Exec scores new gig at microloan organization

BRADENTON — Prominent local nonprofit executive Tim Dutton has been hired to lead Suncoast Community Capital, an organization that provides access to microloans of up to $50,000 for local small businesses.

Dutton will replace former Suncoast Community President and CEO Mike Kennedy, who recently accepted a leadership position at Harvest United Methodist Church in Lakewood Ranch, according to a release. Dutton was the executive director for SCOPE (Sarasota County Openly Plans for Excellence) for 12 years. The civic organization studies and reports on how local businesses, residents and government offices interact with each other. Dutton also ran hospitals in Ohio and rural Haiti before moving to Florida 20 years ago, the release states.

“Tim's experience in the nonprofit sector, coupled with his passion for SCC's mission, really stood out to us during our search for a new executive director,” Suncoast Community acting board chairman Casey Colburn says in the release. “We are pleased to have Tim leading our organization, and we are confident that he will expand SCC's reach into our community.”

Suncoast Community Capital currently runs the Urban Entrepreneur Partnership program through a joint agreement with the Kansas City-based Ewing Kauffman Foundation. The partnership is a one-on-one business-consulting program for local companies.