(Bradenton, Fla., April 5, 2024) — State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota’s (SCF) District Board of Trustees announces Tommy Gregory as the seventh President of the college after a six-month national search. Higher education executive search firm Myers McRae led the search. A search committee of six members, including SCF faculty, staff, a trustee, and two community members, interviewed candidates by video conference before recommending three finalists to proceed to the next phase. Open community forums were conducted in March at SCF’s Bradenton and Venice campuses and online, and in-person interviews with the trustees were held on Friday, April 5, 2024, with the three finalists.

“We are very grateful for the hard work of the volunteer search committee, consultant Myers McRae, the College community and all stakeholders who took the time to interview the candidates and provide their feedback,” said SCF District Board of Trustees Chairman Rod Thomson. “We valued everyone’s input and found all the candidates highly qualified and selected Tommy as we believe him to be the best fit to lead SCF into the future.”

Tommy is a senior executive leader with 30 years of experience in various leadership positions, including contracting officer, prosecutor, instructor, course director, general counsel, law firm partner and legislator. Tommy has a strong record of success leading teams and advising senior leaders in high-profile, high-pressure situations. His leadership skills were developed working with and for military general officers, CEOs, fighter pilots, law enforcement officers, astronauts, governors, and legislators. Tommy is currently a commercial litigation attorney in Sarasota and Chairman of the Judiciary Committee in the Florida House of Representatives. He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the Air Force Academy and a law degree from the University of Texas. Tommy served on active duty in the Air Force for 20 years and deployed in support of Operation Southern Watch, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom.

“The College has great momentum to continue its successful path forward,” said SCF President Dr. Carol F. Probstfeld. “I look forward to working with Tommy as I transition to retirement and to helping the College community prepare to welcome the new President.” The next step is to finalize Tommy’s contract with the goal that he would start leading the College as of July 1, 2024.