Description

Premier Investors - Join us for Coffee with the Commissioner

Join us for an exclusive opportunity to connect with Commissioner Mark Smith. This intimate event is designed exclusively for the Sarasota Chamber’s Premier Investors, offering a unique chance to engage in meaningful conversations, ask questions, and gain valuable insights on issues affecting our community. 

Date: Friday, June 5th, 2026 

Time: 08:30am - 09:30am 

Venue: Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Boardroom - 1945 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, FL, 34236 

Featured Speaker: Commissioner Mark Smith

Mark Smith was elected to the Sarasota County Commission in November 2022. Smith is a long-time Sarasota resident. Born in Detroit, his family moved to Sarasota in 1963 and he graduated from Riverview High School in 1973. Smith earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Georgia Institute of Technology before returning to Sarasota with his family in 1990. In 1994, he started his own architectural firm, Smith Architects, P.A., which is located on Siesta Key.

Smith has been active both in his profession and in the Siesta Key community, serving on the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Siesta Key Presidents Council, and the Sheriff’s Advisory Board. He is a past board member of the Siesta Key Association, Siesta Key Village Association, All Faiths Food Bank, and the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida.

Smith served as President of the Florida Association of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in 2007. He received the 2009 AIA Florida Silver Medal in recognition of his years of community leadership and service, and was awarded the 2024 AIA Florida Charles W. Clary, FAIA Government Service Award for advancing the cause of good design and planning and contributing to the dignity and value of the architectural profession as an elected official.

Traffic, water and air quality, and affordable housing are some of the issues Smith focuses on as a Sarasota County Commissioner.

Notable appointments and memberships:

• AIA Florida Gulf Coast Chapter Board Member 1992-95, President 1994

• All Faiths Food Bank Board Member 2006-2012, President 2012

• Florida Association of the American Institute of Architects Board Member 1995-2008, President 2007

• Florida Foundation for Architecture Board Member 1999-2006, 2008-12

• Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida Board Member 2000-06

• John Ringling Center Foundation Historic Preservation Steering Committee 2002-04

• Sarasota Architectural Foundation Committee to Save Paul Rudolph's Riverview High School 2006-08

• Sarasota County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) 2005

• Sarasota County Sheriff's Advisory Board Member 2009-2020

• Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation Patricia Snyder Children's Fund Volunteer 1998-2009

• Siesta Isles Homeowners Association Board Member 2002-04

• Siesta Key Association (SKA) Board Member 2003-08

• Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce Board Member 2007-13, 2015-20, 2022, Chair 2012, 16, 17

• Siesta Key Village Association (SKVA) Board Member 2000-16, President 2004-09

• Siesta Key Village Maintenance Corporation Board Member 2007-2022

• State of California Emergency Services Safety Assessment Disaster Service Volunteer 2009-14, 2020-26

Why Attend? 

• Build connections with local leadership. 

• Stay informed about county initiatives and developments. 

• Share your perspective on community priorities.

Questions? Contact Celeste Lloyd-Jones at [email protected]

We look forward to seeing you there! 

RSVP Required: This event is exclusive to Premier Investors of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce. Please confirm your attendance by registering. Premier Level Investors are made up of our Corporate Trustees, Community Builders and Economic Drivers.