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in all sectors of the job market, including sci- ence, technology, engineering and math," he pointed out in the release. The Florida Alliance for Arts Education eval- uates and approves schools based on criteria the organization developed in cooporation with Florida's professional service associa- tions for dance, music, theater and visual arts, the release explains. For more information about the Arts Achieve! Model School Program or the Florida Alliance for Arts Education, visit faae.org. After five years as president and CEO of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota, Thomas Buchter announced last week that he will retire in October. Buchter's decision follows restoration of the organization "to financial stability and the successful completion of construction and opening of the Ann Goldstein Children's Rainforest Garden in 2013," a news release points out. "Selby is an exceptional garden with a national and international reputation for its contribu- tion to the study and display of epiphytes," said Buchter in the release. Since 2010, he continued, by "focusing on our customers, we've made sure that all guests — whether visiting botanists, a gardener from Europe or our local families — have a memorable expe- rience that exceeded expectations." During Buchter's tenure, which began in 2009, Selby Gardens has marked the follow- ing milestones: • Achieved a balanced budget of $3.4 million for fiscal years 2010 through 2013; 2014 is "trending very positively," the release says. • Established the Development Department, which, in turn, created the Chairman's Circle to promote higher levels of contributions to the general operating fund and the Selby Gardens Legacy Society for planned giving. • Completed a successful $5 million fundrais- ing campaign that resulted in completion of the Ann Goldstein Children's Rainforest Garden, including the vacation of a portion of Palm Avenue by the City of Sarasota. Buchter will return to Ohio and rejoin his wife, Kent Buchter, who works for a legal firm in Kirtland, OH, the release adds. The Gardens' board of trustees will immedi- ately begin the process of hiring a search firm to fill the CEO position, the release notes. CEO OF SELBY GARDENS ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT PLANS Tom Buchter/Contributed photo Sarasota News Leader May 30, 2014 Page 76