A small carrier based in Marco Island will start offering nonstop air service between Sarasota and Key West a month from today. Sarasota Bradenton International Airport announced the arrangement with Raven Air, which will fly between SRQ and Key West International Airport three days a week starting on Jan. 15. “We’re always looking for more service,” said Fredrick Piccolo, SRQ president and CEO. “We’ve gotten requests for this on a pretty frequent basis. Key West is an eight-hour drive and this will certainly make it more convenient to get there.” 

Raven Air operates a small five-seater Hyper Aztec for interstate flights between Key West and Marco Island, Key West and Fort Myers and now Key West and Sarasota. The company was founded in 2007, and owner Jeffrey Fonner said this flight marked the furthest north destination serviced by the company. “If more demand comes up in Sarasota, we’ll be able to grow into that market,” Fonner said. The company could potentially offer service as well to Miami and Tallahassee.

Service will be offered rear-round on Mondays, Fridays and Sundays, with flights departing Key West to Sarasota at 9:50am, then returning from Sarasota at 11:30am. Passengers may book flights starting today, with prices starting at $129 each way.

The announcement comes the same week that WestJet begins seasonal service between SRQ and Toronto Pearson International Airport. Piccolo says the airport is also looking for other interstate service, such as to Fort Lauderdale and Miami, or to Tallahassee at least during the annual legislative session. 

As the Holliday season approaches, it’s important to be grateful to our co-workers and employees—those special individuals who support us throughout the year, help our businesses grow and connect with our customers. Make a game out of it and engage your staff. Ask for ideas on how to improve your website, add features, enhance content and create more value for your customers. Create a fun “creative contributor” aspect to your work week and show your employees you value their opinion and the work they do. 

Think about adding an “employee of the month” page to your website. Post staff photos in their work environment and include short bios about who they are and what they do. You could even feature customer success stories and testimonials to show your clients you care about their experiences and the relationships you are building together. And remember, take the time to send out an e-mail greeting to thank your customers for their support and to wish them Happy Holidays. 

I would like to personally thank SRQ for giving me the opportunity to contribute here and to the readers for their continued support and encouragement. And to Ringling College of Art and Design, thank you for giving me the opportunity to teach this semester and for inviting me to come back next semester. To my students, a special thank you; you have taught me even more than I would have expected and I was grateful to help you showcase your talents. 

Happy Holidays!   

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. 

Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern promoted Patrick McGinnis, former general manager of the restaurant chain'ss Mercato location, as regional director, overseeing both the Sarasota location scheduled to open near University Town Center in January and the existing location in Naples. McGinnis says Sarasota is his hometown. He  joined the Columbus, Ohio-based company in September 2013, helping achieve success with the firm’s expansion into Florida, officials said. This will be the 22^nd Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern nationwide.  Previously, McGinnis worked at Hot Brands International and Outback Steakhouse, his first job as a high school graduate where he eventually achieved the position of managing partner.  

Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern

Roger Caron recently joined the Suncoast Community Capital staff as manager of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. Roger owned a CPA firm, was the chief financial officer of the Boys and Girls Club of Sarasota County and served as accountant at the Sarasota County Property Appraiser’s Office. VITA is one of the most successful programs to impact the finances of families across the US. For many families, the income tax return is the single largest infusion of cash that will occur at any time during the year. 

Suncoast Community Capital

Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center Associates announced the hiring of two new employees to bring more community programming and events to the park.  Zach Hilferding is the new program manager, whose main responsibility is to start up a variety of programming such as dragon boating, learn to row and summer camps. Jessica Shorin is the office and events coordinator, who will be managing administrative duties between the accounting and the events team. 

Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center Associates