A new leader will take over at the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County. The EDC’s board of directors voted on Thursday to hire Lisa Krouse as the interim CEO.

“We will be focused on the strategic direction and future of the EDC, working with our Board, community stakeholders and diverse business community,” Krouse said. “There have been many local leaders who have made a major investment in the EDC and we want to see that this important work continues.”

Krouse will take over from Dave Bullock, the former Longboat Key Town Manager tapped to run the economic development agency in December 2019. Bullock has always made clear he did not intend to serve for years, and plans to retire after June 30.

“It’s been humbling to serve the past year and half, knowing almost 1,500 businesses were helped and thousands of local workers kept their jobs due in part to the work done at the EDC,” Bullock said. “I know the community is appreciative of these efforts.”

Krouse has long been a leader within Sarasota’s business community. She recently retired as executive vice president and chief administrative officer at FCCI Insurance Group, consistently a top employer in the region. More recently, she has served as board chair at the EDC, and will step down from that position to take on duties as interim CEO.

Charlie Murphy now takes over as board chair, and expressed confidence in Krouse. “We’re fortunate that someone as capable as Lisa Krouse is willing to step up at this important moment for the EDC,” he said. “We’ll need a steady hand for the changes moving forward and she offers just that.”

Notably, Krouse will still hold the title of interim, much as Bullock.

”I appreciate the commitment the Board has extended to this organization and I am looking forward to their help in facilitating a successful transition,” she said.