One of the region’s top leaders in economic development will now help lead the Sarasota County School District. Jeff Maultsby, Sarasota County’s director of Business and Economic Development, just accepted a job as the new chief operating officer and assistant superintendent of schools. “It’s a tremendous opportunity to contribute to this community in a completely different way and a completely different level,” Maultsby tells SRQ. 

Superintendent of Schools Todd Bowden said Maultsby’s connections throughout the region would prove invaluable to the district. “Jeff has a proven track record of cultivating government and business relationships, and I am excited for him to assume the role of COO and lead our school district during this period of growth and excellence,” Bowden said. 

Maultsby and Bowden’s professional relationship dates back five years to when Bowden served as director for Suncoast Technical College. As part of a workforce development effort at the time, the two collaborated on a precision machining program, with Sarasota County funding the equipment purchase and the college providing instruction and programming classes. Maultsby has since served on the school advisory board for the college.

In a release announcing the hire, Sarasota County schools officials said Maultsby would oversee school-based operations, human resources, communications, public safety and long-range planning teams. That could prove critical as the district creates its own police force and deals with increasing budget challenges. Maultsby stressed, though, that such challenges must get addressed by teams of professionals. Whether helping manage school security efforts or classroom-based endeavors, Maultsby expects to be providing district-level oversight and direction. “My role will be to do everything imaginable to make it as easy as possible for professional educators to do their job,” he said.

Maultsby led Sarasota County’s economic development efforts for 10 years, through a recession and as the county navigated the world of public incentives. Before taking that post, Maultsby oversaw Florida operations for the Cincinnati Reds when the Major League Baseball club held its spring training in Sarasota.