Meet Longboat Chamber of Commerce's newest addition

Ellen Thomas has some interesting career highlights in her repertoire, from coordinating events for major brands including Wendy's and Bacardi, to navigating the skies as a flight attendant. Now, she is bringing that experience to bear as the newest Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce staff member.

She joins the team as an events coordinator, working year-round to coordinate educational and fun events for Longboat Key denizens.

Thomas shared in an interview that she appreciates the experience she's gained in the corporate world, but now looks forward to offering her insights in a community-based position.

"It's just the perfect time for something like this," she said.

The Miami-born event expert has traveled extensively in her career. She first ventured into marketing with an Ohio-based job at Wendy's international headquarters for eight years.

"I became one of their meeting planners, and we did many programs," she said. "[Founder] Dave Thomas was actually still there at the time, at the end of his career there. He was such a character."

Photo by Dana Kampa

Eventually feeling the call to return to Florida, she worked for a while in Orlando before becoming a permanent resident of Sarasota in 2006, taking a position with the travel-focused media group Miles Partnership.

In that role, she offered presentations on Florida as a premier event destination on the worldwide market, focusing on "Visit Florida" marketing. As an avid beach-goer, she was glad to return to her home state.

"I didn't know much about the West Coast, but when the Miles Media job came up, I moved to Sarasota, even though I didn't know a soul," she said. "I've been here ever since."

Thomas said she is eager to collaborate with local organizations like the Humane Society of Sarasota County, especially considering she has a rescue dog — Miss Boca, a papillon and long-haired chihuahua mix.

The chamber has several upcoming events already in the works, including the disaster preparedness seminar on March 26, the "Meet, Greet, Eat" networking evening on April 9, and the final "Savor the Sounds" concert of the season on April 19.

But she looks forward to offering original ideas in the future.