By Mark Novitski, Consultant to Engage Estero

Chris grew up in Boston, where she learned to love all Boston teams, but the Patriots are her favorite. She excelled in school and attended Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester, MA, where she earned an A.A. in Criminal Justice and was one point away from winning a national title in basketball.

She earned a B.A. in Government from Clark University in Worcester, MA. Afterward, she moved to New York City and attended Seton Hall University School of Law in Newark, NJ, where she earned a Juris Doctor.

She began her career as an attorney in the Newark, NJ area. After working in a law firm for one year, she became a Staff Attorney at The Ayco Company, L.P., a division of Goldman Sachs, and later an Adjunct and Full-time Professor at the State University of New York—Schenectady.

She met her husband, Tom, in New York, and they started a family. They have three children: Patti, Jack, and Thomas, also known as “T.” In the summer of 2012, they moved to Estero and settled in the Stoneybrook community. Her husband, Tom, is the President of TLP Financial Services, Inc. Their children started their academic careers at Pinewoods Elementary in Lee County. Chris became an Adjunct Professor in the Justice Studies Department of the College of Arts and Sciences at Florida Gulf Coast University.

Chris spent a lot of time at Pinewoods Elementary while her kids attended. Eventually, she became a Paraprofessional. Chris and her husband were involved in their children’s sports and scouting activities. Their daughter, Patti, excelled in swimming, and the boys played football. As their children grew, their family expanded. A close friend and fellow Pinewoods Elementary school parent was diagnosed with a terminal illness and asked Chris to be the legal guardian of her son, Grady. Chris and her family agreed, and now the Patricca family has four children in Lee County Schools.

In 2015, Chris became increasingly involved in education and decided to run for a School Board seat in District 3. She spoke at various functions in South Lee County, Estero, and Bonita Springs. Chris was on the primary ballot in August 2016 and was one of the top two vote-getters. The top two vote-getters then appeared on the November 2016 primary ballot, and Chris won the election, representing District 3.

Mary E. Reider. Senior Executive Assistant to the Board & Superintendent’s Office, School District of Lee County, provided the following:

“Chris served on the Equity & Diversity Advisory Committee, Uncommon Friends Governing Board, 2016-2017; Finance Advisory Committee, Board Legislative Liaison/Federal, Board Legislative Liaison/State, Strategic Planning & Steering Committee; Finance Advisory Committee, Board Legislative Liaison/Federal, Board Legislative Liaison/State, Independent Sales Surtax Oversight Committee (ISSOC), 2018-2019; Finance Advisory Committee & ISSOC, 2019-2020.”

She ran again in 2020 and was reelected for another four years.

“She also served on the District Advisory Committee, Instructional Calendar, Value Adjustment Board (alternate), Estero Education Committee, 2020-2021; District Advisory Committee, Instructional Calendar, Estero Education Committee, 2021-2022; District Advisory Committee, Insurance Task Force, 2022-2023; Curriculum Advisory Committee, Insurance Task Force, 2023-2024; and she served on the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Board of Directors as the district School Board appointed member from 2017-2023.

In her determination to be effective, Chris worked to improve education at the State level. Amie Williamson of the Florida School Boards Association wrote: “Chris was an active member of FSBA and served as President. She will be greatly missed!” Below, you will find a list of her involvement:

Board of Director Alternate 2017, Board of Director 2018, Certified Board Member 2018,

Vice President 2019 – 2020, President-Elect 2020 – 2021, President 2021 – 2022, Immediate Past President 2022 – 2023, Federal Relations Network, Chair 2018-2019, Policy Committee, Chair 2019 – 2020, Long Range Planning Committee, Chair 2020 – 2021, Nominating Committee, Chair 2022 – 2023, Past President’s Council, Chair 2023 2024”

Chris was essential in facilitating the collaboration of Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida, ECCL (Engage Estero), and the School District of Lee County. Junior Achievement is a nonprofit that inspires and prepares young people for success—its mantra is Boundless Futures through Education. Angela Fisher, President and CEO of Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida, wrote:

“We are grateful to Chris Patricca for her exemplary service as a Lee County School Board member. Ms. Patricca has been a stalwart advocate for educational excellence, passionately supporting initiatives that empower our students. Her pivotal role in integrating Junior Achievement’s programs across Estero and the wider county, particularly through a strategic partnership with Estero’s ECCL (Engage Estero), has significantly expanded our reach.”

