Former county official takes museum leadership post

OSPREY — Museum and environmental complex Historic Spanish Point in Osprey has named John McCarthy executive director of the organization.

For the past four months, McCarthy was director of advancement for Historic Spanish Point, according to a press release.

McCarthy is a native Floridian who attended schools in Sarasota County. He worked for Sarasota County government for 32 years, including overseeing a staff of 200 and a $15 million budget as general manager of Parks and Recreation. Prior to joining Historic Spanish Point, McCarthy was the executive director of Sarasota County Openly Plans for Excellence, SCOPE.

“As a well-known community leader, historian and naturalist, John McCarthy lives our mission of connecting people with Florida's heritage,” says Board President Todd Stainbrook in a statement.

McCarthy succeeds John Mason. Mason joined Historic Spanish Point in 2013 as executive director. He resigned to pursue further opportunities, according to the press release.

McCarthy is the third executive director of Historic Spanish Point.