Article authored by:
Holly Elmore - LAI FL Suncoast Chapter President & LAI Global Water-Land Series Group Co-Chair
Holly's eclectic career path includes multiple facets ranging from the corporate arena (Arthur Andersen Auditor & Trammell Crow Controller) to the foodservice industry (owner of a corporate catering business & restaurants) to sustainability-industry leader (Zero Waste Zones & Elemental Impact Founder). In addition, Holly is an avid nature & documentary photographer and respected journalist with prominent articles and photographs featured in national publications.
At the LAI 2024 Annual Gathering in Phoenix, LAI Global President Kathy King announced the LAI FL Suncoast Chapter charter at the Awards Dinner on October 16, 2024. FL Suncoast Chapter Board Member Jay Brady accepted the chapter charter; in his remarks, Jay emphasized the local and global teamwork that culminated in developing a chapter.
 Kathy King presenting the chapter charter; from left to right: Jay Brady, Kathy, Steven Gragg, and Susannah Bergmann. Photo courtesy of LAI |
 Global leadership celebrates the FL Suncoast Chapter Charter; from left to right: Craig Binning, Susannah Bergmann, Steve Gragg, Kathy King, and Jay Brady. Photo courtesy of LAI |
On September 26, the LAI Executive Committee unanimously approved a resolution recommending that the Board of Governors approve the LAI FL Suncoast Chapter charter; at the October 16 LAI Business Meetings, the Board of Governors unanimously approved the chapter charter.
Formal chapter-development investment began in November 2023 with an impressive inaugural meeting hosted at the Nathan Benderson Park Finish Tower. The IMPACT article, The Power of LAI Comes to Florida!, showcases the excellent event where 13 LAI Suncoast members were inducted. Kathy traveled from Los Angeles and LAI Past President, LAI Fellow, and New Chapter Development Chair Steven R Gragg from El Paso, Texas to support the underdevelopment chapter.
The FL Suncoast Chapter's official territory is the coastal counties from Tampa Bay to Naples, with an initial emphasis on Sarasota and Manatee Counties. The FL Suncoast Chapter boasts 22 active members including seven Board of Directors. By yearend, the chapter strives to reach 30 members with a long-term goal of 50 members.
Member recruitment was stymied due to recent hurricane destruction; the Suncoast was impacted with three hurricanes in two months - Debby, Helene, and Milton; Helene and Milton were less than two weeks apart, and Milton made landfall on Siesta Key, one of Sarasota's barrier islands. FL Suncoast Chapter President Holly Elmore did not travel to Phoenix due to hurricane implications.
The IMPACT article, Announcing LAI FL Suncoast Chapter, celebrates the chapter charter along with the chapter history, details on 2024 events, and Keys to Success for the chapter development.
 LAI Induction Ceremony at the November 28, 2023 inaugural LAI FL Suncoast meeting. Photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images |
 In November 2023 FL Suncoast member John McCarthy hosted a tour of the Historic Spanish Pointe Preserve; pictured from left to right: Mary Dougherty, John, Kathy King & Steve Gragg. Photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images |
 Steve Gragg at the Rod & Reel Pier & Restaurant, the first stop on Holly’s SRQ Tour. Recent Hurricanes Helene and Milton literally obliterated the iconic restaurant built in 1947; only the sign remains. Photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images |
 Craig Binning at the Siesta Key Beach sign celebrating its designation as the #1 Beach in the USA. Less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene’s storm surge completely flooded the barrier island leaving behind huge deposits of sand, Hurricane Milton made landfall on the southern portion of the island; the sign survived both hurricanes. Photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images |
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