BUSINESS OBSERVER

+ Plymouth Harbor announces 2012 officers
Harry E. Hobson, president and CEO of Plymouth Harbor Inc., announced the 2012 officers of its board of trustees: Chariman F. Thomas Hopkins; Vice Chair Jody Hudgins; Treasurer John M. Strickland; and Secretary William R. Johnston.

Hobson also announced two new directors of Plymouth Harbor’s Board of Trustees: G. Duncan Finlay and Sarah H. Pappas.

+ Mote names new chief advancement officer
Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium has announced Tom Waters, of Sarasota, as its new chief advancement officer. He will assume the role April 9, and his responsibilities include leading the organization’s fundraising and brand development efforts as defined within Mote’s 2020 Vision and Strategic Plan. The 2020 Vision Plan was adopted by Mote’s Board of Trustees at the beginning of 2011 and will guide innovation and transformative efforts in marine research, education, outreach and policy advice.

“We’re very pleased that Tom is joining us here at Mote,” says Dr. Kumar Mahadevan, Mote president and CEO. “He brings a wealth of experience to our organization, and we are excited to have Tom here to lead the charge and help us build a strong financial base for the lab.”

Waters previously worked for the Community Foundation of Sarasota County for which he served as the foundation’s vice president of Development and Donor Services since 2000. He has more than 26 years of fund development experience in places including Sarasota, Denver and Louisville, Ky.

+ St. Armands businesses make some changes
St. Armands Circle is undergoing a few changes. The shoe store, Reasons, located at 57 S. Blvd. of the Presidents, will be moving to North Lemon Avenue, in Sarasota, in October.

St. Armands Fashion Jewelry & Handbags closed its doors after 43 years of business on St. Armands. The shop has been on the Circle since the early days of St. Armands. Owner Lisa Johnson wrote in a farewell letter to the Circle Association: “Customers would be driven to the store by their chauffeurs, life was slower, the stores were owned and operated by family members and the mood of the Circle was encouragement to each other and everyone pulled together for the promotion and success of St Armands Circle.” The was once known as the “One Hour Photo Shop,” but will now be run from the owner’s home on a website.

Moving into St. Armands Circle is Bob Carter Cos. LLC, to 400 Madison Drive, Suite 204, which is above the new Chase Bank. Bob Carter Cos. is a fundraising and philanthropy assistance to nonprofit organizations and institutions.

+ Green Team has visible impact on beaches and roads
On March 31, the Longboat Key Club and Resort Green Team held its semi-annual Adopt-A-Shore and Adopt-A-Highway clean up. The team collected more than 75 pounds of trash. The associates and team members picked up mostly cigarette butts and straws, but also found a variety of boat parts, an unstrung tennis racket, packaged light bulbs, fishing line and an unopened bottle of beer. The group didn’t find any Styrofoam, something they found in great quantity last year. Following the cleanup, the group celebrated with a buffet breakfast.

+ Robby Ginepri confirmed as playing in the 2012 Sarasota Open
Robby Ginepri, currently ranked No. 190 for singles in tennis, has been confirmed for the Sarasota Open. He is a multi-sport athlete who has been playing since he was 12 years old. During the SAP Open at HP Pavilion Feb. 13 to Feb. 19, in San Jose, Calif., he lost to Ryan Harrison in a third-set tiebreaker.

+ Northern Trust receives recognition
St. Armands Business Improvement District (BID) Chairman and leading organizer Marty Rappaport and Sarasota Mayor Suzanne Atwell presented a “Commitment to Our Community Award” to Northern Trust Bank Region President Phil Delaney and Senior Vice President and Managing Director MaryPat McNally March 13, thanking them for their nine-year relationship that has helped finance St. Armands Circle capital-improvement projects.

“In these past nine years, the Business Improvement District has a long list of accomplishments that have been made possible because of Northern Trust Bank’s commitment to our community,” said Rappaport, who explained the company’s financing helped elevate the Circle “to both national and international status.”
— Kurt Schultheis