Campus Board
The Sarasota-Manatee Campus Board consists of seven community leaders who serve four year terms. The chair of the faculty senate or the equivalent and the president of the student body of the campus shall serve as ex officio members. Per Florida Statute, the board has the powers and duties which includes authority to approve and submit an annual operating plan, budget, and legislative budget request to the USF Board of Trustees. The campus board will exercise other such powers as are lawfully delegated by the University Board of Trustees to provide for the efficient operation and improvement of the campus. The board serves as campus advocates to the community.
Upcoming Meetings • Meetings Archive • Operating Procedures
Rick Piccolo – Chair
Rick Piccolo has over 53 years of experience in the aviation industry. He launched his career in 1970 as a custodian at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport. After earning a BS in Business Administration from SUNY-Buffalo, he held several positions at the airport including Building Superintendent, Property Manager, Assistant to Airport Manager, and Assistant Director of Operations. Upon moving to Florida, he worked in the Operations Department at Tampa International Airport, followed by his tenure as Assistant Airport Director at the St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport.
Mr. Piccolo has served as President, Chief Executive Officer of the Sarasota Bradenton
International Airport since 1995. He has overseen a myriad of challenges in his 28-year
tenure including multiple
airport expansions, economic recessions, the trials of travel after September 11 and
most recently, navigating obstacles during and after Covid. SRQ is currently one of
the fastest-growing airports in
the country, with a 300% increase in passenger traffic compared to pre-Covid numbers.
Mr. Piccolo has a state, national and worldwide presence in the airline industry.
He also represents the airport within the Sarasota and Bradenton communities:
2005 – FDOT Aviation Professional of the Year
2005 – FAA Airport Manager of the Year
2007 – Chairman, Airports Council International–North America
2009 – Small Airport CEO of the Year, Airport Revenue News
2010 – Chairman, Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce
2013 to 2015 – Chairman, Airports Council International–World
2018 to 2021 – Past Chairman, Airports Council International–World
2020 – Chairman, United Way Suncoast Campaign
2022 – FAA Southern Region Airports Air Carrier Airport Mgr of the Year
2024 – Florida Airports Council Aviation Leadership Award
Currently – Board of Trustees, USF Sarasota-Manatee
Currently – Board of Directors, Manatee Chamber of Commerce
Currently – Board of Directors, Bradenton EDC
Currently – Foundation Board Member, Easterseals of Southwest Florida
Mr. Piccolo is married with three sons and two grandchildren.
Term Expires: January 2026
Lisa Carlton
Lisa Carlton is an eighth-generation Floridian who, along with her husband, Rob Robinson, owns and manages the Mabry Carlton Ranch, a cattle and citrus operation in Sarasota County.
An attorney, she is known for her distinguished service as a Florida legislator. Senator Carlton was elected to represent the 70th District in the Florida House of Representatives in 1994. After two terms, she was elected to represent the 23rd District of the Florida Senate in 1998, where she contributed to the establishment of the current Sarasota-Manatee campus that opened in 2006. She served as appropriations chair under three Senate presidents and was president pro tempore of the Senate during the 2006-2008 term.
Senator Carlton serves as a member of the board of directors of Sarasota-based FCCI Insurance Group and is a founding member of the Florida Historic Capitol Foundation. Her record of public service has earned her recognition from many local and state organizations including Girls Inc., Stetson University, State College of Florida, the Sarasota Coalition on Substance Abuse, Florida Forever and USF. She has been honored with numerous awards for her work on red tide research and beach re-nourishment, and has received education awards from groups representing students, teachers, superintendents and school boards.
Senator Carlton graduated from Stetson University in Deland and attended law school at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. She and her husband, Rob, have three children.
Term Expires: September 2028
Anila Jain – Vice Chair
Dr. Anila Jain is a physician and medical consultant who resides in Manatee County. She is an active child advocate and volunteer in numerous community organizations at the state and national level. Dr. Jain was instrumental in founding Filling Area Needs, Inc. to assist abused and neglected children and families in need, and to render emergency assistance of food, clothing, medication, household items, etc.
Dr. Jain is an ardent supporter of the University of South Florida since graduation, and served on the Alumni Association Board of Directors. Anila was elected National Alumni Association President in 2003 and appointed to the USF Foundation Board of Trustees. Dr. Jain was the recipient of the University of South Florida Distinguished Alumni Award in 1985 and the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus President’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 2001. She has served as President and Executive Committee positions on the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus Alumni Chapter for over 20 years and numerous campus-wide committees.
