The business community on the Gulf Coast got news it hasn’t heard in a decade—a new bank will open in Sarasota. A charter application for Gulfside Bank has been filed with the state of Florida, and the institution plans to open in the fourth quarter of this year. Dennis Murphy will serve as the bank’s president and CEO. “We are forming this bank to provide high quality personal service and customized banking solutions to the residents of Sarasota and Manatee counties,” Murphy said in a statement. “We will offer financial products and services designed to meet the unique needs of our clients and all decisions will be made locally by highly trained bankers and directors who know the market. Bank management and all its directors live and work locally and have a mutual interest in furthering the prosperity of the community.”

In fact, the bank will be the first new state-chartered bank to form in Florida in 10 years. That’s left the Gulf Coast, once a hotbed of community banking, with just one bank based in Sarasota and one in Manatee, Sabal Palm Bank and Premier Community Bank of Florida respectively.

Murphy, former executive vice president and senior lending officer for Gateway Bank of Southwest Florida, will serve on the Gulfside Bank board of directors with a number of other business leaders in the region. Tim Clarke, a previous director of Insignia Bank, will serve as board chair for the new institution. Other directors include: Jennifer Compton, shareholder at Shucker, Kendrick & Loop; Compton Cramer, former owner of Cramer Auto Group; Rogan Donnelly, president of Tervis Tumbler; Teri Hansen, CEO of the Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation; John LaCivita, executive vice president at Willis Smith Construction; Sam Norton, partner at Norton, Hammersley, Lopez & Skokos; Mike Pender, co-managing partner of Cavanaugh & Co. CPAs; Dr. Charles Rush, orthopedic surgeon at Kennedy White Orthopedics; and Drayton Saunders, president of Michael Saunders & Co.

Clarke says board members have pledged to provide 25 percent of the capital, assuring a commitment to the venture. “I call it a pure play bank, so there is no out-of-town influence and we have people who are committed,” Clarke says.

While the Sarasota-Manatee area at one point was more lush than most of Florida in terms of number of banks, it also saw a number of bank failures amid the financial crisis and Great Recession. As new regulations put more financial requirements on banks, the region also saw a number of healthy banks acquired by larger institutions or which went the route of merger to form larger institutions. But as federal officials including Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin look at loosening regulations, at least on small community banks, a shift the other direction may occur, Clarke says. 

“You don’t want it to be easy to open a bank,” Clarke says. “The process is difficult, but you want it be difficult.” But you also want small community banks, he says, so a lightening of burdens on upstart institutions is welcome. And he says in Tallahassee, there’s rumors of four or five other banks planning to form in Florida.

“Community banks have basically gone away, but they are the heartbeat of economic well-being and are so important to success to a small town,” Clarke says. 

New to The Out-of-Door Academy Siesta Key Campus is an incredible addition that fourth and fifth grade students have begun enjoying currently, and for the future to come. The Out-of-Door Academy Siesta Key Campus has an incredible new fourth and fifth grade STEM lab that enhances learning for students. The Dart Foundation funded a new classroom space, which will encourage students to discover the most innovate usage of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) learning, equipped with the newest materials and methods.  Along with this exciting addition, the Lower School campus has also been equipped with new, top-notch equipment so that the student’s students there also have the chance to engage with STEM learning. The Head of Lower School, Tanna Horner says “Teaching our kids to actively engage in the sciences and engineering-and the learning that comes from those disciplines-is critical to the needs of today’s learner.” ODA focuses on preparing each and every student for success, and providing essential skills needed to excel. The Dart STEM Lab is just one example of how they are doing so. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for The Out-of-Door Academy! 

Image provided by Out-of-Door Academy

Out-of-Door Academy

Tired of ordering pizza and making the same old stir-fry at home? Here’s the cooking inspo you’ve been looking for to spice things up at home. A series of special cooking classes will be held at The Francis, unlocking the complex and flavorful secrets of Indian cuisine to Sarasotans. Discover Indian in it’s truest/tastiest form just by joining any of the four engaging and deeply interactive tutorials, hosted by Deepa Thomas—author of cookbook, Deepa’s Secrets, which takes you from classic Indian traditions to modern Indian cooking with deliciously simple recipes. Each class encompasses an integrated cultural theme and begin with chutney and pappadams—ingredients and aprons provided!

