Business Observer

+ Community Foundation names new chief of staff
Roxie Jerde, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, named Nicole (Desmarais) Coudal as the organization’s chief of staff. Coudal is responsible for the development strategy for the foundation and will act as the liaison with its board of directors.

Coudal has been a Sarasota resident for more than 20 years. Previously, she worked in human resources and business management in both municipal and corporate sectors. She is also a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, Mote Marine’s Turtle Patrol, the Sarasota Tarpon Tournament and All-Faiths Food Bank.

“Nicole will be a great addition to our Community Foundation family,” said Jerde in a prepared statement. “With her professional experience and caring heart, we look forward to the contributions she will make to help the Community Foundation of Sarasota County as it continues to grow and flourish, making donor dreams a reality, for good, forever.” 

+ SMH opens Stickney Point Urgent Care Center
Sarasota Memorial Health Care System expanded is Urgent Care Center (formerly known as the Gulf Gate Walk-In Center) and relocated the medical office complex to a free-standing facility at 6331 S. Tamiami Trail. The 4,500-square-foot center is one of three urgent-care centers SMH operates in the area. The urgent-care center provides comprehensive walk-in medical care from sore throats to the flu, to minor emergencies such as sprains, fractures and burns. A community open house will take place from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 13, at the center. Guests can meet the physicians, enjoy family-friendly activities and teddy-bear clinic, and enjoy the bounce house, music games and more. The first 50 children will receive an SMH teddy bear. Call 917-7777 for information.

+ New Sarasota shop celebrates fine wine
Steve and Karla Koch opened Sarasota Fine Wine & Tastings, a boutique wine shop and tasting room, at 4333 S. Tamiami Trail.

“We both realized that we had the knowledge and business savvy to run our own business,” says Steve Koch in a prepared statement. “But, for us, it was more than a cold business decision. Enjoying great wines with family and friends is a large part of our life. Why not create a business that reflects what we love and know?”

The 1,300-square-foot space includes a temperature-controlled walk-in cellar and hundreds of wines from around the world ranging in price from $8 a bottle and up.

Wine tastings will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. the second Thursdays of each month starting Sept. 8. Call 487-7933.

+ USF Sarasota-Manatee appoints council members
The University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee has announced the new members of its Community Leadership Council. The members, who are made up of community and business leaders, will serve a two-year term.

Steve Mixson, community advocate, will serve as the 2011-12 chairman. New members are: Ashley Abene, president of the Manatee–Sarasota USF Alumni Chapter; Jeanne Corcoran, director of the Sarasota County Film and Entertainment Office; Richard Gerrity, Lydian Bank and Trust and USF alumni; Karin Grablin, SRQ Wealth Management; Joe Gruters, chairman of the Sarasota Republican Party, accountant at Shinn & Company and USF alumni; Rebecca Gutherz, president of the USF Sarasota-Manatee Student Government Association; Kelly Kirschner, former mayor of the city of Sarasota and Media Maquiladora; Jason Krywko, Sleek Audio and USF alumni; Jan Pullen, St. Stephen’s Episcopal School; Teresa Rawe, emergency room physician; Ron Reagan, former representative of Manatee Legislative Delegation, MGA Insurance Group and USF alumni; Patrick Roff, city of Bradenton; Judge Gilbert Smith, 12th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida and USF alumni; Olivia Thomas, Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center; Jean Trammell, The Venice Company; and Anne Weintraub, attorney with Band Weintraub and USF alumni.