Coffee with the Commissioner - Tom Knight

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Premier Investors - Join us for Coffee with the Commissioner

Join us for an exclusive opportunity to connect with Commissioner Tom Knight. This intimate event is designed exclusively for the Sarasota Chamber’s Premier Investors, offering a unique chance to engage in meaningful conversations, ask questions, and gain valuable insights on issues affecting our community. 

Date: Friday, October 30th, 2026 

Time: 08:30am - 09:30am 

Venue: Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Boardroom - 1945 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, FL, 34236 

Featured Speaker: 

Tom Knight was elected to the Sarasota County Commission in November of 2024. He is an experienced, conservative leader who believes in limited taxation and spending as well as individual rights. He is a champion of government transparency and the representation of average, tax-paying citizens over special interests.

Knight previously served in law enforcement for 34 years, including two years with the City of Sarasota and 20 with the Florida Highway Patrol, where he reached the position of major with responsibility for a seven-county region of Florida. He was subsequently elected as Sarasota County Sheriff in 2008 and served the citizens in that position for 12 years prior to retiring.

As Sheriff, Knight was the leader of an organization with 1,000 employees, a budget of $121 million, and large-scale operations that included law enforcement, corrections, court security, animal services, and 911/emergency operations. During his tenure he instituted innovative strategies that drove down crime in the county by more than 50 percent, put local pill mills out of business, and deported illegal aliens who committed crimes. He was also one of the first law enforcement executives in the U.S. to create recovery programs in the jail, reducing recidivism and the cost of corrections to local taxpayers.

Deeply rooted in the community, Knight has been involved in numerous local, statewide and national organizations as a member, advisor, fundraiser, and policy maker. Among others, he served for 10 years on the board of the YMCA of Southwest Florida and is a lifetime member of Leadership Florida. He is a tireless advocate for the welfare and well-being of children and working families.

A longtime resident of Sarasota County, Knight moved to Venice with his family in 1973 and graduated from local schools including Venice High School and Manatee Junior College, now known as SCF. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and a graduate certificate in public administration from the University of South Florida. He and his wife Tracy live in Venice and have two grown daughters.

Notable Recognition and Appointments:

Sarasota County Salvation Army’s “Humanitarian of the Year,” 2020

Rotary Club of Sarasota Citizen of the Year 2019-2020

National ASTOR Award for viral education campaign on apps used by online predators, 2019

Member, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Opioid Task Force, 2018

Chair, Florida Sheriff’s Association Board of Directors, 2017-2018

Florida Guardian Ad Litem Community Advocate of the Year, 12th Judicial Circuit, 2018

Community Leadership Award, Boys and Girls Club of Sarasota County, 2017

Graduate, Leadership Florida 33rd Class, 2015

Member, Florida State University College of Criminology and Criminal Justice Advisory Board, 2014-2015

Florida State University College of Criminology and Criminal Justice Distinguished Alumna, 2014

First Step of Sarasota Caring Heart of the Year Award, 2014

Florida Association of Counties Partner of the Year Award, 2013

Why Attend? 

• Build connections with local leadership. 

• Stay informed about county initiatives and developments. 

• Share your perspective on community priorities.

Questions? Contact Celeste Lloyd-Jones at cljones@sarasotachamber.com

We look forward to seeing you there! 

RSVP Required: This event is exclusive to Premier Investors of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce. Please confirm your attendance by registering. Premier Level Investors are made up of our Corporate Trustees, Community Builders and Economic Drivers.