Bay park nonprofit continues restructuring with three new board members

To add to the Bay Park Conservancy’s hiring spree of late, establishing more permanent positions at the nonprofit, three new board members have been appointed. 

The nonprofit, responsible for developing and operating the $200 million 53-acre park along Sarasota Bay in downtown Sarasota, announced board members Tony Gamelin, managing principal of Sarasota-based accounting firm CFO Integrity; Jeff Jackson, president and CEO of Venice-based PGT Innovations; and Jennifer Jorgensen, city of Sarasota governmental relations manager.

“The Bay Park Conservancy is at a critical juncture with the need to balance ongoing operations of existing park with the implementation of new park,” Founding CEO AG Lafley says in a release. “We are focused on ensuring financial sustainability. We are adding the leadership, experience and expertise we need on both the board and BPC management team.”

Prior to the board appointment, Gamelin served as the nonprofit’s CFO. He’ll now sit on the board and finance committee.

“While serving as BPC CFO, I developed an enthusiastic appreciation for the vision, strategy and leadership of this amazing new park. I am excited and honored to serve in a fiduciary and governance role to help The Bay achieve goals that will positively impact the community for generations to come," he says.

In addition to the announcement, BPC also hired Ron Hamiltion as the senior human resources consultant and released its 2022 annual report. The report highlights last year’s accomplishments like: 

• 50,000 visitors during The Bay’s grand opening
• A $10 million government grant
• Receiving approval for the $48 million capital improvement project to develop the park’s second phase

The park’s first phase opened in October 2022 that included 14 acres. The next 14-acre phase, a $65 million development, will begin this summer. The park, in total, is expected to cost $175-200 million and take eight to 10 years to complete.