Eight candidates are vying for two open seats on the Sarasota County Planning Commission, a volunteer board that advises the County Commission on development, growth and land use.
Planning Commissioners Donna Carter and Cullen Morgan chose not to seek reappointment, creating the vacancies. The County Commission is scheduled to make its selections Aug. 27.
The applicants range from longtime real estate professionals to outspoken environmental advocates:
- Becky Ayech, a local environmental advocate who regularly speaks at county meetings, is also a member of the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Environmental Advisory Board and the Environmental Confederation of Southwest Florida.
- Randy Boyd, chair of the 1st Street Credit Union Board and secretary of the Sarasota County Fair Board, owns and operates the Boyd Investigative Group.
- Rick Eaton, a local environmentalist, said his top concerns include flooding, wetland protection and stormwater management.
- Thomas Arthur, a real estate agent with Michael Saunders & Company, recently stepped down after 14 years on the county’s Board of Zoning Appeals.
- Ryan Lieberman, vice president of development for the Barrington Group, serves on the board of the Suncoast Builders Association and the Argus Foundation.
- Shaun Libou, a director in real estate investment banking for Raymond James & Associates, is a graduate of the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.
- Ryan Murphy, a lead associate at Booz Allen Hamilton, previously served on the Sarasota County Development Review Committee.
- David Stershic, a retired county firefighter now with Willis Smith Construction, has cited drainage and infrastructure as key issues.
The County Commission will decide on the appointments at its Aug. 27 meeting. Residents can contact the commission at commissioners@scgov.net
