The Sarasota County School Board voted Tuesday to name Todd Bowden, the district’s executive director of Career, Technical and Adult Education and the director of Suncoast Technical College, as the next superintendent of Sarasota County Schools.

“I am extremely grateful to the School Board for the confidence they have placed in me,” Bowden said. He credited White for being “responsible in large part for my success in this district. It is such a well-run, respected district and I want to perpetuate that trust the community has in us.”

Board members cited widespread community support for Bowden as well as his collaborative work with businesses, organizations and individuals throughout the county. Board Member Frank Kovach said he is a “huge believer in promoting from within,” citing the success of current superintendent Lori White and former superintendent Wilma Hamilton, both of whom rose from the ranks in the district. Board Member Jane Goodwin agreed, saying Bowden will “hit the ground running.”

Before coming to Sarasota County Schools in 2007, Bowden served in the Hillsborough County School District as principal of Gary Adult High School and of Aparicio-Levy Technical Center and assistant principal for curriculum at Bloomingdale High School. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of South Florida, a master’s in business administration from Florida State University, and a master’s and doctorate in educational leadership from the University of South Florida. Bowden grew up in Brandon and Valrico and attended Bloomingdale High. He and his wife Janene have two children who attend McIntosh Middle School in Sarasota.

The district must still negotiate a contract with Bowden, a process expected to begin Nov. 1. White is expected to retire Feb. 28, 2017. After an approximately two-week overlap starting in mid-February, Bowden will begin as the next superintendent March 1.