Hi, my name is Derrick Donnell and I am running for District #3 Council Representative seat for the beautiful City of Cape Coral!

I was born in Jackson, Mississippi.  My family and I moved to Florida in 1995 where we settled in Cape Coral.  Thus, we are celebrating our 29 year anniversary as proud residents in the City of Cape Coral!

      I am and have been happily married to my lovely wife for over 31 years.   I have two amazing daughters who were both raised in our beautiful city.

     I am honored to have been twice-elected as your District 7 council representative for the terms of 2007 - 20011 and 2011 - 2015.  Due to term limits, I was forced to step down.  In January of 2022, Council voted to change the boundaries of districts 3 and 5.  Although I continue to reside in the same house, the new boundaries place me within district 3. 

     I earned both my Bachelor's Degree in Biology and Master's of Science in Teaching Degree at Jackson State University.  I earned my Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Central Florida.

      I have an extensive background in education.  I taught Biology and Anatomy & Physiology at Cape Coral High School where I received the prestigious Golden Apple Teacher award.  I also taught those same courses at North Fort Myers High School.  

      I have served the Lee County School District as a school principal, a science coach, a classroom teacher, an assistant principal as well as the Director of Professional Standards, Equity, and Recruitment. In addition to working in the Lee County School system, I am an adjunct professor at Florida Southwestern College where I currently teach and have taught Anatomy & Physiology for 22 years.  I was also an adjunct professor at both Keiser University and Rasmussen College.

​           I am extremely proud to have served my country as a United States Marine. I attended boot camp in Parris Island, SC where I received the top honor of being selected as both the Company and Battalion Honor man.  Approximately one month after graduating from boot camp, I was selected to the Officers Candidate School in Quantico, VA where upon completion,      I was commissioned as an Officer in the United States Marine Corps.               I am also a Gulf war veteran.

            I am a Christ follower and a member of Grace United Methodist Church. I am a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.  I enjoy music, sports, traveling, and mostly, spending quality time with my family.

           In summary, I consider myself to be a simple man that seeks the best for both his family and others.  Those who know me best know that there are two core pillars of my philosophy.  1) Talk issues and not individuals and      2) Stay in your lane.  As your Council representative you can expect me to adhere to the CBS model in all deliberations.  - CLEAR, BRIEF, and SPECIFIC.