Lee County TDC appoints Mann as new chair
On Saturday, the Lee County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) announced the appointment of Commissioner Frank Mann as chairman of the Tourist Development Council (TDC).
With a political career dating back to 1974, Mann has served in both the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate, representing most of Lee, Charlotte and Collier counties. Furthermore, he was appointed by the governor to serve on the South Florida Water Management District Board and then appointed to the Lee County Commission to fill an unexpired term.
While in the legislature, Mann served 10 years on the Natural Resources Committee, working for the preservation of Upper Captiva Island, Cayo Costa State Park and Lovers Key State Park. He was actively involved in the creation of the Environmentally Endangered Land Program, which led to the purchase of 40,000 acres of sensitive lands in the Fakahatchee Strand in Collier County.
In addition, Mann served as chair of both the budget committees on transportation and education while in the legislature. During this time, U.S. 41 was expanded into a four-lane road from Punta Gorda to Naples, Interstate 75 was completed from Tampa to Naples and four-laning of State Route 80 was begun. Also, the first four year university (University of South Florida branch campus) was opened in Lee County.
Currently, Mann serves as chairman of the Lee County BOCC as well as represents District 5. He is also a commissioner for the Lee County Port Authority, an active member of the Metropolitan Planning Organization, sits on the board for the Visually Impaired and is an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Fort Myers.
Mann is a lifelong resident of Lee County and a graduate of Vanderbilt University. He has a deep concern for the area’s quality of life and a strong commitment to protecting the environmentally sensitive rural land in the destination.
Commissioner Mann replaces TDC Chairwoman Tammy Hall.
The nine-member TDC was established by the BOCC in 1983 to increase tourism to Lee County.