Gulf Coast Venture Forum – Annual Meeting and Reception New board of Directors and Officers announced

The Gulf Coast Venture Forum announced their 2011-12 Board of Directors and officers at their annual member meeting and cocktail reception on May 12. Members from both chapters, Naples and Sarasota, were in attendance for the meeting held at Tiburon.

The newly elected 2011-12 Board of Directors are: Tim Cartwright – Chairman, John Gleeson - Naples Chapter President, Sara Hand - Sarasota Chapter President, Susi Winchell - Vice President, Fred Klaucke - Angel Investor, Bill Hagman - Angel Investor, Roger Warren - TAFI Investor, David Kakkuri – FGCU, and Tammie Nemecek - EDC Collier.

Newly appointed officers are: President - Tim Cartwright of Fifth Avenue Advisors, Vice President - Susi Winchell of TIB Bank, Secretary -Spenser Clark of Roetzel & Andress and Treasurer - John Slusar of Fifth Avenue Advisors.

“Angel investing and angel funds are critical to our economy,” said Tim Cartwright, president of the Gulf Coast Venture Forum. “We want to grow our membership and raise awareness of our mission this coming season in order to promote entrepreneurship and investing in Florida.”

The purpose of the Gulf Coast Venture Forum is to promote the success of Southwest Florida's new and emerging businesses by bringing together the best entrepreneurs, early stage venture capital firms and Angel Investors. They promote the success of the region's new and emerging businesses by bringing together entrepreneurs, educational resources, capital providers, and service providers. Members of the GCVF meet monthly to hear about local investment opportunities, and they also offer informative educational programs presented by seasoned, recognized professionals and business people, providing a place for the sharing and exchange of business and technical experience. To encourage capital investments in Southwest Florida businesses, the GCVF seeks to identify sources of private equity investment and venture capital. Gulf Coast Venture Forum is always open to new members. Monthly meetings are scheduled October through June each year. GCVF is also available to provide speakers to local organizations who want to learn more about the purpose of the GCVF and local investment opportunities. The Gulf Coast Venture Forum is open to new members. Interested parties must qualify as an accredited investor as defined by the US SEC and are encouraged to view www.gcvf.com or call 239-262-6300 for more information.