(Tampa, FL – February 28, 2018) – The Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County (ELCHC), a leading agency in Hillsborough’s early childhood care and education arena, announced today that its Board of Directors has selected Gordon L. Gillette as its next Chief Executive Officer. Gillette will assume the role of CEO of the $72-million-dollar agency on March 12, 2018.
“After a comprehensive and deliberate 4-month search process facilitated by a top local search firm, the ELCHC Board of Directors is delighted that Gordon Gillette will lead the ELCHC as we continue growth and collaboration with other key agencies in this important part of our educational system,” said Aakash Patel, Chair of the Board of Directors. “Our Board selected Gordon as our top choice because we believe in his passion for education. He’s been a successful leader in the Tampa Bay business community, and we were truly impressed with his vision for our organization. We believe hiring Gordon is truly a game changer for our organization.”
“We are taking on the challenges of getting more children prepared for kindergarten and building the supports that all children need to succeed. And those efforts will benefit in so many ways from the leadership of Gordon Gillette,” said Hillsborough County Schools Superintendent Jeff Eakins. “I’m confident Gordon’s leadership skills and his deep understanding of our community will be just what we need to continue to take amazing steps forward for children.”
“I am honored and excited to lead the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County as the next chapter in my professional life,” said Gillette. “I look forward to working with the teams at the ELC and the many other important organizations in our county involved in early learning to help families and continuously improve the school preparedness of all the children of our County.”
About Gordon L. Gillette
Gillette joins the ELCHC after a 36-year career with TECO Energy, where he retired on November 30, 2017 as the CEO of Tampa Electric Company and President of Florida Operations. Over his career, Gillette’s non-profit board leadership activities have focused predominantly in the area of education. Gillette has chaired the boards of the Children’s Museum of Tampa, the Hillsborough Education Foundation, the Leadership Council of the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations and the University of South Florida Foundation, where he also co-chaired the second phase of USF’s Unstoppable Capital Campaign.
Mr. Gillette holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of South Florida in 1981 and a Master’s degree in Engineering Management in 1985 and was a member of Tampa Connection, and attended Harvard’s Advanced Management Program.
About The Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County (ELCHC)
The Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County (ELCHC) is a local and statewide leader in early childhood care and education services and advocacy. The ELCHC is a $72 million non-profit that serves approximately 20,000 of Hillsborough’s young children and their families per day via its programs and services. For additional information and the latest ELCHC news, visit elchc.org, follow us on Twitter @ELCHillsborough or stay connected through ELC Hillsborough on Facebook.