Sarasota chamber names former city manager to leadership post

The former Sarasota city manager has been named the new director of government affairs for the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce. Marlon Brown will take on the position, effective Jan. 17.

Brown served as city manager for Sarasota from 2021 until October 2024, when he retired. Before that, he was deputy city manager, from 2009 to 2021.

"His regional experience in working with both city, county and state government, as well as his work with many community organizations, makes him a solid fit for this role,” President and CEO of the Sarasota Chamber Heather Kasten says in a statement. “We are thrilled and honored to have him join our team.”

As director of government affairs, Brown will advance the legislative agenda of the chamber. Issues that are important to its 1,450-plus members include affordable housing, talent and workforce issues, lack of child care options, smart economic development, transportation and water quality, according to the statement from the chamber.

Brown says that his new role comes “at a time when public policy decisions have become critical to the success (or failure) of Sarasota's vibrant business sector and are specifically impactful to our small business sector that do not necessarily have the resources to represent their interests.”

In the months after retiring, Brown told sister publication YourObserver.com that he wanted to have an impact on the city, as a consultant or in a “public policy-type position.”

Those at the chamber believe Brown's new role will give him the opportunity to deliver results.

“Marlon's expertise and passion for community building enable him to champion our public policy and governance initiatives,” Joe Hembree, chairman of the board for the chamber, says in the statement. “We're confident his leadership will not only amplify our advocacy efforts but also translate into tangible improvements in Sarasota's quality of life.”