Operating Board Chair
Straughn & Turner, P.A.
Movement toward a community that embraces excellence and change for the better requires a
focused and structured alignment of its resources. Polk Vision’s alignment initiative strives to accelerate
systemic change by bringing government, industry, educators, non-profits and citizens together as
a collective movement. Organizing these resources to tackle issues like health, education, economic
development and quality of life resides with the Operating Board of Polk Vision.
2015-16 OPERATING BOARD
DOUGLAS LOCKWOOD, III
Last year, I had the privilege of chairing the Operating Board as teams developed strategies to effect
substantive, positive change for all citizens of Polk County. Whether the issue involved a dramatic
expansion of Polk County’s broadband coverage or absenteeism in our public schools, the networking
of all involved has already “moved the needle” in the right direction. More change is on the horizon as
these teams continue their efforts. Collective impact works. The collaborative teamwork that alignment
fosters is an engine for change. The excitement is palpable. I encourage your involvement. You, too can
experience the excitement and make a difference in your community.
KATIE WORTHINGTON
Operating Board Chair Elect
President & CEO , Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce
I am involved in Polk Vision because it is focused on our county’s biggest opportunities. They ask the
tough questions and bring the right people together. With the formalized Alignment process we have
more defined and measurable goals for the long-term success of our community.
MARCIA ANDRESEN
Quality of Life Team
Co-Chair
Polk County BoCC
PAM CRAVEN, Ph.D.
Leadership Polk Alumni
Chair
Learning Resource
Center of Polk County
JENNA KACZMARSKI
BHP - School Health
Team Co-Chair
Polk County Public
Schools
SEAN MALOTT
Economic Development
Team Co-Chair
Central Florida
Development Council
HOLLY VIDA
BHP - Primary Care
Team Co-Chair
Bartow Regional
Medical Center
TAYLOR BENSON
Government Team
Co-Chair
Polk County Clerk
of Courts
TOM DEARDORFF
Benchmark Team Chair
Polk County BoCC
GABRIELLE KNIGHT
Health Liaison
Lakeland Regional
Health
COLLEEN MANGAN
Health Liaison
Florida Department
of Health in Polk
County
JEANETTE WALLACE
Literacy Team
Co-Chair
Polk County
Public Schools
JOHN BOHDE
Infrastructure Team
Co-Chair
Polk County BoCC
WHITNEY FUNG
BHP - School Health
Co-Chair
UF/IFAS
ERIC LABBE
Broadband Team
Co-Chair
City of Winter Haven
MAGGIE MARIUCCI
Government Team
Co-Chair
Florida Polytechnic
University
KATIE WORTHINGTON
Leadership Polk
Class Chair
Winter Haven Chamber
of Commerce
NAOMI BOYER, Ph.D.
Talent Pipeline
Team Chair
Polk State College
SCHATZIE HAINES
BHP - Worksite Wellness
Chair
Lanier Upshaw
JANET LAMOUREUX
Attendance Team
Co-Chair
Polk County Council
PTA
CLAIRE OROLOGAS
Cultural Team Co-Chair
Polk Museum of Art
KATHLEEN WRIGHT
BHP - School Health
Team Co-Chair
Polk County
Public Schools
TERRY BRIGMAN
Broadband Team
Co-Chair
City of Lakeland
YADIRA HOLMES
Government Team
Co-Chair
Community Volunteer
JASON LEWIS
Infrastructure Team
Co-Chair
Kimley-Horn
ROB QUAM
Quality of Life
Team Co-Chair
Lake Wales Care Center
MYRTICE YOUNG
Cultural Team Co-Chair
Polk County
History Center
SUSAN COPELAND
Attendance Team
Co-Chair
Polk Education
Foundation
JOY JACKSON, M.D.
BHP - Primary Care
Team Co-Chair
Florida Department of
Health in Polk County
BRUCE LYON
Economic Development
Team Co-Chair
Winter Haven EDC
MICHELLE TOWNLEY
Literacy Team Co-Chair
Polk County
Public Schools
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