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NEWS RELEASE

Dec. 11, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts: Ray Sarracino, Jackie Parker, Miriam Dotson 239-338-3500

 

Lee County Tourist Development Council
welcomes new chair

LEE COUNTY, Fla. – The Lee Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) appointed Commission Chairman Kevin Ruane as chair of the Tourist Development Council (TDC). The chairmanship becomes effective immediately. 

Ruane’s first meeting as TDC chair will be Thursday, Dec. 12. The TDC meeting will begin at 9 a.m. in Room 118 of the Admin East Building, 2201 Second St., Fort Myers. Watch live on LeeTV or YouTube.com/LeeCountyFL.

Ruane, who is District 1 Commissioner, was named BoCC chairman on Nov. 19. He replaces TDC Chairman and Lee County Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass.

Ruane was first elected to the BoCC in November 2020 after serving as the Mayor of Sanibel for more than a decade. In 2024 he ran unopposed for his second term as District 1 Commissioner. After Hurricane Ian, Commissioner Ruane was appointed by his fellow commissioners to chair the Lee County Long-term Recovery Task Force.

A longtime Southwest Floridian, Ruane had visited Sanibel for 20 years before purchasing a home in 2004. Hurricane Charley quickly turned his attention to becoming a public servant. He signed on as a member of the Damage Assessment Team in Sanibel.

Ruane was appointed to the Sanibel City Council to serve an interim position in February 2007. In May 2007, he was elected and reelected in March 2009 and was appointed Mayor in March 2010. He was subsequently reelected in 2013 and 2017.

While with the City of Sanibel, Ruane served as a TDC member for about 7 years.

The TDC was established as an advisory board to the BoCC in 1983 to increase off-season tourism in Lee County. For more information about the TDC, visit leevcb.com and leegov.com/bocc.

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Editor’s note: Click here to download Commissioner Kevin Ruane’s photo 

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