The People
Who Guide
Student
Leadership
Academy
Every great school needs a solid foundation, and that starts with good oversight. SLA's Board of Directors sets the policies that keep our school mission-driven, holds us accountable to the high standards families expect, and manages the legal and financial responsibilities that let our staff focus on what matters most: teaching and supporting students. Board members bring a mix of experience — from education to business to community leadership — and they meet regularly to review how SLA is performing, from academics to operations. Their work isn't flashy, but it's essential: it's how SLA stays true to its mission year after year, even as leadership, enrollment, and challenges change. When you see the names and faces below, know that each one is invested in making sure SLA remains a place where students thrive and families can trust what they've chosen.
SLA Board Members
Gar Reese
President
George A. (Gar) Reese III was born March 17, 1953 in Battle Creek, Michigan. He grew up in Jackson Michigan where he also graduated from high school. Married Nancy in 1973 and has two sons and two granddaughters. He joined the Air Force in 1973 and was stationed in Albuquerque, Upper Heyford England and Colorado Springs. Received a BS in Small Business Management from Regis College in Denver while in service. In 1980 he returned to Michigan and managed the office for a large mechanical contractor. Moved to Florida in 1987 to work with the Moody Agency, Inc. retiring in 2017 after serving as the company's President for 16 years. He has been a member of the Venice Suncoast Rotary for 26 years and club President twice. He has served on the Board of Venice Theater for the past seven years and has been on the Student Leadership Academy's Board of Directors for the past ten years.
Thomas Trammell
Vice President
Born May 1946
Attended the Marion Military Institute from 1964-1965
Received a BA from the University of Florida in 1968
Infantry Officer in USMC from 1968-1980
Served in Vietnam from 1968-1970
Investment Advisor from 1981-017
Currently serves as LT. COL in Civil Air Patrol
Cindy Mogford
Treasurer
Cindy was raised in Libertyville, IL and graduated from the University of Illinois (Champaign-Urbana) in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science in Advertising. After graduating, she held positions as a Graphic Designer for Wickes Furniture and a Product Manager at ULINE in the Chicagoland area. In 2005, Cindy moved to Sarasota, FL to begin her career as the Director of Marketing Communications for Intertape Polymer Group, a leading packaging manufacturer in North America. In her role, she also is responsible for maintaining close partnerships and leading activities with several charitable organizations and associations within Sarasota County. She is married to her husband, Marty, who was raised in Venice and is a local business owner of Heritage Glass, Inc. Together, they have five children between the ages of 11-24, in which the eldest four (Liz, Ruby, Martin and Clara) all attended and graduated from SLA, and their youngest (Lyla) will begin at SLA this fall.
Dr. Gary J. Hughes
Director
Education: B.A., M.A., Ed. D.
Career: High School Counselor, Coach, Principal and Superintendent of Schools in Michigan
Member: Venice Suncoast Rotary, MASEL
Boards served on: Midland Economic Development, Dow Chemical Advisory, Saginaw University President’s Council, MASA Advisory, International Graduate School
Married to Fran Hughes
Enjoy travel, sports, hiking, biking
Amanda Forester
Secretary
Amanda was born and raised in Venice, FL. After attending VES->LNS->VHS, she graduated in 2005 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. She moved to Melbourne Beach, FL where she worked in the field of Education and Behavior Analysis for over 15 years. Whether it was teaching varying grade levels (PreK to Highschool), leading teams as an administrator or collaborating with schools nationwide to bring programs and resources to students with special needs, supporting teachers and families has always been a passion and priority.
While raising her 2 children on the East Coast of FL with her husband, Mitch, the family felt a strong reconnection to Venice and moved back in the Summer of 2022. She has a daughter at VES and a son currently attending SLA.