Pictured L-R: Mike Ferrara, GHG Dir. of Operations; Mike Quillen, co-owner, GHG; Dr. Michael Crosby, Mote; Mike Gowan, co-owner, GHG. Credit: Mote Marine.

On March 20th, co-owners Mike Gowan and Mike Quillen from Gecko’s Hospitality Group presented a check for over $14,600 to Dr. Michael P. Crosby, President & CEO of Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium. The donation is part of a years-long partnership where Gecko’s provides proceeds from the sale of their ‘Shark Lady’ philanthropic cocktail to support Mote’s globally impactful red tide and marine science research. Gecko’s donation from sales of ‘ Shark Lady’ cocktail have now provided Mote with approximately $50,000 to support its mission since the specialty drink was launched in 2018.Both aesthetically and palate pleasing, the aqua-blue cocktail is named after Mote’s Founding Director, Dr. Eugenie “Genie” Clark, who is popularly and affectionately known as ‘The Shark Lady’ because of her extensive research on sharks. Developed by Anne Rollings and Mike Ferarra, Gecko’s Director of Operations, the libation is a mix of rum, blue curacao, pineapple juice and sour mix. The partnership between Gecko’s and Mote goes back to 2018 when the region experienced an unusually persistent red tide bloom. Wanting to support the science-based red tide mitigation work being conducted at Mote, Anne Rollings, an executive with Gecko’s, came up with the concept as a way to create an ongoing source of education about the work being done at Mote to Gecko’s guests as well as contribute with financial support. The Shark Lady philanthropic cocktail was awarded Sarasota Magazine’s ‘Best Cocktail for a Cause” in 2019. The Florida Public Relations Association recognized The Shark Lady Philanthropic cocktail among outstanding public relations programs in Florida by awarding it the prestigious Golden Image Judges Award and the Award of Distinction.

Pictured L-R: Mike Ferrara, GHG Dir. of Operations; Mike Quillen, co-owner, GHG; Dr. Michael Crosby, Mote; Mike Gowan, co-owner, GHG. Credit: Mote Marine.