What a difference a year — and six new board members — made for the former president of the College of the Florida Keys.
Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed six of the college’s seven board members between January and June 2026. Alexandria Suarez, who has been on the board since 2023, this week was elected chair.
After 14 years as president of the College of the Florida Keys, Jonathan “Dr. G” Gueverra was fired with a unanimous vote by the new board on July 20, at a hastily called meeting whose agenda did not mention the potential termination.
Gueverra had worked with several board members for the past 14 years, each of them appointed by the sitting governor. The Keys Weekly requested and received copies of the board members’ evaluations of the college president for the past five years.
A comparison of the evaluations from the 2024-2025 school year and the 2025-26 school year under the new board of trustees shows a notable change.
In 2024-25 and the four years prior, board members rated Gueverra highly and included positive comments in their evaluations. The 2025-26 evaluations include more criticism from board members than any prior years. Board member Eddie Kertis, a CFK alum and former instructor, included compliments and criticisms in his recent evaluation.
Board vice chair Peter E. Batty noted repeatedly in his May 25 evaluation of Gueverra, “As a newer board member, I have limited knowledge.” Less than two months later, on July 20, Batty opened the special meeting with a motion to fire Gueverra, effective immediately.
When asked by the Keys Weekly on July 28 what information Batty had acquired between May 25 and July 20 that convinced him to terminate Gueverra, Batty said he was on vacation with his children for the month of July and would not be available until they returned to school.
The selection here shows comments from board members’ evaluations of Gueverra in 2024-25 compared to those submitted in spring of 2026 by the new board members.
2024-25 EVALUATION COMMENTS (These comments from the previous board were unattributed.)
“The President continues to find … exceptional doctors who excel in their areas of expertise. Together they have built a cohesive leadership team.”
“Like any strong leader, those that are … ready to work … have very strong relationships with the President. Those that struggle to see the value … create turbulence for all. … The President navigates this with skill and passion.”
“The President … can call each student by name … but also knows what they studied and what if any challenges they may have faced.”
“He continually strives to stay ahead of changes.”
“There is a keen focus on opportunities … for the College to better support the educational needs of the local community.”
“He has a strong leadership team that he can rely on.”
2025-2026 EVALUATION COMMENTS
“I feel more communication directly with the Board is needed.” — Robert Broton
“The college had two senior leaders leave around the same time. … The board has still not received an explanation for these mysterious departures.” — Eddie Kertis
“I’m disappointed by Dr. G’s interactions with the board with regard to … why his contract was renewed a year early. … I’m shocked at how disrespectful he was to the Chair during our last Board meeting….” — Michael Downer
“I received three calls from elected or government officials after my appointment in January. … critical of the relations between the college and the community.” — Kertis
“The president has demonstrated that he has a vision for where the college should be and has taken steps to implement that vision.” — Kertis
“I question some of the decisions that have been made regarding facilities, expansion, etc.” — Kertis
“I am concerned that this college is on the edge of viability. Would like to see more urgency in putting the college on a more viable track.” — Michael Downer
“The college is renowned for having an entrenched, inefficient, and intractable bureaucracy. Deans and directors are not empowered.” — Kertis
“As someone with a daughter and three granddaughters, it is great to see so many women and minorities in positions of leadership at the college.” — Kertis
