Heather Felton

Elected: November, 2024
Term Ends: November, 2028
Email: feltonh2@manateeschools.net

District 1 Map
Freedom Elementary
Haile Middle
Harvey Elementary
Mills Elementary
Williams Elementary
Witt Elementary
Buffalo Creek Middle
Parrish Community High

Heather Felton moved to Manatee County in 1997 after college to be the evening cops reporter for the Bradenton Herald newspaper. She also covered northeast Manatee County – mainly Parrish – and agriculture during her time there. Mrs. Felton was later the reporter and editor for the Venice Diocese edition of the Florida Catholic newspaper for several years before going into ministry and serving for seven years as the director of faith formation for Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Catholic Church.

In 2014, Mrs. Felton moved to teaching, with three years at Harllee Middle School teaching seventh grade language arts, and then six years at Southeast High School teaching freshman, junior, and senior English, as well as International Baccalaureate literature with juniors and seniors.

Since leaving teaching in May 2023, Mrs. Felton has volunteered with local education and nonprofit organizations and served in her church. She also worked in prior authorizations for a local private practice.

She and her husband, Sean, have been married for 25 years and have two grown children. They have lived in the Parrish area for 24 years.

Cindy Spray

Elected: November 2022
Term Ends:  November 2026
Email: sprayc5@manateeschools.net

District 2 Map

Ballard Elementary
Blackburn Elementary
Johnson K-8

Lincoln Memorial Middle
Manatee Elementary
Oneco Elementary
Palm View K-8
Rogers Garden-Bullock Elementary
Samoset Elementary
Southeast High
Tillman Elementary  

Cindy Spray attended Indiana University where she began studying Psychology. While working at a local nonprofit she was promoted to Assistant Bookkeeper. Seizing the opportunity, and with new endeavors on the horizon, she changed her educational goals to study accounting at Indiana Business College. While working with manual ledgers in all accounting areas, the need to integrate technology into the business was quickly decided. Cindy was an instrumental part of the team for researching hardware and software programs that were later purchased. While running a dual bookkeeping system for close to a year, all accounting systems were transferred. She also served as a liaison with the implementation of the employee 401K program. 

Cindy later began her career with PepsiCo working at one of Frito Lay’s largest producing plants. She gained skills in various departments that included, Logistical Maintenance, Building & Grounds Maintenance and Manufacturing Maintenance. During her time in manufacturing, she took on special projects and became instrumental in maintaining the plant’s entire conveyor belting system inventory. Cindy also volunteered to participate in the high school’s mentorship programs. She scheduled students to work alongside senior mechanics and engineering technicians so they could experience the work life environment to consider potential careers in logistical or manufacturing fields.

Cindy enjoyed playing team tennis with friends and became the head coach for the Rossville High School for Varsity and Jr Varsity tennis teams. She also served the as director at the community’s annual tennis tournament. Cindy was a mentor with the local library and taught English to the Hispanic community. She also participated in other reading programs with children. 

When an opportunity to be near family became available within PepsiCo, Cindy was able to transfer to Bradenton in 2008. She worked as a bookkeeper at the Tropicana Federal Credit Union. She later retired after a twenty-year career with PepsiCo.

Cindy is the author of an Amazon best-selling book, “Crying Without Tears.” Through her book, she has been invited to speak at events throughout Florida advocating against child abuse and to promote the need for foster parents. Cindy networks with local foster care programs that serve Manatee County and the SW region of Florida. She volunteers for veterans and children services as well as F.E.L.T. She is a NASCAR fan and designs gift baskets for charity auctions in her spare time. She is a mother and grandmother and enjoys working on home projects with her husband of twenty-nine years, David. She is an active member of West Bradenton Baptist Church and other community organizations.

