Executive Council

Dr. Arthur M. Guilford was appointed as Regional Chancellor of the USF Sarasota-Manatee Campus effective April 20, 2007.  Prior to coming to USF Sarasota-Manatee, Dr. Guilford worked at the USF Tampa campus for over 31 years, moving from assistant, to associate, to full professor, to department chair and to his most recent position as associate dean of faculty and program development for the College of Arts and Sciences. In that role he had extensive experience related to faculty governance, promotion and tenure, and program development. A respected scholar in Communication Sciences and Disorders, Dr. Guilford has a strong track record in grant writing and research. A faculty member since 1976, he has served on numerous college and university-wide committees. He served as associate dean for the College of Arts and Sciences since 2004 and was chair of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders for 14 years prior to the associate dean appointment.

Dr. Guilford is a native Floridian and received his bachelor's degree from Florida State University. His master's degree is from Tulane University and he earned his doctorate at The University of Michigan. He taught at The University of Michigan and directed the Residential Aphasia Stroke Program there. He also taught at California State University Los Angeles before coming to USF. He is very active on community boards and is currently the President Board of Directors of the Glasser-Schoenbaum Center, the Board of Directors of the Sarasota and Manatee Chambers of Commerce, and SunTrust Bank.

Ben Ellinor is the Regional Vice Chancellor, Business & Finance; he has been at USF since July 2001. For five years prior to that, he served as Budget Director for New College. He came to Sarasota from Florida State University where he was a Coordinator, Administrative Services for the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice and served as a Coordinator, Continuing Education for the Center for Professional Development and Public Service. Before entering higher education Mr. Ellinor served for over 10 years as the Executive Director of the Gadsden County (FL) Chamber of Commerce where he led a successful economic development effort in generating new employment and business investment. He has a B.S. from the Florida State University School of Business.

Bonnie Jones is the Regional Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs, Student Affairs and the Director of Institutional Research and Effectiveness. She started her second academic career at USF Sarasota-Manatee after retiring from Ohio's educational system with 30 years of service at three state universities and on the high-school level. Dr. Jones has directed a variety of programs covering academic review and promotions, institutional research, admissions, financial aid, and student services. She received her bachelor's degree from Miami University and completed graduate work at Kent State University, earning a master's degree in educational administration and a Ph.D. in educational psychology. Dr. Jones's primary research interest is in the prediction of student academic success based on demographic, academic, and psychological factors.

Christine Manring is the Director of University Relations. Prior to joining USF Sarasota-Manatee in December 2008, she was Vice President of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce for 11 years and has extensive experience in marketing, communications, event planning, public affairs and sales/development. She was also the Marketing Director for Asolo Repertory Theatre when they launched a pre-Broadway production. She began her career at Manatee Community College where she worked for five years in Admissions/Records and the Public Affairs Department. In her current role with USF Sarasota-Manatee she oversees marketing, communications, public relations, media relations, graphic design, events, alumni relations and community relations.

Born in Columbus, Ohio, she has lived in Bradenton/Sarasota since 1979. Ms. Manring earned her bachelor of science degree in public relations from the University of Florida.

Dennis Stover is the Regional Vice Chancellor for Advancement, and  he began with USF in March 2012.  Prior to his work at USF he served as Vice President of Philanthropy for New College Foundation and Senior Vice President for Development at Senior Friendship Centers in Sarasota.  He moved to Sarasota 11 years ago and has worked at the local, state and national level in non profit and foundation executive leadership roles for the past 28 years of his life.  He enjoys community volunteer involvement and leads the Volunteer Community Connections as the Board Chair and serves on the Board of the Association of Fundraising Profession of the Southwest Florida.  He is a trained teacher, facilitator and educator and has a B.S. and M.S. from Indiana University.

Casey Welch is Director of Government and Community Relations.  He is a graduate of Florida State University with a bachelor's degree in Political Science and History.   Mr. Welch worked as Deputy Legislative Director for Congressman Adam Putnam in Washington, D.C. for several years following graduation from college. Prior to his work in Washington, D.C. he worked in the Florida House of Representatives and in the office of Florida Governor Jeb Bush.  He also represented two of Florida's largest agricultural trade associations at the United States Congress before coming to USF Sarasota-Manatee.  Mr. Welch is a Sarasota native who serves as a board member of the Florida 4-H Foundation and on the Mote Marine Laboratory Advisory Council.