Year: 2025
Sisterhood for Good’s gamble for charity was in the bag
Lakewood Ranch Main Street motors past a milestone
Blues Festival makes its return on the Ranch
Sarasota airport ranks No.1 in U.S.’s 10BEST. Here’s why
Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport ranked among the best in the nation in a recent USA TODAY poll.
Vacation begins at the airport. That’s why Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport was voted the best resort airport by USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards.
With less than 20 gates and a number of bars, restaurants and shops, it’s no surprise SRQ was a top choice among those searching for the pristine beaches, incredible sunsets and the clear blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
If travelers need a pre-security snack or drink, Dunkin’ is there for service, or if they’re looking for something a bit stronger, Suncoast Trading & Bar. After security, vacationers can choose from Beach Market Cafe, Dunkin’ Express, Jimmy Johns, Tap & Pour, Liquid Provisions, Salt & Tide and Starbucks.
What makes Sarasota airport special?
Travelers can also shop. The airport offers Gulf Coast Travelmart, where they can buy snacks, drinks, the local Sarasota Herald-Tribune newspaper, books or Florida apparel. CNBC Sarasota Bradenton, located after the security checkpoint, carries a similar selection of goods to meet the needs of every traveler. SRQ also has a PGA Tour Shop, if any visitors need a last-minute golf setup or a random beach necessity.
SRQ’s origins date back to the 1930s, with commercial services beginning as early as the 1940s. It wasn’t until 1961 that Eastern Airlines began commercial services out of SRQ.
The airport got its “international” badge in 1992 when United States Customs Service granted it “Port of Entry” status. Today, the airport has one seasonal flight to Toronto, Canada – it’s only international destination, according to its website.
The airport has 69 nonstop destinations connected to the Northeast, Midwest, Southeast and Texas through budget airlines like Breeze Airways, Allegiant Air, Frontier Airlines, Sun Country Airlines and Avelo Airlines. The airport also runs flights with major carriers like Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, United Airlines and Air Canada.
SRQ also offers nine rental car companies, making the transition from the airport to the beach easy and smooth. President and CEO Rick Piccolo tried to make the area convenient and easy to get in and out of so visitors can enjoy Sarasota’s amenities, he said.
“We are very pleased that people think the airport – because they voted on it – is wonderful,” Piccolo said. “We do our best to make it as clean, wonderful and beautiful as the area is.”
Piccolo is predicting SRQ will bring in around 4.5 million passengers in 2025, with more growth coming in the future as the airports expands. He thinks growth will be an outcome of the airport generating billions of dollars of economic benefits for the local community, as well as thousands of jobs, he said.
Tampa International Airport also awarded
A little further up the road, Tampa International Airport won quite a few awards of its own through the USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards.
Those awards include best airport for art, with Tampa’s iconic giant flamingo statue; best airport for dining, with Bavaro’s Pizza and Napoletana & Pastaria coming in at seventh for best grab-and-go food and Cigar City Brewing named No.5 for best airport sit down restaurant.
Tampa also took home the trophy for the best large airport, beating out two home state competitors: Orlando International Airport at No. 4 and Miami International Airport at No. 9.
Ella Thompson covers growth and development for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Contact her atethompson@gannett.com. Support local journalism by subscribing today.
Lakewood Ranch’s ‘visionary’ honored by the Community Foundation
Lakewood Ranch President and CEO Rex Jensen Named Community Humanitarian of the Year
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT:
Kaitlyn Perez | press@lakewoodranch.com
Lakewood Ranch President and CEO Rex Jensen Named Community Humanitarian of the Year
LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL, November 14, 2025 – Lakewood Ranch President and CEO Rex Jensen has been named recipient of the C. John A. Clarke Community Humanitarian of the Year Award, presented by the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation.
The award, announced Thursday evening during the Foundation’s Soirée at the Ranch at the Lakewood Ranch Country Club, is given annually to an individual whose leadership has made a lasting impact on the community.
Named for C. John A. Clarke, whose foresight and values helped shape the early vision of Lakewood Ranch, the award honors individuals who exemplify integrity, service, and a deep commitment to community. For Jensen, the honor represents more than personal achievement; it reflects the shared dedication of the people and organizations that have helped make Lakewood Ranch one of the nation’s most livable and connected multigenerational communities.
“Lakewood Ranch created a rising tide that has lifted a lot of boats. This community has helped families, businesses, and the greater region in countless ways,” commented Jensen during Thursday evening’s reception. “While I am deeply grateful for this recognition, none of this would exist without the extraordinary team that brings the vision to life every single day. They are truly the hardest working group of people I have ever known.”
Jensen joined Schroeder-Manatee Ranch (SMR) in 1990 as Vice President of Planning and went on to serve as President and CEO, shaping the evolution of Lakewood Ranch from working farmland into a vibrant, nationally recognized community. His leadership has extended across multiple SMR enterprises, including SMR Farms, SMR Aggregates, and SMR Commercial, demonstrating both vision and versatility. Under his direction, Lakewood Ranch grew deliberately and sustainably, guided by principles of stewardship, innovation, and long-term value.
Through his forward-thinking leadership, Jensen helped embed stewardship into Lakewood Ranch’s culture, including the establishment of the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation. His approach has always balanced progress with purpose, aligning environmental care, infrastructure planning, and philanthropy to ensure the Ranch remains true to its guiding principle: creating a place where people belong.
“Rex Jensen and his team have created a historic legacy,” commented Matt Walsh, CEO and founder of Observer Media Group, during the reception. “What was once a canvas of 30,000 acres of cattle pastureland, citrus groves, sod, mining, scrub land, wetlands and wildlife is now a national shining star–a prosperous, thriving, environmentally preserved, multigenerational, safe, and loved ‘community’ of 77,000 people who are darn proud to call Lakewood Ranch their home, their place of work, and their place to play.”
“A friend and business partner for nearly 35 years, I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this honor than Rex,” commented Al Maio, former Sarasota County Commissioner. “He has led this community with vision and foresight, always thinking ten steps ahead and never compromising the integrity of the land or the legacy behind it. Rex is a true champion for our region.”
Today, Lakewood Ranch is home to more than 74,000 residents across 30 villages. It has become a thriving community where strong schools, local businesses, healthcare, and recreation are woven into daily life. Since its founding in 2000, the Foundation has awarded more than $1.5 million in grants to over 140 nonprofit organizations, strengthening the very region that helped shape its success.
For more information, visit LakewoodRanch.com.
ABOUT LAKEWOOD RANCH
Developed by Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, Lakewood Ranch is the 55-square-mile, award-winning master-planned community located in Sarasota and Manatee counties on Florida’s west coast. Just a few miles from the region’s white-sand beaches and offering a robust mix of cultural assets, Lakewood Ranch is home to more than 74,000 residents. It has ranked as the nation’s top-selling multigenerational master-planned community for seven consecutive years and serves as a major economic engine for the region, with more than 22,000 people employed across a growing mix of businesses, healthcare facilities, and commercial centers. The community also features top-rated schools, Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, the 75-acre Premier Sports Campus, Sarasota Polo Club, and three vibrant town centers with shopping, dining, and entertainment. Lakewood Ranch is a place where individuals and families can put down roots, build careers, and find community. For more information, visit lakewoodranch.com.
