Congressman Rooney attends first Sarasota County speaking engagement at The Argus Foundation's annual meeting

The Argus Foundation (ArgusFoundation.org), a nonprofit organization dedicated to joining business leaders from diverse industries and leveraging their talents and experience to benefit the community, hosted its 32nd annual meeting with guest speaker U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Okeechobee and Sarasota County’s newest Congressman.

During last week’s event, Congressman Rooney opted out of giving political remarks and instead introduced himself to the room full of business and community leaders, providing background about himself and why he wanted to serve his community.

U.S. Rep. Rooney told the audience that he hopes to make a difference. “It’s of the utmost importance to me to do a good job for you,” said Congressman Rooney, whose in-laws live in Osprey. “My job in Washington is to do what you tell me to do. My job is to represent you,” he said to the crowd.

The reins of The Argus Foundation president were also passed at the luncheon from Joe R. Hembree, president of Hembree and Associates, to Rod Hershberger, board chairman and CEO of PGT Industries. Its newest board members, Thomas Dart, a partner and litigation attorney with Adams and Reese, and Norman Shea, partner and CPA of Suplee Shea Cramer and Rocklein, P.A., were installed.

Over 100 people attended the annual meeting, including dignitaries such as Sarasota County Commission Chair Alan Maio, Sarasota County Commissioner Charles Hines, Sarasota City Commissioner Liz Alpert, Sarasota County Charter Review Board member Richard Dorfman, Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight and former Sarasota County Commissioners Shannon Staub and Paul Mercier.

The Argus Foundation selected U.S. Rep. Rooney to address the audience in part due to the recent redistricting court ruling. Congressman Rooney now represents South Sarasota County and Florida’s 17th congressional district. The grandson of Pittsburgh Steelers founder Art Rooney Sr., he got his start in Washington D.C. in the mailroom of Senator Connie Mack, where he read constituents’ personal concerns and responded to each one. In his fourth term in Congress, Congressman Rooney sits on the prestigious House Appropriations and Intelligence Committees and serves as a Deputy Republican Whip.

About The Argus Foundation

Established in Sarasota in 1983, The Argus Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to joining business leaders from diverse industries and leveraging their talents and experience to benefit the community. The organization, which seeks to facilitate communications between the public and private sectors, has more than 170 members from 50 different industries. For more information, visit ArgusFoundation.org.

About Congressman Tom Rooney

Congressman Tom Rooney represents Florida’s 17th congressional district. Now in his fourth term in Congress, he sits on the prestigious House Appropriations and Intelligence Committees and serves as a Deputy Republican Whip. Throughout his time in Congress, he has focused on maintaining America’s national security, supporting Florida farmers and improving access to critical healthcare services for our nation’s returning troops and veterans. Most importantly, Rooney and wife Tara are the proud parents of three young sons, Tommy, Sean and Seamus.