Sarasota Chamber hears from billion-dollar entrepreneur
Keynote speaker Joel Schleicher delivers presentation on lessons learned while building successful tech companies.
By
Amelia Hanks
| 9:23 a.m. February 15, 2019
Sarasota
Neighbors
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The Sarasota Chamber of Commerce held its annual meeting on Feb. 15 at the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota featuring keynote speaker Joel Schleicher, the former president and COO of Nextel.
The meeting also was the debut event for Heather Kasten, the CEO of the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, who was hired in late January to replace Kevin Cooper, who accepted a position with Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium. Kasten had previously led the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance after an earlier position at the Sarasota Chamber.
Since the 1990s, Schleicher has held entrepreneurial roles with tech companies. In addition to his work with Nextel, he founded Presidio Networked Solutions in 2003, which grew to more $1.4 billion in revenues before being sold in 2011. He launched two other successful companies before Presidio.
His presentation was entitled "Building a Billion Dollar Business... Twice'' on how he launched a pair of successful endeavors and the lessons he learned along the way.
CenterState Bank's Greg Hallam, Gulfside Bank's Tracy Wolfe and CenterState Bank's David Boehm
Hidayet Kutat of Gulf Coast Signs of Sarasota, Inc., and Roxanne Sima, CEO of Purmort & Martin Insurance Agency, LLC.
Comcast Spotlight's James Masland and ABC7's Terrance Burzynski
Comcast Spotlight's Jami Rear and Owens Electric's AJ Brown
RE/MAX Alliance Group's Roger Piro and Sarasota County Property Appraiser Bill Furst
The early morning event served breakfast pastries, and tables were decorated with bright floral centerpieces.
It All Adds Up's Sharon Campbell and klg communication's Kendra Gemma
Erin Christy and Liz Stamoulis of Williams Parker Harrison Dietz & Getzen
Hembree & Associates' John Caragiulo and Momentum Consulting's Brett Morris
Complex Care Hospital at Ridgelake's Robert Mallicoat, Robin Clifton and Ellen Roberts
Inspired Living's April Crumley, University of South Florida's Brett Kemker and Inspired Living's Patricia Barrett
JFCS's Heidi Brown, New College's MaryAnne Young and Selby Botanical Gardens' Ann Logan
The Baltimore Orioles' Jennifer Brondahl and Sarasota Chamber of Commerce's Brittany Lamont
Bank of Tampa's Bryan Boudreaux and Siesta Key Physical Therapy's Kristy Ochsendorf
CenterState Bank's Shaun Merriman, Deputy City Manager Marlon Brown, Sarasota Chamber of Commerce CEO Heather Kasten, Joel Schleicher and Clint Kasten
