About The Leaders
Board President – Tami Simms
Tami Simms has been a St. Petersburg resident since 1986, graduating from St. Petersburg High School and Eckerd College. A residential real estate professional and industry trainer by profession, she has a deep commitment to the City and its unique character. In addition to the SMM Board, she currently serves as Treasurer of the Waterfront Parks Foundation, Co-Facilitator of the Central Avenue Council, on the Board of Directors of the St. Petersburg Downtown Business Association and is President-Elect of the Business & Professional Women (BPW)/St. Petersburg-Pinellas.
Tami’s engagement with the City began in her 20’s when she was part of the management team which reopened the then-shuttered Vinoy Hotel. Since then she has served on the Charter Review Commission, the Urban Construction Best Practices Task Force, the Independent Business Corridor Task Force, the Waterfront Master Plan Task Force, and many other boards, task forces, and stakeholder/focus groups for the City. She has more than twenty years of non-profit board experience, with specific experience in strategic planning, board governance, bylaws development, and transition implementation. Tami ensures that volunteerism and good corporate citizenship are integral parts of her life, personally and professionally.
Board Member – Ann Wykell
Ann Wykell works with nonprofits, particularly in the arts. She was the first Manager of Cultural Affairs for the City of St. Petersburg when the Saturday Morning Market began and was a supporter and customer from that year on. She opened the arts consulting business Social Sector Solutions to provide planning and public art management services to local government and nonprofits..
Board Secretary- Ali DySard
Ali DySard is a Senior Policy and Programs Specialist with the Environmental Defense Fund, where she focuses on fleet decarbonization and electrification in Florida. Previously, she managed sustainability initiatives and partnerships at MOM’s Organic Market and coordinated environmental programs for the City of Bellevue Parks & Community Services Department. A former Park Ranger, Ali holds a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies from the University of Washington, Seattle. Combining her passions for local agriculture, community connection, and sustainability, Ali brings valuable expertise and dedication to the board of the Saturday Morning Market. An outdoor, zero waste, and all-things-water enthusiast, Ali is proud to call St. Pete home and is excited to join the market’s board!
Board Treasurer- Jake Moore
A proud St. Petersburg native, Jake Moore graduated from Jesuit High School in Tampa and went on to earn his degree from the University of Dayton. During college, he developed a passion for nonprofit service, working as a consultant with organizations nationwide for three years.
Jake returned to St. Petersburg after graduation and now serves as the Chief Operating Officer of Moore Resources Insurance. Deeply committed to his community, he actively supports a variety of local nonprofit organizations and initiatives, fostering meaningful connections and positive impact throughout the area.
Executive Director- Lacey Ott
Lacey Ott is a northern Michigan native who, after some nomadic stateside travel and amazing experiences both out west and in the south, now happily calls beautiful St. Petersburg her home. Having an undeniable passion for food sustainability, security, and equity, she attended the University of Utah, earning a Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion and Education, with an emphasis on Community Health.
Lacey is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) and holds a Master Recycler certificate from the City of Salt Lake. Lacey has served in numerous roles in program oversight working in healthcare, State and Federal programs, nutrition sciences, and non-profit organizations, and possesses several years of Farmers Market-specific leadership.