Three local residents named to board of new Florida School for Competitive Academics
BY JENNIFER CABRERA
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Three local residents, including the coach of Buchholz High School’s championship math team, have been named to the board of the new Florida School for Competitive Academics.
Today Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Michael Grego as Chair and Bethany McAlister, Ethan Fieldman, Will Frazer, Thomas Grady, Andrea Keiser, and Dr. Jason Rosenberg to the Florida School for Competitive Academics Board of Trustees. Fieldman, Frazer, and Rosenberg live in Gainesville.
The Florida School for Competitive Academics was established during the 2023 Legislative Session and will begin admitting students in the 2024-25 school year; it will be located in Alachua County as a state-wide public school for Florida residents in grades 6-12. The primary purpose of the school is to provide a rigorous academic curriculum, and the secondary purpose is to prepare students for regional, state, and national academic competitions in all areas of study, including, but not limited to, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; it can be a residential school if the board recommends that. Only one employee of the school may serve on the board.
Will Frazer
Frazer is a teacher and math team coach at Buchholz High School; he is a former Wall Street accountant and is the Regional Director of the Florida Association of Mu Alpha Theta. Frazer earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Florida.
Ethan Fieldman
Fieldman, of Gainesville, is the Chief Executive Officer of Curio XR. Active in his community, he is the current Chair of CareerSource North Central Florida. Fieldman earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Florida.
Dr. Jason Rosenberg
Dr. Rosenberg, of Gainesville, is a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon at The Orthopedic Institute. He is a veteran of the United States Air Force Medical Corps Reserve and was previously appointed to the University of Florida Board of Trustees. Dr. Rosenberg earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology, his master’s degree in anatomy, and his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Florida.
Michael Grego, EdD
Grego, of Palm Harbor, is the retired Superintendent of Schools for Pinellas County. He is a member of the Lastinger Center for Learning Advisory Board, the recipient of the University of South Florida College of Education Dean’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Florida Music Education Association’s Superintendent of the Year Award. Grego earned his bachelor’s degree in technology education from the State University of New York and his master’s and doctorate degrees in education from the University of South Florida.
Bethany McAlister
McAlister, of Tallahassee, is a Partner at Corcoran Partners. She currently serves on the Florida Endowment Foundation for Vocations Rehabilitation and previously served as the Chief of Staff for the Florida Department of Education. McAlister earned her bachelor’s degree in public relations from Florida State University and her master’s degree in nonprofit management from the University of Tampa.
Thomas Grady
Grady, of Naples, is the Owner of Grady Law. He served as a Representative in the Florida House of Representatives from 2008 to 2010 and previously served as Chair of the Florida State Board of Education. Grady earned his bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and his juris doctor from Duke University.
Andrea Keiser
Keiser, of Delray Beach, is a Managing Partner at Keiser Legal, PLLC. Active in her community, she serves on the Early Learning Coalition of Palm Beach County and the Hope Mission Center. Keiser earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Fordham University and her master’s degree and juris doctor from Nova Southeastern University.