About Us | Protect Siesta Key

Our Vision and Mission

Who We Are

Protect Siesta Key is committed to safeguarding the interests of residents, visitors, and property owners on our beloved barrier island. Our vision is to create a sustainable future and promoting a sense of community among all who call Siesta Key home.

Our mission is to promote good governance to enhance the public health, safety, and preservation of the quality of life for residents, visitors, and property owners on Siesta Key through educational awareness, advocacy, and, if necessary, appropriate legal action

Meet the PSK Team

Protect Siesta Key is a Florida not-for-profit organization formed by Siesta Key residents to advocate for public safety, health and quality of life of residents, property owners, and visitors of our barrier island.

Lourdes Ramirez

President

Lourdes Ramirez is a 25-year resident of Siesta Key. Her over 20 year experience with Siesta Key's zoning helped with the successful litigation against Sarasota County in 2023 for violations of the County's Comprehensive Plan.

Lourdes has served on various civic organizations on Siesta Key and founded the Barrier Island League in 2009. She was president of CONA (Sarasota County Council of Neighborhood Associations from 2011-14.

Lourdes won three Citizen of the Year awards (2012, 2014, and 2024)

Lourdes has an M.B.A from Iona University.

Rob Sax

Vice President

Robert I Sax holds a Ph.D in Physics from the University of London’s Imperial College. He served as a Captain in the U.S Air Force and directed NOAA’s Experimental Meteorology Laboratory working in the field of weather modification research. For many years he was President of a leading international biotech company specializing in biologically converting wastewater into energy.

He currently serves as the President of the Board of Siesta Key's Marina Del Sol Condominium Association, and was a Plaintiff in the litigation against the County’s 2021 approval of mega hotels on the Island, which he continues to passionately oppose.

Carlyn Berghoff

Treasurer

Carlyn is deeply committed to the restaurant industry and has played a lifelong role in hospitality and tourism initiatives. She understands the economic impact her field has on a city’s long-term viability and is an active member of several industry and civic organizations including: the National Restaurant Assoc., Culinary Institute of America, Washburne Culinary Institute, DePaul University College of Commerce Advisory Board, as well as University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center Advisory Board. Carlyn has served on the Board of Directors for Choose Chicago, the Chicago Rowing Fundraising Team, a team that promotes and facilitates rowing and education opportunities for underserved youth and Save Siesta Key, a not-for-profit organization which worked on incorporation efforts for the barrier island in 2023.

Bonnie Whisman

Secretary

Bonnie has a B.S in Education from Kent State University and worked many years coaching and teaching gymnastics and tennis on both high school and collegiate levels. She has organized and directed both tennis leagues and tournaments, in addition to major gymnastics competitions involving several hundred competitors.

Bonnie currently serves on the Casarina Homeowners Association Board of Directors on Siesta Key.