Keeping our Mayor and Council accountable to Cape Coral Businesses and Business Owners is essential to our continued growth as a community.
Our Government Action Committee scores their performance with regard to issues critical to Cape Coral Businesses.

Joe Coviello
Mayor - City of Cape Coral
Term Ends 2022
Education: Franklin & Marshall College, BA Business Administration
Occupation: Business Consultant
Political Experience: First Elected Office
Community Involvement:
Member – Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC)
Member – Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)
Member – MPO Executive Board
Alternate Member – Southwest Florida League of Cities (SWFLC)
Member – Florida League of Mayors (FLM)
Member U.S. Conference of Mayor (USCM)
USMMA Service Academy Liaison, Congressman’s Office
Past President US Merchant Marine Academy Florida Parents Association
Hope Hospice, Human Trafficking Coalition, and Learning for Life
Family: Married to Diane; two sons, both graduates of the US Merchant Marine Academy. In addition to their successful Maritime Careers, they serve as US Navy Reserve Officers.
Pro-Business Rankings
0% = Antibusiness 100% = ProBusiness
- Generally Votes pro-Business 50%
- Has proposed changes to Ordinances in favor of Businesses 50%
- Supports proposed changes in Ordinances in favor of Businesses 50%

John Gunter
Councilmember District 1
Term Ends 2022
Education: | Studies in Criminal Justice | |
Occupation: | President – Gulf Coast Premier Homes, Inc. | |
Political Experience: | First Elected Office |
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Community Involvement: |
Chairperson of the Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) |
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Family: | Married to Teresa. Five adult children, six grandchildren |
Pro-Business Rankings
0% = Antibusiness 100% = ProBusiness
- Generally Votes pro-Business 50%
- Has proposed changes to Ordinances in favor of Businesses 50%
- Supports proposed changes in Ordinances in favor of Businesses 50%

John Carioscia
Coucilmember - District 2
Term Ends 2020
Political Experience: |
2nd Term – City Council member |
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Education: |
Chicago City colleges – Criminal Justice |
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Occupation: | Retired – Chicago Police Department | |
Community Involvement: | Member – Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) Member – Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Member – Tourist Development Council (TDC) Cape Coral Civic Association Cape Coral Sons of Italy Cape Coral Police Association (COP Shop) |
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Family: | Married, four children (adult) |
Pro-Business Rankings
0% = Antibusiness 100% = ProBusiness
- Generally Votes pro-Business 50%
- Has proposed changes to Ordinances in favor of Businesses 50%
- Supports proposed changes in Ordinances in favor of Businesses 50%

Marilyn Stout
Councilmember - District 3
Term Ends 2020
Education: | Bachelor’s in Public Administration – Barry University (2004) Summa Cum Laude |
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Occupation: | Fishing Charter Business with Husband | |
Political Experience: | Cape Coral City Council 1992-1994 Lee Memorial Health System Board of Directors |
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Community Involvement: | Commissioner – Florida Commission on the Status of Women Liaison – Selection Advisory Committee (SAC) Member – Audit Committee Member – Lee County Human Services Council Alternate Member – Tourist Development Council (TDC) Uncommon Friends Foundation Business’ United Political Action Committee Cape Coral Kiwanis Ft Myers Republican Women’s Club, Legislative Chair Lee Republican Women Federated SW Cape Coral Neighborhood Association, Secretary Calusa Chapter, Military Officers Association of America, (MOAA) – Treasurer Faith Presbyterian Church, Deacon |
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Family: | Husband – Tony, two children (son and daughter), two stepchildren, nine grandchildren, a puppy named Happy and another named Chica. |
Pro-Business Rankings
0% = Antibusiness 100% = ProBusiness
- Generally Votes pro-Business 50%
- Has proposed changes to Ordinances in favor of Businesses 50%
- Supports proposed changes in Ordinances in favor of Businesses 50%

Jennifer Nelson
Councilmember - District 4
Term Ends 2022
Education: | Bachelor of Fine Arts, University of Texas at Austin | |
Work Experience: | Executive Director, Uncommon Friends Foundation | |
Community Organizations: | Liaison – Golf Course Advisory Board Future Maker Coalition member, SWFL Community Foundation |
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Political Experience: | First Elected Office | |
Family: | Daughter, Piper |
Pro-Business Rankings
0% = Antibusiness 100% = ProBusiness
- Generally Votes pro-Business 50%
- Has proposed changes to Ordinances in favor of Businesses 50%
- Supports proposed changes in Ordinances in favor of Businesses 50%

Lois Welsh
Councilmember - District 5
Term Ends 2020
Pro-Business Rankings
0% = Antibusiness 100% = ProBusiness
- Generally Votes pro-Business 50%
- Has proposed changes to Ordinances in favor of Businesses 50%
- Supports proposed changes in Ordinances in favor of Businesses 50%

Rick Williams
Councilmember - District 6
Term Ends 2022
Education:
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Degree in Hospital Equipment Technology (Biomedical Engineering) Edinboro, University of Pennsylvania
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Work Experience: |
Retired – Civilian management positions in biomedical engineering and service training |
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Political Experience: |
Cape Coral City Council Member District 6 |
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Community Involvement: |
Council Founder and Liaison to the Cape Coral Youth Council |
Pro-Business Rankings
0% = Antibusiness 100% = ProBusiness
- Generally Votes pro-Business 50%
- Has proposed changes to Ordinances in favor of Businesses 50%
- Supports proposed changes in Ordinances in favor of Businesses 50%

Jessica Cosden
Councilmember - District 7
Term Ends 2020
Education: |
Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts, |
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Occupation: |
Account Manager, database marketing |
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Political Experience: | First Elected Office | |
Community Involvement: |
Mayor Pro Tem and Council Office Manager Community Emergency Response Team CERT) |
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Family: | Husband, Dan; three children, Hannah, Jacob, and Emmet |
Pro-Business Rankings
0% = Antibusiness 100% = ProBusiness
- Generally Votes pro-Business 50%
- Has proposed changes to Ordinances in favor of Businesses 50%
- Supports proposed changes in Ordinances in favor of Businesses 50%