Sarasota Stories

If you live in Florida for any length of time, there are two words you really don't want to hear and that is -- Red Tide.

Red Tide kills our marine life, disrupts our tourism industry, and is literally a stinker of a problem.

Most everyone knows it's been around for centuries but is there anything that can be done to at least reduce its impact on our ecology and our economy?

Fortunately, one world-class organization right here in Sarasota is fighting to find the answers.

I'm very pleased to welcome Kevin Claridge - Mote VP for Sponsored Research & Coastal Policy.

In today's episode, you'll learn...

• What we definitely know about Red Tide
• How the state of Florida and Governor DeSantis are funding research to help mitigate this Red Tide's impact on Florida
• Recent mitigation testing techniques
• ... and much, much, more!

I'm so glad you stopped by today as it is my hope you will listen ... learn ... and connect!

Mote Facebook

Mote Twitter

Mote Instagram

Mote Youtube

Mote Pinterest

It never ceases to amaze me the hidden "gems" doing great work right here in the Greater Sarasota Area. As you'll hear even a small manufacturing company in Osprey can have a major impact on the lives of its employees and our community by the way they conduct their business.

My guest today is Jeneth D’Alonzo CEO of Diversified Material Specialist Inc better known as DMSI.

Originally from the Philippines, Jeneth is quickly making a name for herself and her company. Jeneth recently won the International Person of the Year Award from the Tampa Bay Organization of Women in International Trade. And DMSI has recently been nominated or won several awards including ...

• Being a finalist for this year's Venice Chamber Business of the Year
• A finalist in the 12th Annual GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch
• Won the Sarasota-Manatee Human Resource Association Diversity Award

In this episode, you'll learn ...

• Why she came to the Sarasota Area from the Philippines
• What DMSI does and how they were able to thrive during the Covid pandemic
• How Jeneth's faith plays a major role in her life
• How you can reach out
• ... and much, much, more!

Thank you for stopping by today it is my hope you will listen ... learn ... and connect!

Jeneth C. D’Alonzo is the CEO OF DMSI, an International Manufacturer of Fiber Optic Connectivity Products. She was instrumental in helping build the company to employing over 100+ employees with two wholly owned Manufacturing facilities, in Venice Florida, and in the Philippines. She is also passionate about her commitment to her faith and giving back to others. She created and manages the DMSI/Cares program. This program was designed by taking a percentage of DMSI profits and giving back to local communities both here in the US and the Philippines. DMSI/CARE organization does a minimum of 4 missions per year, providing food, medicine, clothing, to the poor. On her spare time, she loves to do deep sea fishing with her family. Jeneth was born in the Philippines and prior to DMSI, she was an Engineering Professor in the Philippines for 12 years. She also taught Engineering classes at the SCF, Manatee. She is a happily married wife, and a devoted mother to two beautiful children.

CORPORATE HQ: VENICE, FLORIDA

105 Triple Diamond Blvd, Unit 101

Venice, FL 34275

Tel: (941) 244‐0935

Fax: (941) 244‐0937

[email protected]

DMSI FACEBOOK

DMSI LINKEDIN

It may seem strange to think that someone would join both a yacht club and a boat club at that same time. But that's exactly what I did back in 2015. While I'm no longer a yacht club member I continue to enjoy getting out on the water via what I consider the best deal around.

I'm very pleased to welcome Nick Thomas, Director of Club Operations at Freedom Boat Club. In today's episode, Nick will share ...

• One thing most people don't know about Nick
• How FBC became the premier boating Club in the world
• What its recent purchase by Brunswick means for the FBC & members
• The incredible reciprocity benefits members receive across the country
• Who should consider joining FBC and where you can find out more
• ... and much much more!

I appreciate so much that you'd spend your valuable time with us today. It is my hope that you will listen, learn and connect!

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Find a Local Club

One of the truly wonderful additions to the Sarasota Area in recent memory is Nathan Benderson Park. The park is known for its fishing and is ideal for recreational kayaking, canoeing, sailing, remote-control sailboats, and other non-gas-powered vessels plus many, many community events, fairs, and festivals.

Even more, it's known nationally and internationally as a world-class destination for rowing as it hosted the 2016 and 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials and in 2022 International Dragon Boat Federation Club Crew World Championships.

I'm very pleased to have as my guest today, Stephen Rodriguez - President, of Nathan Benderson Park (NBP).

In this episode, you'll learn ...

• One thing most people don't know about Steven
• Why NBP is so financially important to our community
• What most people would be surprised to know about the park
• What his favorite events are
• ... and much much more!

I appreciate that you stopped by today so remember to listen ... learn .. and connect!

