master-planned community in Sarasota and Manatee counties on the West Coast of Florida. Just minutes from the Gulf Coast beaches and cultural assets in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch is already home to more than 72,000 residents and features top-rated schools, the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, the Sarasota Polo Club, the 75-acre Premier Sports Campus, and three town centers that include theaters, shopping and dining. For more information, visit lakewoodranch.com.
Lakewood Ranch-area medical services expand with population
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance Welcomes New Board Members and Recognizes President & CEO of Schroeder-Manatee Ranch with the Chairman’s Award
WHAT: LWRBA Annual Membership Luncheon
WHEN: Friday, January 24 ∙ 11:30 am-1:15 pm
WHERE: Grove Ballroom ∙ 10670 Boardwalk Loop, Lakewood Ranch
Lakewood Ranch, January 27, 2025 –The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance (LWRBA) kicked off its 20th Anniversary by welcoming the 2025 Board of Directors at its Annual Membership Luncheon on Friday, January 24 at the Grove Ballroom.
The LWRBA started the milestone celebration by reflecting on various accomplishments over the last 20 years and provided a sneak peek at the new and exciting initiatives on the horizon for 2025. Highlights included welcoming Incoming Chair Julie Fanning with Benderson Development and celebrating the LWRBA’s impact for the last two decades with Immediate Past Chair David Otterness of Willis Smith Construction. “As we look to 2025, we remain committed to advancing our three strategic priorities: Engage, Grow and Impact,” said Julie Fanning, chair of the board and marketing director of Benderson Development. “Together, we will continue to expand our reach across the region, strengthen our vision for the future, and – above all – stay focused on serving the needs of our members.”
Additionally, the LWRBA introduced this year’s Board of Directors, thanked outgoing Board members, and presented the Chairman’s Award to Rex Jensen, the president and CEO of Schroeder-Manatee Ranch (developer of Lakewood Ranch).
“The last 20 years have truly been impactful for the business community,” said David Otterness, past chairman of the LWRBA and vice president of Willis Smith Construction. “It has been an honor to be a small part of that legacy and I look forward to what the next 20 years brings for Lakewood Ranch and the Business Alliance.”
Members of the 2025 LWRBA Board of Directors are as follows:
CHAIR OF THE BOARD
Julie Fanning
Benderson Development
PAST CHAIR
David Otterness
Willis Smith Construction
INCOMING CHAIR
Wayne Parrish
RITE Technology
DEPUTY CHAIR
Kevin Cooper
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
TREASURER
Dianne Kopczynski
Mauldin & Jenkins
SECRETARY
Nick Feather
Capstan Financial Consulting Group
Annemarie Graff | Bank OZK
Ashlyn McCarty | Buffalo Lodging & Associates
Beth Green | Raymond James & Associates
Dr. Brett Kemker | USF Sarasota Manatee
Bryan Boudreaux | The Bank of Tampa
Beth Green | Raymond James & Associates
Chris Williams | Aginto – A Digital Agency
Courtney DePol | Manatee County Government
David Fink | Family Office Services
Erin Watson | Game On Nation
Frank Morgan | Sarasota Memorial Health Care System
Kathy Collums | Gulfside Bank
Keith Pandeloglou | LWR Community Activities
Kent Jimison | Easterseals Happiness House
Lisa Barnott | Schroeder-Manatee Ranch
Lou Marinaccio | Gallagher Affinity
Philip Reber | Lakewood Ranch Medical Center
Rex Jensen | Schroeder-Manatee Ranch
Robert Lewis | Sarasota County Government
Dr. Ryan Hale | State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota
Tieler Gittleman | Northern Trust Company
Toni Perren | Observer Media Group
Zachary Buffington | Williams Parker Attorneys at Law
Zoe Kasper | Sunshine Movers
Sponsors include: The Bank of Tampa, Mauldin & Jenkins, Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, Willis Smith Construction, Roofing by Curry, Oh What Fun Party Co, Suncoast Credit Union, PostNet of Lakewood Ranch, Lakewood Ranch Communities, Tone Media Solutions, Icard Merrill Attorneys & Counselors, Palm Printing, Fawley Bryant Architecture, Benderson Development, Observer Media Group, Manatee County Government, Blalock Walters, Carr, Riggs & Ingram, Grapevine Communications, Gulfside Bank, Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, Lee Whetherington Homes and Raymond James & Associates.
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About the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance
The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance (LWRBA) is a business organization committed to providing unparalleled access to connections, advocacy and resources to the business community in the Lakewood Ranch region. The LWRBA’s 750+ member businesses reflect a wide variety of small and large businesses across all industries in and around Lakewood Ranch, Florida. www.lwrba.org
Media Contact:
Kristie Calandro, Communications Coordinator
KristieCalandro@lwrba.org
(941) 757-1664 x103
Business Event Announcement
LAKEWOOD RANCH, SARASOTA, BRADENTON
