► The Humane Society of Sarasota County announced the expansion of the HSSC, involving demolition of the current facility to lead into the final phase of the planned expansive renovation, creating space to save 50% more lives of animals throughout the community. (Pictured above)
► The New College Foundation launched a $15 million fundraising campaign to refurbish the college’s residence halls designed by the renowned architect I.M. Pei.
► Sarasota philanthropists J. Robert “Bob” Peterson and Pasqualina “Lee” Peterson donated $4 million to New College of Florida through a bequest gift from their estate.
► Karen Harmon chief operating officer and general manager of the Sarasota Yacht Club earned the Distinguished Club Executive Award from BoardRoom magazine, in partnership with Forbes Travel Guide.
► Sarasota-based Purmort & Martin Insurance Agency acquired Jeff DeJongh and Associates to further expand its presence in the region.
► Moss Construction was awarded the construction contract for The Residences at The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort at 1620 Gulf of Mexico Drive.
► The University of South Florida has named Helene Robinson, an instructor in the College of Education, as director of the Incredi-Bull Critical Thinking certificate program at the Sarasota-Manatee campus.
► The University of South Florida appointed Charles Tokarz as chair of the Sarasota-Manatee Campus Advisory Board.
► Lorrie Liang was named president of Sarasota Memorial Hospital – Sarasota campus.
► Hershorin Schiff Community Day School hosted the “Beyond the Groundbreaking” celebration on the site of its new school campus in central Sarasota.
► The Gulf Beach Resort Motel, at 930 Benjamin Franklin Dr. on Lido Key in Sarasota, sold for $23.5 million.
► Tricera Capital, a Miami-based real estate investment firm, entered the Sarasota market with the $35 million acquisition of BB&T Financial Center.
► 6051 Design Source, a high-end flooring design center, leased an 8,000-square-foot industrial space, at 6051 North Washington Boulevard, in Sarasota, to serve as a warehouse and retail showroom.
► Barbara Mollanazar of RE/MAX Alliance Group was named to the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee (RASM) Realtors Political Action Committee.
► Halfacre Construction Company, a Lakewood Ranch-based commercial construction company, started construction on a new 21,000-square-foot building at Wimauma Elementary School in Hillsborough County.
► Brian Usher was named as the director of Sarasota County’s Solid Waste Department.
► Franklin Street arranged the sale of Executive House Apartments, an 88-unit, value-add asset in Sarasota, for $9.6 million, or approximately $109,000 per unit.
► Nickolas, a privately owned and operated investment firm, relocated its headquarters from Ohio to 55 South Palm Ave., in downtown Sarasota.
► The Tidewell Foundation, in Sarasota, appointed Jason Toale and Dr. Dean Hautamaki as board members.
► Natalia Levey, a chef and restaurateur, and the multi-concept restaurant group Hi Hospitality Group opened KOJO, in downtown Sarasota, at 1289 N. Palm Ave.
►WMG Development, a national real estate investment and development company, announced that a new retail shopping center is planned for the Palmer Ranch community in Sarasota, with Publix Supermarkets as the anchor tenant.
