COTI elects new board members, officers
The Committee of the Islands (COTI) reported on the election of new board members and officers by the membership at its annual meeting on March 8 to help support the mission of the organization.
“We’re excited to expand our board with four new members who will bring diverse expertise and insight to our work,” President Bob Moore said.
COTI’s current and newly-elected leadership represents a variety of experts with backgrounds in areas including science, law, public relations, strategic planning, transportation and business.
“I am personally delighted to welcome such a strong group of new board members, and I look forward to serving with each of them in the coming year,” he said.
The new officers are: Moore as president; Paula Friedman as vice president; and Arielle Cohen as secretary. In addition, Carl “Bud” Reinhold was reelected to serve as treasurer.
The following new board members were elected:
– Lisa Ann Miller: Private practice clinician for 23 years. Secretary and board member for FISH of Sanibel-Captiva, member of AngelFish’s Steering Committee, and member of Community Housing & Resources’ (CHR) Fundraising Committee. Volunteer physician for United Way Gynecology Clinic in Fort Myers, Partners for Breast Cancer Care Clinic in Fort Myers and Neighborhood Health Clinic in Naples.
– Karen Pati: Employed for 40-plus years in food industry management, including Jewel Foods, Fresh Express, Chiquita and NatureSweet. Co-president and board member for the Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva and foundation. Past board positions with the Harry Chapin Food Bank and Human Trafficking Awareness Partnerships.
– Angi Semler Welch: Partner, business advisor and director of sales & partnerships with Cultivate Advisors, and former founder and president of Jumpdog Marketing. President-elect and Grants Committee chair for the Sanibel-Captiva Kiwanis Club, serves on the city of Sanibel’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, and member of CHR’s Fundraising Committee.
– Paul Tritaik: Worked in fish and wildlife management, including wildlife refuge manager for the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and Archie Carr NWR in Vero Beach and wildlife refuge manager for the J.N. “Ding” Darling NWR Complex. Board member for the Sanibel Captiva Audubon Society, board member-elect for the Sanibel-Captiva Rotary Club, and scoutmaster for Sanibel Troop 1740.
Additional board members include Mitchell Koppelman, William Millar, and Chet Sadler.
Also at the meeting, COTI welcomed National Audubon Society’s Florida Vice President and Audubon Florida Executive Director Julie Wraithmell for a discussion of Florida’s environmental challenges and opportunities.