David Sessions Elected Board Chair of Gulf Coast

Gulf Coast's Board of Directors elected David Sessions as Chair and Anand Pallegar as Vice Chair for a one-year term as officers beginning July 1, 2023. Our Board also welcomed three new Board members, Keith G. Johnson, Frank Martucci, and Pete Petersen, for a three-year term beginning March 1, 2023.

David Sessions, who succeeds David Green as Chair, has served on the Gulf Coast Board since 2019. As the immediate past Chair of the Finance Committee, Sessions ensured that Gulf Coast’s budget was responsibly managed to deliver the greatest impact to the region. Sessions is CEO of Willis Smith Construction and has been with the company since 1988. He brings 40 years of multi-disciplinary experience in educational, healthcare, religious, green sustainable, industrial, and commercial construction. “I am thrilled that David Sessions is Chair of our Board of Directors,” shared Phillip Lanham, president | CEO of Gulf Coast Community Foundation. “David brings a wealth of experience, community knowledge, and keen expertise to our Board. He exemplifies Gulf Coast’s mission, vision, and values, and he supports the work we do together with our philanthropic partners and the community.”

Vice Chair Anand Pallegar has served on the Gulf Coast Board since 2016, as Chair of the Community Leadership Committee and as an active member of the Risk and Audit Committee and CEO Search Committee. Pallegar founded ATLARGE, a thriving Experiential Branding Agency dedicated to solving intricate business challenges for market-leading, global brands. Today, Pallegar leads a portfolio of successful companies and ventures, including DreamLarge which champions innovative, catalytic philanthropy, and meaningful community impact with the goal of affecting change both locally and globally. Pallegar brings decades of experience as a creative entrepreneur and leader in our region supporting Gulf Coast’s bold and proactive impact.

Keith G. Johnson, CFP®, CEPA™ is a Managing Director and Senior Wealth Advisor with Truist Wealth. Acknowledged for sound decision-making and analytical abilities, Johnson has a significant record of success ensuring profitable business development and creating significant relationships with strategic partners in matrix organizations. He has diversified experience in domestic and international financing structures, treasury, and cash management products and services. Johnson graduated from University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, and holds a MBA in Global Business from Georgia Institute of Technology.

Frank Martucci is an incredible supporter of Gulf Coast Community Foundation and has served on many nonprofit boards. He is the former general partner, senior managing director, and board member of Bear Stearns & Company. Martucci received his bachelor’s degree from William Penn University (WPU). After working for many years on Wall Street, Martucci earned his master’s degree in Philosophy from Fordham University. Martucci also holds an honorary doctorate degree from WPU. Locally, Martucci also serves on the Board of Directors for Sarasota Ballet and Ringling College of Art and Design. He has served on the board of directors for William Penn University, Smithsonian Institution, and Metropolitan Museum of Art, Bryant Fellows, among other boards across the country.

Pete Petersen is CEO at Dealers United and BuyerBridge, helping the automotive industry simplify social advertising using ad tech. Petersen is a passionate and creative leader with a proven track record of team building and results. Prior to joining Dealers United, Petersen was a member of S-One Holdings Leadership Team which is responsible for strategic planning, culture, tactical implementation, and profitability. Petersen holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee. Petersen also holds an Internetworking Engineer degree from PcAge and a Master Certificate in IS/IT Project Management from Villanova University.

The members of Gulf Coast Community Foundation’s Board of Directors for the foundation’s 2023-2024 fiscal year are:

Anne Essner

Ping Faulhaber

Rose-Anne Frano

John Giglio

Past Chair David Green

Rod Hershberger

Tracy Knight

Past Vice Chair Lisa Krouse

Keith G. Johnson

Phillip P. Lanham

Frank Martucci

Vice Chair Anand Pallegar

Pete Petersen

Chair David Sessions

Peter Soderberg

Susan Sofia