Sonya Kristie began with Caldwell Trust Company in 2005 as an intern. Today, she is the manager of the Sarasota office, vice president and trust officer. In 2003, as she was finishing her associate’s degree and working as a waitress in a Venice restaurant, the clear-eyed sophomore looked towards her future. Not yet 20, she charted a career path to align with her interest in business and has never strayed.

She enrolled at the University of South Florida, where she would earn a bachelor of science degree in business in 2005 and walked into Caldwell’s Venice office with her resume. After subsequent meetings with Jan Miller--now senior executive vice president—and CEO/president R.G. “Kelly” Caldwell, Jr., Sonya became an intern. Ever cautious, she continued her job at the restaurant while finishing her studies.

In 2005 Kelly suggested Sonya round out the last six months of her internship by joining Jan Miller in Sarasota. She did so on May 1, 2005. The rest, as they say, is history. Fifteen years later, Jan and Sonya are still working together in Caldwell’s Sarasota office on Main Street, and soon in the new facility at 27 South Orange Avenue.

As expected, things change. Jan had managed the Sarasota office for years, but “she handed over the torch to me about a year ago,” Sonya said. She assumed the added functions without batting an eye.

As an intern, Sonya worked first as an administrative assistant, then trust assistant. Upon graduation in 2005, she became a trust associate. She was promoted to assistant trust officer in 2009 and to trust officer in 2010. In 2014 she advanced to assistant vice president and trust officer. She became a vice president in 2018.

Since joining Caldwell, Sonya has completed Florida Graduate Trust School programs sponsored by the Florida Bankers Association, as well as studies in fiduciary income tax, basics of probate practice and special needs trusts. She has also completed classes to become a certified trust financial adviser. She is now halfway through a Juris Master program in financial regulation and compliance through Florida State University. “I’ll finish in July 2021,” she said, pleased to describe the many ways this program expands her knowledge of the industry.

Her volunteer work is no less impressive. Sonya serves on the board and is an active K9 Handler for Sarasota K-9 Search & Rescue, which assists local, state, and national first responders in finding the lost. Duke, her German shepherd dog and good friend, is an active participant in this program.
Sonya is also a member of the Southwest Florida Estate Planning Council, the Florida Banker’s Association, and the Women of the Sun Coast of Big Brothers Big Sisters. She is also a past member of the Sarasota Evening Toastmasters Club and has completed the Engage Sarasota 2012/2013 program and the Adult Leadership Program Class of 2014.

Caldwell Trust Company is an independent trust company chartered in the state of Florida, with offices in Venice and Sarasota, Florida. Established in 1993, the firm currently manages over $1 billion dollars in assets for clients throughout the United States. The company offers a full range of fiduciary services to individuals including services as trustee, custodian, investment adviser, financial manager and personal representative. Additionally, Caldwell manages 401(k) and 403(b) qualified retirement plans for employers. The company, known for its family-oriented culture and strong ethic of corporate citizenship, has donated over $1 million to local nonprofit organizations that focus on youth and social causes.

For more info.