Trusted, Proven, Accountable

Education:

  • Law Enforcement Certification in 1990 at Okaloosa-Walton Community College

  • Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice Technology, Okaloosa-Walton College

  • Bachelor of Applied Science in Public Service Management, Northwest Florida State College

Career:

  • US Army 1984-1988

  • Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office 1989-2014 (Retired)

    • Served in many rolls from Volunteer to Major and Chief Administrative Officer

    • Budget Director

    • Led the Sheriff’s Office to its first accreditation

  • Elected Okaloosa County Clerk and Comptroller 2014-2024 (Retired)

    • Responsible for all court records for Okaloosa Courts; County recorder maintains all the county’s official records; Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners, County’s Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, and Investment Officer.

    • Created the County’s first Department of Inspector General.

 Community Service:

  • Member of The Church At Shalimar since 1996

  • Member of Okaloosa County’s America 250 Commission, Celebrating our 250th birthday as a nation

  • Member, All Sports Association

  • Vice President, Emerald Coast Chapter of the Son’s of the American Revolution

  • Past Chair, Northwest Florida State College Foundation Board of Directors

  • Past Chair, Emerald Coast Fellowship of Christian Athletes Board of Directors

Trusted:

I have built relationships in our community over the past 35 years of service. Our community knows that I’ll be available and will answer the call when you have concerns with our school district. Our community knows that when I say something, I mean it. As an example, when I ran for Clerk & Comptroller, I committed to serving no more than 10 years. With the help of the great team at the clerk’s office, we were able to reach the goals I had set. As promised, I retired and turned the office over to the prepared and ready leaders coming up behind me.

Proven:

During my time in leadership with the Sheriff’s Office, I played a role in expanding and administering our state-recognized School Resource Program. I’ve built budgets, developed policy, and led the Sheriff’s Office’s first successful accreditation effort.

When I ran for Clerk & Comptroller, I developed a plan for strong fiscal oversight of the county’s financial resources. I instituted the county’s first Inspector General Department, a standards-driven, peer-reviewed, and accredited team that reviews the fiscal controls and effectiveness of your taxpayer-provided resources.

I have a proven track record of bringing innovative thinking to the organizations I’ve led. I haven’t just talked about the problems; I’ve changed the culture to support the members who accomplish the core mission of the organization and to bring much-needed fiscal oversight to our county government. These are not just ideas; I accomplished these goals. But I don’t rest on accomplishments. Leaders must work every day to find improvement. That’s a culture we need in government and in our school leadership. It’s my commitment to continue to do just that when you elect me to the Okaloosa County School Board.

Accountable:

I believe in government transparency, and during my time in leadership roles, I made sure that our community had access to reports and financial data so they could know what our government was doing with your tax dollars. As Clerk to the Board of County Commission, I insured decisions and strategies were public and accessible by our community.  As your School Board member for District 1, I will take that experience and ensure you have access to what happens with our schools.  I am committed to being present in the community so you don’t have to come find me, I will come to you.