Flagler Local Government Leadership Academy Holds Graduation for 13 Participants

The latest crop of participants have graduated from the Flagler County Local Government Leadership Academy (FCLGLA) on Thursday. These 13 individuals represented personnel from each and every one of the major local governmental organizations within the county, a first for the FCLGLA. The class was held as a cooperative partnership between the Flagler County Tax Collector’s Office and Daytona State College. It was taught by Dr. Joe Saviak, a longtime advisor and consultant in both the public and private sectors. Saviak has seen over 125 participants graduate in the seven years that the Academy has been running. “I have over four decades of experience with local government in Florida. I could not be more impressed with the caliber and character of these graduates,” Saviak said. “They are innovative problem-solvers deeply devoted to the communities and citizens they serve. The residents of Flagler County can be grateful and proud that they heard and answered the call to devote their lives and careers to public service.” Those who underwent the Leadership Academy were trained in several key skills over a four-month period. This included human resources, budgeting, risk management, customer service, organizational culture, teamwork, and program evaluation among others per a release from the Tax Collector’s Office. The 13 graduates in this newest class have received a certificate of completion from Daytona State College, who works alongside the local governments to hold the class. DSC Director of the Center for Business & Industry Michael Scheck was on-hand for the graduation ceremony. “We all strongly believe in investing in our teams to make sure they are the best at what they do each day for the citizens of Flagler County,” said Flagler County Tax Collector Shelly Edmonson. “Our citizens deserve local government that is effective, efficient, responsive, and accountable. This academy helps develop the leaders who will drive innovation, solve problems, work collaboratively across organizations, and ensure we are delivering the highest quality services possible to the people of Flagler County. This historic class demonstrates what can be accomplished when every local government organization comes together to invest in leadership excellence and collaborative service to our community.” The latest graduating class of the Flagler County Local Government Leadership Academy are as follows. Shannon Burnett (Flagler County Board of County Commissioners) Jannet Dewberry (Flagler County Clerk of Court & Comptroller’s Office) Brian Finn (Flagler County Sheriff’s Office) Amanda Gilbert (Flagler County Board of County Commissioners) Doug Glasco (Flagler Schools) Tina Haney (Flagler County Tax Collector’s Office) Leslie Jantzen (Flagler County Tax Collector’s Office) Colleen Kuhn (City of Flagler Beach) Robert Martin (City of Palm Coast) Joe Parsons (City of Bunnell) Karen Sousa (Flagler County Supervisor of Elections Office) James Walters (Flagler County Tax Collector’s Office) Bryan Zuck (Flagler County Property Appraiser’s Office)