Foundation nabs another director

Kevin Cooper, active in promoting several pro-business causes in Sarasota, joined the Gulf Coast Community Foundation as the new director of community investment.

Cooper, who starts his job Nov. 9, will work with nonprofits and donors on public policy goals at the Venice-based foundation, which has $274.5 million in assets. He will work with Jon Thaxton, who was named senior vice president at the foundation earlier this month.

“With Jon and Kevin working as a team, we can continue to bring the right people together to solve our region's most pressing issues and leverage Gulf Coast's community impact,” says Mark Pritchett, president and CEO of the foundation, in a statement.

Cooper is currently vice president for public policy and Sarasota Tomorrow initiatives with the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce. He has been with the chamber for two years. He previously worked for the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce.

Pritchett was named president and CEO at the foundation last month.