Rick Piccolo will step down as CEO of the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport this November. Since entering into the role in 1995, Piccolo has shepherded SRQ Airport out of doldrums of financial debt into what is the fastest growing airport in the country today. In light of his departure, Piccolo sat down with us to talk about what leading SRQ Airport has meant to him. Below is an excerpt from the full Q&A interview that will appear in the September issue of SRQ Magazine.

SRQ: When you took the role of CEO in 1995, SRQ Airport was in roughly $115 million of debt. What initial changes made it possible to eventually become not only debt free, but the fastest growing airport in the country in 2025?

Piccolo: When I came here in 1995, SRQ was one of only two commercial airports in the country whose board was directly elected by the populace. There are lots of airports that are run by counties and cities, but the Governing Board's only issue is not just the airport. County and city commissions have many other issues to deal with besides running an airport. What ended up happening, in many cases, is that people would run for the airport board that had an ax to grind with the board. While it didn’t take up the majority of the board, it did have a sizable minority and you ended up with a lot of controversy. The Sarasota-Manatee Airport Authority Board was known as the most difficult board in the industry to deal with from a management standpoint.

The state legislature at the time, led by Senate President John McKay, put legislation through that would change the board from elected to appointed by the governor, but only if it was approved by referendum in both counties. It's really unusual for people to give up their right to vote on something, but it passed by an overwhelming margin in both counties, because that's how dysfunctional the board was and how much dysfunctional press they would get. So it changed to a board that was appointed by the governor and it could only be business people, politicians could not be on the board. 

Photo by Wyatt Kostygan.

To learn more click here

Nick Mavrikas couldn’t stay away from the bagel business for long—after selling Brooklyn Bagels in 2023, he reacquired the store location and opened it under a new name, Bagels & Brews, in June. “We realized pretty quickly, after selling Brooklyn Bagels, how much we missed being in the bagel and customer service business. We missed serving our community,” Mavrikas says.

Mavrikas was a loyal customer of Brooklyn Bagels even before he bought the store in 2018. “I fell in love with the employees and the food,” Mavrikas says. “When the owner was looking for an exit strategy, we were in a position to buy the shop. For me, it was really about an opportunity to acquire the employees and the restaurant and take it to the next level.” After five years of owning Brooklyn Bagels, he knew it was time to take a step back and focus on his family and sold the restaurant to the local chain, Buddy’s Bagels.

However, after just two years away, Mavrikas was ready to dive back in. He bought the store back from Buddy’s Bagels, renovated and rebranded as Bagels & Brews. With this rebrand came an expanded menu. “We had already figured out the bagels, so we thought, ‘let's really expand on the beverage side,’” he says. The bagel shop now features a variety of refreshers, a plant-based energy drink made with Lotus Plant Power mix, as well as cold brew and nitro cold brew on-tap.

Bagels & Brews still offers the fresh, made-daily bagels Mavrikas has always been passionate about. The menu features seventeen different bagels and nine cream cheese flavors, ranging from simple classics to unique flavor combinations, such as the jalapeno cheddar bagel or honey walnut cream cheese.

Mavrikas, who missed the customer service industry during his two-year hiatus, strives to make his store as warm and inviting as possible. “The store is a breath of fresh air. When you walk in, it's bright, it's airy, and we’ll welcome you in for some great service.” After his first few months readjusting to owning a bagel business, Mavrikas plans to focus on introducing new bagel recipes as weekly specials, expanding the drink menu and strengthening the store’s relationship with the Sarasota community.

Bagels & Brews, 6970 S Beneva Rd, Sarasota, 941-993-1577.

Pictured: Caption: Formerly Brooklyn Bagels, Bagels & Brews has a new name and a new menu. Provided photo.

Christopher Alan Homes is continuing its summer savings offer of up to $20,000 in builder-paid closing costs and rate buydowns on select new construction homes on scattered homesites in Lee and Charlotte counties. Ranked as the top private single-family homebuilder in Southwest Florida based on single-family permits in 2024, the award-winning homebuilder’s impressive savings are applicable for single-family homes sold through July 31, 2025, when using a preferred lender and title company. Homes are priced starting at $284,990, with many available for move-in between now and August on scattered homesites in Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres and Port Charlotte. Floor plans range from 1,285 to 2,321 square feet of air-conditioned living space with three to four bedrooms, two to three bathrooms, and two- or three-car garages. New homes by Christopher Alan Homes feature thoughtfully designed open-concept floor plans with professionally curated interior finishes. Large main gathering spaces and covered lanais emphasize a relaxed, casual Florida lifestyle. 

