Local entrepreneurs elected officers of governing board

Joel Schleicher was first appointed to the board in 2017.

By Business Observer Staff
| 3:40 p.m. June 22, 2021
| 2 Free Articles Remaining!

Courtesy. Joel Schleicher, who represents Charlotte and Sarasota counties, was re-elected vice chair of the governing board.

Manatee-Sarasota

The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board recently elected officers for the 2021-22 term.

Courtesy. Rebecca Smith was reelected secretary after being first appointed in May 2017.

Among those elected are Joel Schleicher, Rebecca Smith and Ed Armstrong. Schleicher, who represents Charlotte and Sarasota counties, was re-elected vice chair of the governing board. Schleicher was first appointed in May 2017, according to a statement. Schleicher is the founder and executive chairman of Focal Point Data Risk, an information technology risk management consulting firm he founded in 2014. He has been on several boards of organizations in the region.

Smith, founder of Bradenton construction firm A.D. Morgan, was re-elected secretary after being first appointed in May 2017. Smith represents Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. Armstrong was elected treasurer of the governing board, representing Pinellas County. Armstrong was first appointed in June 2014.

Courtesy. Ed Armstrong was elected treasurer of the governing board, representing Pinellas County.

The officers will assume their positions for the 2021-22 term 24 hours before the June meeting. Governing board members are unpaid citizen volunteers who are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Florida Senate, according to the press release.

The release also notes that 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.