Dr. Frederick E. Soto Jr. received his Doctor of Optometry from the Southern College of Optometry. He also holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Sarasota, Master of Public Health from the University of South Florida and a law degree from the Stetson University College of Law.

Dr. Soto is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and a member of the American Public Health Association. He is a member of the American Optometric Association, Southern Council of Optometry, Florida Optometric Association and Manasota Optometric Society, where he served as past president.

He has been active in civic and community organizations, taking leadership roles in the Florida Jaycees, the Southwest District of the Florida Elks Association and the Sarasota County Chamber of Commerce. He was past chairman of the Sarasota-Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization Citizens Advisory Committee.