The Officers of the PCREC are elected to two year terms in December of even-numbered years by the PCREC's Precinct Committeemen and Committeewomen. The State Committeeman and State Committeewoman are elected every four years by county-wide ballot during Florida's Presidential Preference Primary, along with the Precinct Committeemen and women. We are also fortunate that Florida's Republican National Committeeman, Paul Senft, resides in Polk County. The PCREC Officers, State Committeeman, State Committeewoman and Mr. Senft comprise our Executive Board.
We want to hear your ideas, suggestions and concerns. However, please try to communicate via email, especially during the day while we are at work. Each of us has made a commitment to timely responses.
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James M. "Jimmy" Nelson, Chairman Jimmy was elected as Chairman of the Polk County Republican Executive Committee in December 2010. Jimmy is a Polk County native from Lake Wales and a veteran of the U. S. Navy. With a career that spans more than twenty years in the financial and insurance advisory industry, he now owns and operates Nelson Financial Strategies. He also serves his family's business, Marion Nelson Funeral Home, Inc. in an advisory capacity. Jimmy holds his Series 7 and Series 63 securities licenses, is a Certified Financial Planner, and is a former member of the Million Dollar Round Table. His professional affiliations include the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Financial Planning Association Tampa Bay Chapter, Imperial Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors. He previously served as a City Commissioner of Lake Wales and Jr. Chairman of the Republican Party of Hopkins County, Kentucky. He is a member and elder at South Lake Wales Church of God. Jimmy has been married to Kelly for 26 years and they have two daughters, Kristin and Maggie. 863.676.7966
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Steve Maxwell, Vice Chair Steve was elected as Vice Chair of the Polk County Republican Executive Committee in December 2010. Steve is a native Floridian and veteran of the U.S. Navy. For the past 20 years, Steve has been involved in the managing of packing facilities and marketing of fresh produce. From 1994 to 2003, he served as Vice President of Ben Hill Griffin, Inc. in Frostproof, where he now resides. In 2003, he began to pursue his dream of being a business owner and in 2005 purchased Highland Corporation of Mulberry, a company he has brought to double digit growth each year. As CEO, Steve manages 150 employees in four states and in 2011 anticipates a place in the top 30 thermo-formers in the nation. Steve is a living example of the uniqueness of the American dream, is a defender of the values of capitalism and the free enterprise system, and desires to turn our country and nation back to its roots of success. Steve has been married to Beverly for 27 years and they have three children. He serves on the Warner University Board of Trustees, is an elder in his church and active in his community as a volunteer for athletic fundraising. 863.528.2307
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Teresa J. Bray, Secretary Teresa was elected as Secretary of the Polk County Republican Executive Committee in December 2010. Teresa is co-owner of Back Office Consultants, Inc., a firm specializing in financial accounting and corporate compliance solutions for private and public companies. For the past 28 years, she has served as an employee, officer, director, partner, and/or consultant to private and public companies. Her expertise lies in the areas of corporate restructuring and business plan development, preparation of financial accounting policies and records, corporate due diligence regarding business combinations (mergers and acquisitions), and preparation of filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) necessary to become a publicly reporting company or to stay in compliance with reporting guidelines. Her knowledge of corporate protocol and parliamentary procedure, organizational and analytical skills, and communication skills play a crucial role in the successful representation of her clients. Teresa is married to Joe Paul and has a blended family of one daughter, three sons, and four grandchildren. She is a member of Highland Park Church of the Nazarene, a Good Shepherd Hospice volunteer, and Trustee and Secretary of Parker Street Ministries, Inc., a Christ-centered non-profit organization committed to individual, family and community restoration, reconciliation and revitalization in Lakeland’s downtown Parker Street community. 863.224.0072
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Debbie Hannifan, Treasurer Debbie was elected as Treasurer of the Polk County Republican Executive Committee in December 2010. Debbie is a private consultant providing education, leadership training, and skill development to groups and individuals. As the program manager of Florida Partners in Policymaking for the past four years, she has provided rigorous training curriculum in the area of disability education and public policy. From coordinating and facilitating every detail of twenty-six training sessions to managing a program budget exceeding $150,000 annually, she has successfully graduated 91 participants from the nationally replicated program. As a self-starter, she is capable of coordinating large projects to report detailed measurable outcomes. As an excellent communicator, Debbie is able to motivate and inspire others. For the past six years, she has served on the board of Central Florida Autism Institute, Inc. and has previously served on a variety of committees within Polk County Schools including School Advisory Committee, District Advisory Committee, ESE Parent Advisory, Inclusion Steering Committee, Code of Conduct Committee, and PTA. She earned her B.A. from University of South Florida and previously worked as an account executive with Watkins Motor Lines. Having been trained by The Leadership Institute and The Voices of America, Debbie brings vast knowledge in precinct organizing and grassroots advocacy. Debbie and her husband, Jay, are Lakeland natives residing in downtown Lakeland with their twin sons. She is a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church and Lake Morton Neighborhood Association. 863.738.6367
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State Committeman |
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State Committeewoman, Linda Ivell
Linda Ivell has served the Republican Party on many levels as a political activist. Currently she serves as the publicly-elected State Committeewoman from Polk County, the RPOF Chairman of the 12th Congressional District, and as a member of the National Federation of Republican Women’s Public Relations Committee. She is the Immediate Past President of the Florida Federation of Republican Women, the largest political organization in the State of Florida. Under her presidency the FFRW hosted the convention for the National Federation of Republican Women for the first time in over 20 years. She also served as one of three delegates to the last Republican Convention from the 12th Congressional District. Linda has a unique and long history of marketing and public relations experience, including serving as Press Secretary to the United States Congress and National Sales Manager to Fortune 500 corporate clients. During the last presidential election cycle, Linda appeared on Fox Morning News, Bay News 9, Entertainment Tonight, and international television channels in Belgium and the United Kingdom, as well as many radio talk shows. Linda is married to David, a chemical engineer and lives in Lakeland, Florida. She has two sons, ages 38 and 20, who serve as her prime motivation to remain involved in politics. Grandchildren Jordan and Sean (ages 8 and 6) already join in the many political discussions in her home. Linda Ivell is a Realtor® with Charles Rutenberg Realty, bringing over 30 years of real estate experience to clients buying and selling homes in Florida! A Certified EPro Realtor, Linda stays up-to-date on technology to communicate and deliver information to provide better information, an easier decision-making process, and reliable systems to ensure a smoother transaction. Well-travelled (and married to a former Brit), Linda brings a special knowledge in dealing with buyers beyond the United States. Continually involved in politics since college, Linda has worked on campaigns on all levels in the states of Georgia, Iowa, Virginia, Maryland, Texas and, of course, Florida. She has done everything from walking door to door to managing Congressional campaigns. Leadership roles have also included Teenage Republicans, College Republicans, and Young Republicans, as well as a host of other conservative activists groups. 863.602.9866This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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