Board of Directors

CHAIRMAN

Lem Sharp ~ President, W.G. Mills, Inc.

Lemuel Sharp III is President of W.G. Mills, Inc., a statewide Construction Management Firm, with offices in Sarasota/Bradenton, Clearwater, Jacksonville, Palm Beach, Ft. Myers and Central Florida. Mr. Sharp joined the Firm in 1973, immediately upon graduating from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Building Construction. Working his way through the ranks, he became President and Co‐Principle of the Firm in 1989. Over the course of his 36‐year career, he has been directly responsible for the construction of over 500 projects for W.G. Mills, Inc., all of which demonstrate that Sharp has worked diligently to exceed customers’ expectations. Lem believes in straight talk supported by a demonstrated track record of proven performance, and in living up to the company’s credo, “Work Hard // Build Right.”

Over the past 36 years, Lem has been active in a leadership role with scores of community organizations. Currently, Lem is on the Board of Directors of Insignia Bank and the Gulf Coast Builder’s Exchange. He was the 2008 Chairman of the University of South Florida Sarasota‐Manatee “Brunch on the Bay,” which provides scholarships for area students. He believes that “Education will lead you out of the forest of ignorance, and investing in the education of our youth is an investment in our own future.”

IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN

Bill Jarvis ~ VP Commercial Construction, Lakewood Ranch Commercial

Real Estate

Bill Jarvis is the Vice President of Commercial Construction for Lakewood Ranch Commercial Realty. Bill offers over twenty-five years of high quality Design, Development and Construction management experience.

He has completed over 32 million square feet of Commercial projects nation-wide including, but not limited to; Hotels, Industrial and Warehouse facilities, Regional Retail Shopping Malls; Life-Style Centers; Corporate office projects as well as Medical facilities.  This unique blend of experience and insight provides the leadership to enable our clients to realize their goals from concept to completion.

Mr. Jarvis is also a member of International Council of Shopping Centers, (ICSC), Centerbuilt, American Specification Institute (ASI) and Florida Building Coalition.  Bill serves on the Board of Directors for the Gulf Coast Builders Exchange (GCBE) and is a member the Sarasota / Manatee Political Affairs Committee.  He has completed Learning to LEED and received his LEED Certification from the University of Florida. 

CHAIRMAN ELECT

Darrell Turner ~ Turner Tree and Landscape 

Darrell grew up in Patrick Springs, Virginia.  He came to Florida in 1977 and began his business. Darrell Turner started the business when I-75 was being constructed and a need for trucking and heavy equipment operators was created. From trucking the company grew to adding land development and site work to their resume. Several years later, they expanded again into landscaping. This is when they began in earnest to grow.  Darrell founded Turner Tree and Landscape in Bradenton in 1982.  This past year they completed their new corporate offices.  Turner Tree and Landscaping currently employs about 70 employees.  Turner Tree and Landscape also has over 1000 acres of tree farms under production. Darrell also takes an active leadership role in the community.  He is personally involved in the following organizations as well as corporately supporting many other events and special projects throughout the county.

Meals on Wheels – Chairman of the Board

Leadership Florida- Class XXIII

Leadership Manatee

Manatee County Chamber of Commerce-Current Board Member

Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce, Former Board Member

Keep Manatee Beautiful-Gold Sponsor, Board Member

St. Stephen’s Episcopal School – Partner in Education

Gold Star Club

One Hundred Club

Patrick County High School-Provided for an Agricultural Scholarship for many years.

Patrick-Henry Fire Dept.-Provided land clearing, site work, site grading as well as hydroseeding services.

VICE-CHAIRMAN

Jason F. Swift ~ Jon F. Swift, Inc.

Jason Swift grew up in Columbus, Ohio and moved to Florida to attend the University of Florida.  In 1992, he graduated Cum Laude from the University of Florida M. E. Rinker School of Building Construction with a Bachelor of Science degree in Building Construction. During the summers, he worked for Jon F. Swift, Inc. as a laborer and carpenter.  After graduation, Jason began to work full time as a job site superintendent.  His second project was a renovation project at West Elementary School in Arcadia, which was the largest job to date for Jon F. Swift, Inc.  Jason began working in the office as an Estimator/Project Manager at the completion of the West Elementary Project.  At present, Jason is the President and part owner of the company. 

Jason has served on the Board of Directors for the Gulf Coast Builders Exchange since 2003.  He works with the other Board Members and a membership of over 300 proactively working on issues that affect local businesses. Jason also serves on the Board of Directors for the Education Foundation of Sarasota.

Jason is heavily involved in the Boy Scouts of America.  As an Assistant Scout Master for the past 7 years he has personally assisted 15 Boy Scouts attain the highest rank in scouting, the Eagle Scout Rank.  Jason also works with the Boy Scouts on a weekly basis to help each boy advance in rank, plan and go on campouts, canoe and backpacking trips and a variety of the other events such as fund raising to assist in paying for the activities that the Boy Scouts experience.

Secretary

                    Russ Bobbitt ~ Purmort and Martin Insurance Agency, LLC

A Florida native, Russ was born in Jacksonville and moved to Sarasota when he was 16. He graduated from Riverview High School in 1987. He attended the University of Florida and graduated from the University of South Florida in 1991. Russ was a worker's compensation claims adjuster for RISCORP for 6 years where he handled some of the largest self- insured general and specialty contractors in Florida.

In 1997, Russ joined Purmort, Martin and Mercier Insurance Agency as a commercial lines agent. In 2004, he became a Managing Member and equal partner of what is now Purmort and Martin Insurance Agency, LLC. In addition to holding three insurance licenses, Russ has earned several advanced insurance designations. He specializes in risk management for contractors and subcontractors, and is well versed in construction risk transfer and construction contractual language.

Russ works hard to serve the Sarasota Community. He has served on the GCBX Board of Directors since 2004. In addition to his service on the GCBX Board, he is a member of the Greater Sarasota Sertoma Club, where he served as past President and Chairman of the Board. He is a current member of the Sarasota County 100 Club and is a current participant in Leadership Sarasota. Russ also enjoys coaching youth sports in Sarasota and has over 10 years experience with many different youth athletic leagues in the area.

TREASURER

             Joseph J. Welch, CPA ~ Partner, Purvis Gray & Company

Mr. Joseph J. Welch CPA is the partner in charge of the Sarasota office of Purvis, Gray and Company, LLC (PGC).  PGC is an accounting firm with over eighty employees in four offices in Florida, which offers primarily audit, accounting and tax services to local governments, commercial businesses, and individuals.  Mr. Welch has been with the firm for 24 years, and a partner the last 12.  His areas of practice include local governments, utilities.