Candidate: Misty Servia

Learn more about Commissioner Servia at "www.commissionerservia.com"

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Misty Servia represents District 4 as a Manatee County Commissioner. She has served 1 term and chaired the Tourist Development Council for 2 years, is a member of the Metropolitan Planning Organization, and a member of the Value Adjustment Board. She developed a plan for south county when elected and followed through (see the results on her webpage). She is a graduate of Florida State University and a professional planner, AICP certified in the profession with 33 years of experience. She is the first in her family to graduate from college and funded her education by working 3-part time jobs while going to school. She worked for the Manatee County Planning Dept. for nearly 18 years and for King Engineering for 12 years before being elected to office. Her experience on both the private and public sides of land development makes her uniquely qualified to understand the challenges of each. Her work as a project manager required complex budgeting and organization skills, and all of this experience enabled her to find solutions to problems which serve the needs of our community. Unquestionably, this experience has served her well as a Manatee County Commissioner, as she is known for her calm and logical approach to problem solving and as the most responsive commissioner to the public on the Board.

Outside of college, she has lived in the area her entire life. She was part of a team for Manatee County that conducted a housing study, which established a Housing Trust Fund.  She received the “Meritorious Service Award”, the FPZA “Outstanding Innovation Award”, and the APA “Award of Merit” for being part of a three-person team that developed the “Manatee County Youth Planning Commission.”

She was the President of the Gulf Coast Chapter of the Florida Planning and Zoning Association from 2002 – 2004 and received the “Meritorious Service Award” for her participation in developing the 1990 Manatee County Land Development Code for Manatee County.

Ms. Servia has immersed herself in public service for decades. She received a gubernatorial appointment to the Manatee Housing Authority, on which she continues to serve. She has been an active member of the Manatee Chamber of Commerce and has served on the Board of Directors for the Manatee Community Federal Credit Union, the Leadership Manatee Board of Governors, and is a past-president of the Manatee Tiger Bay. 

She has been active with the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation and was a member of their “Committee for New Jobs Now” PAC, which worked to educate the public and gather support for an Economic Development Ad Valorem Tax Exemption. This referendum passed.

Other previous service includes membership on the Manatee County Planning Task Force, a group that reviews and presents ideas for improving development initiatives, a member of the City of Bradenton Tree and Land Preservation Board and the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, Economic Development Committee, a past board member for the Bradenton-Area Economic Development Corporation, Manatee County Habitat for Humanity, Humane Society of Manatee County, the PACE Center for Girls, and the Florida Planning and Zoning State Board of Directors.  She also served as a mentor for the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program for 3 years, was a 5-year mentor for the Manatee Take Stock in Children organization and a Past-President of the Manatee Seminole Club.

She is married to Joaquin Servia for 27 years and they have 3 grown children. Alexandra is a local mental health counselor, Joaquin serves in the US Navy, and Marc serves in the US Army.