Ward 1

Work Career

Teresa Watkins Brown is a native of Fort Myers. She began her career in Telecommunications on August 4, 1975 with United Telephone of Florida, Sprint, and Embarq (current name CenturyLink). She worked in various departments: Customer Service, Marketing, Special Services, Public Access, Final Bills, and Revenue Accounting and as the community liaison, Public Affairs Coordinator for the South Region for 15 years. She retired September 14, 2010 with 35 years of service.

March 2011-current – Guest Teacher – Lee County School District

Education

1975 – Cypress Lake High School Graduate
1998 – Bachelor’s Degree Professional Business Studies – Barry University Lee/Collier Campus
1999 - Master’s Degree – Human Resources Development and Administration – Barry University Lee Collier/Campus
Florida League of Cities Graduate – Certificate of Completion
2010-Institute for Elected Municipal Officials (IEMO)
2011-Advanced Institute for Elected Municipal Officials (ADVANCED IEMO)
2014 - Institute for Elected Municipal Officials III (IEMO III)
2018 – Institute for Elected Municipal Officials IV (IEMO IV)
Berean Christian College and Seminary
Certificate Biblical Studies
Associate degree Biblical Studies

City of Fort Myers – Serving 14 years in Local Government

Teresa was elected to City Council in 2009 for a 4-year term. She was re-elected for a 2nd term in 2013, a 3rd term in 2017 and 4th term in 2022.

Past Mayor Pro-Tem – City of Fort Myers
Served 8 years – City of Fort Myers Planning Board
Past Chairperson – Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA)

Southwest Florida League of Cities

2014-2016 Past President
Secretary

Florida League of Cities

2014-2016 – Board of Directors
2018-2019 – Chair Advocacy Committee (currently member)
2018-current – F.A.S.T. Federal Action Strike Team Committee Member
2009-current – Municipal Administration Policy Committee
2018-current – Florida Municipal Loan Council - Trustee
2015-2016 – Nominating Committee
2017-current – Resolution Committee
2017-current – Legislative Committee

2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 – Home Rule Hero Award

2010-current – Florida Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (FBC-LEO), served as Assistant Secretary, Secretary, 2nd Vice President, 1st Vice President, now President Elect

National League of Cities

2010-current National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (NBC-LEO) - Member

Current Board Affiliations

St. John M.B. Church - Member
Lee County Black History Society – Board Member
Lee County Dementia Task Force – Board Member
Metropolitan Planning Organization Board (MPO) – Board Member
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. – Member
1997 Graduate of Leadership Lee County – Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce

Teresa’s community involvement has been extensive and she has served with the following organizations: The Source of Light and Hope, Edison Festival of Light, Inc., United Way Allocations Team Leader, Democratic Party, NAACP, Precinct Clerk, Uplift Life Foundation, Boys and Girls Club of Lee County, Professor Berean Christian College and Seminary, and Delta Life Development Center.

Teresa loves working with people and look forward to serving the citizens of Fort Myers and the Ward 1 community.

Councilwoman Watkins Brown has one daughter Alison.