Katie Worthington Decker Moving Back to Lakeland as LEDC’s Senior VP
Katie Worthington Decker has been hired by the Lakeland Economic Development Council as its senior vice president, second in command to long-time President Steve Scruggs. More
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Commissioner Phillip Walker Sworn in as President of Florida League of Cities
Lakeland’s Phillip Walker is serving as president of the Florida League of Cities during the year the organization prepares to celebrate its 100th year of advocating for the needs of municipalities. More
Sun ‘n Fun CEO ‘Lites’ Leenhouts Will Retire Next Spring
John “Lites” Leenhouts has announced he will retire as president and CEO of Sun ’n Fun Fly-In Inc. after the April conclusion of the 2022 aerospace expo, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association reports. Leenhouts, who assumed the position in 2011, transformed the organization’s focus to education and was instrumental in establishing the Aerospace Center for Excellence in Lakeland.
Jay Dennis Launches Church in Sanctuary on Frank Lloyd Wright Way
Jay Dennis, the 62-year-old retired pastor of Church at the Mall, is launching City Central Church, which he describes as a non-denominational congregation for the unchurched and de-churched, The Ledger reports. The new church is leasing the sanctuary at 310 Frank Lloyd Wright Way; it was formerly part of St. Joseph Academy and is now owned by Florida Southern College, which is renovating the adjoining classroom building for its graduate nursing program.
Trees Planted by Lake Morton in Memory of David and Edie Yates Henderson
Two Hong Kong orchid trees were planted along Lake Morton this afternoon in memory of civic and business leaders David Henderson and Edie Yates Henderson. More
Awards Honor Local Philanthropists, Nonprofits, Volunteers
It was a family affair as two generations of the Barnett family won top awards at the National Philanthropy Day Awards Celebration in Lakeland on Friday. Ashley and Wesley Barnett were one of two couples named philanthropists of the year, and Wesley’s parents — Carol and Barney Barnett — were given the Outstanding Philanthropy Award. More
Ed Holloway, Creator of Sanlan Ranch and Holloway Park, Dies at 91
Ed Holloway, who turned parts of his massive land holdings in southeast Lakeland into the Sanlan Ranch RV & Golf Resort and Holloway Park, died Monday at age 91. More
Cory Skeates Resigns as CEO of the Lakeland Chamber
Cory Skeates has resigned as president and CEO of the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce, a post he has held since January 2015, the organization announced today. The resignation takes effect immediately. More
Mobile Bookshop Will Debut Its Vintage Wheels
The family behind Lakeland’s Little Bus Books is ready to debut their little bus. It’s a vintage metal travel trailer that will make their bookstore truly mobile. More
Former Lakeland Worship Singer Gets a Second Shot at Stardom on ‘The Voice’
For Jeremy Rosado, a former Lakeland worship leader, 2021 has been a year of second chances. A few months after recovering from COVID-19, he found out he would be a contestant on NBC’s “The Voice.” More