Protect Siesta Key
In 2023, local volunteers who, as individuals, have advocated for the protection of Siesta Key residents and visitors over the years have come together to form Protect Siesta Key, a Florida not-for-profit organization that focuses on zoning issues negatively impacting our island
Our Team.
Lourdes Ramirez
President
Lourdes Ramirez is a 24-year resident of Siesta Key. Her 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 two Citizen of the Year awards (2012 and 2014)
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.
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.
Carlyn Berghoff
Treasurer
Raised and educated in the restaurant business, Berghoff is deeply committed to her industry and has played a lifelong role in hospitality and tourism initiatives. Berghoff 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 Association, 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. Berghoff has served on the Executive Committee of 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 in the community and Save Siesta Key, a not-for-profit organization working on incorporation efforts for the barrier island.