Nonprofit redeveloping city land names top official

SARASOTA — The Bay Park Conservancy has appointed Jeannie Perales to its executive leadership team as its chief experience officer. 

The BPC is a nonprofit overseeing the redevelopment of 53-acres of city-owned land along Sarasota Bay into a public park. “Jeannie Perales’ talent, leadership, energy and heart aligns with our vision for the park and is ideal for this position,” Founding CEO of The Bay Park Conservancy A.G. Lafley says in a press release. 

A Sarasota native, Perales, has 10 years of experience on senior management teams. Her experience is specific to visitor-centric experiences, exhibits, education, volunteer engagement, and site activation, the release states. 

“The mission of The Bay Park deeply resonates with me,” says Perales in the release. “Developing site and operating strategies that deliver a positive, memorable experience is something that draws upon my professional experience and passion for protecting and celebrating life on the planet.”

The BPC recently opened the Mangrove Bayou Walkway, and is currently constructing the lawns, outdoor reading room, a new kayak launch, and permitting the sunset boardwalk for the public park along Sarasota Bay. 

“We are thrilled that the type of talent we needed to activate The Bay Park was not only already in Sarasota, but from Sarasota,” BPC Chair Cathy Layton says in the release. “We are certain that Jeannie Perales’ energetic leadership and outreach style will continue to fuel our citizens’ aspirations for The Bay Park.''