KUA SEEKS BOARD MEMBER APPLICATIONS
Kissimmee Utility Authority is seeking individuals interested in appointment to the utility’s board of directors. Members of the Kissimmee Utility Authority’s Board of Directors are non-paid officials who serve as policymakers for the utility. This is a five-year term beginning Oct. 1, 2023.
Applicants for this seat must be registered voters, reside within Kissimmee city limits, and should demonstrate a successful business or professional management career. This is an opportunity for individuals to contribute their time and efforts to provide for a healthy local economy through a successful local utility system.
If you are willing and able to serve in this capacity, please contact the office of the President & General Manager at 407-933-7777 ext. 6100 to obtain the Board Recruitment application or you may complete and submit the application online at https://kua.com/board. This form along with a resume must be completed and returned by April 21 It is recommended that all applicants discuss the details of responsibilities associated with this position with President & General Manager Brian Horton.
OSCEOLA REDI RECOVERY COALITION AWARDED $100,000 FOR HURRICANE IAN RECOVERY EFFORTS
Hurricane Ian, and the local recovery from it, remains a topic in 2023. Thankfully, help continues to pour in from state-level agencies.
Osceola REDI (Recovery from Emergency Disaster Initiative), a coalition of governmental agencies, faith-based and non-profit organizations, businesses, and individuals dedicated to assisting victims of disaster by pooling community resources, was awarded $100,000 last week from the Florida Disaster Fund to assist.
The Florida Disaster Fund is the state of Florida’s official private fund established to assist Florida’s communities as they respond and recover during times of emergency or disaster.
“This really builds on our efforts to harness private sector philanthropy and generosity to recovery efforts after the impact of Hurricane Ian,” said Osceola County Emergency Management Director Bill Litton, who is on the non-profit’s board of directors. “It will further the mission of Osceola REDI (Recovery from Emergency Disaster Initiative) to assist local disaster victims through pooling of community resources and assistance.”
Local partners like Kissimmee Utility Authority, Toho Water Authority and SouthState Bank have been in the forefront of the REDI relief efforts by filling service gaps traditional agencies are unable to fulfill.
If you would like to donate to Osceola REDI to help prepare for the next disaster or large-scale need, you can make a personal gift or a corporate donation to this grassroots community entity at http://osceolaredi.org/ donate.
TOM WHITE NAMED TO TOHO WATER BOARD
Toho Water Authority has welcomed new Board member Tom White. He is a voting member approved by the Osceola County Commission to join the Board of Supervisors to fill an open seat.
White has been a fixture in local banking for decades. White started his career in banking in 1977 with Flagship Bank of Florida. In 1987, White and several other local business partners started the independent First National Bank of Osceola County with Tom as President & CEO. First National Bank of Osceola County went public in 2000 as part of the Center State Banks of Florida Holding Company. In 2020, White, with many Osceola County investors, helped facilitate the start-up Bank Florida, where White is the Market President for Osceola and Orange Counties of Bank Florida.
White is a former Chairman of the Kissimmee/ Osceola Chamber of Commerce, Osceola United Way and Junior Achievement. He is currently serving on the Board of Osceola Center for the Arts, Kissimmee/Osceola Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber Foundation.
BRANDON ARRINGTON NAMED CFX VICE CHAIR
Not long after the announcement that Osceola County Commission Chairwoman Viviana Janer was named chair of the the Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission, which oversees SunRail, Osceola County Commissioner Brandon Arrington was unanimously elected Vice Chair of the Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX) Governing Board at last week’s agency meeting. Arrington has served as Osceola County’s representative on the CFX Governing Board since October 2019.
Arrington was also selected to serve as CFX’s official representative at the MetroPlan Orlando Board by the CFX Governing Board at Thursday’s meeting.