Charlie Kennedy

Elected: November 2024
Term Ends: November 2028
Email: kennedy2c@manateeschools.net

District 3 Map
Anna Maria Elementary
King Middle
Manatee High
Miller Elementary
Moody Elementary
Palma Sola Elementary
Palmetto Elementary
Palmetto High
Prine Elementary
Sea Breeze Elementary
Stewart Elementary
Sugg Middle

Charlie Kennedy has been an educator for 20 years, teaching in several states including Florida. He taught at Manatee High School in Bradenton, Youthbuild Public Charter in Washington, DC, IMG Academies in Bradenton and, most recently before resuming his service on the school board, at Daughtrey Elementary in Bradenton.

Charlie previously served two terms on the School Board from 2014 to 2022. During that time, his board colleagues selected him to serve twice as chair and twice as vice chair. Charlie, along with the board majority, asked Manatee County citizens to vote for additional millage funds to support teachers, staff, and academic enrichments. This advocacy effort was highly successful, resulting in voters supporting the initial measure in 2018 and renewals in March 2021 and November 2024.

Manatee County voters elected Charlie to the school board again in 2024.

Chad Choate III

Appointed: August 6, 2021
Elected: November, 2022
Term Ends: November, 2026
Email: choatew2@manateeschools.net

District 4 Map
Abel Elementary
Bayshore Elementary
Bayshore High
Daughtrey Elementary
Kinnan Elementary
Lee Middle 

Chad Choate is a lifelong Manatee County resident who graduated from Manatee High School in 2003. He then earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of South Florida in 2007. He began teaching and coaching in Manatee County at Braden River High School and then Manatee High School before joining Edward Jones in 2017. Chad is a financial advisor on Downtown Bradenton's Riverwalk with Edward Jones.

Chad's family has a rich history in the School District of Manatee County. His grandfather worked in the district for 35+ years as a teacher, coach, Dean and Principal of Manatee High School. His grandmother taught as well, along with his aunt and wife. His wife Ashley is still a teacher for FLVS, and both of their children attend Manatee County schools.

Chad currently serves on City of Bradenton's Merit Board, Kiwanis of Bradenton's Membership Committee, Leadership Manatee Alumni Association Board, Manatee County Aging Network Board (MCAN), and his church's (Trinity United Methodist) Trustees council. He is a member of the Manatee Chamber of Commerce and has previously served as a leader in Young Life, and a volunteer coach with Manatee Wildcats.

Richard Tatem

Appointed: November 2024
Term Ends:  November, 2026
Email: tatemr@manateeschools.net
Cell Phone: 719-433-3286

District 5 Map
Bashaw Elementary
Braden River Elementary
Braden River High
Braden River Middle
Gullett Elementary
Jain Middle
Lakewood Ranch High
McNeal Elementary
Myakka City Elementary
Nolan Middle
Tara Elementary
Willis Elementary

Richard Tatem is a retired U.S. Air Force colonel with 30 years of experience on both active duty and in the reserves as a leader, educator, facilitator, and aviator. Now a professional facilitator, coach, and educator, Richard specializes in helping individuals and organizations become better versions of themselves – because better people and better organizations perform better, both in and out of the work environment. His work focuses on helping people to enhance their commitment to personal improvement.

During his last military assignment, Richard was the senior facilitator and developer for the Enhancing Human Capital Seminar at the Air Force Profession of Arms Center of Excellence. He taught and facilitated for many years in both the government and civilian arenas. Senior leaders routinely request Richard by name for their leadership development programs because audiences rate him as “one of the most memorable briefers I’ve ever had!” and say he “changed my perspective and probably my life!”

Richard has led and worked with diverse organizations at the operational and strategic levels. He has managed a resource portfolio worth $410 million and led projects ranging from standing up new organizations to implementing national, inter-agency level security strategies.

A highly experienced public speaker, Richard has done hundreds of workshops, speeches, and even a radio show, in front of audiences ranging from ten to a thousand people or more. With a wide-ranging and international education in the humanities, psychology, and neurobiology, Richard brings an insightful and culturally rich perspective to his audiences. He has lived and worked overseas in multiple countries and cultures, was a university assistant professor, speaks French fluently, and has even been an airline pilot. Richard is currently pursuing a PhD in the humanities. In his spare time, Richard likes to “stand in a river waving a stick” (fly fishing) and he hosts a local patriotic radio show and podcast.