Leadership Academy 2022-2023

2/3/2023                                                                                            Contact: Shelly Edmonson
                                                                                                            Operations Manager/FCLGLA                                                                                                                                    Coordinator                                                                                                                                                                  Flagler County Tax Collector Office

                                                                                                            O: (386) 313-4165
                                                                                                            sedmonson@flaglertax.gov

                     Flagler County Local Government Leadership Academy Holds Graduation

Bunnell – Eleven executives, managers, and professionals graduated from the Flagler County Local Government Leadership Academy at a special ceremony at the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Operations Center on Thursday February 2^nd.

The graduates are:

• Gina Allman, Flagler County Tax Collector’s Office

• Kaitlyn Bennett, Flagler County Tax Collector’s Office

• Dave Freeman, Flagler Schools

• Anne Hunter, Flagler County Tax Collector’s Office

• Lisa Leeman, Flagler County Tax Collector’s Office

• Lisa Lynch, Flagler County Sheriff’s Office

• Liz Mathis, City of Flagler Beach

• Robert Ouellette, Flagler Schools

• Scott Vedder, Flagler County Sheriff’s Office

• Randy Vickers, Flagler County Sheriff’s Office

• Jessica Westbrook, Flagler County Tax Collector’s Office

In this four month executive education program which meets weekly for two hour classes at the Tax Collector’s Office, the graduates studied important topics like leadership, human resources, budgeting, risk management, customer service, program evaluation, teamwork, and organizational culture.  Students read two highly regarded books on leadership and completed a series of real-world assignments.  They enhanced their knowledge of successful leadership and strengthened valuable skills like research, writing, presenting, analysis, decision-making, teamwork, project management, communication, problem-solving, and planning.  They learned best practices and to utilize data-driven decision-making to select policies and programs with proven performance.

“As leaders, we have to be thinking about today, tomorrow, and ten and fifty years from today.  This academy helps our current leaders be their best and it effectively prepares emerging leaders for future roles.  We congratulate all of our graduates on this accomplishment.  We look forward to seeing your continued success as you and those you lead create a very bright future for Flagler County for many years to come,” stated Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly.

 “We are grateful for the strong partnerships across local governments which make this program possible.  By teaching best practices in successful leadership, we help ensure that local government always operates effectively and efficiently to best serve citizens,” said Dr. Joe Saviak who taught the leadership academy.

“Leadership is the single greatest predictor of how successful any organization will be.  This academy teaches students the key subjects and specific skills to ensure these leaders excel in their roles and responsibilities.  We teach everything that citizens and employees would want and expect in our leaders,” stated Flagler County Tax Collector Suzanne Johnston who organized and hosted the classes at her main office.

The next Flagler County Local Government Leadership Academy begins on February 9^th at the Office of the Tax Collector.  Thirteen students will be representing The City of Palm Coast, Flagler County Government, the Flagler County Tax Collector’s Office, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, Flagler Schools, and the City of Flagler Beach.

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