Kathy Lee and Bill Patterson

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In July 2024, Kathy Lee transitioned from Vice President to President of the AGAMI Executive Board. Drawing on her extensive board experience and professional background as a Business Continuity Specialist, she brought valuable leadership and organizational expertise to AGAMI.

 

On September 26, 2024, Hurricane Helene caused catastrophic damage to the AGAMI Gallery and the entire Island Shopping Center in Holmes Beach. More than 30 inches of seawater, mud, and debris flooded the Gallery and surrounding businesses. In the immediate aftermath, Kathy Lee and her Husband, Bill, worked tirelessly to begin the recovery effort. They removed damaged drywall, discarded waterlogged furniture, and disposed of artwork that could not be salvaged. It took approximately two weeks to restore electricity and air conditioning. A hazardous-materials team then began extensive mold remediation throughout the shopping center, a process that continued for two months.

 

Over the following four months, Kathy Lee and Bill worked at the Gallery almost daily, overseeing critical repairs and coordinating contractors to ensure the building could reopen. Their efforts included arranging for drywall replacement, ordering and assembling new furniture, coordinating the painting of the floors, and overseeing repairs to damaged electrical outlets. The flood had also destroyed the display panels used by many of the Gallery's artists. Working with a finish carpenter, they designed and commissioned the construction of seven new, sturdy display panels from the ground up.

 

Through their dedication, persistence, and countless hours of hard work, Kathy Lee and Bill brought the Gallery back to life. On January 25, 2025, they celebrated its grand reopening along with Holmes Beach Mayor and Commissioner —just four months after the devastating hurricane.

 

Kathy Lee continued her dedicated service as President of the AGAMI Executive Board until January 5, 2026.

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