About Us

Our Story

Since 1994, Florida Vacation Connection has been locally owned and operated, built on a foundation of personal service, community connection, and a true hands-on approach to caring for both owners and guests. For more than 30 years, our company has earned a trusted reputation on Longboat Key and the surrounding areas by prioritizing integrity, responsiveness, and exceptional hospitality.

At the heart of our philosophy is The Palm Tree Promise, the guiding spirit behind how we serve.
Like the iconic palms that define our coastline, we remain firmly rooted in our core values of integrity, care, and connection, yet flexible enough to adapt to the needs of every guest, owner, and situation. The palm tree thrives by bending with the wind and rising stronger after every storm, and we approach hospitality the same way: standing tall in our standards, responding gracefully when circumstances shift, and always returning to center, calm, resilient, and ready to grow.

Our professional team includes experienced specialists across two core areas:
• Client Experience & Reservations – ensuring smooth, responsive communication and outstanding homeowner and guest satisfaction.
• Operations – dedicated to maintaining safe, spotless, and consistently well-cared-for properties.

As a boutique company, we offer a level of personalized attention that larger organizations can’t match. Every owner and guest receives prompt, thoughtful service, and because we focus exclusively on Longboat Key and the nearby coastal communities, we know our properties and the area with exceptional depth.

Our relationships are at the heart of our success. Guests return year after year ,whether they need help selecting the perfect home or immediate support with a maintenance concern, because they know they can count on our experience, our communication, and our care.

Florida Vacation Connection remains committed to the values that have guided us since the beginning.

Our Team

Lindsy Kruse

President/Owner
 
Lindsy brings more than 15 years of luxury hospitality and high-end property management experience to Florida Vacation Connection. Her career began at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, where she developed a passion for creating thoughtful, memorable experiences and leading with genuine care. She went on to help build one of the largest locally operated property management companies in the region, strengthening her expertise in operations, guest service, and owner relations.
A proud Bradenton native, Lindsy is deeply rooted in the community and dedicated to preserving the longstanding values that have defined Florida Vacation Connection since 1994. As owner, she is committed to delivering the highest level of service, upholding the Palm Tree Promise, and ensuring that every interaction, whether with a guest, homeowner, or vendor, feels personal, attentive, and exceptional. Approachable, engaged, and always accessible, Lindsy is honored to lead FVC into its next chapter and looks forward to continuing its tradition of trusted, local expertise.

Brandon SMith

Operations Manager

 

Brandon brings a strong background in property management, resort and club operations, hospitality, and team leadership to Florida Vacation Connection. His experience includes overseeing property care, owner and guest communication, inspections, maintenance coordination, vendor relationships, and service improvements.

 

Organized, proactive, and solutions-focused, Brandon believes great property management starts with understanding what matters most to each owner. He takes pride in building trusted relationships, communicating clearly, and following through on the details that keep properties well cared for and guests happy.

At FVC, Brandon works closely with our owners and guests to provide the responsive, personalized service that has been at the heart of Florida Vacation Connection for more than 30 years.

Cindy Steiner

Office and Finance Coordinator

Cindy has been a valued member of Florida Vacation Connection since 2004 and brings more than thirty years of experience in the travel and hospitality industry. As our resident bookkeeping expert, she manages bi-monthly owner statements with precision and ensures owners are paid promptly following guest check-in.

Her role spans far beyond bookkeeping, Cindy oversees guest accounts, sales and tourist tax reporting, property licensing, and vendor payment coordination. Her attention to detail keeps our operations running smoothly, while her upbeat personality and quick humor keep the office smiling. Reliable, experienced, and an essential part of our team, Cindy provides exceptional support across the entire FVC organization.

Daniel Wollenslegel

Maintenance Specialist

 

Originally from Ohio, Daniel relocated to Bradenton for work and quickly fell in love with the area, and decided to call it home. With a strong background in leadership, project management, and preventative maintenance, he brings a disciplined, hands-on approach to caring for our homes.

 

Daniel is a decorated military veteran, recognized for his service, technical expertise, and commitment to excellence. His attention to detail, reliability, and positive, can-do attitude make him a valued part of our team and a trusted resource for our owners.

Stephanie Reichert

Guest and Owner Services Lead

 

Stephanie brings several years of vacation rental experience to Florida Vacation Connection, with a background in reservations, guest services, owner relations, and marketing. She enjoys building relationships with both guests and property owners and takes pride in making every part of the vacation rental experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

 

Before joining the FVC team, Stephanie worked with vacation rentals throughout Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key, Lido Key, Siesta Key, and the greater Sarasota and Bradenton areas. Her local knowledge and well-rounded industry experience allow her to understand the needs of both guests and owners while providing the responsive, personalized service that is at the heart of The FVC Way.

As FVC’s Guest & Owner Services Lead, Stephanie is excited to continue building lasting relationships and helping ensure every guest and owner feels well cared for from the first conversation through every stay.

Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys spending time with her family, being on the water, and making the most of life along Florida’s beautiful Gulf Coast.

Renee Latessa

Reservation Specialist

 

Renee brings more than 20 years of experience in customer service, sales, operations, and relationship management to Florida Vacation Connection. She has built her career around helping people, solving problems, and creating positive customer experiences.

 

Originally from Ohio, Renee recently relocated to the Sarasota area with her husband, Pete, and quickly fell in love with Florida’s Gulf Coast. Her friendly approach, strong communication skills, and commitment to service make her a natural fit for the FVC team.

As our Reservation Specialist, Renee helps guests find the right vacation experience while providing the personal attention and knowledgeable service that make planning a stay with FVC feel easy and welcoming.

Dallas Green

Guest Services & Reservations

Dallas spent 20 years with Florida Vacation Connection before retiring in 2020, and we are incredibly fortunate to have her back with us on a part-time basis. With more than 25 years of experience in vacation rentals on Longboat Key and Lido Key, Dallas brings unmatched local knowledge and a genuine passion for hospitality.

A true people person, Dallas is known for the strong relationships she builds with both homeowners and guests. Her warm personality, attentive service, and deep understanding of our properties make her exceptional at pairing guests with the perfect vacation home. Dallas’s long-standing commitment to FVC and her love for helping others continue to make her an invaluable part of our team.