County Manager's Biography
With over 24 years of Public Sector experience, Mr. Whitten has been with Brevard County since 1994 in positions ranging from Assistant to the County Manager, Management Services Department Director, Assistant County Manager, and Deputy County Manager. Mr. Whitten also served as Interim County Manager in 2009. Prior to coming to Brevard County he previously worked for Broward County as a Budget Analyst. He has also interned for both the City of Gainesville and Alachua County Governments.
Mr. Whitten is a native of Jacksonville, Florida. He graduated from the University of Florida in 1987 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and in 1990 with Master of Arts degree. He also has a Master of Business Administration from Georgia Southern University.
Stockton lives in Rockledge with his wife and three kids.
Assistant County Manager's Biography
With over 24 years’ experience in local government, Venetta Valdengo joined Brevard County Government in May, 2013 as an Assistant County Manager. Prior to her appointment, she worked for Orange County Government in various roles, including the Director of Parks and Recreations, Animal Services Division Manager, Facilities Management Division Manager, Deputy Director of Community and Environmental Services and Deputy Director of Administrative Services. She also has additional experience in Risk Management.
A registered nurse by training, Ms. Valdengo began her professional career in nursing working for several large medical centers and the U.S. Panama Canal Commission. After earning her B.A. in International Relations, she launched her career in government and later earned her Masters Degree in Public Administration from the University of Central Florida.
Ms. Valdengo was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. She has been a resident of Florida since 1980 and currently resides in Merritt Island. She has two sons.
Assistant County Manager's Biography
Having served in the public sector for over 32 years, Frank Abbate’s professional career is anchored by 26 years as Brevard County’s Human Resources Director. Upon moving to Florida in 1989, Abbate was admitted to the Florida Bar. Abbate has also served on an interim basis as an Assistant County Manager during his tenure with Brevard County. He has served as an Instructor for both Webster University and UCF in their graduate Public Administration and Human Resources Development programs. Upon graduating from the Dickinson School of Law, Penn State University, Abbate was admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar in 1982. He served as a Staff Attorney and then as the Personnel Director/Labor Attorney for the City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, for six years. As an undergraduate student at S.U.N.Y. @ Stony Brook, Abbate earned his Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Political Science and served as a congressional intern in Washington, D.C.
Abbate lives in Melbourne with his wife Rita. They are the proud parents of three children and two grandchildren.
Powers and Duties
The County Manager is the head of the executive branch of County Government, and is responsible to the Board of County Commissioners for the proper administration of all affairs of County Government not otherwise entrusted to an elected County officer. The Manager attends all regular and special meetings of the Board of County Commissioners and has the right to participate in its discussions.