Gulf Coast Community Foundation names new CEO

MANATEE -- Mark Pritchett has been named the new president and chief executive of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation.

Gulf Coast has an impact on Manatee County because it's home to more than 600 families who have established $200 million in charitable funds that are distributed in the areas of health and human services, civic and economic development, education, arts and culture, and the environment, said Ben Hanan, Gulf Coast's board chairman.

Gulf Coast is a public charity that was created in 1995 through the sale of the Venice hospital.

"The board identified Mark Pritchett of Venice as the best leader to advance Gulf Coast's mission of transforming our region, together with our donors, through bold and proactive philanthropy," Hanan said.

Pritchett, who joined the Gulf Coast staff in 2008, will start his new job immediately, Hanan said.

Prithcett succeeds former president and CEO Teri Hansen, who resigned after 13 years at Gulf Coast to become CEO of a private family foundation.

Pritchett previously served as Gulf Coast's senior vice president for community investment, responsible for creating and implementing

strategies for grant making and initiatives.

Prior to selecting Pritchett, Gulf Coast's Board conducted a five-month national search.

"We had a responsibility to our community and to those whose philanthropic resources we steward to look nationwide for Gulf Coast's next leader," said Gulf Coast Vice Chair Phil Humann, who led the search. "After a thorough search, Mark proved to be that leader. He knows this region well, and he is already leading the way in redefining the role philanthropy can play in transforming it."

Pritchett graduated from the University of Kentucky, where he earned his bachelor's and master's degrees. He received his doctorate from Florida State University. He has lived in Venice since 2008. For information go to GulfCoastCF.org.

Richard Dymond, Herald reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7072 or contact him via Twitter@RichardDymond.

This story was originally published September 29, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Gulf Coast Community Foundation names new CEO ."