The St. George Lighthouse Association is pleased to announce that Kate Aguiar has accepted the new position of Executive Director of SGLA and has assumed responsibility for overseeing the activities of the organization.
Kate’s unique qualifications pushed her to the top of the list that included 40 applicants from around the U.S., who were vetted by a search committee comprised of members of the lighthouse association’s Board of Directors.
Kate and her husband are residents of St. George Island, having moved to the island from Tampa in 2009. She brings to her new position a combination of business, financial, and technology expertise developed over 20 years working in real estate development and with major U.S. corporations as diverse as defense contractor Northrop Grumman, information technology pioneer Unisys, and entertainment icon Walt Disney World.
Her career accomplishments reflect a focused and detail-oriented approach to business management, with specific expertise in project oversight, budget analysis, and employee development. Her most recent professional responsibility involved managing finances of companies with annual revenues ranging from $20 million to $675 million.
In addition to finance and management experience in the corporate world, Kate has also amassed an impressive resume of credentials working with local non-profit entities. She has been instrumental in establishing and administering the popular Forgotten Coast Fitness and Wellness Center in Apalachicola, and is chairman of the Franklin County Library Advisory Board. She is the treasurer of the Philaco Woman’s Club, and a “backstage” participant in the productions of the Panhandle Players community theater group.
A graduate of Florida State University, Kate has lived in Tallahassee, Orlando, Miami, and Tampa, before settling on St. George Island. She is an avid reader and traveler, and enjoys the new experiences gained from visiting different countries and cultures.
“I am looking forward to learning more about the history of the Cape St. George Lighthouse, and am excited to join this dynamic organization that has made such an obvious mark on this community,” Kate said, adding that “Growing the museum’s collection, membership, and sources of funding will be welcome challenges.”
And we could not be happier to have her as a member of the lighthouse family!
