Movers and Shakers Manatee Movers and Shakers: South Manatee Business Coalition Adds New Board Member

BRADENTON – Edward Bailey, community activist and leader is the newest member of the board for the South Manatee Business Coalition, an organization devoted to bolstering economic prosperity in Manatee and Sarasota counties.

South Manatee Business Coalition is proud to announce that Edward Bailey will be joining the SMBC directing the membership committee in January 2013.

Gregg Anderson, chair of the SMB board, said the organization is very fortunate to add Mr. Bailey to our organization. His involvement with the business community and residents of Manatee County will play a significant role in directing our membership development program in 2013.

Edward Bailey grew up in Manatee County and Graduated from both Bayshore High School and Manatee Technical Institute in 1994 with an Air Condition and Refrigeration

Certification. He also attended State College of Florida formerly known as Manatee Community College before joining the in the United States Marine Corps where he served four years and received the rank of Sergeant (E-5) before returning back to Bradenton, Florida in 1999 to become the operating partner of his parent’s company Nettie Bailey Realty.

Edward has been an active part of the community through his role as a leader, philanthropist and Volunteer.  He has served and chaired numerous boards from the Manatee County Headstart Policy Council to becoming the President of the Manatee County NAACP. He was recently appointed to the Trustee Board of State College of Florida by the Honorable Governor Rick Scott.

Current and past positions include:

Trustee, State College of Florida

Director, Manatee Chamber of Commerce

Former Director, Suncoast Workforce Board

Past President Manatee County NAACP

Former Board Chair, Headstart Policy Council

Former Board Member, Habitat for Humanity

Former United States Marine Corps Sergeant

The coalition also has corporate partnerships with Brighthouse, MGA Insurance, the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, Gulf Coast Builders Exchange, and Manatee County government.  Its current board  includes representatives from the following entities: SCORE, Suncoast Workforce, Couture Financial, Sarasota/Bradenton Holiday Inn, University of South Florida-School of Business, Mills Gilbane, Digital Image Business Solutions, James LaManna CPA, Moore, Fowinkle & Schroer Agency, Najmy Thompson, BB&T and Waste Pro Bradenton.

The South Manatee Business Coalition is a nonprofit group focused on bolstering economic prosperity and promoting future growth in our region through a digital strategy that includes a 36,000-member online directory and pursuit of funding for education, training and other key aspects of long-term growth.  Membership is open to businesses and individuals throughout Manatee and Sarasota counties.

For more information, including how to become a member, CLICK HERE, email info@smbusinesscoalition.org, or call Anderson at 941-757-1880.