Mote Marine Laboratory is pleased to welcome Michael Puto to its Florida Keys Advisory Council supporting Mote\u2019s Elizabeth Moore International Center for Coral Reef Research & Restoration (IC2R3) on Summerland Key and the growing number of Mote programs throughout Monroe County. In addition to its new advanced technology IC2R3 research facilities, Mote also operates The Living Reef aquarium exhibit at the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary\u2019s Eco Discovery Center in Key West, the site of Mote\u2019s annual Ocean Fest community celebration, and will soon be opening a new Florida Keys Coral Reef Exploration aquarium exhibit in partnership with the Florida Keys History and Discovery Center in Islamorada.\u00a0 Mote\u2019s Keys Advisory Council members serve as ambassadors for positive community relations, through informed and targeted communication of Mote\u2019s research and education programs, initiatives and events.<\/p>\n
Michael \u201cMike\u201d Puto, known as \u201cMr. Marathon,\u201d has dedicated most of his life to the Middle Keys community.\u00a0 Puto is an alumnus of Marathon High School, Florida Keys Community College and St. Leo University.\u00a0 He was a teacher and businessman prior to beginning his career in public service.\u00a0 In 1986, he was elected to the Monroe County Board of Commissioners, where he served as Vice Mayor and Mayor. Puto twice held the position of Marathon\u2019s City Manager.\u00a0 He serves or has served on numerous boards in multiple capacities, including: Vice President of the Pigeon Key Foundation Board; Current Vice Chairman and Former Chairman of the Florida Keys Children\u2019s Shelter; Board President for the Marathon Alumni Athletic Club; Board Secretary for the Florida Keys Electric Cooperative; Chamber Ambassador for the Greater Marathon Chamber of Commerce; Senior Mentor for Take Stock in Children and serves on the Board of Marathon Yacht Club Education Foundation; Florida Keys Community College Board of Trustees; Board member of Habitat for Humanity of the Middle Keys.\u00a0He is also a member of the Marathon Elks Club and Marathon Moose Club, Vice President for Marathon Lions Club, the Community Services Director Chairman for the Marathon Rotary Club, and serves on the Governor-appointed Judicial Nominating Commission (for the) Sixteenth Judicial Circuit.<\/p>\n
\u201cMike will make a great addition to our council,\u201d said Peter Rosasco, Chair of Mote\u2019s Keys Advisory Council. \u201cHis reputation and involvement in the local community will serve Mote well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Peter Rosasco will remain in his position of Mote\u2019s Keys Advisory Council Chair, and Dolly Garlo serves as Vice-Chair.\u00a0 Other members of the Keys Advisory Council include Jill Miranda Baker, Ron Burd, George Craig, David Dickson (also Chair of Mote’s Lab-wide, Sarasota-based Advisory Council), Walt Drabinski, Doug Grosso, David Horan, Bob Lodge, Rande Ridenour (Mote Trustee), and Margie Smith.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m look forward to serving alongside the current council members. Over the years, I watched Mote grow and thrive in the Florida Keys, and I am excited about what the future may hold,\u201d said Puto.<\/p>\n
Dr. Michael P. Crosby, President & CEO of Mote, said, \u201cWe enthusiastically welcome Mike to our Keys Advisory Council.\u00a0 Mike is such a respected and ingrained leader in the Marathon community and has valuable expertise that will help Mote expand the impact of our science and education mission in the Keys communities we serve. We are fortunate to have an incredible Keys Advisory Council team from throughout Monroe County generously donating their time and energy to champion and support our vital research, restoration, education and outreach efforts, and I am honored to have them part of our Mote family.\u201d<\/p>\n