Conservation Foundation Welcomes Two New Trustees

June 28, 2023 – Osprey

Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast is delighted to announce the expansion of their Board of Trustees with the addition of two new members, Patrick Carlton and Daniel E. Vigne. An accredited land trust, Conservation Foundation’s mission is to protect the land and water in Southwest Florida for the benefit of people and nature. Carlton and Vigne join trustees Rhonda O. Deems, Ph.D., Chair; Robert W. Brown, Vice Chair; Sherry Davis, Treasurer; Lowe Morrison, Secretary; Mario Bernardis; David Crawford; Michael Knupp; Elizabeth Moore; and Eileen Scudder-Zimmermann in guiding the not-for-profit’s urgent work.

Patrick Carlton, a seventh-generation Floridian, is a Managing Partner at McCarlton Partners Ltd. and owner of The Carlton Companies, Inc. He holds an MBA from Rollins College and a BS in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Florida. Carlton is an active and engaged community member serving on numerous boards and committees. He has served as President of the Peace River Valley Citrus Growers Association, Committee Chair of the Florida Citrus Commission, President of the Albert Carlton Cashiers Community Library Foundation, and is a member of the Florida Citrus Bowl Selection Committee, Cashiers Valley Rotary, and Florida Cattlemen’s Association.

Daniel E. Vigne, a fourth-generation Floridian, is the Senior Vice President of the Northern Trust Company and serves as the Senior Managing Director for the Northwest Florida region. He holds a BS in Economics from Florida State University and is a Certified Financial Planner as well as a Certified Professional Wealth Advisor. Vigne has been an active community leader and board member in West Florida for over 20 years. He currently serves as Vice President for the Southwest Florida Estate Planning Council and is a past Chair of the United Way Suncoast, Immediate Past Chair of the JoshProvides Epilepsy Foundation, and a Management Committee Member for the Board of Directors of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners. 

“Our Board of Trustees give their time, talent, and treasure to further our mission,” says Christine P. Johnson, president of Conservation Foundation. “We are excited to welcome Dan and Pat, and are incredibly grateful they, and everyone on our Board, are committed  to saving land and water here in Southwest Florida.”

Conservation Foundation has saved over 19,200 acres across 56 properties since its inception. Notable recent conservation successes include the 8-acre Don Pedro Island State Park Addition, the 191-acre protection of Crowley Museum & Nature Center, and the centrally located almost 300-acre Bobby Jones Golf Club. The organization is currently partnering with Sarasota Audubon Society and Sarasota County to re-wild the 33-acre Quad Parcels at the Celery Fields.