“This partnership, solidified by a Memorandum of Understanding, exemplifies her visionary approach to educational investment. Moreover, Mrs. Patricca’s accessibility and eagerness to advocate for our cause have been invaluable. Her insightful discussions and persuasive presentations on critical educational policies, including the sales tax increase supporting Education, have made a lasting impact. We are deeply grateful for her dedication and leadership, which has left a profound and enduring legacy.”

Chris has always been enthusiastic about encouraging parents and others looking after schoolchildren to become involved in their education. Over her tenure, she spoke at ECCL (Engage Estero) meetings to inform the greater Estero area of the happenings of the School District of Lee County. Her telling the truth at meetings sometimes raised the ire of various groups, and we appreciated hearing the truth.

Our Communications Director, Allan Bowditch, recalled a meeting many area residents needed to attend. She stated it was during an Engage Estero meeting on The Future of Estero’s Schools in December 2023.

“It can be difficult to get parental involvement in their child’s school. We must do everything we can to encourage parents to get involved in their child’s school as it produces a measurable benefit on a student’s results and performance.”

In addition, Chris was also focused on the cutting edge of developments and new initiatives benefiting teachers and their pupils. She said: “It is important to embrace and understand the value of Artificial intelligence (AI) to lessen the workload of teachers and administrators, allowing them more time to work with the students.”

The Engage Estero Team, and Allan Bowditch in particular, wish you continued success in your future work – whatever direction it may take.

Mike Wasson and Jim Sheilds, the ECCL (Engage Estero) Education Committee, provided the following:

“During 2017 and 2018, ECCL (now Engage Estero) started the 2-5-8 Graduate Program with Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida. Chris Patricca, then a Lee County School District member, was a Key Stakeholder and instrumental in helping us become engaged with School District leadership. The result was approval by the School Board for this Program to be taught in the four Estero-area schools.

The program was designed to provide Estero students with a well-structured, age-appropriate education on the economics of life. Volunteers called Education Ambassadors facilitated firsthand learning.

In 2018- 2019, the program’s first year, there were 1,365 students, followed by 1,297 students the next year. The program was restricted during the COVID-19 pandemic years from 2020 through 2024. One hundred fifty-three community volunteers were involved during those six years.

Chris Patricca’s support certainly impacted the students in the greater Estero Schools.” With the collaboration of Chris, Estero High School Principle Mike Amabile, and the school career counselors, the ECCL (Engage Estero), Estero Historical Society, and the Estero Chamber of Commerce sponsored an Essay Contest and the awarding of $1000 scholarships in Estero Governance, Estero History, and Estero Business.”

Chris’s children’s Lee County school education ended at Dunbar High School, Bonita Springs High School, South Fort Myers High School, and Fort Myers Technical College. Currently, two children are in college, one is in the Navy, and one is still in Lee District schools learning a trade. In 2024, Chris decided it was time for the next chapter in her life, and she did not run for reelection for her board seat.

Today, Chris works with her husband, Tom, at TLP Financial Services, Inc. They spend time with their kids and plan RV trips around Florida and the USA. She stays involved in our community: she is the Swim Florida Board of Directors secretary, a member of the Fort Myers Republican Women’s Club, and a member of Businesspeople United for Political Action Committee/BUPAC. Chris and her husband, Tom, are involved in their church and the Estero Rotary Club.

If you see Chris around the community, please thank her for her dedication to education and our community, county, and state!