“Bill Waichulis and Rob Wells bring decades of experience and a strong dedication to our community and we are grateful for their continued service on the Tourist Development Council,” said Cecil Pendergrass, who chairs the Lee Board of County Commissioners and the TDC. “The success of Lee County’s tourism industry depends on leaders who understand both the opportunities and challenges facing our destination.”

Waichulis is president of Boykin Management Co., which includes Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina on Fort Myers Beach.

Wells is president of Cabbage Key and Tarpon Lodge on Pine Island.

The nine voting seats of the TDC are composed of three elected officials, three representatives from accommodations collecting the tourist tax and three representatives from tourism-related industries, as directed by Florida Statutes.

In 2022, the BoCC voted to add four ex-officio nonvoting seats to allow each of the municipalities a seat on the TDC. These four additional members represent the incorporated municipalities not currently serving on the TDC in one of the two municipal rotating seats.

The TDC was established as an advisory board to the BoCC in 1983 to increase off-season tourism in Lee County.