The Perlman Music Program Elects Timothy Gruters as Board President and Welcomes Five New Members to its Board of Directors

July 2, 2021 – Sarasota

The Perlman Music Program Suncoast, Inc. (Perlman Suncoast) Board of Directors has elected Timothy Gruters to be the next President of the Board, effective as of July 1, 2021. Tim will replace outgoing Board President, Fran Lambert.

Tim Gruters joined The Perlman Music Program Suncoast, Inc. Board in 2018 and served as Treasurer for the past two years. He is a fourth generation Sarasotan and descendent of Ringling Circus chief tentmaker William Hobson, his great grandfather, who moved the family to Sarasota in 1922. Tim is a graduate of Cardinal Mooney High School and earned his undergraduate degree in Finance at Franciscan University of Steubenville. He is a partner with the national CPA firm of Carr, Riggs, & Ingram, LLC. Following a year of solely virtual programming, Tim is “excited to lead Perlman Suncoast into a new season of live classical music performances and education outreach programs. We are a hidden gem on the Suncoast. Nothing is more unique or inspiring than discovering the talents of students and alumni of The Perlman Music Program and being able to share those talents with our schools and with our community.” Tim and his wife Ashley have three daughters – Piper, Casper, and Jagger. 

Officers elected for fiscal year 2022 are Tim Gruters, President; Fran Lambert, Immediate Past President; Jack Braverman, VP, Administration; Theodore E. Gast, VP, Development, Sandra Justice, VP, Education; Andrew Grossman, Treasurer; and Cheryl Gordon, Secretary/Governance Chair.

The Board is also excited to announce the addition of five new directors who will join current directors Edie Chaifetz, Carla Hunter, and Michael Ritter, each of whom will serve a three-year term: 

• Wellington Davenport – Owner, Wellington Davenport, Inc.
• Suzanne Ellin –VP, Trust Administration Officer, Canandaigua National Trust Company of Florida
• Laurie Page – Wealth Advisor, LPL Financial
• Judith Schwartzbaum – Senior Partner, The Schwartzbaum Urfer Group
• Seymour Ziegelman, M.D – Retired, OB/GYN

About The Perlman Music Program/SuncoastThe Perlman Music Program/Suncoast cultivates audiences of all ages through classical music performances and education outreach programs, including hosting the annual Perlman Music Program Winter Residency on the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee Campus, PMP Alumni: Around Town, PMP Alumni: At Home, and PMP Alumni: In Schools. Through its relationship with PMP, founded by Toby Perlman, and with a world-renowned faculty, including internationally-acclaimed violinist and conductor Itzhak Perlman, Perlman Suncoast offers the public the unique opportunity to witness the talent and spirit of extraordinarily gifted and promising young string students and accomplished graduates.