SIESTA KEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNOUNCES 2011 BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND 2010 BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARDS

Sarasota, FL - January 26, 2011] - The Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce held its 2011 Annual Meeting and 2010 Awards Breakfast on Wednesday, January 26, at Ophelia's On The Bay, 9105 Midnight Pass Road on Siesta Key.

Chamber Board Chairwoman, Cheryl Gaddie of CG Designs, and Past Chairwoman, Aimee Holmes, Concierge Manager of Hyatt Siesta Key Beach, presented awards to the following honorees:

The Chamber's Board of Directors Service Award was awarded to retiring director Rich Cunningham of Cunningham Property Management for his high level of performance during his term on the Board.

The Shining Star Award went to Trish Ivey of the Pelican Press newspaper for her exceptional service to area businesses.

The Community Partner Award was presented to Ed and Sandy Schmidt, co-chairs of the Beach Ambassadors an organization of 60 volunteers providing local information to visitors at Siesta Beach Pavilion.

Alana Tomasso of Cunningham Property Management received the Sharon Cunningham Volunteer of the Year Award for her dedication and services on behalf of the Chamber over the past seven years.

Maria Bankemper of Holiday Inn Express Siesta Key was presented the 2010 Businessperson of the Year to for her leadership in numerous events which bring large numbers of visitors to the area including beach tennis and volleyball championships and the Crystal Classic Sandsculpting Competition.

2010 Large Business of the Year winners were Daiquiri Deck and Raw Bar owners Troy Syprett, Russell Matthes, and Matthew Grover.

All-Gone Pest Control, owned and managed by Gordon Litts, received the Chamber's Small Business of the year 2010 award.

The Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce additionally announced its Board Officers for 2011 as follows: Cheryl Gaddie of CG Designs, Chair; Mark Smith of Smith Architects, P.A., Chair-Elect; Russell Matthes of Daiquiri Deck Raw Bar, Treasurer; Felix Power of Prudential Palms Realty, Secretary; and Aimee Holmes of Hyatt Siesta Key Beach, Immediate Past Chair.

The Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for 2011 are: Maria Bankemper, Holiday Inn Express; Trish Ivey, Pelican Press; Tom Kouvatsos, Village Café; Sheila Lewis of Siesta Sports Rentals; Felix Power of Prudential Palms Realty; Stephen Voigt, Sr. Esquire, Voigt & Voigt, P.A.; Frank Zeckel, Coldwell Banker Real Estate; Aledia Tush, CB's Saltwater Outfitters; Dave Magee of The UPS Store; and Alana Tomasso of Cunningham Property Management.

For more information about the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce visit http://siestakeychamber.com