The Hermitage Artist Retreat (Sarasota County, Florida) announced today that Alice Court (Boca Grande / Toronto), Tim Flood (Manasota Key), and Peter Offringa (Sarasota) have been elected to the Hermitage Board of Trustees. In addition, longtime Hermitage supporters and Sarasota arts philanthropists Charlie Huisking (Sarasota) and Flora Major (New York / Sarasota) have been unanimously elected as the Hermitage’s first Honorary Trustees. All five commenced their term on July 1, 2024. Earlier this season, past Hermitage trustees Larry Bold (Manasota Key), Tom Dignam (Englewood), and Andy Maass (Longboat Key) were recognized by the Hermitage as Emeritus Trustees.
These additions to the Hermitage Board follow a remarkable season that has included more than 55 live programs and events, dozens of new and expanded arts and education partnerships in the community, and another record-breaking fiscal year.
“We are incredibly excited to be welcoming these distinguished individuals to the Hermitage Board,” says Hermitage Artistic Director and CEO Andy Sandberg. “These are some of the Hermitage’s most vibrant champions, and their passion for the mission and future of the organization is truly inspiring. Their experience, intelligence, and thoughtful creativity will be invaluable to the organization’s continued growth and success.”
“It is truly an honor to welcome Alice, Tim, and Peter to our Board, as well as our distinguished new Honorary and Emeritus Trustees,” says Hermitage Board President Carole Crosby (pictured). “Andy’s vision for the Hermitage and the passionate team he has assembled are elevating the organization to new heights. I look forward to working with our new trustees to ensure a bright future for the organization, creating a lasting impact in our community and our culture.”
Splitting her time between Boca Grande, Florida and Toronto, Canada, Alice Court received her first degree in music and began her career as a writer and host of a children’s television show. After earning her Master of Business, Court joined the team at Procter & Gamble. She took a brief hiatus from the corporate world to work as a case writer and research associate for the Harvard Business School, returning to Procter & Gamble for an eleven-year career in corporate Brand management and advertising in both Canada and England, before relocating to Texas. Court has served on several boards, including St. Mark’s School of Texas, the Executive Board of the Dallas Opera, and the Council of Advisors for National Geographic. In Boca Grande, she has been a board member of The Friends of Boca Grande and most recently served as President of the Royal Palm Players.
Tim Flood, a retired doctor of ophthalmology and Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, is a longtime resident of Manasota Key. Tim and his wife Suzette recently became full-time residents of Florida after many years between Chicago and Sarasota. Longtime supporters of the Hermitage, Tim and Suzette served as Co-Chairs for the 2023 Artful Lobster. He is a graduate of UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine and completed a residency at UC Irvine. A native of San Jose, California, Flood graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in psychology and then went on to study biomedical sciences at Dartmouth Medical School New Hampshire. He was a diplomat of the American Board of Ophthalmology and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
Peter Offringa is a graduate of Princeton University, where he earned his degree in computer science before spending four years in the Army as a Communications Specialist. He started a web development consultancy in Dallas and began building consumer internet websites as a software engineer. He subsequently spent eighteen years in San Francisco working with some of the world’s largest consumer internet brands, including roles as VP of Engineering and Chief Technology Officer within Comcast’s Spotlight Division, CBS Interactive, CNET Networks, and Catalina Marketing. After moving to Florida in 2015, he spent several years as the CTO for Boatsetter. He is on the Board and Executive Committee of Bridge Angel Investors in Sarasota, and he has served on the board of advisors and as an executive for many start-ups during his career. He is the current President of the Princeton Club of Sarasota, past President of the Ivy League Club, and Chair of the Ivy League Professionals networking group.
Charlie Huisking and Flora Major were elected as the Hermitage Artist Retreat’s first Honorary Trustees. This designation was created to recognize distinguished ambassadors and advocates of the Hermitage – individuals who have gone above and beyond in their service to the organization and continue to champion its mission.
Flora Major has been a longtime champion of the Hermitage, and through her Kutya Major Foundation, she worked with Andy Sandberg to launch the prestigious Hermitage Major Theater Award (HMTA) in 2021. Now celebrating its fourth year, the HMTA is one of the largest unrestricted nonprofit arts commissions in the United States, annually awarding a $35,000 cash prize to create an original work of theater, an extended Hermitage residency, and a workshop in a notable arts capital such as New York, London, or Chicago. Throughout her career, Major has served on many nonprofit boards in Sarasota and beyond.
Charlie Huisking, a Sarasota native, has been involved with the local arts and cultural community for decades. After returning to Sarasota upon graduation from the University of Notre Dame, Huisking served as arts writer and columnist for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune for thirty-three years. Since his retirement, Huisking has been a proud supporter of a wide range of arts and social service organizations, including the Hermitage, and has served on the boards of several nonprofits in the region.
The Hermitage’s Board Officers for the 2024-2025 season are Carole Crosby, President; David Green, Vice President; Steve Adler, Treasurer; and Sondra Biller, Secretary. The Hermitage Board of Trustees also includes Ellen Berman (Chair of Governance), Christine Boone, Terry Brackett, Maryann Casey, Robyn Citrin (Past President), Alice Court,* Marletta Darnall, Leslie Edwards (Past President),Tim Flood,* Stephanie Jones, Tina Shao Napoli, Peter Offringa,* Liz Richardson, Edward M. Swan,Jr., Mary Lou Winnick, Doug Wright, and Andy Sandberg, Hermitage Artistic Director and CEO (ex-officio). *Indicates New Trustee
Emeritus Trustees elected earlier this year include Larry Bold, Tom Dignam, and Andy Maass; these three longtime champions of the Hermitage join the previously elected Nelda Thompson. Honorary Trustees include Charlie Huisking and Flora Major.