Board of Directors

Katy Demick
Chairman of the Board
Originally from England, Katy moved to Anna Maria in 2000, planning to stay and work here for a year. After that first year, she decided this was where she wanted to live. Eighteen years later and counting, she is still here. Katy is married to David, has 2 dogs and lives in Bradenton. Katy has worked for Anna Maria Island Resorts (Tortuga Inn; Tradewinds; Seaside Inn and Tropic Isle Inn) since its inception in 2009 but has worked for David Teitelbaum since 2003. She is now Assistant General Manager and attributes her knowledge of business to the very supportive mentoring from David and the general manager, Barbara Baker. Katy has been a committee member with Symphony on the Sand since 2013 and also enjoys volunteering with Manatee County Animal Services.

Wayne Gunter
Treasurer
Wayne’s commitment to superior client service along with his attention to detail has helped position him as a top mortgage originator in his area. Wayne graduated from the College of Business at the University of Florida in 1995 and has been originating mortgage loans over the past 27 years. His high level of expertise, strong commitment to his community and dedication to his field are just a few things that set Wayne apart as a true professional as well as a highly sought-after expert in his field. A native of Manatee County, Wayne has spent his life watching Anna Maria Island grow; he has been a member of the AMI Chamber of Commerce for 20 years and contributes his early career success to the membership. 

Susanne Arbanas
Secretary
Susanne Arbanas has a background of many successful years in international guest relations, services and management in both the aviation and hospitality industry.

Upon returning from Australia to Anna Maria Island in 2008, She founded Anna Maria Island Concierge Services where she worked diligently with local business owners and visitors to enhance their “Island Experience”.

Susanne continues to be a key motivator in bringing new and innovative ideas to our community through volunteering and working with our local businesses and organizations.

She is our island “Director of Contagious Enthusiasm”! 

Bev Lesnick

Bev Kilpatrick
Past Chairman of the Board
Bev moved to AMI in 2012, where she established Island Coffee Haus in Holmes Beach, which became a favorite meeting place for locals and visitors alike.  Playing an active role in the community is very important to Bev.  Through the years, she has volunteered for numerous annual festivals and events which have enriched our island culture.  Being the Past Chairman of the Board for the AMI Chamber of Commerce afforded her the opportunity to represent our destination to a much larger audience and to closely collaborate with our business community. 

Dan Alderson
Dan and wife Sandy became residents of Cortez in 1998, moving from Minnesota. In 2008 their son, Rob, and his wife Laura, purchased Tyler’s Ice Cream, a 24-year-old business needing TLC. Since, they changed operations and recipes back to founders Larry and Gerri Tyler’s vision, ice cream is made and served with love. All of Tyler’s ice cream is made on-site. Tyler’s was honored with the AMI Chamber Small Business of the Year for 2013. Dan enjoys small business and continues to help with the growth of Tyler’s in Cortez and Longboat Key.

David Berube

David Berube
David is the owner of CG&B Publishing, LLC of Bradenton. David moved to Bradenton with his wife, Cindy & son, Matthew in 1990 from Westbrook, Maine, where he worked in the printing, paper and publishing industries. In Florida, he continued in the printing industry, in sales, for Coastal Printing of Sarasota. He also owned his own company, Book Binders of Florida, Inc., a hardcover book binding firm. In 1996, he opened Book Binders Printing & Publishing, Inc. and in 2008 he opened CG&B Publishing, LLC of Bradenton. CG&P is the official Publisher of the Visitor’s Guidebook for the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce, the 2011 Bayfest Booklet and the Manatee County Chamber’s monthly “Current” Magazine. David is very active in AMI Chamber events and volunteers at the AMI Chamber office.

Don Goudy
Donald Goudy Jr. is the co-owner of Veritas! Pest Management, an award-winning company that has been in the local area for 7 years. Veritas! provides termite and pest control services to Anna Maria Island, as well as the remainder of Manatee County, Sarasota County, and southern Pinellas County.  He has more than 26 years of experience in the field of pest management, and is renowned for his expertise by local, state and national colleagues. He is an Army Veteran who served as an airborne ranger. Through their company, Don and his wife, Tami, have sponsored annual scholarships for a needy, young lady at Just For Girls.  He has given back to his community by serving on chamber committees, the Citizens Advisory Committee for the Bradenton Police Department, and serving the needy in a bi-monthly food pantry that has helped hundreds of local families. He is married to Tami Goudy, who co-owns Veritas! Pest Management and has one daughter, Abigail.

