$274M nonprofit appoints new CEO

VENICE — Mark Pritchett has been named president and CEO of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation.

The Venice-based nonprofit, with $274.5 million in assets, is one of the largest community foundations in Florida. Pritchett, who was the foundation's senior vice president for community investment, replaces former president and CEO Teri A Hansen, according to a release. Hansen resigned in June after 13 years at Gulf Coast to become CEO of a private family foundation. Pritchett has been on the four-person management team that oversaw Gulf Coast's day-to-day work since July, the statement adds.

“After a comprehensive, nationwide search, the board identified Mark as the best leader to advance Gulf Coast's mission of transforming our region, together with our donors, through bold and proactive philanthropy,” Gulf Coast Community Foundation board chair Ben Hanan says in the statement.

Pritchett joined the Gulf Coast staff in 2008 as vice president for community investment. He was named senior vice president in 2011. His previous experience includes 13 years as executive vice president of a statewide public policy research and consulting nonprofit and vice president positions with Enterprise Florida and the Florida Chamber of Commerce.

“At the time Mark joined our staff, Gulf Coast had invested just over $75 million in grants and community initiatives since our inception,” says Hanan. “This year, we surpassed $200 million in cumulative funding. Clearly, Mark has played a vital role in guiding how Gulf Coast employs the resources entrusted to us to improve lives in our region.”