Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center (SPARCC) has announced the new appointments within its Board of Directors for the fiscal year 2024-2025. This dedicated team continues to bring a wealth of experience and commitment to further SPARCC's mission of providing a safe haven and promoting empowerment, awareness, and social change to end domestic and sexual violence. Patrick Duggan has been elected as Board Chair. He has served on the SPARCC Board of Directors for eight years and is an Equity Partner at Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick LLP.  Patrick Duggan currently serves as the General Counsel for the School Board of Sarasota County. Prior to joining Shumaker, he served as an Assistant State Attorney at the State Attorney’s Office in both Sarasota and Manatee Counties for 5 years and as in-house counsel for the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office for 8 years. Besides his service to SPARCC, Patrick Duggan is currently a Board Member of the Sarasota Tiger Bay Club and the Sarasota County Gator Club and is an Executive Committee Member of the Sarasota Chapter of the Federalist Society. He currently serves on the Federal Middle District of Florida’s Judicial Advisory Commission for the 118 Congress. In addition to Parick Duggan, newly elected officers include Shelley Walters-Walker as 1st Vice Chair, and Captain Deb Kiner as 2nd Vice Chair. Joan Castellani will remain as Secretary, and Andrea Hunt as Treasurer. Additional continuing board members are Gwen Arcara, Barbara V. Gardner, Sue Ghezzi, Jami Goodlad, JoAnn Heffernan Heisen, Charlotte Hinman, Bonnie McIntyre, Diane Muldoon, Luisa M. Oliveira, David Rayner, and Charles S. Wilson. "We are excited to continue working with this exceptional group of individuals. While some of their board roles and responsibilities have changed, collectively their ongoing enthusiasm and diverse expertise are invaluable as we continue to foster a safe and supportive environment for survivors in our community," said Jessica Hays, President & CEO of SPARCC. For more information about SPARCC and its free and confidential programs and services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence, please visit www.sparcc.net or contact SPARCC at (941) 365-0208.