Wednesday Meeting

Featured Speaker for January 25th Meeting: Dr. Andrew M. Kurtz Music Director Gulf Coast Symphony founder Dr. Andrew M. Kurtz enters his twenty-eighth season as the Symphony's Music Director, President & CEO. His deep-rooted commitment to new work, community, and education, combined with a vibrant artistic vision, has led to creating and nurturing one of the most dynamic arts organizations in the region. He was named the 2007 Performing Artist of the Year at Lee County's Angel of the Arts Awards. Kurtz's repertoire encompasses a wide range of music styles, from baroque to contemporary, and multiple genres, including symphonic, opera, ballet, musical theater, jazz, cantorial, and symphonic pops. Kurtz also served as General Director of Center City Opera Theater, a professional opera company in Philadelphia dedicated to new work, new audiences, and new artists. During his sixteen-year tenure, he led over four dozen productions, including numerous world or regional premieres. Notable productions that [...]

Featured Speaker for January 18th Meeting: Dilman Thomas Executive Director Dilman Thomas is the former Executive Director of the Horizon Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, which works in partnership with the Horizon Council and the Lee County Economic Development Office (EDO). He has been in SW Florida for over 30 years and has served as a Senior Vice President for SunTrust Bank, Retail Banking, Regional President for Encore Bank, and Executive Vice President and General Manager for Oswald, Trippe and Company, and now McGriff Insurance. Prior to coming to SW Florida, he served in a similar role with Pioneer Savings Bank, managing 27 offices from Springhill to Marco Island. Community Service has been an integral part of his life, serving in the following roles in SW Florida: Campaign and Board Chair of the United Way Founding Chair of the Housing Development Corporation, building affordable housing in Lee County Chair of Jr. Achievement of [...]

Featured Speaker for January 11th Meeting: Tamara Pigott Executive Director Tamara (Tam – uh – ruh) Pigott (Pie - get) is the executive director of the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau in Southwest Florida. She oversees the promotion of the islands, beaches and neighborhoods of the Fort Myers area as a travel destination to targeted domestic and international visitors, including vacationers and business travelers. She is responsible for the strategic planning of the domestic and international sales and marketing efforts, along with overseeing the day-to-day operations of the organization. A graduate of Florida State University, Tamara holds a bachelor of science degree in economics and political science and a master of science degree in political science. Her experience includes working as a research analyst and vice president of local research companies, analyzing the economic feasibility of local developments and business opportunities. In 2015, Tamara earned the tourism industry’s highest educational achievement, the [...]