NEWS

Al Dougherty named COO of Babcock Ranch; will continue in role of COO-Communities for Kitson & Partners.

Friday, Jul. 12, 2019

by: Business Observer Staff

BABCOCK RANCH — Kitson & Partners COO-Communities Al Dougherty has expanded his role with the company as COO of Babcock Ranch, the country’s first solar-powered town under development in northeast Lee and southeast Charlotte counties.

According to Kitson & Partners CEO Syd Kitson, Dougherty’s new duties will include overseeing all operations at Babcock Ranch including land sales, builder partnerships, marketing, ancillary businesses, retail, food and beverage, and business development.

“Al has played an integral role in the success of Babcock Ranch from the very beginning, so expanding his leadership role is a natural transition,” says Kitson in a statement. “His extensive professional experience has long been an asset at Kitson & Partners, and we are fortunate to have him at the helm at Babcock Ranch.”

Dougherty, who joined Kitson & Partners in 2013, has more than 30 years of experience in community master plan development including acquisitions, budgeting, planning and entitlements. He previously served as the deputy secretary of land and recreation for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, overseeing 171 state parks and the acquisition of all state lands.

Dougherty’s expanded role comes after the departure of Rick Severance, who served three years as president of Babcock Ranch. Severance was recently named president of Mattamy Homes’ West Villages division. West Villages is a 9,650-acre property in south Sarasota County between Venice and North Port.