Board of Trustees

The mission of the Edison and Ford Winter Estates is to provide unique educational experiences based on the artifacts, legacy and lives of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford with emphasis on their Florida history.

The purpose is to inspire the public to learn from these experiences. As such, the mission includes the preservation and interpretation of their homes, gardens, laboratory and related objects and artifacts.

Board of Trustees

Lee Golden, Chair
Vice President, Sanibel Captiva Community Bank

Suzanne Edwards, Past Chair
Community Volunteer

Frank Aloia, Jr., Vice Chair
Aloia, Roland & Lubell, LLP

Eric Graff
Sales Manager, Vector & Inc.

Craig McLean, Treasurer
Chief Information Officer, 20th Judicial Circuit

Laura Jibben
Fort Myers-Lee County Garden Council, Inc.

Karen Ryan, Secretary
Public Relations Manager, LCEC

Melvin Morgan
Community Volunteer

Steve Niehaus, Past Chair
Business Broker, Edison Avenue Capital

Renee Norris
Co-Owner, Norris Home Furnishings

John Cauthen, At Large Member
President & CEO, Forestry Resources

Wiley Parker
Architect & Community Volunteer

Sidney Ann Brinson
Community Volunteer

Cole Peacock
President, Peacock Consulting

Kathy Dean
Bob Dean Supply

Madeleine Plummer
Community Volunteer

Colleen DePasquale
Executive Director, Greater Fort Myers Chamber

Brett Sands
Electrical Engineer, TLC Engineering

Jeanne Dozier
Former School Board Member

Margaret Sirianni
Former School Board Member

Tom Smoot
Trustee Emeritus

Board of Trustees

A Message from President & CEO Michael Flanders

Our non-profit corporation, the Thomas Edison & Henry Ford Estates, Inc. governs and manages both the Edison and Ford estates for the City of Fort Myers which has owned the Edison property since 1947 and the Ford property since 1988. These original historic properties consist of 18 acres containing botanical gardens and 19 buildings.

The corporation is designated as a 501(3) non-profit charitable educational organization. The properties are listed on the National Historic Register, the Historic Florida Landmark, the National Chemical Landmark, and an original Save America’s Treasures of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Come see a grand segment of American history and visit our special site & museum full of legendary inventions, artifacts, botanical specimens, educational programs and unique gifts.

Michael Flanders, AIA