Manatee Chamber Announces the Class of 2024 - 2025 Leadership Manatee Graduates
The Board of Governors of Leadership Manatee congratulates the graduates of the 2024-2025 Leadership Manatee class. Leadership Manatee, a program of the Manatee Chamber Foundation in partnership with Bradenton Kiwanis Club, is designed to expose business and community leaders to the opportunities and challenges facing Manatee County while enhancing their leadership skills to make a difference in our community. The program began in 1982 and celebrates its 41st graduating class this year.
Congratulations to:
Priya Acharya | Keller Williams On The Water
Karena Ballard | Pittsburgh Pirates & Bradenton Marauders
Josue Bautista | Fifth Third Bank
Ty Brewer | Willis Smith Construction, Inc.
Nick Cichielo | State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota
Ken Clark | Clark Financial Partners
Courtney Dakin | Dakin Dairy Farms
Laura Diffendal | Bradenton Woman's Club
Kelli Dixon | Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County
Joseph Dunn | ABC 7 WWSB
Abby Elliott | Anna Maria Oyster Bar / Oysters Rock Hospitality
Leona Forbes | Manatee County Habitat for Humanity
Chuck Fradley | Rowlett Academy for Arts and Communication
Jennifer Fritch | Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast, Inc.
Jessie Garcia | Children's Home Society of Florida - Daughtrey Elementary
Matt Gardieff | Manatee County Sheriff's Office
Kerry Gaylord | Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County, Inc.
Rick Groover | Groover Funeral Home at Mansion Memorial Park
Nicole Hackel | LWR Communities LLC
Renita Houston | Children’s Home Society of Florida
Victoria Kastor | Centerstone of Florida
Nicole Knapp | Manatee County Government
Tom Norton | IMG Academy
Yuri Pereira | ServisFirst Bank
Ivan Richards | Bank of America
Leslie Silverstein | Manatee County Government Administration
Ronnie Spears | R2 Electric LLC
Kellie Spring | SERVPRO of Bradenton
Kathy Steinmetz | Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller
Matt Tabaczynski | CORE Construction
Brian Thiers | Bradenton Police Department
Regina Thoma | School District of Manatee County
Rob Thomas | Rob Thomas Global LLC
Jennifer Trotter | Mauldin & Jenkins, LLC
Carolyn Warren | Destined for Success Coaching and Leadership Development
Molly White | Manatee County Government Sports & Leisure Services
Liz Williams | Coldwell Banker Realty
Andrew Wilson | Manasota Commercial Construction Co.
Several class members were also elected to the following Boards of Directors:
Leadership Manatee Board of Governors
Brian Thiers
Junior Leadership Manatee
Abby Elliott
Jesse Garcia
Kerry Gaylord
Victoria Kastor
Ivan Richards
Liz Williams
Leadership Manatee Alumni Association
Josue Bautista
Ken Clark
Courtney Dakin
Jennifer Fritch
Matt Tabaczynski
Carolyn Warren
Thank you to our 2024 - 2025 program sponsors: HCA Florida Blake Hospital, Leadership Manatee Alumni Association, Mauldin & Jenkins, Regions Bank, Tropicana Products, and Willis Smith Construction.
Applications for the 2025 - 2026 Leadership Manatee Class are available at Manatee Chamber-Leadership Manatee.
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The Manatee Chamber of Commerce, a nationally recognized chamber of commerce with more than 2,200 member businesses and organizations representing 85,000 employees, has offices in Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch to serve the greater Manatee County area. Its mission is to build a positive business environment while enhancing the community's quality of life.