Meet the Commission Members
The members of the 2009 Charter Review Commission (appointed by the Board of County Commissioners) represent a wide range of interests; educational backgrounds; socio-economic levels; professional endeavors; ethnicities and cultures. Additionally, the Commission is comprised of both men and women across a wide age range. Such diversity helps ensure that the Commission’s recommendations are attuned to and address the governing needs of Polk County’s equally diverse population.
Pat Burrell, Executive Assistant - Bartow
Mario Cabrera, Esquire, Lakeland
Mario J. Cabrera is an attorney in private practice in Lakeland, Florida, specializing in Bankruptcy, Debtor’s Rights, and Social Security Disability. He has been admitted to practice in Florida since 1994 and is admitted to practice in the Federal Courts for the Middle and Southern District of Florida.
A native Floridian, Mario was raised by loving parents who migrated to the United States shortly after the fall of Cuba to Fidel Castro. His parents instilled upon him the true appreciation for the value of an honest day's work, importance of the family circle, genuine respect for your fellow man, loyalty to America, and love for our Almighty Creator. During his teens, whether from the long harvest days in sugar cane fields surrounding Lake Okeechobee to working in the sugar cane refineries, Mario understood that education was the key to better ones' self for maximum Christian service to mankind.
Mario is a member of the National Organization of Social Security Claimant Representatives (NOSSCR), National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA), and the Lakeland Bar Association. He has also served as past president of the Lakeland Bar Association.
Mario lives in Lakeland with his wife, Chris, and their two children, Sydney and Jacob. When Mario is not working, he likes to fish, hunt, and play golf. He is a member of First Baptist Church of Bartow. He also is a volunteer for the Florida Air Museum at Sun & Fun, and South Lakeland Baseball.
Sam Killebrew, Lakeland
Mr. Killebrew is a native of Polk County and owner of Killebrew, Inc an underground utility contractor. He has served as officer, director or committee chairman with the East Polk County Committee of 100, Polk Unit - American Cancer Society, Florida Citrus Showcase, Goodwill Industries Heart of Florida, MyRegion. Org, Polk County Efficiency Committee, Floridians for Smarter Growth, as well as the Chambers of Commerce for Lakeland, Winter Haven, Ft. Meade, Orlando, Lake Wales and Sebring. He is on the advisory board for Platinum Bank of Polk County, a member of Masonic Lodge of Auburndale and Egypt Shrine Temple, Tampa. Mr. Killebrew is an active member of numerous utility contractor trade associations.
George Lindsey, Lakeland
A native Floridian, University of Florida graduate and Polk County resident for 30 years. He is married, the father of two boys and was active in their Boy Scout and little league activities. He is employed in real estate development and property management. Mr. Lindsey has served on the board of directors of the Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce, Lakeland Association of Realtors, Polk County Builders Association, Peace River Center and Lakeland Electric's Utility Advisory Committee and was a member of the 2001 Charter Review Commission. He is a Rotarian, avid Harley rider and Gator fan.
Victor B. Story, Jr., Lake Wales
A Polk County resident for over 63 years. Married to Ann Hendrickson Story; father of five children and 10 grandchildren. Attended Polk Community College, Florida Southern College and University of Florida. Was active in Lake Wales Little League, and President of Hillcrest Elementary PTO. Life long citrus grower and manager. Former Mayor and City Commissioner of Lake Wales; former President of Polk County Farm Bureau; Board Member and Area Vice President of Florida Citrus Mutual; Board Member of Citrus Education and Research Foundation; Member of the Florida Citrus Commission; Member of Gator Boosters and avid Florida Gator fan.
David M. Touchton, Lakeland
David is a certified public accountant. After serving as the managing partner for the NCT Group, CPA's, he now has assumed a consulting partner role with the firm. He currently is president of the Central Florida Development Council and also serves on the executive committee of Leadership Lakeland and the Lakeland Area Chamber Foundation board. David was elected to serve in 2009 as a director of Citizens Bank and Trust. His past affiliations include Commodore of the Lakeland Yacht and County Club, treasurer of the Lakeland Chamber, board of Polk Vision and Chairman of Lakeland Vision, board of Community Foundation of Greater Lakeland, treasurer of Crime Stoppers, Past President of Polk Theater. David resides in Lakeland with his wife, Mary Ann Touchton.
