Sarasota Managing Partner and Vice Chair of Shumaker's Management Committee Jennifer B. Compton has been elected Chair of the Bay Park (The Bay) Conservancy (BPC) Board of Directors. Jennifer is one of the founding members of the Sarasota Bayfront Planning Organization (SBPO) and subsequently served as Secretary for the BPC. She is recognized for using her legal and leadership acumen to create a first-of-its-kind private/public partnership agreement between The Bay and City of Sarasota. This partnership was instrumental in supporting Bay Park Conservancy’s initiatives to develop the precious city-owned land along Sarasota Bay, establishing a cultural and economic legacy for the region while ensuring open, public access to the bayfront.The Bay opened the first phase of the park to the public in October 2022 with a 10-day Grand Opening—transforming the city’s bayfront into a world-class destination offering an open and accessible, free, and welcoming gathering place for everyone in the community to enjoy. More than 50,000 people were estimated to be in attendance during the park’s first 10 days. The completed park will encompass 53 acres, cost about $150-200 million, and take between 7-10 years over three or more phases to complete. Phase Two development of the park is expected to begin as early as Spring 2023.With over 20 years practicing employment law counseling and litigation, Jennifer has a wealth of experience, which she attributes to the variety of clients she guides through the changes in law, the economy, and the world.