Governor Ron DeSantis appoints five new members including two new and three reappointed trustees to the St Petersburg College District Board of Trustees
Tallahassee, Florida – Governor Ron DeSantis has announced the appointment of two new members and the reappointment of three others to the St. Petersburg College District Board of Trustees, a move that strengthens the leadership and oversight of one of Florida’s key higher education institutions. The new appointments include Richard Franz III and Danielle Marolf, while Jason Butts, Katherine Cole, and Thomas Kidwell have been reappointed to continue their service on the board. These appointments are now subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
Richard Franz III brings extensive experience in accounting and business operations to the board. He currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer and Southeast Regional Managing Partner at Sorren, Inc., where he oversees strategic and operational initiatives across the region. Franz is a member of the American and Florida Institutes of Certified Public Accountants and previously worked as a Certified Public Accountant at PricewaterhouseCoopers. He earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Florida, combining financial expertise with community involvement to help guide the college’s fiscal and operational decisions.
Danielle Marolf joins the board with a strong background in education and private school administration. She is the President, Founder, and Head of School for Wellmont Academy and actively participates in community and educational initiatives. Marolf currently serves as Vice Chair and Treasurer for the Florida Coalition of Christian Private Schools Accreditation. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Houghton College, bringing a perspective on student development and educational leadership to the college’s governance.
The reappointments reflect the continued confidence in the leadership of three experienced board members. Jason Butts, former President of SimplyIOA, a division of Insurance Office of America, currently serves on the Citizens Property Insurance Corporation Board of Governors and the Florida Association of Insurance Agents. Butts earned a bachelor’s degree in telecommunications from the University of Florida and has contributed to the board with his business acumen and extensive community involvement.
Katherine Cole, an attorney and shareholder at Hill Ward Henderson, brings both legal expertise and a strong record of community engagement. She serves as Chair of the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce and has been a member of the Morton Plant Mease Hospital Board of Directors as well as the Pinellas County and City of Clearwater Charter Review Committees. Cole earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee and her juris doctor from Stetson University, providing the board with guidance on legal, regulatory, and governance matters.
Thomas Kidwell, Vice President of Wealth Management at Cyndeo Wealth Partners, rounds out the group of reappointments. Previously, Kidwell worked as an Account Vice President for UBS and was a Minor League Baseball player and coach for the St. Louis Cardinals Organization. He earned a bachelor’s degree in American studies from Yale University, bringing both financial management expertise and leadership experience from diverse professional backgrounds to the board.
Governor DeSantis highlighted the importance of these appointments in ensuring that St. Petersburg College continues to provide high-quality education while maintaining sound governance. With these individuals’ combined expertise in finance, law, education, and community engagement, the board is well-positioned to guide the college through the challenges and opportunities facing higher education in Florida.
The St. Petersburg College District Board of Trustees is responsible for overseeing the administration of the college, setting policy, and ensuring that resources are used effectively to support student success. The board’s composition of business leaders, educators, legal professionals, and community advocates ensures a well-rounded approach to strategic planning and oversight.
These appointments reflect a continued effort to align the college’s governance with the needs of both students and the broader community. The diverse backgrounds and professional experiences of the newly appointed and reappointed members are expected to provide a strong foundation for decision-making as St. Petersburg College looks toward the future.
As the appointments move forward to the Florida Senate for confirmation, the college community and stakeholders will be watching closely, anticipating how these leaders will shape policy, guide growth, and continue to foster an environment of academic excellence and community engagement at St. Petersburg College.
With the confirmation process underway, the board is set to continue its work in supporting innovative programs, expanding student opportunities, and ensuring that the college remains a cornerstone of higher education in Florida. These appointments mark an important step in maintaining effective leadership and a forward-looking approach for one of the state’s premier educational institutions.
