Sixteen graduate from third Flagler County Leadership Academy class

Palm Coast Observer
Your Town

The start of the regular meeting of the County Commission on Monday, June 20, was atypical as students of the third cohort of the Flagler County Leadership Academy were recognized during a brief graduation ceremony.

Leadership Academy graduates

The Flagler County Leadership Academy 2022 graduates are:

Joseph Barile, commander, Flagler County Sheriff’s Office
George Bender, commander, Flagler County Sheriff’s Office
Lakesha Byrd, financial services coordinator, city of Bunnell
Stephen Cox, captain, Flagler Beach Fire Department
Leonard Ensalaco, chief training officer, Flagler County Fire Rescue
Amelia Fulmer, director, Flagler Auditorium
Ashley Godby, payroll assistant, Tax Collectors Office
Adam Mengel, growth management director, Flagler County
Chris Nakabaale, operations administrator, Supervisor of Elections Office
Krystal Nelson, Tax Collectors Office
Joe Saloom, assistant library director, Flagler County
Melanie Thomas, extension director, Flagler County
Michael Tucker, fire chief, Flagler County Fire Rescue
Timothy Udell, Tax Collectors Office
Tim Wilsey, human resources manager, city of Palm Coast
Bernard Woodward, commander, Flagler County Sheriff’s Office

Sixteen students — representing the Flagler County Board of County Commissioners, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, the Flagler County Tax Collector’s Office, Flagler County Supervisor of Elections and Flagler Schools, as well as the cities of Bunnell, Flagler Beach and Palm Coast — were given diplomas for completing this leadership development program.

“I think it is extremely important for our community that we continue to develop the next generation of leaders,” said County Administrator Heidi Petito, a graduate of the inaugural class. “I would like to show my appreciation to the Board of County Commissioners for their continued commitment to our organization’s success in the establishment of this leadership program.”

Former county administrator Jerry Cameron and Joe Saviak, an independent consultant who previously taught public administration at Flagler College, facilitated the program.

Class valedictorian and city of Bunnell Financial Services Coordinator Lakesha Byrd, center, with Leadership Academy instructors and local officials. Photo courtesy of Joe Saviak

“I remember the first day of class when professor Cameron offered $100 of his own money to anyone who would bow out gracefully and not waste anyone’s time being there if they weren’t going to fully commit,” said class valedictorian Lakesha Byrd, financial services coordinator for the city of Bunnell. “No one stood. I was a little unnerved at that moment, because how hard could this course be for him to pay people to leave?”

The curriculum was designed to develop the potential of top-tier staff, further professionalize the agencies and establish succession planning. More than 40 hours of external training included opportunities to participate in executive-level planning and issue resolution.

“We teach the strategies, subjects and skills proven to ensure success as a leader. We strengthen teamwork within and across local governments,” Saviak said. “Students learn best practices to optimize effectiveness and efficiency for the citizens they serve.”