Armando J. Ubeda

Sarasota County is located on the Florida peninsula, midway between Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor. Thirty-seven miles of sugar-white, sandy beaches line the Gulf of Mexico west of the county, while the wetlands, prairies and hammocks of Myakka River State Park roll across much of the eastern lands.

Situated in the sub-tropical region that arcs across the state, the area features an appealing climate month after month. Prominent cities include the world-class arts center of Sarasota, Venice and its down-home charm, and North Port, a rapidly growing community.

Nearly 400,000 residents make Sarasota County their home year-round with another 75,000 or so wintering here, and 90 percent of respondents describe their neighborhood as excellent or good. The economy is largely service-oriented, with major industries including health care, retail trade, and hospitality. Sarasota County is proud of its reputation as a leader in innovative environmental management and sustainable living, and proud that more than 90 percent of residents are satisfied with County services. More information is at: https://www.scgov.net/AboutSarasota/Pages/default.aspx

Outreach programs:

• Artificial reefs
• Water quality/quantity
• Fisheries
• Clean marinas
• Marine resource conservation

Education

• Postgraduate course in environmental impact assessment. Facultad de Ciencias Sociales de Argentina, 2004
• M.S., marine resource management, Oregon State University, 2003
• B.S., marine science (minor in chemistry), University of Mobile – Latin American Campus, 1997