• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance convenes at Country Club

Rusty Coats, executive director of the Local Media Consortium, was the guest speaker.


  • By Jessica Salmond
  • | 12:32 p.m. September 17, 2015
  • East County
  • Business
  • Share

The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance learned about the future of media at this month's member luncheon.

Rusty Coats, the executive director of the Local Media Consortium and president of Coats2Coats, was the guest speaker during the lunch, which was held Wednesday, Sept. 16 at the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club. As a former journalist and now executive director of the Consortium, Coats provided his perspective on the changing platform of news and media from print to digital. He emphasized that although everything is online now, personal connections still play a large role in success. 

"It really is about the local relationships that makes a difference in your business," Coats said. 

Guest speaker Rusty Coats talks about the future of media.
Guest speaker Rusty Coats talks about the future of media.
Frank Verdel, community specialist with Lakewood Ranch, listens to Steve Vernon, District 73 state representative candidate, during the
Frank Verdel, community specialist with Lakewood Ranch, listens to Steve Vernon, District 73 state representative candidate, during the "membership moment" roundtable introduction.
Lori Denny, LECOM, Heather Kasten, LWRBA Executive Director, and Dani Fox, Dani Fox Hypnosis
Lori Denny, LECOM, Heather Kasten, LWRBA Executive Director, and Dani Fox, Dani Fox Hypnosis
Lori Tomlinson, Patricia Ramthun and Colleen Kean with Girl Scounts of America of Gulfcoast Florida.
Lori Tomlinson, Patricia Ramthun and Colleen Kean with Girl Scounts of America of Gulfcoast Florida.
Pete Norden, iHeart Media, Kelly Davis, Goodwill Manasota, and Allison Imre Perkowski, iHeart Media.
Pete Norden, iHeart Media, Kelly Davis, Goodwill Manasota, and Allison Imre Perkowski, iHeart Media.
David Fink, the chair of the board, gave a brief speech about the 2015 Business Alliance sponsors.
David Fink, the chair of the board, gave a brief speech about the 2015 Business Alliance sponsors. "This is the most vibrant, exciting organization I'm a part of," he said.
Ryan Riley, Synovus Bank, and Richard Stroud, Everyday Blessings
Ryan Riley, Synovus Bank, and Richard Stroud, Everyday Blessings
Todd Jensen, Perfection Aesthetics, Toria Bartlett, Gregory, Sharer & Stewart, and Dan Austin, Perspective Communications
Todd Jensen, Perfection Aesthetics, Toria Bartlett, Gregory, Sharer & Stewart, and Dan Austin, Perspective Communications

 

Latest News

Peculiar Pub takes the place of Twisted Pit BBQ on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.
  • June 12, 2026
Peculiar Pub crawls across Main Street in Lakewood Ranch
East County residents wait in line before 7 a.m. on June 11 to start shopping at the new Publix at 16642 State Road 64 East.
  • June 11, 2026
Publix opens at corner of SR 64 and Uihlein Road in Lakewood Ranch
Though homesteaded residents would gain property tax savings if Florida's overhaul proposal gains 60% of support in the November elections, even non-homesteaded property owners would see new protections from sharply rising property assessments.
  • June 11, 2026
Property tax overhaul: What you should know
Karie Friling discusses her first week on the job as Sarasota City Manager, and how the state property tax reform referendum has shifted her initial priorities.
  • June 11, 2026
City eyes cuts ahead of potential voter approval of property tax change

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Business

Peculiar Pub takes the place of Twisted Pit BBQ on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.
  • June 12, 2026
Peculiar Pub crawls across Main Street in Lakewood Ranch
East County residents wait in line before 7 a.m. on June 11 to start shopping at the new Publix at 16642 State Road 64 East.
  • June 11, 2026
Publix opens at corner of SR 64 and Uihlein Road in Lakewood Ranch
Mike and Jenny Schenk have closed their Pineapple Kitchen location on Lena Road and are now marketing their products on Amazon.
  • June 4, 2026
Pineapple Kitchen owners close store, move to Amazon
University Town Center is poised to welcome more than a dozen new tenants, Ikea this summer to Dick's House of Sport in 2027.
  • June 3, 2026
13 new retailers, eateries coming to University Town Center
From left: Katelyn Diaz serves up smiles at Sip n Brew, the coffee trailer she launched with her parents shortly after graduating from Lakewood Ranch High. Partners Scott Wacha, left, and Brandon Whitman hold their Moo-Jitsu spice blends, a backyard-idea-turned-growing-business rooted in family, flavor and a bit of humor. Jason Huh, founder of STEEL Supplements, showcases Sodi Pop and Omni — two of the company’s expanding beverage lines aimed at a broader audience.
  • May 22, 2026
These entrepreneurial families launched their new ventures right here at home
Zach Zeller co-owns three restaurants in Lakewood Ranch.
  • May 22, 2026
A high-flying spirit has led Lakewood Rancher to adventure, in business and life

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free