The Bay Park Conservancy Welcomes New Chief Financial Officer

November 9, 2022 – Sarasota

The Bay Park Conservancy (BPC), the non-profit organization responsible for designing, developing, managing and operating 53 acres of City-owned land along Sarasota Bay into an iconic public park, has added Tony Gamelin to its leadership team as Chief Financial Officer.

As CFO, Gamelin will report to Founding CEO AG Lafley and work closely with the finance committee and Board Treasurer, Rob Lane. He will also work closely with Chief Operating Officer Bill Waddill on development and implementation, Derick Kitson on park management and maintenance, and with The Bay Park Conservancy partners at Fontana and Stutler Enterprises.

“At The Bay, we know the importance of sustainable park development and operations, underpinned by strong financial systems and controls,” says AG Lafley, Founding CEO of The Bay Park Conservancy. “Tony is the right person at the right time, with the capability and experience to lead finances, train management staff, and put the systems and controls in place needed to manage and operate the 14 acres of park that opened less than a month ago.”

Gamelin is a seasoned finance and accounting executive with a broad base of experience and the ability to balance goals, strategies, and operating budgets with best-in-class execution.

For over 25 years, Gamelin has performed CFO-level services with non-profit and private companies across a wide range of industries including retail, construction and professional services. Tony also served as CFO at Gulf Coast Community Foundation.

Tony currently serves as a board member and finance committee chair of the Safe Children Coalition. He volunteers his time as a Bridge A Life co-founder and team leader for a long-term ministry and humanitarian project in Uganda. 

“I’m delighted to join The Bay Park Conservancy at this time when the new park has just opened to 50,000 guests,” says Gamelin. “I’m excited to join this dynamic team and to use my experience and skills to further the operation and performance of this transformational civic and community initiative.”

The Bay recently welcomed the public with a free 10-day Grand Opening – transforming the City’s bayfront into a destination public park that is an open and accessible gathering place, that provides free and welcoming activities, events, and programs for everyone in our community to enjoy.

The first phase, which opened mid-October, includes more than 14 acres of restored and revitalized greenspace, mangroves, shorelines and wetlands. Popular features include a larger-than-life Ibis playground, Common Ground lawns, The Nest (an award-winning concession pavilion and shade structure), the Mangrove Bayou Walkway, an outdoor Reading Room, an ADA-accessible paddle launch, the Fountain Garden, and spectacular sunset views from the “beach” and Sunset Deck. 

The completed park will encompass 53 acres when all phases are completed. Phase 2 is expected to begin development of the next 14 acres by mid-2023. 

For more information about The Bay Park Conservancy, visit www.thebaysarasota.org or contact Julia Groom at julia@dreamlarge.org or 941-786-8732.