People

Operating Board

Message from the Operating Board Chair

Polk Vision does an excellent job bringing together leaders from across the county, both public and private, to focus on the issues, opportunities, and challenges facing Polk County. It is through these collaborative efforts that we align in the common goal of making Polk County the best it can be. The hard work of the staff and the diligent efforts of the numerous volunteers on the various Teams is to be commended. It is in these Teams that candid discussions turn into real plans that are then executed to produce progress for the county. I am impressed with the accomplishments that came about as a direct result of volunteers, and the organizations they belong to. We are able to accomplish so much more working together than we could individually. I encourage you to get involved to help make a difference in our community.

Naomi Boyer, Ph.D.
Operating Board Chair
Executive Director, Digital Transformation,
Education Design Lab


Message from the Operating Board Chair-Elect

I am looking forward to this time as the Chair-Elect for the Polk Vision Operating Board.  Polk County is facing many challenges and community leaders though Polk Vision are meeting these challenges head on.  The collaboration from both public and private sectors shepherded by the Operating Board has and will continue to provide great benefit to Polk County and the citizens. The next year will see a new and improved “Vision” for our County as the Operating Board tackle a refresh of the core values to align with the current needs.  If you have never been involved with Polk Vision, now is the time to join one of our teams or participate in our Leadership Polk programs.  If you were involved in the past, I can’t encourage you enough to re-engage.  We need your input.  We need your leadership.  We need your passion to elevate Polk County to new levels.

Marc Zimmerman
Operating Board Chair-Elect
Central Florida’s Polk County Tourism & Sports Marketing 


2022-2023 Operating Board Members

Naomi Boyer, Ph.D.
Operating Board Chair
Education Design Lab

Marc Zimmerman
Operating Board Chair-Elect
Central Florida’s Polk County Tourism & Sports Marketing

Steve Bissonnette
Quality of Life Team
VISTE

Kylia Carswell
Liaison
Polk County Public Schools

Deb Cantero, DNP
Primary Care Team
Florida Southern College

Reba Coil
Liaison
Polk County Public Schools

Betsy Cleveland
Liaison
Polk County Public Schools

Rod Crowley, Ed.D.
Food Security Council
United Way of Central Florida

Jeanette Crowley
Liaison
Polk County Public Schools

Julia Davis
Liaison
Polk TPO

Taylor Freeman
Liaison
Florida Department of Health in Polk County

Rebekah Hurd
Government Team
AdventHealth

Joy Johnson
Quality of Life Team
Polk County BoCC

Ryan Kordek
Infrastructure Team
Polk TPO

Jennifer Kovac
Literacy Team
Polk County Library Cooperative

Jenna Levine
Liaison
Florida Department of Health in Polk

Nelson Marquez, Ph.D.
Benchmarks & Outcomes
Webber International University

Lori Martini
At Large Member
GiveWell Community Foundation

Matt Mucci
Leadership Polk Class XVI
AT&T

Jessica Napoleon
Liaison
Florida Department of Health in Polk County

Andrea Nikolai
Liaison
UF/IFAS

Orathai Northern, Ph.D.
Talent Pipeline Team
Polk State College

Alice Nuttall
Behavioral Health Team
Lakeland Regional Health

David Palmer
Smart Communities Team
Polk County BoCC

Lindsay Persohn, Ph.D.
Literacy Team
Community Volunteer

Justin Sharpless
Liaison
Polk County Public Schools School Board District 6

Shawn Sherrouse
Leadership Polk Alumni Chair
City of Lakeland

Marybeth Soderstrom
Smart Communities
Central Florida Regional Planning Council

Lauren Springfield
At Large Member
Lakeland Regional Health

Chad Tagtow
At Large Member
Citizens Bank & Trust

Katie Taylor
Liaison
Polk County Public Schools

Holly Vida
Behavioral Health Team
Central Florida Health Care

Matina Wagner
Countywide Higher Education Workgroup
Polk State College

Nicole Walker
Food Security Council
UF/IFAS

Daryl Ward, Ph.D.
Liaison
Polk Arts Alliance

Deena Ware
Leadership Polk Alumni
City of Winter Haven

Steve Warner, Ed.D.
Liaison
Polk County Public Schools

Amy Wiggins
Liaison
Lakeland Chamber of Commerce

Linda Williams Liaison
Lakeland Regional Health

Kathleen Wright
Infrastructure Team
Florida Virtual School

Lindsay Zimmerman
At Large Member
Central Florida Development Council

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