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

Karen Ryan, Vice-Chair
Public Relations Manager, LCEC

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

Kathy Dean, Secretary
Bob Dean Supply

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

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

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

Sidney Ann Brinson
Community Volunteer

Jeanne Dozier
Former Lee County School Board Member

Suzanne Edwards
Community Volunteer

Eric Graff
Sales Manager, Southwest Florida Sales and Distributing

Laura Jibben
Community Volunteer

Renee Norris
Co-Owner, Norris Home Furnishings

Cole Peacock
President, RC Peacock Consulting Group

Madeleine Plummer
Former Director of Fort Myers Library

Brett Sands
Electrical Engineer, TLC Engineering

Margaret Sirianni
Community Volunteer

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