The first class in the series, ‘Basics of Indian Cuisine’, you’ll explore a typical Indian pantry—learning in detail about authentic spices/herbs, and how to blend them to make fragrant masalas, enabling you to create easy and diverse Indian dishes of your own. Many elements of Indian cooking are exotic and even difficult to pronounce. In fact, you won't find many at your local grocery store. But after the class, the mystique of this rich cuisine will be revealed! Deepa will further divulge her shortcuts and techniques to make exotic Indian an everyday fare in your kitchen. Her hands-on classes will embark in an intimate setting allowing attendees to participate as much or as little as they’d like. You may join her in getting your hands dirty, preparing the dishes for each course or, you may sit back, relax with a drink, and be entertained by the tableside experience! Fly solo, bring a date, or come with a group of friends—either way, the class will be immediately transported from downtown Sarasota to the South Asian country in a blink of an eye.

First class of the series: March 25th, 6:00-8.30pm. The $65 per person ticket price includes interactive class, three course meal and a recipe booklet. Classes are limited in size, so book ahead to reserve your seat at The Indian Table.

The Francis, 1289 North Palm Ave., Sarasota, 941-552-9650. 

Image provided by Tableseide Restaurant Group

The Indian Table

Debra Gingerich has been promoted to director of marketing at JMX Brands, the largest online retailer of Amish furniture with its flagship website www.dutchcrafters.com. The first employee of the company after the founders, Gingerich worked as writer and communications manager for JMX Brands from 2004-2006 before returning in 2015. Gingerich’s promotion to director of marketing recognizes her leadership responsibilities in the company, including chairing the committee that rewrote the mission statement and the committee responsible for enhancing communications with customers. Gingerich also received the President’s Award at the company’s 15th anniversary celebration, in recognition of her significant contributions, including building the content, communications and marketing team; establishing a brand narrative, video platform and advertising platforms; and spearheading the use of a customer relationship management (CRM) tool. JMX Brands is a niche internet retailer founded in 2003 in Sarasota. The company operates several online home furnishing and décor sites, including the aforementioned flagship Amish furniture site and an eco-friendly furniture and home décor site at www.ecofriendlydigs.com. 

JMX Brands

Caldwell Trust Company has been honored with an ADDY by AdFed Suncoast, the local chapter of the American Advertising Federation, for excellence in advertising. The company won a Silver Addy for its full-page print advertisement headlined “Let’s Talk About Your Tomorrows Today.” Sheryl Vieira, Caldwell’s vice president of marketing and public relations, was art director for the ad and created the concept, which was implemented with graphic design by Troy Haggard of HQ Designs, LLC. Vieira is a member of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) and Florida Bankers Association. She was appointed as a member of the RESIDENCE International Marketing Advisory Committee representing this region of the United States. She has received The President’s Volunteer Service Award from the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation in conjunction with the National & Community Service and USA Freedom Corps. She was a member of the Young Professionals of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce and was also a member of the Junior League of Sarasota. 

Caldwell Trust Company

Manatee County will host a public meeting later this month to discuss the Flamingo Cay Water Main Replacement project in Bradenton. The public meeting will be held March 29, 5:30–7:30pm at Northwest Baptist Church, 7913 9th Avenue NW, Bradenton. The meeting will begin with a formal presentation, after which project staff will be on hand to answer questions concerning the project and potential impacts. Project information will also be on display. The project involves replacing approximately 10,000 linear feet of 46-year-old water mains on Flamingo Cay with new pipes, fire hydrants, valves and service connections, to provide fire protection and increased water pressure on Flamingo Cay. Construction will begin following the acquisition of utility easements and final design. 

Manatee County