Co-Founder Colonel Daniel Kennedy

B.A. University of Kentucky, Business/Education/Economics
M.A. University of Kentucky, Vocational Education
Rank One Education Administration, 30 credit hours post M.A., University of Kentucky
Principal, Sarasota High School 1994-2001
Teacher, dean, assistant principal, Sarasota District Schools 1978-1994
Teacher and assistant principal in Kentucky 1968-1978
Married to Mary Stewart Kennedy 40 years
Member of the Sons of the American Revolution
Member of the Descendants of Washington’s Army at Valley Forge

Burt Bershon is the founder and president of Charter Military Schools Development Corporation, an organization committed to providing assistance in establishing charter military schools in communities throughout the nation. Mr. Bershon graduated from Culver Military Academy and began his career as an Air Force officer during the Korean War. He then attended the Wharton School of Business and had insurance offices on Wall Street in New York City and then relocated to Sarasota, Floridian 1973 where he operated a life insurance and employee benefits firm. His business career spanned over 47 very successful years. Bershon was a founding director and president, and is director emeritus of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. He has had. roles in many Sarasota community organizations, including The YMCA Foundation, United Way Foundation, and other charitable organizations. He is a 45 year member of Rotary.

Bershon was co-founder of the Sarasota Military Academy in 2002. He also served as the Chairman of the Founding Board.. For his life’s work in education and philanthropy, Bershon was Knighted in 2004 by the 1,000 year old international order of St. John of Jerusalem Hospitaler in Washington, D.C. For his successful work with youth and education he was awarded the 2006 Eagle Laureate Award—a prestigious national award which recognizes an individual who has “created an organization that is changing the world.” Bershon is a qualified single and multi-engine pilot. He has over 8,000 flying hours as a private. He is a member of the QB’s (Quiet Birdmen) and served as a former member, pilot and Group Commander (Lt. Colonel) in the USAF-Civil Air Patrol.