Lt. Col. Lempe is a consultant for The Patterson Foundation's Patriot Plaza initiative. In this role, he has primary responsibility for the short- and long-term capital maintenance needs of Patriot Plaza. Working hand-in-hand with Sarasota National Cemetery's administration, his objective is to ensure Patriot Plaza remains a shrine in our community—Honoring Veterans, Embracing Freedom, and Inspiring Patriotism.

Lt. Col. Lempe retired from the School Board of Sarasota County in June 2018. From May 2003–June 2018, he played several key roles, including that of Deputy Superintendent. His responsibilities for managing the business programs that support teachers' and students' success in the classroom included Facilities Maintenance, Custodial; Transportation; Food & Nutrition Services; Information Technology; Construction; Long-Range Planning; Communications; and School Safety and Security. Lt. Col. Lempe also supervised a team of 1,300 people and oversaw a $125 million annual capital budget and a $60 million annual general fund budget.

Prior to his school board assignment, Lt. Col. Lempe spent 26 years in the active-duty Air Force, holding positions from aircraft mechanic to squadron commander, to most recently, the Chief of Personnel Programs for United States Central Command, under the command of General Tommy Franks. In this role, he managed personnel programs impacting people from all four services assigned in the continental United States and 25 countries in the Arabian Peninsula, the Horn of Africa, and five former Soviet provinces.

Lt. Col. Lempe has a Bachelor of Computer Science Degree (summa cum laude) from Chapman University and a Master of Science Degree in Manpower and Personnel Management from the Naval Post Graduate School. He is a graduate of Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College, Joint Forces Staff College, and the Department of Defense Executive Leadership Development Program. He is the recipient of many military awards and decorations, including the Defense Superior Service Medal, Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Joint Achievement Award, and the Air Force Achievement Medal.

Lt. Col. Lempe is married to the former Tracy Jenkins of Sentinel, Oklahoma. They have two daughters, Jennifer and Sara, and five grandchildren.

Join Scott on Twitter: @LempeScott

To contact Scott: slempetpf@gmail.com