For young children, preschool is often the first place they begin to find their voice, build confidence, and take steps toward independence. At Starfish Academy, an innovative program offered by The Florida Center for Early Childhood, those milestones unfold in inclusive, nurturing classrooms led by skilled educators, therapists, and specialists. Thanks to a $1,250 grant from the Michael Saunders Foundation, more families with limited means will now be able to access this essential foundation for learning and growth. 

This August, Bayside Community Church will serve as the host site for one of the most anticipated leadership development events of the year: The Global Leadership Summit (GLS). Designed for business owners, educators, nonprofit leaders, and anyone who influences others, the Summit offers a transformational two-day experience packed with world-class content, practical tools, and powerful insights. This year’s Summit will be brought to you by Bayside Community Church, Legacy Business Leaders, Minuteman Press of Bradenton, The Manatee Chamber of Commerce, and The Sarasota Chamber of Commerce.  

To learn more click here

A brand-new community tradition is beginning in Palmetto! The North River Community Market in partnership with the Palmetto Marriott Resort and Spa will make its grand debut on Sunday, September 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at “The Yard” at the Palmetto Marriott Resort and Spa—an outdoor venue unlike any other, perfect for connecting local makers with the community. This exciting new market will become a monthly event held on the first Sunday of every month year-round, offering residents and visitors a vibrant and welcoming space to shop, eat, and celebrate all things local.

North River Community Market – Launch Day, The Yard at the Palmetto Marriott Resort and Spa, 600 US-41, Palmetto, FL 34221 Saturday, September 14, 10:00am – 2:00pm, Free admission and free parking. 

To learn more click here

MCR Health is honored to announce it has received a grant from the Bishop-Parker Foundation to support an essential program aimed at improving the health and well-being of underserved residents in Manatee County. The awarded funds will help launch a pilot program to address food insecurity among diabetic patients.  

HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll. This quality achievement award is for the hospital team’s commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines. Following these guidelines ultimately leads to more lives saved and reduced disability. The hospital is also an advanced primary stroke center, featuring a comprehensive system for rapidly diagnosing and treating stroke patients admitted to the emergency department. Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, so brain cells die. Detecting and treating stroke early is the key to improving survival, minimizing disability and accelerating recovery times. 

Orthopedic surgeons Sean Dingle, MD, and Edward Stolarski, MD, began pioneering the use of a next-generation robotic tool in select knee replacement cases at Sarasota Memorial Hospital this week. The TMINI robots, which fit easily into a surgeon’s hand, allow orthopedic surgeons to easily add the precision of robotic technology to knee replacement surgery at SMH. 

To learn more click here

Caldwell Trust Company, a Florida-based independent trust company with more than three decades of experience in fiduciary services and wealth management, proudly announces the 20th anniversary of Sonya Kristie, Senior Vice President and Trust Officer - a milestone that reflects her dedication, growth, and invaluable contributions to the firm. Sonya will officially mark her anniversary on May 1st, celebrating two decades since joining the company as its very first intern. Caldwell Trust Company congratulates Sonya Kristie on this significant milestone and expresses its sincere appreciation for her exemplary service. 

To learn more click here

Sarasota County Government will host a special job fair to connect Veterans with career opportunities in public service in honor of National Hire a Veteran Day. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, July 24, at 1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota, in the first-floor training room of the Sarasota County Administration Building. The job fair will feature a dedicated recruiting hour for Veterans, followed by general admission for the public. The schedule is as follows: 10am–11am: Recruiting hour for Veterans; 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Recruiting open to the public. 

To learn more click here

It's time to clean out the garage and gather discarded household items, tree trimmings and other garbage and debris as Sarasota County hosts a free community cleanup in Longwood Park from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, July 19. Dumpsters for residential customers will be available at Longwood Park, 6050 Longwood Run Blvd., Sarasota. Appliances and car tires will be accepted, with a limit of four tires per household. Staff from Neighborhood Services will be present to share information and resources available through county neighborhood programs. 

To learn more click here

Join us for the inspiring 10th Annual SRQ Women Who Roar Leadership and Awards Luncheon, celebrating local women leaders who significantly impact our community. Enjoy a dynamic program featuring the introduction of the esteemed 2025 Leadership Circle inductees, engaging PopUp Boutiques, and opportunities to network during our post-event reception. 

Get ready to be inspired at the Annual Giving Coast Luncheon: Philanthropic Agenda & Good Hero Awards, recognizing local changemakers. Join us in bringing the philanthropic community together on Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at Michael's On East and help celebrate the nonprofit spirit of our area. Featuring a panel of distinguished philanthropic leaders discussing giving trends, the honorable Good Hero Awards, and the interactive Giving Tree Program, this event will be nothing short of spectacular. Also highlighting the acclaimed SRQ Lifetime Good Hero Achievement Award, the program will uplift attendees and spark meaningful change.