The Manatee County School District has a new school board member.
On Friday, Gov. Rick Scott announced the appointment of John Colón to the Manatee County School Board.
“I welcome Mr. Colón to the School Board and I look forward to working collaboratively with him and his fellow School Board members to enhance and expand educational opportunities for the children of Manatee County,” said Dr. Diana Greene, Superintendent.
Colón, 64, was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the passing of board member Mary Cantrell.
Cantrell, 71, a longtime educator and former director of Manatee Technical College, died in July from complications due to bone marrow cancer. She was elected to the board last November.
Colón’s term begins Sept. 4 and will end Nov. 15, 2016. He is a Senior Vice President of Investments with Wells Fargo Advisors LLC and has served on the State Board of Education since 2013.
Colón currently serves as a member of the United Negro College Fund.
Board Chair Robert Gause said he’s looking forward to working with Colón.
“I have known John for eight years and I am looking forward to having him as part of our leadership team,” he said.
More than 20 people applied for the school board’s vacant District 5 seat.