Dr. Jain was honored to Co-Chair the University of South Florida’s 50th Anniversary Committee in 2006; a year of special celebrations, events and programs for all four campuses. She is a Founding Member and Chair of USF Women in Leadership and Philanthropy and serves on the Bulls Club Board of Directors for Athletics. Her dedication and support of her Alma Mater includes establishing multiple endowments and scholarships to benefit the University of South Florida in the areas of Women Health Initiatives, the Alumni Association, USF Sarasota-Manatee campus, Athletics and Women’s Sports.
Dr. Jain’s community involvements include: Women’s Resource Center of Manatee, Charter Member, Manatee County Library Foundation Board of Directors, Manatee Children’s Services Vice President, Secretary and Board, Manatee County Head Start Health Advisory Board Chair, India Association of Manatee-Sarasota President and Board Member, League of Women Voters, Manatee County Female Physicians, Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation Grants Committee, American Association of Physicians from South Asia, Easter Seals of Southwest Florida, and others.
Dr. Jain has a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from the University of South Florida; an MD from Spartan Health Sciences University, School of Medicine; and an MBA from NOVA Southeastern University. Manatee and Sarasota Counties have been home to Dr. Jain and her family for the last fifty plus years.
Term Expires: September 2024
Bill Mariotti
Bill Mariotti, the president and CEO of Mariotti Site Development Co., Inc., is a USF Sarasota-Manatee campus alumnus with a bachelor’s degree in business, with concentrations in management and marketing. He also is president of Mariotti Asphalt and Mariotti Utilities, a family-owned business since 1952, providing complete site development for residential, industrial and commercial properties.
Mr. Mariotti has received recognition in Who’s Who on multiple occasions. He was inducted into the Metropolitan Who’s Who Registry, of which inclusion is limited to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and/or achievement in their occupation, industry or profession. He is the past president of the Sarasota Site Contractors Association.
Mr. Mariotti is active in the community, serving on boards and committees of the Loveland Center, Children’s First (Head Start Program) and The Haven. He is a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity and serves as treasurer of the House Corporation for the USF Chapter in Tampa.
Term Expires: June 2025
Diana Michel
Diana Michel is an ardent and longtime supporter of USF and the Sarasota-Manatee campus. She is a USF alumna who graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration in 1988. She currently serves on the National Alumni Board and previously served several terms including as President on the USFSM campus Alumni Association Board and was one of the founding members of the Brunch on the Bay committee that organizes the campus’ largest community fundraising event. Ms. Michel also served on the Sarasota-Manatee Community Leadership Council, and received the campus’ distinguished alumni award.
She recently established a scholarship in memory of her father, James E. Carla, to support student veterans at the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus, and earlier established the Barbara Michel Endowed Scholarship for USF Culinary Scholarships, in honor of her late mother-in-law.
Ms. Michel founded a marketing company, Michel Sports Marketing, in 1995, and has worked as a real estate professional since 1998, currently licensed as a global luxury specialist with Coldwell Banker. In 2023 she and her husband founded Yachtfinity, a company serving sales, and product development for the marine industry.
She has served on numerous boards and committees, both in connection with USF and in the Sarasota-Manatee community and beyond, including, among many others, the boards of the Sarasota High Cambridge AICE (Advanced International Certificate of Education), Cotillion Club of Sarasota, Impact 100 SRQ, Sarasota Crew and currently serves as the treasurer for the Sarasota Debutante Program.
She and her husband, William, have two children, one of which will graduate from USF in 2024.
Term Expires: September 2028
Ernie Withers
Contract Moderator for CDK Global, President of Defibrillate Manatee Foundation, Retired General Manager, Mercedes Benz of Sarasota, a JD Power Dealer of Excellence Award winner, Withers, a native of Youngstown, Ohio and former high school and collegiate wrestler was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. He officiated seven National High School Coaches Association wrestling championship and dual meet tournaments from 2003-2008 and was President of the Southern Officials Association from 2002-2003. He won the “Golden Whistle” award in 2002.
His community involvement includes:
- Chairman, Manatee Chamber of Commerce 2020
- Sarasota County Sheriff Association, Board Member, 2019 -2023
- Trustee of the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, 2010 - 2023
- Sarasota Salvation Army, Advisory Board Member, 2015 - 2023
- Executive Committee Member, Manatee Chamber of Commerce, 2008 - present
- Member of the Manatee DeSoto Historical Society, 2008 - present
- Past President of the Southeast High School Booster Club, 1997-1998
- Past President and current member of the Community Leadership Council
University of South Florida Sarasota Manatee, 2011 - present
- Contributor to the V Foundation, 2014 - present
Withers has been married to Cynthia Louise Withers for 48 years. They have three children and nine grandchildren ranging in age from 2 to 21 years old. He and his wife Cindy are 1976 University of South Florida graduates. They met in orientation class and have been together for 50 years. He is an avid Bulls, Bucs, Rays and Lightning fan.
Term Expires: September 2028
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Vacant Seat Pending Appointment