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

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% 50%
  • Has proposed changes to Ordinances in favor of Businesses 50% 50%
  • Supports proposed changes in Ordinances in favor of Businesses 50% 50%
John Gunter

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
Community Involvement:

Chairperson of the Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC)
Liaison to the Budget Review Committee (BRC)
Chair of the Traffic Advisory Commission (CTAC)
Member of the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)
Member of the Charter School Governing Board
Rotary Club of Cape Coral
Cape Coral Construction Industry Association (CCCIA)
Member of the Florida League of Cities Land Use & Economic Development Legislative Policy Committee
Member of the 4-Mile Cove Land Management Plan Committee
Family: Married to Teresa. Five adult children, six grandchildren 

Pro-Business Rankings
0% = Antibusiness 100% = ProBusiness

  • Generally Votes pro-Business 50% 50%
  • Has proposed changes to Ordinances in favor of Businesses 50% 50%
  • Supports proposed changes in Ordinances in favor of Businesses 50% 50%
John Carioscia

John Carioscia

Coucilmember - District 2

Term Ends 2020

Political Experience:

2nd Term – City Council member
Education:

Chicago City colleges – Criminal Justice 
Holy Trinity High School
University of Illinois Executive Development Program
Northwestern University Executive Management Program
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)
Family:  Married, four children (adult)

Pro-Business Rankings
0% = Antibusiness 100% = ProBusiness

  • Generally Votes pro-Business 50% 50%
  • Has proposed changes to Ordinances in favor of Businesses 50% 50%
  • Supports proposed changes in Ordinances in favor of Businesses 50% 50%
Marilyn Stout

Marilyn Stout

Councilmember - District 3

Term Ends 2020

Education: Bachelor’s in Public Administration – Barry University (2004)
Summa Cum Laude
Occupation: Fishing Charter Business with Husband
Political Experience: Cape Coral City Council 1992-1994
Lee Memorial Health System Board of Directors
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 
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% 50%
  • Has proposed changes to Ordinances in favor of Businesses 50% 50%
  • Supports proposed changes in Ordinances in favor of Businesses 50% 50%
Jennifer Nelson

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
Liaison – Horizon Council
Lee County Sustainability Advisory Committee- SWFL Community Foundation

Future Maker Coalition member, SWFL Community Foundation
Board Member, PACE Center for Girls Lee County
Love that Dress committee member, PACE Center for Girls Lee County
Women in Business committee member, Greater Ft. Myers Chamber
Ex Officio Board Chair, Recycle Florida Today
Member, Cape Coral Civic Association
Political Experience: First Elected Office
Family:  Daughter, Piper 

Pro-Business Rankings
0% = Antibusiness 100% = ProBusiness

  • Generally Votes pro-Business 50% 50%
  • Has proposed changes to Ordinances in favor of Businesses 50% 50%
  • Supports proposed changes in Ordinances in favor of Businesses 50% 50%
Lois Welsh

Lois Welsh

Councilmember - District 5

Term Ends 2020

Pro-Business Rankings
0% = Antibusiness 100% = ProBusiness

  • Generally Votes pro-Business 50% 50%
  • Has proposed changes to Ordinances in favor of Businesses 50% 50%
  • Supports proposed changes in Ordinances in favor of Businesses 50% 50%
Rick Williams

Rick Williams

Councilmember - District 6

Term Ends 2022

Education:

 

Degree in Hospital Equipment Technology (Biomedical Engineering)     Edinboro, University of Pennsylvania
Institute for Elected Municipal Officials, 2015
Advanced Institute for Elected Municipal Officials, 2015
Institute for Elected Municipal Officials lll 2016
Required Annual Ethics Training

 

Work Experience:

Retired – Civilian management positions in biomedical engineering and service training 
Retired 26-year U.S. Navy veteran

Political Experience:

Cape Coral City Council Member District 6
Cape Coral Mayor Pro-Tem, 2016, 2017, 2018
Council Office Manager, 2016, 2017, 2018
Board Chairman, Lee County Metropolitan Planning Organization      (MPO) 2017, 2018
MPO Executive Committee Chairman, 2017, 2018
Creator and Liaison to Cape Coral Youth Council
Member of Florida League of Cities Environment, Energy, and Natural Resources Legislative Committee
Member – Southwest Floridas League of Cities
Board Member – Florida League of Cities (FLC)
Liaison – Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z)

Community Involvement:

Council Founder and Liaison to the Cape Coral Youth Council 
Member – Burnt Store Road Right-of-Way Committee
Alternate Member – Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC)
Member – Florida League of Cities (FLC)
Member – Florida League of Cities Board of Directors FLC)
Alternate Member – Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)
Member – Southwest Florida League of Cities (SWFLC)
Cape Coral Special Populations Guardian Angels
Matlacha Mariners
North Cape Coral Elks Lodge #2874
Moose Lodge #8903
Cape Coral American Legion Post #90
Fleet Reserve Association #118
Invest in America Veteran’s Foundation

Pro-Business Rankings
0% = Antibusiness 100% = ProBusiness

  • Generally Votes pro-Business 50% 50%
  • Has proposed changes to Ordinances in favor of Businesses 50% 50%
  • Supports proposed changes in Ordinances in favor of Businesses 50% 50%
Jessica Cosden

Jessica Cosden

Councilmember - District 7

Term Ends 2020

Education:

Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts,
Wilkes Honors College of Florida Atlantic University
Occupation:

Account Manager, database marketing
Political Experience: First Elected Office
Community Involvement:

Mayor Pro Tem and Council Office Manager
Member – Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC)
Liaison to the Employee Innovation Committee
Member – Florida League of Cities (FLC)
Member  – Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)
Member – National League of Cities (NLC)

Community Emergency Response Team CERT)
Lee County Animal Services foster program
Former Cape Coral Hospital auxiliary member
Family: Husband, Dan; three children, Hannah, Jacob, and Emmet

Pro-Business Rankings
0% = Antibusiness 100% = ProBusiness

  • Generally Votes pro-Business 50% 50%
  • Has proposed changes to Ordinances in favor of Businesses 50% 50%
  • Supports proposed changes in Ordinances in favor of Businesses 50% 50%