New director for restaurant group

The Sarasota-Manatee Originals, a nonprofit organization representing locally owned restaurants, hired Kate Atkin to be its newest executive director.

Atkin has previous experience as the public functions and corporate coordinator for the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. She also served as a recruitment specialist for Suncoast Communities Blood Bank.

“Her experience with strategic event and business planning, operations management, and her passion for our mission will elevate our organization to the next level,” Angela Rodocker, Originals board president, says in a release.

Founded in 2003, the Sarasota-Manatee Originals represents more than 50 locally owned restaurants from Sarasota and Manatee counties.