
About Us – Manatee Education Foundation

Mary Glass
President

Susan DeWitt
Events Coordinator

Alisha Watterson
Office Administrator
Organization
The Manatee Education Foundation is a not-for-profit organization established in 1988, which provides indirect support to the Manatee County School District through a variety of programs that benefit students and teachers. The Foundation acts as a liaison between the private sector and the public school system providing avenues for business, industry and community involvement in public education. Our mission is accomplished by addressing key issues and needs within the public education arena, and presenting effective, efficient and accountable opportunities for the private sector to support quality public education.
Mission
The mission of the Manatee Education Foundation is to provide funding for innovative programs and enhanced educational opportunities for the teachers and students of Manatee County Public Schools beyond allocated state dollars.
Goals
The goals of the Foundation are to:
• Collaborate with community, civic and business leaders to support educational opportunities and programs.
• Provide supplemental funding for creative and innovative educational programs which cannot be funded through traditional resources.
• Motivate, encourage and recognize outstanding achievement by teachers and students in K-12 education.
Board of Directors 2020
Executive Committee
Mr. Mark Freeman (Chair)
ME&S General Contractors
Ms. Jackie Barron
Mosaic Company
Mr. Gary Huggins
NDC Construction Company
Mr. Nathan Carr (Vice Chair)
Willis Smith Construction
Mr. Ross Hodges
CenterState Bank
Board Members
Ms. Samantha Cummins
Williamson Dacar Associates, Inc.
Mr. Bob Gause
Gause and Associates
Mr. Stu Henderson
Fawley Bryant Architecture
Mr. Harry Kinnan
Community Representative
Gina Messenger
School Board of Manatee County
Mr. Jeff Podobnik
Pittsburgh Pirates
Mr. Paul Sharff
Early Learning Coalition
Mr. Vernon DeSear
Manatee Memorial Hospital
Ms. Mary Glass
Manatee Education Foundation
Mr. Charles (Chuck) Johnson, III
Blalock Walters, P.A.
Mr. TJ Kornett
Bank of America
Mr. Tom Peacock
Gilbane Building Company
Ms. Cynthia Saunders
SDMC Superintendent
Dr. Robin Thompson
SDMC Director of Early Learning
Board Members Emeritus
Ms. Linda Agresta
School District of Manatee County (SDMC)
Dr. Warren Simonds
Community Representative