Laura Hine has received further endorsements from City of St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman and City Councilmember Ed Montanari for her candidacy for Pinellas County School Board District 1, At-Large seat with elections set for August 18, 2020.
Born in Tampa, Florida, educated in K-12 traditional public schools, and with an undergraduate degree in aerospace engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy and graduate degree in business administration from University of South Florida, St Petersburg, Hine says her experience with systems of scale along with her passion for public education make her the strongest candidate.
Kriseman’s endorsement reads, “Laura, Hank, and their family are leaders in our St. Petersburg community. As a mom and dedicated volunteer, Laura Hine has been making a positive impact on our public school system for years. It is my pleasure to support her in this new endeavor because I know the passion, we’ve already seen from her is just the beginning. Her experience in the U.S. Navy, construction management, and as a civic leader make her the most qualified candidate. Laura will be ready to serve on the Pinellas County School Board on day one and it is my pleasure to endorse her for School Board District 1.”
Montanari’s endorsement reads, “I have come to know Laura personally through her committed work at North Shore Elementary, which resides within my home district. Her mission to create thriving schools, teachers and students is admirable and has become a model other school communities are adopting in St. Petersburg. As a fellow former military officer, I know the values imbued in Laura through her Naval service hold her principles to the highest standard and she will hold a public position with the highest integrity. I am thankful for Laura’s pursuit into public service and hope you will join me in supporting her for the Pinellas County School Board.”
Laura remarked on the cross-party endorsements, “I am grateful to have the support of the leaders of St. Petersburg who have observed and supported my engagement in local public education. I promise to be a good steward of public resources and the public trust. I am the only candidate personally invested in public education right now with two boys in elementary school and I want to use the tools and passion I’ve forged to make it equitable and excellent. I believe my military service, executive experience, and community engagement have helped me build the right skill set to create important partnerships, empower teachers and optimize resources.”
Laura’s professional career began first as an officer in the U.S. Navy; then as a licensed general contractor managing project development, most recently project director for Tom & Mary James’ new museum of Western & Wildlife Art and adjacent commercial development; and now as the executive director of The James Museum. Laura is a graduate of Army Airborne school in Ft. Benning, Georgia, and was one of the first two women integrating a U.S. warship, and at 23-years-old qualified as Officer of the Deck (OOD) of a $1B warship.
