Palm Beach developer leads regional board

TALLAHASSEE — Sydney Kitson, chairman and CEO of Palm Beach Gardens-based development firm Kitson & Partners, has been appointed board chairman for the Florida Chamber of Commerce's Southwest Florida region.

“Southwest Florida is rich with unique natural and human resources that truly depicts the foundation Florida has thrived on,” Kitson says in a statement about his appointment.

Kitson, whose real estate holdings include the sprawling Babcock Ranch that straddles the border of Charlotte and Lee counties, will serve a one-year term. Steve Knopik, president and CEO of Bradenton-based retailer Bealls and chair of the Florida Chamber of Commerce board of directors, appointed Kitson to the regional post. The developer is one of 12 chairs in the Florida Chamber's regional board chair program.

“Syd Kitson has a long history of being a team player and has proven leadership skills, which is vital when keeping Florida competitive,” says Mark Wilson, president and CEO of the Florida Chamber, in a statement. “In his role as a Florida Chamber regional board chair, Syd will volunteer his time and talent in support of the Florida Chamber's fight for free enterprise.”