Port Manatee is a dependent special district created by the Florida Legislature in 1967. The port’s governing body is the seven-member Manatee County Port Authority Board. Members serve four-year staggered terms with annual elections of officers. The authority sets policy and oversees major expenditures for the port.
While the Manatee County Port Authority is comprised of the same seven members as the elected Manatee County Commission – each governing body has a separate set of officers and financial accountability.
Port Manatee is not considered a unit of Manatee County Government and does not receive ad-valorem tax support from the citizens of Manatee County.
Chairman
Reggie Bellamy
Commissioner Bellamy was born and raised in Manatee County. Bellamy holds the position of executive director of the Palmetto Youth Center, head boys’ basketball coach at Palmetto High School, and is among leaders of the Barbershop Men of Prayer mentoring program in Manatee and Sarasota counties. Earlier in life, Commissioner Bellamy was a logistics officer in the U.S. Army.
First Vice Chairman
George Kruse
Commissioner Kruse grew up in Sarasota and moved to Manatee County in 2008. George has made a lifelong career in commercial real estate finance and affordable housing. George is married to Jessica, a Community Engagement Manager for PACE Center for Girls and they have two children.
Second Vice Chairwoman
Misty Servia
Commissioner Servia has lived in Manatee County since 1988 after accepting her first job as a planner for Manatee County government. She worked for the Manatee County Planning Department for nearly 18 years, where she met her husband Joaquin. Misty and Joaquin have three children.
Third Vice Chairman
James Satcher
James Satcher is a devoted husband, father of five and minister with hands on experience making positive changes in Manatee County. Satcher leads a successful nonprofit with more than two decades of ministry that has provided aid to orphans, single mothers and the homeless.
Member
Vanessa Baugh
Commissioner Baugh is originally from Virginia and moved to Florida in 1999.
She and her husband, Don started Vanessa Fine Jewelry in 1999, which is located on Lakewood Main Street. They have 4 children and 10 grandchildren.
Member
Kevin Van Ostenbridge
Kevin Van Ostenbridge is a native of Manatee County and started his successful real estate career in 2003. He became a Top Producer at Boyd Realty eventually managing their branch office on Anna Maria Island. Kevin also started Be Easy Tours; a Bradenton-based excursion company and continues to operate it today.
Member
Carol Whitmore
Commissioner Whitmore is originally from Dearborn Heights, Michigan. She moved to Manatee County in 1969 and grew up on Anna Maria Island. She became a nurse in 1977 and was employed at Manatee Memorial Hospital in Critical Care. In 1991, Whitmore worked at Woods of Manatee as Admissions Coordinator before she became employed at her husband’s office. Carol is married to Dr. Andre Renard, retired, and has a daughter, Janae, who is married to Scott Rudacille.