Frank Kovach - Class of 1976
Frank was born and raised in Sarasota. He attended Riverview High School. Some of his favorite teachers included Joe Saladino, Kevin Flynn and Band
Director, Jack Crew. As a student at RHS, Frank was a member of the Kiltie Band, playing the trumpet. In his senior year, Frank and the Kiltie Band represented the Southeast United States
at the Midwest Bandmasters Convention in Chicago, Illinois. His passion for the Kiltie band continued as he volunteered on the Field Crew in the 90’s. During this time, his children
were also Kilties, following in Dad’s footsteps.
After graduating in 1976, Frank earned a Bachelor Degree in Business from Nova Southeastern University. He owned and operated a local HVAC business until he retired in 2000. His
retirement gave him time to pursue other interests including public service, volunteerism, and spending time with his 9 grandkids.
After retiring, Frank was elected to the Sarasota County School board and served in that capacity for 16 years. During his time on the school board he was a strong advocate of Career and
Technical Education. He oversaw the opening of Suncoast Polytechnical High School. Suncoast Polytechnical High School is a technology magnet high school that offers a rigorous curriculum to
prepare its students for college and careers.
SPHS offers two unique signature programs: the only Game/Art and Animation program in the country designed to prepare students for a career that focuses on designing the video games of the future
and the only Project Lead the Way Biomedical Sciences program in the state of Florida for those students interested in a medical field of study after graduation.
Mr. Kovach also helped oversee the rebuilding of Suncoast Technical College (formerly Votech) and the opening of the North Port branch of Suncoast Technical College.
Both Suncoast Polytechnical High School and Suncoast Technical College entered into a partnership during Frank’s tenure on the Sarasota County School Board. On a shared campus, students for work
in fields related to Health Sciences, Business and Human Services and Industrial Education. Some of the specific opportunities for high school students include: Emergency Medical Technician,
Paramedic, Certified Nursing Assistant, Licensed Practical Nurse, Cyber Security, Accounting Operations, Legal Administrative Assistant, Certified Culinarian, and an ASE certified Auto Tech. Over
the years, Frank has served on various community boards including The Salvation Army, Suncoast Workforce Board, Human Services Advisory Council and the Community Alliance.
Frank and Joni, his wife of 41 years, still call Sarasota home. When he’s not fishing at their cabin in north Georgia or RV’ing, Frank can be found spending time with his 4 children and 9
grandchildren at various family get-togethers.
Ceremony - Vickie Oldham - Class of 1976
As Chair of the Riverview Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame Board, it was my please to give the Hall of Fame induction speech for Vickie
Oldham from the RHS Class of 1976 on Thursday, April 6,
2017 at 6:30 at Riverview High. The ceremony was particularly unique! Vickie's ceremony was held in conjunction with the opening
of a student multi-media art exhibit honoring the Florida Highwaymen. The Highwaymen were 26 African American landscape artists in Florida. Self-taught, they created a body of work of over
200,000 paintings, despite facing many racial and cultural barriers. The art students were excited to meet Vickie, show her their art exhibit, and learn more about her friendship with one of the
26 Highwaymen.
As an experienced journalist, marketer, media and public relations strategist, Vickie has produced a series of documentaries about the history of Sarasota County, the African American community,
and the Angola project. “The looking for Angola” project connected community residents in Sarasota to scholars engaged in the search to find evidence related to an almost forgotten 1800’s Black
Seminole conclave that stretched from Tampa Bay to areas near the Manatee River and parts of Sarasota.
Most recently, as the lead consultant with the Newtown Conservation Historic District, a portion of Vickie’s vision to save Newtown’s history became a reality. The first 15 historic markers
showcasing the history of Newtown and Overtown were unveiled at a ceremony at the Robert L. Taylor Complex. Vickie has also co-authored a book entitled: Newtown Alive.
Renee James Gilmore Class of 1976
Renee James Gilmore grew up in Sarasota’s Newtown Community and took the bus to Riverview. Even though the mid -1970’s was a time of uncomfortable racial tensions, she felt welcomed at Riverview. While a student here she participated in the French Club and Pep Club. She diligently served on the Tartan Staff. During her junior year, Renee organized a black history program, despite some resistance from administration. She credits Ron Carr, an English and Speech teacher at RHS, for encouraging her and others to speak out about things that were important to them.
After graduation, Renee attended Florida A&M University and received her B.S. degree in Broadcast Journalism. She graduated in three years with honors. She also received her M.B.A. from Clark Atlanta University.
Early in her career she demonstrated her leadership skills working with GTE’s legal department. She was a public information officer at Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority. While at Florida Dept of Labor, she helped create legislation to privatize some aspects of state labor issues and was honored at the White House by President Clinton for her leadership in helping government change the way it does business. Locally she was the Anchor/Reporter at Channel 40, and promoted to Night News Director.
Today, Renee is the Executive Producer/Host of Empowering Voices which is a Community Affairs program on WWSB, ABC Channel 7. She is also president of The Saja Group, LLC, a consulting company that helps communities and businesses benefit from cultural diversity. Renee James Gilmore is a highly respected business woman in the Sarasota Community. We are proud to introduce her to you and recognize her as an alumni who exemplify the values, traditions and successes of Riverview High School.
Dr. Linda Louis Richardson
Class of 1976
Dr. Linda Louis Richardson graduated in 1976 as a distinguished scholar with highest honors. Her love of science was sparked at Riverview by Mr. Saladino's
biology class, where he would zoom around the classroom for the "name that species, genus"" tests. She was also inspired by physics and marine biology
courses, Mr. Chase's Calculus class, Mrs. Dumbaugh's Humanities, and Mr. Silver's chemistry class.
With that incredible foundation, Linda attended Vanderbilt University and graduated from the University of Florida School of Pharmacy with honors. In
2002, Linda received her Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of North Carolina.
Linda began her career as a pharmacist at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, where shespent 14 years as the primary pharmacist for the hospital's cardiology unit. Lindanot only cared about her patients, but she also had a passion for communityinvolvement. She was a Junior League member and volunteered with Quota Club to support the hearing impaired.
Linda left her hometown to pursue her doctorate while working at UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill. She worked there for 17 years as a clinical pharmacist and pharmacy educator. That's where she was appointed as Adjunct Professor at UNC's Eshelman School of Pharmacy. Linda also continued her community
involvement in North Carolina, conducting poison prevention classes with kindergarteners, teaching Sunday school, and serving as Assistant Den Leader and fundraising chair for the local boy scout troop.
Linda's love of science, her passion for giving back to her community, and making a lasting impact in countless lives.. you can trace those origins right back to Riverview High School. Sadly, Dr. Linda Louis Richardson died at the age of 55, after a brave but short battle with ovarian cancer. She is survived by her husband, Craig Richardson, her two children, Will and Carly, and her sister, fellow Riverview graduate Laurie Louis deVilla.