Maintaining a positive direction is key to new LWRBA chair

After taking over as the new chair of the board of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance for 2025, Julie Fanning was asked about her hobbies.

Silence.

What, no hobbies?

"I go to events," said Fanning, the director of marketing for Benderson Development. "We had 439 events at UTC last year (with Benderson Development). We had more than 100 events with the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance."

Fanning and her husband of 24 years, Tim Fanning, are empty nesters now with their 18-year-old daughter Madeline at Florida State University and their 25-year-old son Ethan working in education guidance in Kansas City. 

Still, Fanning knows that taking over as LWRBA chair will include a lot of responsibilities.

"I am confident in my role," said Fanning, who received the ceremonial gavel at the LWRBA's 20th anniversary luncheon Jan. 24 at the Grove in Lakewood Ranch. "I have an amazing team (at Benderson Development), a strong leader (LWRBA CEO and president Brittany Lamont), and a great board.

"This is my way of giving back. The Alliance has been part of my life since I moved her 10 years ago. I was trying to make business connections and the Alliance supported me and introduced me to the community. I never pictured myself as the chair, but I am very proud. This is a huge honor."

Fanning, who was born in Gainesville and grew up in West Palm Beach, will guide the nonprofit through its 20th anniversary year. While she said no special events have been added to the schedule to celebrate the 20 years, all their events will carry a 20th anniversary theme.

She said outgoing chair Dave Otterness launched a three-year plan in 2024 so it's her duty to keep that plan moving forward in 2025. Marketing will be key in "getting the brand out there."

"Dave did an amazing job setting us up for success," she said. "We're in a very positive place."

She said spreading the word about the alliance takes more work than ever because it "isn't the best kept secret anymore."

The LWRBA has approximately 750 members so she will be focused on increasing membership by retaining the current members and reaching new potential candidates. She said the alliance has new software that will help with that goal.

"As we look to 2025, we remain committed to advancing our three strategic priorities — engage, grow and impact," Fanning said. "Together, we will continue to expand our reach across the region, strengthen our vision for the future, and, above all, stay focused on serving the needs of our members."

One of her roles, as she sees it, is to attend committee meetings on each initiative and then report back to the board and the committees to build cohesiveness. Fanning, who lives in Nokomis, will hold a workshop where all the committee chairs can meet.

She also will continue Otterness' commitment to advocacy.

With all the events, all the committees, all her responsibilities, and a full-time job, she said Benderson Develoment's commitment to the community will allow her to get things done.

"The biggest challenge for me is just finding the time required," she said. "But I have an amazing support team (at Benderson Development) that will cover for me."

Fanning was honored at the luncheon along with Schroeder-Manatee Ranch CEO and President Rex Jensen, who received the Chairman's Award. Wayne Parrish of Rite Technology was announced as the incoming chair for 2026.

Photo by Jay Heater

The Chairman's Award recognizes a member who has gone above and beyond in his or her role with the LWRBA and who has been a champion and a confidant, providing guidance and insight to the chair of the board and to the leaders of the organization.

The LWRBA was established in 2005 with an office at SMR's headquarters.

Jensen, who is is a board member emeritus, talked about how "incredibly important" it has been for the business community to be engaged in the success of the community as a whole. He said he wants to see the LWRBA continue to evolve.

Jensen said if artificial intelligence made a model of a master planned community, it would include a synergy with the residents, business community, and the government. He credited the LWRBA for helping that synergy exist in Lakewood Ranch and added that SMR did well by fostering the growth of the LWRBA.

SMR and Jensen were lauded for their "community centric approach" that has led to a "place where people have a sense of belonging."

As always, Jensen added a touch of humor to the proceedings. In talking about SMR's contributions to the community, he noted that "Roads within Lakewood Ranch work ... Roads outside Lakewood Ranch, not so much."

Sometimes fostering the growth of an organization, such as the LWRBA, can get expensive. Jensen said that he and fellow board member emeritus Lou Marinaccio "bought 30 tickets to every event the LWRBA held."