On Tuesday, November 18, 2025, Sarasota County UF/IFAS hosted the Lambda Alpha International (LAI) FL Suncoast Chapter (Chapter) for an empowering meeting at their Twin Lakes campus. Thanks to Florida Power & Light (FPL)'s generous sponsorship the meeting was free to attend; Tiki Go Go provided delicious food supplemented by a cash bar for the pre-and post-meeting receptions.
Chapter Emcee John McCarthy welcomed guests to the meeting and facilitated a quick round of introductions. After Chapter President and
Earth Impact Founder & CEO, Holly Elmore's remarks, John introduced FPL Area External Affairs Manager Devaney Iglesias; Devaney gave an excellent presentation on FPL's history, current service commitment, and impressive community involvement. The meeting closed with the formal induction ceremony for new member Christy May of The May Group.
Post meeting, guests enjoyed the lovely post-meeting reception and lingered while making new friends and reconnecting with long-term acquaintances.
The IMPACT article, Happy Birthday, LAI FL Suncoast Chapter!!!, celebrates the Chapter's one-year anniversary, details the Chapter's abundant activities over the past year, and announces the February 2026 One-by-Land, Two-by-Sea Tours and Water Challenges, Economics, and Nature-Based Solutions LED (Land Economics Dialogues.)
About LAI
LAI is the honorary global network for thought leaders
in all fields related to the preservation and sustainable development of land.
LAI is a growing network of chapters in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Asia. Each chapter offers a wide variety of programs with industry leaders, discussion forums, community service projects and networking events.
Membership is highly selective through a nomination process initiated by an LAI member. Nominees for LAI membership must demonstrate ten or more years of experience in their fields, professional distinction, and outstanding contributions to the community in their field of endeavor.
LAI is committed to excellence and high professional standards to make a difference. A value to members is knowing you are someone who helped make that difference.
FPL – Proudly powering Florida for a century
Within his introduction to Devaney, John traced the history of the public-service utility in Sarasota from its beginning in 1903 through 1925 when FPL, then American Power & Light Co., purchased the power plant from the City of Sarasota. In her opening remarks, Devaney shared FPL's early history before segueing into its impressive growth.
FPL serves more than 12 million people across Florida via over 6 million accounts in 43 counties, ranging from Pensacola to Miami.
Per Devaney's PPT, as America’s largest electric utility, FPL serves more customers and sells more power than any other utility in the nation. Some interesting facts include:
- 35,070 square miles
- 81,823 miles of distribution lines
- 921 substations
- 9,537 miles of transmission lines
- 1.4 million poles
- 1.15 million transformers
- The majority of customers live within 20 miles of the coast
In its commitment to provide reliable power with excellent service, FPL built a stronger, more resilient energy system over the decades: 82% of main power lines are hardened or underground and 96% of transmission structures are concrete or steel. Vegetation is consistently cleared from tens of thousands of miles of lines.
With inevitable outages during hurricanes and other extreme weather, FPL communicates with customers via numerous channels and engages in a powerful national network to promptly restore power. When Hurricane Milton made landfall on the FL Suncoast in October 2024, FPL restored power to 730.000 customers within one day and power was essentially restored within five days.
Diversification of power generation is another key to FPL's resilient, efficient system. Overall, FPL generates power via four sources:
- Ultra fuel-efficient natural gas power plants
- Low-cost, Florida solar energy centers
- Safe, zero-emissions nuclear plants
- Resilient battery-storage technology
During the Q&A session, Devaney shared that FPL nuclear plants are analog, with no internet connection, to ensure that the plants may not be compromised by hacking or other invasive threats.
In 2024, Florida was the second fastest growing state in the nation. FPL fosters an environment for national or regional headquarter locations where reliable power is easily assessable. Beyond engaging in economic development, FPL is highly active in the communities that it serves.
Devaney exemplifies FPL's commitment via her profound civic involvement including United Way Suncoast Board member, Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida Board member, Bishop Museum of Science and Nature Board member, and Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County Past Chair.
Supported by FPL, employees volunteer on a wide variety of projects within FPL's 43-county territory making a tremendous difference in the local community that they call home.
The Florida Suncoast benefits considerably by FPL's reliable power and generosity of spirit.
Water Challenges, Economics, and Nature-Based-Solutions LED
As a precursor to the February 25 – 27, 2026 Tours, the Chapter hosts a Land Economics Dialogues (LED) event on Wednesday, February 25 from 9 am – 4 pm. The LED focus is on local Water Challenges, Economics, and Nature-Based-Solutions.
An LED is an FL Suncoast-event series where prominent LAI members from around the globe provide expertise and advice on land- and water-related issues.
The LED agenda consists of four morning speakers followed by a brainstorming session during lunch. Morning presentation topics include Coastal Water Dynamics, Surface Water (Sarasota Bay, Gulf, Inland Waters), Extreme Weather, and Local & Regional Economics. The afternoon is dedicated to an empowering strategy session. A formal report will document the LED presentations, strategy session, and recommended nature-based solutions.
Land and water economics are the common thread within the LED–strategy points.
The LED is open to Global LAI members.
REGISTER HERE - use the HollyDiscountLED code to reinstate the early-bird-pricing discount through December 31.
Sponsorship opportunities are detailed
HERE.
One-by-Land, Two-by-Sea Tours
On February 25 – 27, 2026, the Chapter welcomes distinguished land economics professionals from across the globe to the Sarasota/Bradenton area during the prime winter season. Due to bus limitations, the Tours is limited to 45 out-of-town guests; local chapter members will participate via their own transportation.
Step into history, innovation, and paradise for the
One-by-Land, Two-by-Sea Tours. Learn how the Suncoast evolved over the past 250+ years with visits to:
- Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, the world’s first net-positive energy botanical garden.
- Nathan Benderson Park, a world-class rowing venue built from an old shell excavation pit.
- Sarasota Bay History Cruise, and more!
As detailed in the
Tours Itinerary, the tours consist of an opening reception, two days of tours filled with prominent speakers including a two-hour Sarasota Bay History Cruise, and finishes with a Closing Dinner Reception (pending sponsorship.)
The Tours is open to Global LAI members and a guest.
REGISTER HERE - use the HollyDiscountGlobal code to reinstate the early-bird-pricing discount through December 31.
Sponsorship opportunities are detailed
HERE.
The next Chapter meeting is Wednesday, January 21 5:30 - 7:30 pm with Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County VP Joshua Ewe presenting on Economic development & the changes to the Sarasota skyline in 2026. Registration opens in early January.
With consistent presentation-style meetings, active ad hoc committees along with the One-by-Land, Two-by-Sea Tours and the Water Challenges, Economics, and Nature-Based Solutions PAD, the LAI FL Suncoast Chapter lives up to its commitment to bring value to individual members and the community.
