Community drives Loeffler in Ringling College role

Cheryl Loeffler has two passions: visual arts and work. Her new role as chairwoman of the board of trustees for the Ringling College of Art and Design combines those passions.

A 30-year resident of Longboat Key, she serves on five boards on Longboat Key and as a contributor to the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, the Longboat Key Community Foundation and as a founding director of Insignia Bank. She’s also the top producer and waterfront specialist at Premier Sotheby’s International Realty.

Loeffler has two main goals for her time on the board — and she has already accomplished one.
After her appointment in May, she wanted to organize a retreat for other board members and senior administrators of the college to build camaraderie and start discussing goals. That retreat took place last week at the Longboat Key Club, and it was also her first official meeting as chairwoman.

Next is to finish the college’s capital campaigns, including one she already had a hand in: the fund for the new Ringling student library that has raised $11.8 million toward its $16 million goal.

Originally from Texas, Loeffler said community service has been engrained in her since she was a child.
After she leaves the board, Loeffler knows she’ll continue her involvement — and she already knows how: She wants to help develop the “collaboratory commitment” program, which aims to give Ringling students real-world experience in their curricula.

“I truly like all of the visual arts,” Loeffler said. “I’m interested in all 11 majors and the creativity that comes from them.”