Local politico tabbed for state education panel

BRADENTON — John Colon, a prominent Manatee County Republican politician and a financial planner with Wells Fargo Advisors, has been appointed to the state Board of Education.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott made the announcement late Thursday, according to the News Service of Florida. Colon, who ran unsuccessfully in the Republican primary last year for a seat on the Manatee County Commission, will serve on the board through the end of 2014, the news service reports. In addition to being active in Manatee County and statewide Republican politics for the past decade, Colon is the on the board of the Sarasota Housing Authority.

Colon replaces Dr. A.K. Desai, a St. Petersburg physician and CEO and Chairman of Universal Health Care, which recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Desai resigned his seat on the board.

Scott made two other moves with the board: He named Coral Gables physician Dr. Ada Armas to the panel and Key West investor John Padget was reappointed to a seat, according to the news service. The board, which meets at least eight times a year, oversees the state system that monitors teachers and students.