Capital Soup

Florida News Straight From the Source

You are here: Home / Archives for New Executive Director

New Executive Director

Florida Municipal Electric Association Names Amy Zubaly New Executive Director

Posted on

Zubaly is the first woman to lead the organization

The Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) Board of Directors today named Amy Zubaly executive director of the association. Since January, Zubaly has been serving as the interim executive director. In her role as the permanent executive director, Zubaly will continue to manage the day-to-day operations of the association, handle member and board relations, oversee the association’s government affairs, communications and education functions and provide strategic planning.
“As we celebrate our 75th anniversary and rich history, it’s fitting that Amy – the first woman to serve as the association’s executive director – lead us into the future,” said Clay Lindstrom, FMEA President and Fort Pierce Utilities Authority General Manager. “Amy’s long record of service to the organization and her deep understanding of the issues important to our members make her ideal for this role. We look forward to taking the association in new directions under her leadership.”
Prior to assuming the interim executive director position, Zubaly served as the association’s deputy executive director of public affairs and strategic communications. She has been with the organization for 18 years. Earlier in her career she held positions with The Nature Conservancy, Florida Chapter, Florida Institute of Government at Florida State University and Reubin O’D. Askew School of Public Administration and Policy at Florida State University. Additionally, she served as assistant director of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Local Government II and a research assistant for the Blue Ribbon Citizens Commission on Cabinet Reform. Zubaly earned her Master of Public Administration and Bachelor of Science in political science from Florida State University.
“It is a great honor to continue serving FMEA in this capacity and I deeply appreciate the board’s confidence in me,” said Zubaly. “I am thankful for the opportunity to lead FMEA as we provide support and advocacy for our members today and into the future. The membership of FMEA are vital to Floridians across the state and we will continue to ensure they have the tools they need to build strong communities.”
Originally called the Florida Municipal Utilities Association, FMEA was established in 1942 in response to World War II fuel shortages. Today, the association actively represents and advocates for member cities’ interests on a wide variety of state and federal issues, provides education and training for members and serves as a clearinghouse for industry news and information.
Municipal electric utilities provide affordable, reliable electric service, and have been doing so for more than a century. As community-owned and locally managed organizations, these utilities are focused on serving local needs and interests while reinvesting back into the community for services, such as police and fire protection.
For more information on FMEA and Florida’s public power communities, please visit www.publicpower.com.

Florida Developmental Disabilities Council Names New Executive Director

Posted on

The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council (FDDC) has announced the appointment of Valerie Breen as its new executive director. She will assume responsibilities on March 20, succeeding Debra Dowds who recently retired. 

Valerie Breen
Valerie Breen

Breen has served as chief executive officer of the Brain Injury Association of Florida (BIAF) since 2005. Her expertise in the field of health care and disabilities spans a more than 30-year career working in the health-related industry as an innovative leader of sustainable human service delivery programs and services. A graduate of Case Western Reserve University School of Applied Social Sciences with a Master of Science degree in Social Administration, she has dedicated most of her career to ensuring that families impacted by chronic and disabling conditions have access to the critical health and community-based resources necessary to thrive.

Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Mich., she moved to Florida in 1994 and currently resides in Tallahassee. She also serves as the overseer/care coordinator for her mother, who sustained a traumatic brain injury in 2010. She is a recognized health care consultant, an innovative leader in the field of health care and disabilities, and is a nationally recognized speaker on the subject.

“I am extremely honored to have been chosen as the next executive director for the FDDC and to work with such a committed Council, staff and community. My hope is that through my leadership, we can continue to positively impact the systems that serve persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. I look forward to bringing my passion and expertise developed through my 30-year career serving persons with disabilities to the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council. My desire is to continue the Council’s mission to support Floridians with intellectual and developmental disabilities in accessing meaningful lives throughout the community,” said Breen.

The FDDC is a non-profit organization charged with advocating and promoting meaningful participation in all aspects of life for Floridians with intellectual and developmental disabilities. For more information on the FDDC, go to www.fddc.org.