MANATEE COUNTY, FL (February 7, 2023) – The Board of County Commissioners unanimously appointed Lee Washington to Acting County Administrator for Manatee County this afternoon, following Dr. Scott Hopes’ resignation as County Administrator.
Washington has served as the Director of Community and Veterans Services since February 2022. A native of Punta Gorda, Washington enlisted and served as U.S. Marine on active duty from 1987-1998, stateside and abroad. He was honorably discharged at the rank of Staff Sergeant/E6, Infantry Platoon Sergeant. Upon returning to civilian life, Washington worked as a personal bodyguard in Beverly Hills, CA, where he was responsible for the personal security of some of Hollywood’s highest-profile personalities. He then moved back to his home state of Florida, where he began a 10-year mortgage-banking career.
In 2009, following a desire to assist other Veterans, Washington became a Veteran Services Counselor for Manatee County’s Veteran Services Division, where he was later promoted to manage in May of 2013.
The father of two—and grandfather of three—resides in the Bradenton Riverwalk district where he enjoys fishing, cooking and traveling. Washington is the current President of the County Veteran Service Officers Association of Florida, a Bradenton Kiwanian, Manatee County’s Employee of the Year 2013, a graduate of Leadership Manatee and an advisor to the Manatee County Veterans Council.
“I can’t say enough how thankful I am for your confidence, not only in me but as you can see, with those that stand with me—we stand united and moving forward in ensuring that we carry out the priorities set by this Board,” said Washington. “As a team, we want to assure staff that we will always ensure they have the tools and the resources they need to be effective, and we look forward to the challenge.”
