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SRQ DAILY Sep 29, 2015

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"Our value proposition is not how big we are in assets. It's really about our leadership in the region."

- Mark Pritchett, Gulf Coast Community Foundation CEO
 

[Exec Moves]  Pritchett Tapped to Lead Gulf Coast Community Foundation
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

The Gulf Coast Community Foundation announced a change in its leadership Monday morning, but new President and CEO Mark Pritchett promises the organization will continue providing the same cutting-edge philanthropic successes that made it a nonprofit powerhouse in the region. “We are on a great trajectory at Gulf Coast,” Pritchett said. “Staying on that trajectory is critical to our success.” 

Pritchett succeeds Teri Hansen, who announced earlier this year she would leave the organization after 13 years at its helm and instead lead the Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation. A national search for Hansen’s replacement, led by search firm Spencer Stuart, considered more than 300 applicants for the post before the decision was made to promote Pritchett, previously senior vice president for Community Investment. Pritchett has worked at Gulf Coast since 2008, where he has led many grant-making strategies and community initiatives.

He noted that the organization in recent years has won national acclaim for education and workforce programs. CareerEdge Funders, an effort to provide professional advancement and enhancement opportunities for professionals in the area, was launched with the support of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, and the program recently won recognition from the White House. The STEMsmart initiative, where Pritchett has been heavily involved, has boosted science and technology resources in Sarasota County middle schools and attracted corporations like Microsoft to help in the effort. And a hunger initiative aimed at keeping children in the region properly fed was recently lauded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “To get results so quickly on all our initiatives is amazing,” Pritchett said. “And we have got ideas as we go down the road. Our goal is not to have national recognition but it’s great when it happens.”

The top priority of the new executive, he said, will be keeping intact a team that has been willing to make bold moves and take big risks. “Our value proposition is not how big we are in assets. It’s really about our leadership in the region,” Pritchett said. 

[Tuesday Tech Talk]  Prevent a Hack on your Site
Pedro Perez, pedro@nuevoadvertising.com

What would you do if I told you your site is under constant attack? 90 percent of sites are hacked and you never know it. Hackers are getting sophisticated and run scripts whose sole purpose is to break into one of the services on your website server, such as your email server or FTP; if you have a WordPress site, your plug-ins become a liability. There's an old saying in the industry: “There are those who have been hacked and those who don't know it yet."

I have first-hand experience dealing with these types of events. It is of the utmost importance that you keep your site up-to-date, which includes the software running your site as well as the plug-ins adding features to your site. Creating strong passwords with more than 16 characters, using both uppercase and lowercase letters and numbers and never using real words, is of vital importance. 

Let me play out a scenario for you. When the site is hacked, the hackers have a plan and they stick to their playbook: 

  • They crack your password or break into one of your services, like an outdated plug-in.
  • They install malware on your site and let that malware sit there for a few backup cycles. What that does is to not inly infect your live site, it also contaminates your backups. 
  • After a few months of being dormant, they take over or hijack your mail server and start sending spam out unbeknownst to you. Once you figure out that's happening and shut it down, they turn on all their hacks and your site goes down or infects other users.

 

Don't fall for a false sense of security—if your site is online, it's hackable. 

You can take some simple steps to see if your site is sound. If you're running your own server, make sure you have all the up-to-date server software and security software installed. Change your password at least twice a year, using at least 16 characters including uppercase and lowercase letters and numbers. Once you get control of your site from a developer, change all the passwords. Never share passwords over email. Never leave your default login name. These are only a handful of steps you can take.  

If you have questions or need help, feel free to contact me and I will do my best to help you and address you concerns.

Pedro Pérez is a founding partner of Nuevo Advertising Group and an adjunct professor of Global Brand Strategies at Ringling College of Art and Design. For over 17 years Pedro has offered clients his knowledge and expertise. Pedro has always demonstrated a keen analytical sense combined with a good dose of common sense in crafting digital and online marketing strategies as part of an integrated marketing plan. 

[Renovation]  Ritz-Carlton Reopens Ballroom Space

The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota has re-opened its ballroom and meeting spaces, which were renovated this summer as part of the hotel’s property-wide “Reimagination.” The hotel’s Grand Ballroom and eight additional meeting spaces have been completely transformed. The centerpiece of the Ballroom transformation is the custom carpet design that was inspired by a mosaic on the grounds of the Ca’d’Zan, set on a background of constellations that feel like the night sky. This carpet is a link to the new guest room décor as well as to that of Jack Dusty, the hotel’s restaurant, bringing to mind sailors navigating their routes to Sarasota by reading the stars. 

Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota

[Recognition]  Schimberg up for HGTV.com Award

Architect Barron Schimberg, founder of The Schimberg Group, is a nominee in HGTV.com's Fresh Faces of Design Awards in the Great First Impressions category, one of twelve categories in the contest.Schimberg is in competition with architects and designers from around the United States, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, New York, South Carolina and Washington.Schimberg’s project entry is “Island-inspired Beach Home,” a Siesta Key residence.  

The Schimberg Group

[Exec Moves]  Lamont Named to Florida Chamber Professionals Board

Brittany Lamont, The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce director of Communications and Events, will serve as a board member for the Florida Association of Chamber Professionals. The FACP installed its 2015-2016 Board of Directors at its annual conference, held September 15-17, in Captiva Island. 

Florida Association of Chamber Professionals

SRQ Media Group

SRQ DAILY is produced by SRQ | The Magazine. Note: The views and opinions expressed in the Saturday Perspectives Edition and in the Letters department of SRQ DAILY are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by SRQ Media. Senior Editor Jacob Ogles edits the Saturday Perspective Edition, Letters and Guest Contributor columns.In the CocoTele department, SRQ DAILY is providing excerpts from news releases as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SRQ DAILY. The views expressed by individuals are their own and their appearance in this section does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. For rates on SRQ DAILY banner advertising and sponsored content opportunities, please contact Ashley Ryan Cannon at 941-365-7702 x211 or via email

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