Groveland Mayor Keith Keogh warmly welcomed members of the South Lake Chamber of Commerce to a recent breakfast hosted in Groveland, where the city served as the event’s main sponsor.
Mayor Keogh is known for wearing more than one hat. In addition to his role as mayor, he is also recognized as “Chef” Keith Keogh—a retired chef and owner of Olive Isle Family Farm. Elected in November 2024, Keogh brings a diverse and accomplished professional background to his leadership role.
A Florida native, Mayor Keogh spent 25 years with The Walt Disney Company, where he played a role in opening EPCOT Center and contributed to its continued development. He later transitioned into Disney’s Business Strategies and Research & Development division. Following his tenure with Disney, Keogh moved to San Francisco to lead COOK, a publicly traded company specializing in accredited post-culinary schools, as well as print, video training, and television media divisions.
He eventually returned to Central Florida to serve as Senior Vice President of Culinary & Beverage Excellence for Darden Restaurants, overseeing Research and Development for the Red Lobster division.
Today, Mayor Keogh resides on his farm in Groveland with his wife, Vicki. The couple lives near their two daughters and five grandchildren, remaining deeply rooted in the community he now serves.
Representing the City of Groveland as the Chamber’s main event sponsor, Mayor Keogh shared insights into the city’s strategic plan—a unifying blueprint designed to guide long-term sustainability across programs, services, operations, infrastructure, and governance. Adopted on June 21, 2022, the plan ensures alignment between mission-critical priorities and the city’s budget, enhancing both efficiency and effectiveness.
Proudly referring to Groveland as a “City with Natural Charm,” Keogh highlighted key focus areas shaping the city’s future, including infrastructure, schools, public safety, conservation, financial responsibility, and managed growth.
Among the most notable developments discussed was Brighthill, an upcoming community project that reflects Groveland’s vision for thoughtful expansion. Originally planned for 5,500 homes, the development has been scaled back to fewer than 3,000 residences to emphasize walkability and open space. Plans include four miles of trails, more than 500 acres of parks and preserved land, and a school site connected by sidewalks and pathways.
In a significant announcement, Keogh shared that the Brighthill development will fund 100 percent of the cost to modernize the Turnpike interchange at U.S. Highway 27—an investment valued between $50 million and $75 million.
Looking ahead, the mayor also outlined several upcoming projects, including the realignment of State Road 50 through Groveland, scheduled to begin this summer and continue through 2029. Additionally, the long-anticipated South Lake Regional Park is expected to open in the near future, further enhancing recreational opportunities for residents.
The main event co-sponsor was the Chief Advancement Officer of The Neighborhood Center, Beth Carr.
we are one of the few designated Healthy Food Pantries; we are a Family Stability Center;
we work holistically with clients and partners to help families change their future.
Entertainment was provided by Nhut Bui, who played ‘The Star Spangled Banner’ on his Dan Bau, a one-string instrument from Vietnam. Nhut took first place at a recent Talent Show hosted by the Groveland Historical Society.
