Charles “Chuck” Malatesta, CEO of FORZA, was born and raised in Wilmington, Delaware, and relocated to Fort Myers, Florida, in 2003. He has resided in Parrish, Florida, since 2013.
As a lifelong educator, Mr. Malatesta has dedicated his career to improving teaching and learning at every level. He has served as a teacher, coach, dean of students, assistant principal, university professor and administrator, principal, regional vice president of school operations, and founder of several charter schools. His experience spans private/parochial, traditional public, and charter school environments. Across all roles, he has been recognized as a visionary leader who believes every child deserves access to a high-quality education—and every parent deserves a meaningful choice in their child’s educational path.
A distinguished student-athlete at the Catholic and all-boys Salesianum High School, during the summer before his junior year, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer that spread to his lymph nodes. After he defeated cancer with incredible fortitude that impressed his classmates, he returned as captain and led the swim team to regain the championship for a third time in his career. At Commencement, he received the silver medal for athletics in the top program in the state as well as the prestigious award presented to the graduate who exemplified courage, fortitude, and accomplishment in the face of special challenges.
He then continued his education at Florida Atlantic University on a swimming scholarship, majoring in history education before transferring to the University of Delaware, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Exercise Science. During his years at the University of Delaware, at age 20, he began teaching and coaching at Archmere Academy, earning State Coach of the Year honors. After graduating from college, he
was hired to teach and coach at the Charter School of Wilmington, where he was named National Swim Coach of the Year.
Motivated to serve in school leadership, in 2003, he earned a Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership/Administration from Wilmington University, while continuing to teach and coach at the Charter School of Wilmington. His time at the Charter School of Wilmington strengthened his belief in the value of a charter school learning environment and the importance of educational choice, particularly for families without access to private or high-performing public schools. Mr. Malatesta knows that many families cannot afford parochial or private education and, throughout his career, has worked tirelessly to ensure that as many children as possible have an opportunity for a tuition-free, exceptional education in a quality learning environment.
Mr. Malatesta went on to serve as dean of students at Bishop Verot High School and as a university administrator at both Florida Gulf Coast University and Saint Petersburg College. He opened and served as principal of two charter schools in Tampa and supported the development and approval of a charter high school. He was promoted to regional vice president with a large education management company, where he was responsible for building relationships, charter development, facility acquisition processes, and oversight of academic, operational, and financial performance across multiple schools.
In December 2012, Mr. Malatesta sold everything he owned to start FORZA Education Management, a company that opens and operates charter schools and preschools in Florida. Under his leadership, FORZA has since opened and currently operates four large K–8 charter schools and five preschools, collectively serving more than 3,500 children. For these incredible accomplishments, Mr. Malatesta was recognized by his alma mater, the University of Delaware, with the prestigious Blue Hen 17&43 Alumni Award for a fast-growing/successful business.
Mr. Malatesta is a devout Catholic who is involved in his local parish, a volunteer board member of the Parrish Foundation, and remains deeply involved in many communities throughout Florida. He continues his philanthropic efforts by supporting teams, clubs, organizations, and youth- and adult-centered programs throughout these communities. He is currently finishing a book on his childhood cancer story.