The District’s Governing Board voted Tuesday for the latest slate of officers for the 2026-2027 term.
Governing Board members are unpaid, citizen volunteers who are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Florida Senate. The Governing Board sets policy for the District, whose mission is to protect water resources, minimize flood risks and ensure the public’s water needs are met.
The new officers are:
Jack Bispham was elected chair of the Governing Board. Bispham represents Manatee County and is the owner of Red Bluff Plantation in Lakeland, Georgia and Paul’s Parrish in Duette, Florida. He was first appointed to the Governing Board in November 2019. He was reappointed in May 2021 and again in August 2025.
Bispham has previously served on the District’s Manasota Basin Board, the Sarasota County Planning Commission and the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program Policy Board. He currently serves on the boards of the Sarasota Sportsmen Association, The Field Club and the Argus Foundation. Bispham feels his agricultural education and experience as a farmer have taught him the importance of sustainable water policy and resource management.
Ashley Bell Barnett was elected vice chair of the Governing Board. Bell Barnett represents Polk County and is a former educator and community advocate. Bell Barnett was appointed to the Governing Board in December 2020 and reappointed in August 2023.
A fifth-generation Floridian, Bell Barnett earned her bachelor’s degree from Florida Southern College and her Master of Public Administration from the University of South Florida.
Bell Barnett serves in a variety of capacities at organizations across the community, including the Board of Governors for the State University System, Polk State College DistrictBoard of Trustees, Moffitt Cancer Center Foundation Board of Directors, Community Impact Chair of United Way of Central Florida, Talbot House, Lakeland Regional Hospital Foundation, GiveVisual Inc., Bonnet Springs Park, JDRF, and the Polk County School District.
John Hall was elected secretary. Hall represents Polk County. He is a cattle rancher and owner of Polk County Community Association Management, City of Bartow Utilities Director and is a former Polk County commissioner. He was appointed to the Governing Board in May 2021 and reappointed in August 2025.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Saint Leo University.
Dustin Rowland was elected treasurer. He represents Pasco County and is president and owner of Rowland Truck Lines, Inc. Rowland Cattle Company, LLC, and Dustin Rowland, LLC. Rowland was appointed to the Governing Board in February 2023.
A fourth-generation Floridian, Rowland graduated from Zephyrhills High School in 1994. He currently serves as a board member of the Pasco County Fair Association and is a member of the Florida Trucking and the Florida and National Cattlemen's associations.
The new officers will start 24 hours before the June Governing Board meeting and serve a one-year term.