We are proud sponsors of the "Arts in April" series of events! 
Four creative and fun community events to bring us together, in collaboration with other non-profit organizations who serve Longboat Key.  Please join us in celebrating the arts, and each other!
 

Born May 14, 1945

Moved to Longboat Key in 1999.

Professional Background: Principal & Owner of James L. Brown & Associates - Architects, p.c. – Commercial architectural firm founded in 1978 in Washington D.C., Virginia, and Maryland

Education: Graduated Auburn University w/ B.S. in Architecture and M.S. Urban Planning.

Military: 4 years in U.S. Navy 1969-1973

Became active in Town of Longboat activities in 2001

Served on Town’s Community Center Advisory Committee – Chairman 2003-2004

Served on Longboat Key Planning & Zoning Board 2004 -2009

Planning & Zoning Board Chair 2007 – 2009,

Town of Longboat Key Commission 2009 – 2015

Mayor 2011-2015.

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Jim was a Founder of the Longboat Key Foundation in 2012 as a community organization raising funds to add needed amenities for Longboat Key. Beginning in 2013 the Foundation operated under the umbrella of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, then incorporated as the Longboat Key Foundation, Inc in 2019 as an independent 501(c)3

Susan M Phillips is a 28-year full-time Longboat Key resident, respected public servant, and community leader with more than 27 years of experience in municipal government, nonprofit leadership and civic engagement.

From 1998 to 2025, Susan served as Assistant to the Town Manager of Longboat Key, where she was a key member of the Town’s Executive Management Team. In this role, she worked closely with elected officials, department directors, regional partners and residents, while leading public communications, managing executive operations, and serving as the Town’s Public Information Officer and Emergency Command Staff member during hurricanes, major incidents, and the COVID-19 response. Her work emphasized transparency, collaboration and meaningful public engagement. She was recognized with the Town Manager Award for Outstanding Service.

Beyond her municipal career, Susan has dedicated decades to nonprofit and civic leadership, most notably with the Longboat Key Garden Club, where she has served on their Board for more than 25 years, including eight years as President. She currently holds the titles of First Vice President and President Emerita and has chaired the organization’s Scholarship Committee for 25 years, along with leading multiple major fundraising events. She has also served in leadership roles with the Longboat Key Kiwanis Club and as Chair of Town Beautification Projects, helping guide improvements to parks and public spaces throughout the community.

As Susan begins her retirement from municipal service, she is focused on the next chapter of her lifelong commitment to public service: nonprofit leadership and community development. Her goal is to lead or support mission-driven organizations that enhance community amenities, philanthropy, and quality of life across Longboat Key and the greater Gulf Coast region.

Susan is known for her integrity, institutional knowledge and collaborative leadership style. She remains deeply committed to strengthening Longboat Key, the community she has served for almost three decades. Transitioning from a professional career of service to Longboat Key to leading the Longboat Key Foundation provides an uninterrupted opportunity to continue building community.

As Chair of the Longboat Key Foundation, Inc., (501(c)3 organization), her focus will be helping donors align their philanthropic goals to match current initiatives which target quality of life needs within the community.  The Longboat Key Foundation’s primary areas of focus are: arts & culture; health & human services; environment & sustainability; parks & recreation; and education.

Rick is a dedicated, passionate, and focused Hospitality Leader with over 50 years of experience in Hospitality operations, Team development, and commitment to excellence. Rick is known for building dynamic high-performing teams through leadership, high levels of guest service skills training, and profitability. His properties consistently perform well in all areas of operation. Rick has worked for Ocean Properties, Opal Collection, for over 37 years. He has been with the Longboat Key Club, Opal Collections, for the past six years. He has served on many prestigious boards throughout his career including, President/Chairman of the Palm Beach County Convention and Visitors Bureau, President of the Hotel/Lodging Association of Palm Beach County, 2012 Business Leader of the Year for Boca Raton, Board member for the Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce, Board member for Visit Sarasota County, Board member for St. Armands Circle Association, Longboat Key Foundation, Board member for the Longboat Key Marina Association. Rick has also dedicated much of his time to non-profit organizations and volunteered on many committees for the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association. Most recently awarded the Hurricane Hero Award by the Town of Longboat Key after this past year’s Hurricanes Helene and Milton. When Rick is not working, his favorite pastime is walking 5 miles daily on Gulf of Mexico Drive as well as keeping up with his sports teams, the Philadelphia Eagles, Phillies, and 76ers. Rick has three children; Brittany, Victoria, and Ricky, Jr. All graduated with honors from FAU and FGCU. Rick has four sisters. All were raised in Wilkes-Barre, PA. He played high school football and was the Captain of his football team, GAR Grenadier, which won two state championships! Rick loves to cook and create unique dishes. Culinary ranks high on his hobby to-do list! He has an unbelievable career in Hospitality and even ran very successful high-energy nightclubs during the 80s in Southern California and Florida. Rick graduated from Florida International University (FIU) in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management

Rear Admiral Steve Branham, US Coast Guard (retired), originally from Pensacola, Florida, now resides in Longboat Key, Florida with his wife of 13 years, Susan Phillips.

Steve attended the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (BS), Case Western Reserve University (MBA – Finance), and the National Defense University (MS National Security Strategy).   Steve’s Coast Guard career spanned 37 years serving in a wide variety of assignments including 12 years of sea duty aboard 6 ships.  He served a total of 8 years as Commanding Officer aboard 4 of those ships ranging in size from 95 to 378 feet.  He achieved the rank of Rear Admiral and served as the CFO of the Coast Guard and later as Commander, Seventh Coast Guard District, directing over 11,000 men and women in the Southeast U. S. and the Caribbean Region.   He has also worked in senior leadership positions in the private sector.  

Steve has served the local community in a variety of capacities. He is currently serving as Town of Longboat Key Commissioner At Large.   He has also served as Chairman of the Town's Consolidated Pension Board of Trustees (11 years); President of the Board of Directors of the SunCoast Blood Center (4 years, 10 years on the Board); President of the Longboat Key Kiwanis Club (3 years); and Board member of the Longboat Key Garden Club (13 years).  Steve joined the Longboat Key Foundation Board in July 2024.

Michael Garey is a 50-year veteran of the hospitality industry with deep roots in the Sarasota and Longboat Key communities. He served as General Manager of the iconic Café L’Europe from 1986 to 2002 and later as Manager of Restaurants at the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort. From 2004 to 2009, Michael represented prestigious global producers as a wine sales consultant for Transatlantic Wines, a division of Southern Wine and Spirits.

In 2009, Michael, together with his wife Catherine and business partner Chef Bob Fracalossy, opened the Lazy Lobster of Longboat Key, which remains one of the area’s most popular dining destinations. Michael and Bob also went on to open the first of two Kacey’s Seafood & More restaurants in Sarasota. Most recently, Michael expanded his hospitality portfolio with the opening of M&W Sweet Spot, a frozen custard and ice cream shop located adjacent to the Lazy Lobster.

Michael has long been active in community leadership. He is a member of the Board of Directors for the Longboat Key Foundation, past President of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key, and the longtime Event Chair for the Kiwanis Lawn Party by the Bay, a signature fundraiser supporting foster care children in Sarasota and Manatee counties. He is also a former President of the St. Armands Circle Association.

Michael and his wife, Catherine, share a close-knit family and are proud parents of three daughters and two grandchildren.