As many of you read this today, I am quite sure you are anticipating a weekend full of last minute holiday gift shopping and are looking forward to festive holiday activities. As a self-proclaimed policy nerd, I am looking forward to a New Year filled with important discussions about community collaboration, economic development initiatives, quality of life and innovative speakers featured at The Argus Foundation’s lineup of 2017 events.

This January, The Argus Foundation will kick off the year with Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam at our Annual Meeting. Rumored to be considering a run for Governor in the Sunshine State, we could not be more pleased to welcome Commissioner Putnam to Sarasota for the foundation’s annual meeting on January 12.

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam will address attendees on a number of topics, including education, agriculture, business and economics. Commissioner Putnam oversees the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and serves as a member of Florida’s Cabinet. We last heard from Commissioner Putnam at our Argus Annual Meeting three years ago; it will be good to hear his perspective as Florida has experienced growth and the political landscape has changed since then.

The fifth-generation Floridian’s priorities include fostering the growth and diversification of Florida agriculture; expanding access to Florida’s abundance of fresh produce, seafood and other products; securing a stable, reliable and diverse supply of energy; protecting the quantity and quality of the state’s water supply; and safeguarding consumers from deceptive business practices.

Commissioner Putnam is also focused on creating opportunities for our nation’s wounded veterans to hunt, fish and participate in other outdoor activities on Florida’s public lands. More than 300 veterans have enjoyed recreational opportunities on Florida state forests through Operation Outdoor Freedom, a program of the Florida Forest Service he established in 2011.

The Argus Foundation will appreciate our out-going president Rod Hershberger and also welcome its new leadership at this meeting. The 2017 officers will be installed, including new president Jeff Charlotte, in-coming president and first vice-president Jack Cox, and second vice-president Keith Mercier.

In the New Year, the Argus Foundation will continue its dedication to joining business leaders from diverse industries and leveraging their talents and experience to benefit this community. As a business leadership think tank, we will continuously strive to educate and stimulate with informative guest speakers who discuss the important issues impacting the community, state and world. 

Christine Robinson is exeuctive director of The Argus Foundation.