Thaxton tapped by Venice charity

Jon Thaxton will attend one of his last budget hearings as a Sarasota County commissioner Monday evening, but he will officially begin part-time work as director of community investment for the Gulf Coast Community Foundation that morning.

“Jon brings a rich blend of local history and strategic vision which will match perfectly with our current staff,” said the Gulf Coast President and CEO Teri Hansen in a news release. The organization coordinates with donors to invest in the arts and culture, health and human services, education, civic economic development, and the environment — Thaxton’s forte while a commissioner.

Thaxton earlier this year lost the primary race for Sarasota Supervisor of Elections to incumbent Kathy Dent, after a Florida Supreme Court ruling barred him from running a fourth time for his District 5 seat. Gulf Coast Marketing Manager Kelly Romanoff yesterday said Thaxton was at the organization’s office meeting with Hansen.