The District’s Governing Board recently voted in a new slate of officers for the 2018-2019 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:
Jeffery M. Adams was elected chair of the Governing Board. Adams represents Pinellas County and is an attorney and partner with the law firm of Abbey, Adams, LLP, in St. Petersburg. Adams was appointed to the Board in April 2010.
An Illinois native, Adams graduated from Carl Sandburg High School in Orland Park, Illinois and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Adams also earned a juris doctor degree from the Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, Florida and has been admitted to both the Florida and Illinois bars. He has served as chairman of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission and president of the St. Petersburg Country Club. He has also served on the St. Petersburg College Foundation Board, the St. Pete Clearwater Sports Foundation Board and the Tampa Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Board.
Ed Armstrong was elected vice-chair of the Governing Board. Armstrong represents Pinellas County and is an attorney with Hill Ward Henderson in Clearwater. Armstrong was appointed to the Governing Board in June 2014.
A lifelong Florida resident, Armstrong graduated from Dunedin High School. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in accounting, Cum Laude, from the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland and a Juris doctorate degree from Vanderbilt University School of Law in Nashville, Tennessee. Armstrong currently serves on the Board of Trustees for BayCare Health System and Tampa Preparatory School. Armstrong previously served two terms on the Pinellas County Charter Review Commission and is a former board chairman of the Greater Clearwater Chamber of Commerce.
Bryan K. Beswick was re-elected secretary of the Governing Board. Beswick represents DeSoto, Hardee and Highlands counties and is a grove manager of Premier Citrus Management in Arcadia. Beswick was appointed to the Governing Board in March 2013.
A native of Polk County, Beswick graduated from Lakeland Senior High School. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in citrus production with a minor in business administration from Florida Southern College in Lakeland.
Michelle Williamson was elected treasurer of the Governing Board. Williamson represents Hillsborough County and is a manager of G&F Farms in Dover. Williamson was appointed to the Governing Board in August 2016.
Williamson currently serves on the Hillsborough County Farm Bureau Board of Directors, Hillsborough County Agriculture Economic Development Council and International Responsible Farming Council Board of Directors. She also has served as a board member for the Florida Strawberry Growers Association and served as the state chair of the Florida Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee and serves as the chair of the Florida Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee for District 5.
The new officers will serve a one-year term beginning 24 hours before the next Governing Board meeting.