BUSINESS OBSERVER

+ Karin Gustafson announces retirement
Karin Gustafson, who has been president of the Sarasota YMCA Foundation since 1990, announced her retirement last weekend.

Gustafson says she plans to remain in her current position until at least next February, and a search for her successor is currently under way.

+ Carpenter opens studio on North Palm
Richard Carpenter, ASID, has officially opened rcc design + studio at 1280 N. Palm Ave.
Carpenter held a soft opening of his new studio, from 6 to 9 p.m., Friday, May 4, in conjunction with the First Friday Gallery Walk.
 
+ John McKibbon honored with hospitality award
The University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee recently awarded John McKibbon, chairman of the McKibbon Hotel Group, with the Hospitality Leadership Award at the first semi-annual HospitaBULL Evening. 

McKibbon was selected for his dedication to the interests of the USF Sarasota-Manatee School of Hotel & Restaurant Management, his leadership abilities, commitment to professional growth and service as a role model.

+ Tina Mroczkowski admitted to Florida Bar
Tina Mroczkowski, corporate counsel for the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, was recently admitted to the Florida Bar.

Before joining the Community Foundation, she engaged in legal consulting work with a Chicago-based law firm, Faermark & Williams LLC, where she specialized in estate planning and probate, tax and business law.

+ TANDEM Construction hires new senior estimator
Sarasota-based construction company TANDEM Construction recently hired Melissa McBride as a senior estimator.

McBride graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and brings 20 years of experience in the construction industry.

McBride will work directly with company executives Peter Hayes, Brian Leaver and Nathan Renner.

+ Premier Sotheby’s names new vice president
Craig Jones recently was named vice president of marketing at the international realty company, where she will oversee all aspects of the company’s marketing divisions, including advertising, communications, creative design and strategic planning.

Jones held principal positions in advertising and management consulting firms in both St. Louis and New York, and she served as the associate dean at the University of Missouri — St. Louis prior to launching her career in real estate.

Jones will succeed former Vice President of Marketing Brad Nelson, who will serve as vice president of marketing for TTR Sotheby’s International Realty in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. 

+ Shelley Thayer receives Randy Partee Scholarship
Shelley Thayer, executive director of Cat Depot, was recently awarded the 2012 Randy Partee Scholarship for The Society of Animal Welfare Administrators Management Conference, which will be held in St. Louis, June 13.

+ SunCoast association names Blackketter as COO
The SunCoast Aquatic Nature Center Association, a nonprofit corporation established to manage the emerging rowing facilities in both Manatee and Sarasota Counties, recently appointed Paul Blackketter to the position of chief operating officer.

“Paul has been at the forefront of the efforts to create world class facilities that will make this area the epicenter for rowing and other athletic activities,” said John Cranor, SANCA treasurer. “We are pleased to have him as the first employee of the association. We look forward to expanding our staff capabilities in the future as Paul puts together a world class team.”

+ Tidewell names new administrative director
Kenneth Kinzie was recently named administrative director of the Tidewell Hospice Grief Education and Support Center.

Kinzie brings more than 25 years of professional experience directing employee assistance programs with Sarasota Memorial Health Care System and the Kinzie Consortium.

“I was drawn to Tidewell Hospice because of its outstanding reputation, and I am eager to be part of the team doing meaningful work in the community,” Kinzie said. “My initial goal is generally to expand the scope of delivery for the outstanding grief education and support provided by our grief specialists; to increase access for people to utilize our services.”