Amanda Parrish Named Interim CEO of Bradenton Area Economic Development Corp

The Bradenton Area Economic Development Corp has appointed Amanda Parrish as interim chief executive officer as the organization begins a search for permanent leadership.

Parrish assumed the role Jan. 16 following the retirement of Sharon Hillstrom, who served as CEO since 2011 and stepped down effective Dec. 31. Parrish will oversee operations and organizational continuity during the transition period.

Parrish is chief operating officer and a partner at Lakewood Ranch–based Fawley Bryant Architecture, where she has worked for nearly 10 years. Her professional background includes guiding the firm through multiple ownership transitions and managing internal operations. In 2019, she was named to the Business Observer’s 40 Under 40 list. She holds a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Jacksonville University.

In addition to her private-sector experience, Parrish has held leadership roles in local nonprofit and business organizations. She currently serves on the Bradenton EDC board and has previously served on the boards of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance and the YMCA Lakewood Ranch. In 2021, she chaired the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance board during a CEO transition.

The EDC board has retained St. Petersburg–based executive search firm Winner Partners to conduct a national search for a permanent CEO.

Parrish’s appointment comes amid organizational and funding uncertainty. In September 2025, the Manatee County Commission voted not to renew its annual contract with the EDC, which expired Sept. 30 and represented approximately $337,000, or about 30 percent, of the organization’s $1.13 million operating budget.

According to public discussions during commission meetings and reporting by regional business and government-affairs outlets, commissioners cited several factors in their decision. These included questions about the EDC’s governance structure, concerns over transparency and accountability related to the use of public funds, and a desire for clearer performance metrics tied to job creation and economic return on investment. Some commissioners also expressed interest in reevaluating how economic development services are delivered countywide and whether alternative models or restructuring could better align with county priorities.

County officials emphasized that the decision not to renew the contract was not a rejection of economic development efforts, but part of a broader review of how those services are funded and managed. Commissioners indicated they may revisit the county’s role in economic development after further analysis and potential reorganization.

Despite the loss of county funding, the Bradenton EDC continues to operate as a nonprofit organization supported by private investors and partners. The organization has stated that it remains focused on its mission of recruiting and retaining high-wage jobs and supporting business expansion across all 10 communities in Manatee County, as the search for permanent leadership continues.