Deming Cowles, Babson Park
Deming Cowles is Executive Director of The Family Literacy Academy at Lake Wales and coordinator of the Lake Wales Family Literacy Coalition. He is also adjunct professor of government at Webber International University. He serves on the Polk County Water Advisory Board and the County Budget Guidance Team, and is on the Board of Directors of Green and Gold Foundation, Lake Wales Housing Authority, Babson Park Visioning Process, and the School Advisory Committees at Babson Park and Janie Howard Wilson Elementary Schools. He served on the Hillcrest Heights Town Commission for six years. Mr. Cowles is licensed to practice law in Florida, and has retired from the practice of law in Alaska and the District of Columbia. He lives in Babson Park.
Roderick Hudnell, Bartow
Native of Bartow. Retired Investment Banker. Graduate Bartow High School, PCC and University of Miami. Vice-Chairman Bartow Community Redevelopment Agency. Various Community duties including CRA Vice-Chair, Friends of the Library Board, Fourth of July Committee and Chair Bartow Redevelopment Incentive Committee.
Rennie Heath, Winter Haven
A lifelong resident of Winter Haven, except during his active duty service in the United States Coast Guard, he is a married father of four children and two grandchildren. He is a graduate of the University of South Florida and a state certified building contractor. Mr. Heath served two terms as commissioner for the Lakes Region Lakes Management District, is Past President of the Polk County Builders Association and served as President of the PCBA Foundation. He is an Elder as Grace Lutheran Church in Winter Haven, enjoys golf, fishing and supporting USF “Bulls” sporting events and alumni activities.
Loretta Womble, Bartow
Loretta Womble is a native Lakelander and second generation Floridian. She graduated from Bartow High School and Lakeland Business College and has attended Polk Community College and Pasco-Hernando Community College. She has one son, two daughters and six grandchildren.
Loretta retired from banking after 24 years. She has been on the board of directors of Girls, Inc., the Advisory Board of the Jay and Eloise Troxel H.O.P.E. Village operated by Lighthouse Ministries, the Republican Women's Club of Lakeland and a Rotarian since 1963.
Her hobbies are traveling, cooking and reading.
Al Whittle, Lakeland
Al Whittle relocated to Polk County in 1997 after completing an Army career and consulting in Business Process Reengineering for DOD agencies. Following combat service, he specialized in managing Army structure. Colonel Whittle led initiatives that resulted in multi-million dollar savings and changed the Army’s business model. He is one of only nine inductees in the Army Force Management Hall of Fame. Mr. Whittle has been heavily involved in community affairs though Lakeland Vision, Polk Vision (Steering Committee), Polk County Budget Committee, Lakeland Electric Utility Advisory Committee and other forums. He and his wife, Jan, have one adult son.
Kathryn J. (Jeri) Hammond - Davenport
Jeri Hammond grew up in Mississippi and Alabama, attending Mississippi State University on full scholarship and earning a B.A. in psychology. Five years as an intelligence officer and WAF commander in the U.S. Air Force included a year in Thailand with a search and rescue squadron during the Vietnam War. After leaving the Air Force as a Captain, Jeri earned her J.D. from Harvard Law School, then spent several years in Chicago doing medical malpractice defense and computer software law. She moved to Florida in 1991, where she helped with her husband’s computer software business and worked in travel consulting. In 2004, Jeri became a teacher because of her belief that education is the key to solving many of our problems. She taught language arts, geography and American history at Boone Middle School, as well as American history, psychology, critical thinking and international law at the Haines City IB World School. She currently teaches American history and government at Bok Academy in Lake Wales. Jeri has been married to Jim Hammond, a Chicago native, since 1983.
Anita Stasiak, Lakeland
Anita Stasiak is a Senior Vice President and Area Manager for BB&T. She has over 27 years of banking experience. Anita has a Bachelor of Science degree from Northeast Missouri State University, Kirsksville, MO. She is a 2002 graduate of Florida School of Banking. Anita is a graduate of the Leadership Bartow program. She is a former President of the Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce. Anita is active in the Bartow Rotary Club serving as President in 2006-2007. She also serves on the Finance committee of the First United Methodist Church in Lakeland. Anita has been married to her husband Mike for 29 years and has 2 grown daughters. Anita and her Family have lived in Lakeland for the past 22 years.
A. Dean Boring, Lakeland
A. Dean Boring is a native Floridian, born and raised in Lakeland, Florida and the father of one son and two step-daughters. Boring is a strong business leader and is a member of CDA (Copier Dealers Association) and Vistage (TEC). He believes in supporting and giving back to the community which is evidenced by the following: Former City of Lakeland City Commissioner (served 10 years), Former Lakeland Downtown Development (7 years) Lakeland Yacht & Country Club Board (7 year) and Past Commodore, Member of the Lakeland Rotary Club, Various United Way Committee, Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Director, Lakeland Economic Development Council Board Member, as well as many other various civic organizations.