Operating Board
Message from the Operating Board Chair
As the Chair of the Polk Vision Operating Board in 2025, I am excited about the opportunities ahead. Polk County continues to face significant challenges, and community leaders through Polk Vision are addressing these challenges with determination and collaboration.
The partnership between the public and private sectors, guided by the Operating Board, has already brought tremendous benefits to Polk County and its residents, and it will continue to do so. Recently, through a collaborative effort, we have refreshed our core values. The Operating Board played a critical role in this process, incorporating valuable community insights to set the stage for an enhanced and forward-looking “Vision” for the years ahead.
If you have never been involved with Polk Vision, 2025 is the perfect time to join one of our teams or participate in our Leadership Polk programs. If you were involved in the past, I strongly encourage you to re-engage. Your input, leadership, and passion are vital as we strive to elevate Polk County to new heights.
Together, we can shape a brighter future for our community.
Marc Zimmerman
Operating Board Chair
Senior Economic Development Manager,
Central Florida’s Polk County Tourism & Sports Marketing
2024-2026 Operating Board Members
Marc Zimmerman
Operating Board Chair
Central Florida’s Polk County Tourism & Sports Marketing
Steve Bissonnette
Quality of Life Team
VISTE
Naomi Boyer, Ph.D.
Benchmarks & Outcomes
VISTE
Amy Bratten, Ed.D.
Talent Pipeline
Polk State College
Kylia Carswell
Liaison
Polk County Public Schools
Ashley Cerjan
Liaison
Polk County Public Schools
Betsy Cleveland
Liaison
Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce
Reba Coil
Liaison
Polk County Public Schools
Rod Crowley, Ed.D.
Food Security Council
United Way of Central Florida
Jeanette Crowley
Liaison
Polk County Public Schools
Crystal Davis, Ed.D.
Liaison
Polk County Public Schools
Julia Davis
Liaison
Polk TPO
Taylor Freeman
Liaison
Florida Department of Health in Polk County
Rebekah Hurd
Government Advisory Council
AdventHealth
Joy Johnson
Quality of Life Team
Polk County BoCC
Ryan Kordek
Infrastructure Team
Polk TPO
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
Erica Morse
Liaison
Polk County Public Schools
Jessica Napoleon
Liaison
Florida Department of Health in Polk County
Andrea Nikolai
Liaison
UF/IFAS
Orathai Northern, Ph.D.
Inside PCPS Class III Chair
SUN’n FUN Aerospace Expo
Alice Nuttall
Behavioral Health Team
Lakeland Regional Health
David Palmer
Smart Communities Team
Polk County BoCC
Lindsay Persohn, Ph.D.
Literacy Team
University of South Florida
Brittanie Ramsey, Ed.D.
Liaison
Polk County Public Schools
Marybeth Soderstrom
Liaison
Central Florida Regional Planning Council
Lauren Springfield
At Large Member
Lakeland Regional Health
Kim Stenger
Government Advisory Council
Office of Stacy M. Butterfield, CPA, Polk County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
Chad Tagtow
Smart Communities
Citizens Bank & Trust
Holly Vida
Behavioral Health Team
Polk County BoCC
Nicole Walker
Food Security Council
UF/IFAS
Daryl Ward, Ph.D.
Liaison
Polk Arts & Cultural Alliance
Steve Warner, Ed.D.
Liaison
Polk State College Foundation
Linda Williams, Ph.D.
Liaison
Lakeland Regional Health
Sara Beth Wyatt
Liaison
Polk County School Board, District 4
Julie Womble
Leadership Polk Class XVII Chair
City of Auburndale
Lindsay Zimmerman
At Large Member
Central Florida Development Council