EP 136 On the Record: Livingstone Academy Commemorates 20 Years!
Chris and Bernadette Pello had a vision. They wanted to provide an education that catered to the unique needs of students with learning disabilities. In his role as a principal, Chris saw firsthand, how schools were failing these students. After taking out a second mortgage on their home, Bernadette and Chris started the Livingstone Academy with only books, desks, and hope. Twenty years later, the Livingstone Academy is one of the largest private schools in Florida, and the Pellos are gearing up to open the Florida Trade Academy. A pre-apprenticeship program for anyone who wants technical training.
Chris Pello
Chris has over 35 years of leadership experience as an educator, community leader and school operations specialist. Chris has served as a CEO, principal, athletic director, teacher, and coach. Chris has also served as pastor at two local churches and a board member for numerous non-profit organizations.
Chris is currently the CEO and Founder of Livingstone Schools, Inc. a non -profit, private school organization with four locations. Livingstone Academy has a campus in Seffner, Brandon, Riverview and Valrico. Livingstone Academy, founded in 2003 is now the largest private school for students with special needs in Hillsborough County serving over 400 students with 80 employees. Chris is also the CEO/Founder of Florida Trade Academy (FTA), a pre-apprenticeship program serving young adults entering the construction trades.
Bernadette Pello
ernadette was born and raised in New York. It was there that she learned the importance of family, the benefit of hard work, and how a great Italian meal can bring everyone together.
She is a business and community leader that is civic minded with a heart for connecting people and businesses. Not long after leaving a successful career in staffing, she and her husband Chris identified an opportunity to provide educational options for children with unique learning needs. Together they started Livingstone Academy, now serving families on four campuses. They have also launched Florida Trade Academy, FTA, a pre-apprenticeship program for the construction trades. Recently, Bernadette Pello was recognized at the Brandon Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards. At the event, she was awarded the 2022 Community Leadership Award and Livingstone Schools won Business of the Year for the 21 and Over Employee Category.
In an effort to support other women in business, Bernadette joined KNOW, an organization that supports female leaders, creators and entrepreneurs. This affiliation affords her the ability to connect beyond her circle, grow as a leader and collaborate with woman worldwide. She is the Market Director for KNOW Women Tampa Bay.
Rounding out her passions, you will often find Bernadette in the kitchen cooking with her son Michael. As a family, they run Pasta Monsta, private chef services. She also enjoys spending time in her garden and with their two dogs, Betty and Elsa.
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