People to watch: Anne Ross

WHO: Anne Ross

POSITION: Lakewood Ranch Inter-District Authority executive director

“It becomes more important as the stewardship district grows to make sure our voices are still heard.”

With just over three months in her new position, Executive Director Anne Ross is getting settled and planning ahead.

Ross said she spent the first few months in her new role getting used to the routine, meeting with department heads and Community Development District board members. She’s been updated on past, current and ongoing issues and the backgrounds behind them.

As of mid-December, she had met with almost all the CDD members. Once she wraps up those meetings, she’s hoping to start having one-on-ones with more residents.

Looking ahead into 2016, Ross has two separate goals for Town Hall.

The first is internal as she wants to achieve optimum efficiency. Ross wants to expand and focus on operating Town Hall as efficiently as possible while maintaining the service levels. Part of that goal includes implementing and updating some internal systems, such as the computers and the accounting system.

“I want to observe and learn with my fresh eyes for changes to make,” she said.

Ross’s other goal for 2016 is making sure Lakewood Ranch is a visible entity, from local community events to local government.

As Lakewood Ranch continues to expand, including the eventual development of the stewardship district, Ross wants to be sure Town Hall is kept in the loop for county projects, traffic updates and growth and development.

“They know we’re here, but I want to make sure they know we’re listening,” Ross said. “It becomes more important as the stewardship district grows to make sure our voices are still heard.”