The Manatee County Tourist Development Council gained two new members Jan. 28 when county commissioners appointed a Holmes Beach commissioner and a Palmetto hotelier to fill out the board.
Commissioner Dan Diggins takes the seat vacated by Shirley Groover Bryant, who did not run for the mayoral office in November 2024.
The hotelier, Anthony DeRusso, managing partner of the Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa, takes the seat vacated by islander Ed Chiles, who sold some business interests last year, including a share in a short-term rental, prompting his resignation from the council after 25 years.
Three people applied for the seat reserved for an elected official: Diggins, Palmetto Mayor Daniel West and Longboat Key Commissioner Debra Williams.
Commissioner Tal Siddique, District 3, nominated Diggins and Commissioner Jason Bearden, District 6, nominated West.
Diggins won the vote 5-2 after several commissioners spoke about the importance of geographic balance on the council, mentioning the TDC is chaired by Commissioner Amanda Ballard, representing Palmetto in District 2, and implying that DeRusso would get the hotelier appointment on the next vote.
Four people applied for the seat reserved for a hotelier but only DeRusso was nominated. His term will end in June.
The other applicants included developer Shawn Kaleta of Prime Hotels and Prime Vacations in Holmes Beach; property manager Lisa Varano of Wagner Realty in Holmes Beach and broker Damian Hernandez of Short Term Florida Rentals LLC in Bradenton.
In his application for the appointment, DeRusso wrote, “I have a vested interest in the success of Manatee County’s tourism industry as the managing director of the largest hotel in the county and as an asset manager for hospitality properties on Anna Maria Island.”
Diggins, in his application, said, “I wish to make sure TDC funds are distributed to each community based upon needs and qualifications.” His term will end in June 2028.
The nine-member TDC advises the county commission on how to spend the tourist development tax revenue, which under state law must go to develop tourism and tourist amenities, such as funding for replacing the Anna Maria City Pier and beach renourishment programs on the island.
Other members include Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown; hoteliers Jiten Patel, Eric Cairns and Rahul Patel and citizen members Dave Wick and Norma Kennedy.
The advisory board’s next meeting will be at 9 a.m. Monday, Feb. 24, at Bradenton City Hall, 101 12th St. W.