Governing Legislation: Resolution No.2025-004
 

Purpose: Make recommendations to the County Commission concerning issues relating to parks, beaches, recreation and the acquisition and use of Neighborhood Parkland.

Requirements: 11 members

  • 2 with background and experience in parks and/or recreation
  • 2 with background and experience in neighborhood interests
  • 2 with background and experience in real estate or business interests in Sarasota County
  • 1 with background and experience in environmental interests in Sarasota County
  • 1 Students Taking Active Roles (STAR) representative
  • 3 representing municipal parks and/or recreation interests:
    • from the City of North Port
    • from the City of Sarasota
    • from the City of Venice    
Term: 3 years, 1 year for STAR member.
 
Meetings: Bimonthly — 1st Thursday of January, March, May, July, September, and November at 2:30 p.m.; special meetings as needed
 
County Staff Contact: Maria Bocci; mbocci@scgov.net

 

 Current Members - 2 Vacant Positions

 

Jono Miller

Category: Neighborhood Interests Representative

Term Expires: 6/30/2028

Email: jono.miller@sarasotaadvisory.net 

 

Larry Prohs

Category: Parks and/or Recreation Representative

Term Expires: 10/31/2026

Email: larry.prohs@sarasotaadvisory.net

 

Matt Scarbrough 

 Category: Environmental Interests Representative

Term Expires: 10/31/2027

Email: matt.scarbrough@sarasotaadvisory.net 

 

Elsie Souza

Category: Real Estate or Business Interests Representative

Term Expires: 10/31/2027

Email: elsie.sousa@sarasotaadvisory.net

 

Michelle Stanley, Chair

Category: Parks and/or Recreation Representative

Term Expires: 10/31/2027

Email: michelle.stanley@sarasotaadvisory.net 

 

Brett Thomas, Vice Chair

Category: Real Estate or Business Representative

Term Expires: 6/30/2028

Email: brett.thomas@sarasotaadvisory.net

 

James Ward

Category: Neighborhood Interests Representative

Term Expires: 6/30/2028

Email: james.ward@sarasotaadvisory.net

 

Steve Carr

Category: City of Venice Representative

Term Expires: 9/30/2029

Email: steve.carr@sarasotaadvisory.net

 

Vacant

Category: City of North Port Representative

 

Vacant

Category: City of Sarasota Representative

 

Ian Michalopoulos

Category: STAR Student

Email: ian.michalopoulos@sarasotaadvisory.net