The independent Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office Charitable Foundation, Inc., is pleased to announce the addition of Lt. Chris Perz to the Board of Directors. Lt. Perz is a second-generation law enforcement professional and serves with the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, where his sister has also worked for over 20 years. Perz started his career in 1999 and worked in Patrol as a deputy, sergeant and lieutenant. He currently serves as one of the Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Bureau’s Administrative lieutenants and oversees SWAT, K9, Marine, UAS, the Fugitive Apprehension Unit, the Dive Team, the Hostage Negotiations Team and the Hazardous Devices Unit and has previously served as a Tactical Flight Officer in Aviation and as a member of the training unit. He was one of the founding members of the Sarasota K9 Search and Rescue team, a group of volunteers who respond to help find lost or missing persons and which also assists law enforcement in that service. Perz served 13 years as a Board member of the Florida SWAT Association and has served on the SSO SWAT team for over 20 years. He is currently the team commander. Lt. Perz is a lifelong resident of Sarasota County, where his family has resided since the 1940’s. Said Chair, Mike Quillen, “Lt. Perz is well known to SCSOCF supporters and donors through his leadership role with the Sheriff’s Office. Those community supporters who have been present at the Foundation’s annual sporting clay’s fundraising event likely recognize him from kicking off the Sheriff’s Office demos at the opening ceremonies and providing his personal testimony as to how the Foundation supported the Perz family during their own time of tragedy. Chris understands our mission and the capacity of the Foundation as a citizen-led independent organization which supports law enforcement in our community. We are honored he has agreed to join us on the Board. Perz joins Chair Michael Quillen, and current Board, Peter Abbott, Captain Debra Kaspar (SSO Retired), Captain John Walsh (SSO Retired), Anne Rollings, Jason Toale, Dennis Murphy and Foundation Administrator, Kim Noyes on the SCSOCF Board. The Board proudly serves on a voluntary basis and is a confidential resource of community solidarity to SSO employees in times of crisis.