James Caldwell and Patrick Pedonti Join Conservation Foundation’s Board of Trustees

August 21, 2024 | 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, James Caldwell and Patrick Pedonti. 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. Caldwell and Pedonti join trustees Robert W. Brown, Chair; Sherry Davis, Vice-Chair; David Crawford, Secretary; Mario Bernardis, Treasurer; Patrick Carlton; Elizabeth Moore; Eileen Scudder-Zimmermann; and Daniel Vigne in guiding the not-for-profit’s urgent work.

James Caldwell, a Florida native, is Sarasota Business Leader of Gilbane Building Company. He holds a BA in Construction Management from the University of North Florida and is committed to protecting Southwest Florida’s critical natural lands.

“As a Florida native, I have always had a deep appreciation for the outdoors,” Caldwell comments. “I consider myself very fortunate to live on the beautiful coast of Southwest Florida, an area rich in land, water, wildlife, and protected habitats. I am proud to call this slice of paradise home and believe that its preservation is fundamental to maintaining a coastal ecology that ensures environmental sustainability for future generations.”

Originally from the Boston area, Patrick Pedonti, is a retired professional with over 35 years’ experience in the finance industry. He served as Chief Financial Officer at a publicly traded software company for over 20 years and holds a BA in Accounting from Merrimack College.

“My younger years were spent overseas in the Middle East, North Africa, West Africa, and Southeast Asia – I learned to love the natural beauty of those places,” notes Pedonti. “Twenty years ago, I visited Gasparilla Island in Southwest Florida and realized this is where I wanted to live. Ultimately, this led me to Conservation Foundation and their critical work in preserving this environmentally sensitive area. A longtime supporter, I am now proud to serve on their Board of Trustees and help protect the many places that make this region so very special.”

Conservation Foundation has saved 19,952 acres across 59 properties since its inception. Notable recent conservation successes include 656 acres at Longino Ranch in eastern Sarasota County; the 64-acre Crooked River Ranch located along the Manatee River in Manatee County; and 20 acres located within Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park in Port Charlotte. The organization is currently partnering with Sarasota Audubon Society and Sarasota County to re-wild the 33-acre Quad Parcels at the Celery Fields and has an ongoing partnership with the City of Sarasota to restore and enhance the Bobby Jones Nature Park for the benefit of both wildlife and our community.