Manatee County Administrator

The County Administrator is appointed by the Board of County Commissioners, and is responsible for carrying out the policies and directives of the Commission and for the development and management of the County's annual operating and capital improvement budgets.

The County Administrator is also responsible for the supervision and management of department directors, and for ensuring that all agreements, leases and other contractual obligations of the Commission are properly performed. The Board of County Commissioners may also direct the County Administrator and staff to complete special projects and assignments that do not fall within the established responsibilities of County Departments.

Acting County Administrator Scott L. Hopes, D.B.A., M.P.H.

Dr. Scott Hopes is an experienced international chief executive officer, educator, extraordinary leader in government, education and health care, experienced chief operating officer, public/private board chairman and board member, elected official and successful entrepreneur with a demonstrated history of leadership working in healthcare, higher education, K-12 education, local, state, national and international governments and Fortune 500 companies.

Dr. Hopes is skilled in organizational leadership, governance, healthcare organizations management and consulting, Florida and D.C. Legislative process and politics, policy development, government relations, lobbying and strategic planning. Dr. Hopes is a strong entrepreneurship professional with a Doctorate in Business Administration grounded in information systems and decision sciences from the University of South Florida, Muma College of Business.

Dr. Hopes’ education also includes a B.A. in interdisciplinary natural sciences, from the University of South Florida and a Master of Public Health degree in epidemiology and biostatistics from the University of South Florida, College of Public Health.

A Holder of four degrees from Florida Colleges and Universities creating a broad multidisciplinary experience, across colleges in Natural Sciences, Public Health and Business, with forty years of history with Florida’s local, regional, and statewide communities as a student, staff, faculty member, consultant, lobbyist, elected official, school board chairman and university trustee.

Dr. Hopes is a member of the Manatee County School Board and former chair. He is a former University of South Florida Trustee, and is currently an Assistant Professor, USF, Muma College of Business and a Professor at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.