Facebook

Linkedin

Twitter

Instagram

Youtube

The internet is both wonderful and horrible. On the one hand, it's the bastion of free speech. But on the other hand, anyone can verbally trash someone else without retribution or consequences.

So what do you do when your online reputation has been soiled unfairly or you made mistakes that seem to never go away even after you paid the price to correct them?

As the saying goes -- the internet never forgets.

I'm very pleased to welcome today Adam Petrilli Founder and CEO at NetReputation.com

After launching in 2014, Netreputation skyrocketed in growth and is a 4-time INC.5000 winner of America's Fastest Growing Companies with offices in Sarasota, Florida; Kansas City, Missouri; and London, UK.

In this episode, you'll learn...

• One thing most people don't know about Adam
• Where the idea for his company came from
• The types of cases Netreputation deal with
• Who should give him a call
• ... and much much more!

I'm so glad you chose to stop by today where it is my hope you will listen ... learn ... and connect!

Facebook

Linkedin

Instagram

Youtube

Twitter

UpCity

If there's anything I've learned in the seven years I've lived in this wonderful town it's that people here LOVE their cats and dogs. Cats in particular are popular in the US with over 85 million in American households. Unfortunately, there's a large homeless cat problem too. But one organization is doing great work to place local cats in loving homes.

My guest today is Payton Davis, Communications Specialist for Cat Depot. "Cat Depot’s mission is to save lives, find loving homes, and provide resources and education to improve the destiny of homeless cats."

In today's episode, you'll learn

• One thing most people don't know about Payton
• Why she loves cats and how she got involved with placement
• The services Cat Depot provides
• The difference between a "house cat" and a "working cat."
• ... and much much more!

Thank you so much for dropping by today. I hope you will listen ... learn ... and connect!

YouTube 

Facebook

Linkedin

Instagram

The booming Sarasota economy is a reflection of many things such as baby boomers retiring, and a wonderful climate with less congestion than larger, nearby cities.

But with the great influx of new residents and businesses comes a challenge for the local Chamber of Commerce as they strive to respond to the increased demands of their growing and increasingly diverse membership.

In today's episodes, you'll hear from Heather Kasten, President & CEO of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce share ...

• One thing most people don't know about her
• Why she saw the Chamber as a career path after success in the pharmaceutical industry
• Several programs that most people would be surprised that the Chamber provides
• Why you should consider joining
• ... and much, much ... more!

I do appreciate you listening today -- it is my hope that you will listen ... learn ... and connect!

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Linkedin

Youtube

Hello Sarasota!

Since launching in early February of this year I have interviewed over 60 people. It has been wonderful meeting some of the most remarkable and accomplished people I've ever come into contact with.

I'm having a lot of fun and hope you have enjoyed listening to their stories as much as I have had in airing them.

To switch things up a bit, in this episode I do a review of the top 10 most downloaded episodes to date, share from where my listeners are tuning in but most importantly I ask you for a little advice to help the show going forward.

... plus much, much more!

And as always it is my hope that you will listen ... learn ... and connect!

Our Website

Facebook

Linkedin

Instagram

Twitter

Most Floridians have heard of the invasive Burmese python ravaging the Everglades' wildlife. And most have also heard of the Pacific Lionfish eating much of our native fish in the Florida Keys.

But what about the invasive plants creating havoc on our ecology?

One local nursery is fighting the good fight to replace invading species with native plants that help heal rather than harm our environment.

My guests today are Laurel & Annie Schiller - a mother-daughter team who own and run the Florida Native Plants Nursery.

In today's episode, you'll learn ...

• One thing most people don't know about the Schillers
• The negative impact of invasive plant species and how replacing them with native species help local wildlife
• How the Schillers consult with homeowners to turn their yards into a natural haven for birds, butterflies
• ... and much much more!

Thank you for stopping by today and remember to listen ... learn... and connect!

Facebook

Instagram

Pinterest

Stories of the lowly janitor eventually rising to become President are typically stories of myth. However, it does happen.

As you'll hear today, my guest did indeed work his way up from the very bottom of the airport industry to the top over a brilliantly-managed 45-year career.

I am very pleased to welcome Rick Piccolo, President/CEO of this year's Florida Airport of the Year which of course, is our own Sarasota-Bradenton Airport (SRQ).

In this episode, you'll learn ...

• The one thing most people don't know about Rick.
• What most people would be surprised to know about running an airport.
• How Rick reduced SRQ debt to now run a massive surplus.
• What Rick and SRQ are doing to create educational opportunities for disadvantaged & minority students.

... and much, much more!

I'm so glad you joined us today. I hope you will listen, learn and connect!

FLY SRQ