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

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LAKEWOOD RANCH, SARASOTA, BRADENTON