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.