Norm Luppino a 23-year veteran of the Manatee County Planning Department, announced his candidacy for the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners District 4 seat today.

Throughout his tenure with Manatee, Luppino was case manager for hundreds of development proposals, including large-scale projects such as University Walk, University Park Country Club, Creekwood, Lakewood Ranch, Tara, the State Road 70 Wal-mart, Kohls/Fresh Market shopping center, The Consession, Heritage Harbour and more.

Luppino has a bachelor's degree in architecture from Lawrence Technological University and a master's degree in urban planning for Michigan State University. He has been a resident of Manatee since 1986. He is a Republican.

Luppino served multiple terms as president of his neighborhood association and was a team captain for the American Heart Association and Keep Manatee Beautiful. As board member and chairman of the Crosley Estate Foundation, Norm was instrumental in the establishment of the successful Crosley Festival of Trees, an event that has raised $250,000 to restore this historic landmark.