Eric Cairns

Eric Cairns
Eric came to Anna Maria from Ohio where he was a general contractor for 25 years and successfully operated his own business. He has been an Anna Maria Island businessman and manager of Cedar Cove Resort since 1999. Years ago, Cedar Cove Resort became one of the original founders of the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce. Eric continued this tradition when he became a Founders Club Member. Eric has been an active member of the AMI Chamber of Commerce and presently serves on several of the Chamber’s committees. Special Interests: Cedar Cove Resort donates regularly to the MS Foundation and Breast Cancer Foundation. Eric is an army veteran and a helicopter pilot. Cedar Cove Resort has been voted the “Best Beach Resort and Hotel” on the Island for the last several years.

John Campora

John Campora
John Campora has over sixteen in investing and banking experience. He works at the Edward Jones in Bradenton. He has lived and worked in Manatee County for 40 years. John enjoys helping people reach their financial goals. Having been adopted and raised by a single mother, John understands the challenges of one-income families and the value saving can have on a person’s future. John enjoys spending time with his wife and young son.

Karen LaPensee

Karen LaPensee
Karen LaPensee graduated from State College of Florida with a nursing degree. She spent 14 years working in emergency care, intensive care, surgery and as an Air Force Reserve Flight Nurse prior to starting LaPensee Plumbing with her husband Michael LaPensee in 1985. Karen became the President of LaPensee Plumbing • Pools • Air after Michael’s retirement in 2009. She continues to run and expand the business with her son, Greg LaPensee. Karen has been a long-time active member of the Chamber of Commerce, serving as Treasurer, Secretary, and Chairman of the Board. With the help of a very capable staff LaPensee Plumbing • Pools • Air has been honored to receive the 2011 Manatee Chamber Small Business of The Year Award, the 2016 Anna Maria Island Chamber Small Business of The Year Award and the 2017 Longboat Key Chamber Small Business Person of the Year Award.

Erin Joy Leathem

Erin Joy Leathem
Erin Joy Leathem has a background in international marketing and a degree from Wake Forest University in Communications and Spanish. Before moving to Florida she lived all over the country. Her experience includes work at an international chamber of commerce in Washington DC, helping Fortune 500 companies collaborate with international partners. As an Anna Maria Island resident, she loves life on the island and is thrilled to be able to work and play every day in paradise! With twenty years of marketing experience and nearly ten years on the island, she brings a breadth of knowledge to her work at Island Real Estate. After years of leading the Real Estate Marketing and Sales Team Administration, she transitioned to become a full-time Real Estate agent. With her technical and marketing background, and her involvement at the Anna Maria Island Community Center, and the Anna Maria Elementary School, she enjoys developing her personal and professional passion for the community.

Janet Mixon

Janet Mixon
Janet Mixon and her husband, Dean Mixon are owners of Mixon Fruit Farms, an over 78-year-old family-owned business. Mixon’s is one of the top gift fruit shippers in Florida. Mixon also squeezes and bottles their juice for the community. Janet and Dean have diversified the business and Mixon’s has become one of the top Gulf Coast Destinations according to the Travel Channel. The Mixon Groveside Market is a wonderful experience. They have also added a tram tour through the grove where their customers learn about the history of citrus and the Mixon family and enjoy a visit to the wildlife rescue with crocodiles, alligators, raccoons, hawks, owls and much more. Injured animals that can’t be released into the wild that would normally be euthanized are provided sanctuary by the Mixons. During the year the Mixon’s host many non-profit organizations for fundraisers, sponsor a cooking competition for the local high school culinary arts programs, and also sponsor art events with students and local artists.

William Romberger
Years of island small business ownership has shaped William’s professional   approach to real estate.  He and his family owned and operated the Tropic Isle Inn in Bradenton Beach for 12 years, transforming this island eye sore into one of the leading boutique hotels on the Island, leaving a lasting mark on the island accommodations industry. Living and working on the island since 1995 he is proud father of three and currently works as a Realtor on island.  William is a founding member of the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce as well as a Board of Director, acts as Suncoast Surfrider island representative and engages in numerous other community activities with other islanders to help protect our island.

 

Mike Southwick

 

Mike Southwick
Mike attended AMI Elementary, played football at the youth center, recalls the private air strip where Holmes Beach City Hall resides and the lack of paved roads. Mike moved to Tallahassee as a child, but was drawn back to the island in 1996 due in part to a strong family presence (Mary Norman, co-owner of the Sterling Anvil, and Mike Norman Realty). Mike is currently co-owner of AAA Payroll Service, which was honored to be awarded the AMI Small Business of the Year Award for 2017. His professional background includes 10 years in the real estate industry followed by 20 years in the PEO industry. Mike supports local charities such as Wildlife, Inc., Manatee Children’s Services and the Navy Seal Foundation. Mike’s support of our military is due in part to his father, Captain C.E. Southwick who was a highly decorated Naval Aviator and former POW during the Vietnam War. Mike resides in Bradenton Beach with his wife Sheryl. They love boating, cooking, gardening, local and Alaska fishing trips.