Nicholas Lewis leads the Manasota Chess Center, establishing a vision and setting strategic goals to bring chess to the Sarasota community. Before founding the Manasota Chess Center, he was the President of the Florida State University Chess Club. He currently serves as Chairman of the US Chess Federation Clubs Committee and serves on the Board of Directors for the Florida Chess Association.

 

Before founding the MCC, he was product lead for a major internet technology company, a certified public school teacher, and a professional violinist in numerous orchestras throughout the United States.

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Bob Bernstein manages the marketing and business operations activities for the Manasota Chess Center. His prior work experience includes executive management positions at various telecommunications companies, during which he directed teams in the areas of Finance, Sales Support, Product Management, Marketing Communications, and Market Research & Analysis.

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Bob is enjoying having more time to devote to chess since retiring from AT&T in 2018. His educational achievements include an MBA in Finance, as well as a BS degree in economics. Bob moved to Florida in 2021 and resides in Longboat Key.

Jerry Platt manages select initiatives focused on target markets such as Chess4Kids and Chess4Seniors, and Manasota Chess Center expansion opportunities. His prior work experience includes Director of Research for a Silicon Valley firm, Manager of Financial Analysis for a Fortune 500 company, CEO of an aviation flight school, and Professor and Dean of two business schools.  He also spent six years teaching at a university in Akita, Japan.

 

Jerry holds five academic degrees, the most recent a post-doctorate from Stanford in data sciences.  He retired from USC in 2017, moved to Bradenton in 2022, and now enjoys the freedom to focus on his wife – and learning chess.