A native of Illinois, Charles A. Bear moved to Sarasota in 1982 and is a graduate of Riverview High School. He attended the University of Florida and holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of South Florida. Additionally, he holds the designations of Certified Florida Collector Assistant from the Florida Department of Revenue, Certified Executive Leader from Valencia College and a Yellow Belt Certification from Electronic Training Solutions, Inc. sponsored by the Sterling Council. 

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Mr. Bear has held numerous positions in various retail, financial and technology fields but has spent the last 23 years as a member of the Florida Tax Collector community either working for Software Vendors providing Tax Collection and Administration software to Florida Tax Collectors Statewide or as a Director for the Honorable Vickie L. Potts, Charlotte County Tax Collector.
Mr. Bear held the position of Director of Tax Services for the Charlotte County Tax Collector from 2006-2012 and returned to the Charlotte County Tax Collectors Office in 2019 as the Director of Tax Operations at the invitation of Vickie L. Potts. In the interim and prior to his initial employment with the Charlotte County Tax Collectors Office he held various positions (Business Analyst, Implementation Manager, Lead Business Systems Analyst, Director of New Business and Conversions) for software firms providing Tax Collection and Administration software to Florida Tax Collectors statewide.  

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Mr. Bear has 3 grown sons, two of whom graduated from Riverview High School and are attending Florida Gulf Coast University in Ft Myers. His eldest son graduated from Sarasota Military Academy and lives locally in Sarasota working as a mobile crain operator. Mr. Bear is an avid cook, car guy and can be found at trivia most Wednesday nights.

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Personally, I'd like to add that I have nothing but respect for Barbara Ford-Coates, her staff and her 49 years as a public servant in this community. I've known Barbara for over 20 years and helped implement the Tax Collection and Administration software in Sarasota and appoximately 20 other counties statewide that her office uses to this day. She will never be replaced. Her potential successor can only hope to carry on her tradition of excellent public service to the constituents of the Sarasota County Community while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

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Please feel free to contact me directly if you have any questions about my 'vision' for the office at charlesbear@msn.com