Board of Trustees

The mission of the Edison and Ford Winter Estates is:

To educate the public and inspire an inventive spirit by interpreting and preserving the innovations, legacies, artifacts, gardens, homes, laboratory, and other structures of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, emphasizing Florida history, science, horticulture, and the arts.

Board of Trustees

Frank Aloia, Jr., Chair
Aloia, Roland, Lubell & Morgan, PLLC

Cole Peacock, Vice Chair
President, RC Peacock Consulting Group

Craig McLean, Treasurer
Retired, 20th Judicial Circuit

Kathy Dean, Secretary
Bob Dean Supply

Steve Niehaus, At Large Member
Business Broker, Edison Avenue Capital

Michael A. Flanders
President & CEO, Ex-Officio, Edison Ford Winter Estates

Sidney Ann Brinson
Community Volunteer

Richard Moulton
Director of Public Works, City of Fort Myers

Jeanne Dozier
Former Lee County School Board Member

Renee Norris
Community Volunteer

Suzanne Edwards
Community Volunteer

Madeleine Plummer
Former Director of Fort Myers Library

Eric Graff
Sales Manager, Vector & Ink

Brian Rist
Chairman, Rist Family Foundation

Randall Henderson, Jr.
Former Mayor, City of Fort Myers

Karen Ryan
Public Relations Manager, LCEC

Susan Lawson
Representative, Fort Myers-Lee County Garden Council, Inc.

Brett Sands
Electrical Engineer, TLC Engineering

John Cauthen
Emeritus Trustee

Melvin Morgan
Emeritus Trustee

Wiley Parker
Emeritus Trustee

Margaret Sirianni
Emeritus Trustee

Tom Smoot
Emeritus Trustee

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