Town Hall's next 'change agent'?

A list of more than 30 candidates has been whittled down to two in the search for the next executive director of Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.

Supervisors on the Inter-District Authority Board narrowed the candidate pool Sept. 30 to finalists Longboat Key Assistant Town Manager Anne Ross and Highlands County Assistant County Administrator Randy Vosburg.

A public meet-and-greet with finalists is scheduled for Oct. 7, and a public interview with candidates and selection meeting will be held starting at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 8, at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall, 8175 Lakewood Ranch Blvd.

“We’re looking for someone who is career-oriented, has fresh eyes, is a change agent and has good solid experience,” IDA Chairman Tom Green said. “Those first two met that profile very, very clearly.”

Ross and Vosburg both said they were excited about being named finalists.

Ross, a resident of Panther Ridge, said she’s had her eyes on becoming part of Lakewood Ranch’s governmental organization since moving to the area and that her educational and professional experiences make her a good fit for the executive director post. 

“My experiences with my engineering background align nicely with the jurisdiction the IDA has, which is over infrastructure, and I have a vested interest in the community,” said Ross, whose children attend Nolan Middle and Willis Elementary schools.

For the last three years, Ross has played a critical role in the government of Longboat Key, overseeing a roughly $15 million budget, internal efficiencies, working with the Longboat Key Town Commission and implementing its policies and working with the town’s department heads.

“One of the similarities between Lakewood Ranch and Longboat is people choose to live there because it’s a neat community atmosphere, and it’s a beautiful place,” Ross said. “They expect and want a high quality of service and excellent customer service.”

Vosburg cited his experience, both in Highlands County and his previous roles, have prepared him well for the demands of Town Hall’s executive director. Although his background is in planning, Vosburg directed a multimillion-dollar budget and 30 employees while working in the Polk County Sheriff’s Office from January 2007 to April 2013. As assistant county administrator in Highlands County since 2013, he has gained experience overseeing the county’s various departments.

“The beauty of being a smaller county is that it’s very hands-on,” Vosburg said. “The way it’s structured here, the administrator and the assistant administrator are over everything. I get (to oversee) the gamut of the services we provide as a county, and I’ve really enjoyed that.”

Vosberg said his ability to build consensus and to “float between the technical and nontechnical realm” are a few of his strengths that will be particularly beneficial to serving Lakewood Ranch.

IDA supervisors said that Ross and Vosburg emerged clearly as the top two candidates, and the board would only move on to interview second-tier candidates if neither Ross nor Vosburg met their expectations.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].

Public process

A public meeting that includes opportunities for members of the public to weigh in on their top choice for the new executive director, as well as group interviews with candidates and selection of executive director, will start at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 8, at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall, 8175 Lakewood Ranch Blvd.

ANNE ROSS

Resident of: Panther Ridge

Age: 43

Why she applied: “I’m already connected to the Lakewood Ranch community, I want to see its future bright and I feel like I can be a good part of it. My educational and professional background parallels the requirements and the preferences of the position very well.”

Experience: Assistant Town Manager
of Longboat Key, 2012-present

Town engineer of Longboat Key,
2007-2012

Public Works technical manager
for Longboat Key, 2004-2007

Engineer with various companies, 1997-2004

Hobbies/interests: Hiking, kayaking and camping

RANDY VOSBURG

Resident of: Lakeland

Age: 36

Why he applied: “I wasn’t actively looking for a position. Someone told me about the position being opened,” he said, adding he and his husband, Nick, have adopted twice from the Sarasota area and explored the Lakewood Ranch area. “I’m a planner. The nerd side of me loves that Lakewood Ranch is a master-planned community. Everything came together. It’s a dream job for me.”

Experience: Highlands County Assistant County Administrator, April 2013-present

Director of professional compliance for Polk County Sheriff’s Office, August 2008-April 2013

Director of strategic planning for Polk County Sheriff’s Office, January 2007-August 2008

Senior planner for Polk County, May 2001-January 2007

Hobbies/interests: Spending time with family, running and photography