Thank You To Our 2009 Leadership!

Volusia County Walk
Patricia Northey

Patricia Northey is the Volusia County Council member for District 5, whcih includes DeBary, Deltona, Enterprise, Osteen, Stone Island and surrounding areas.  Ms. Northey has 20 years of local government experience, including 15 years of elected County Council service. 

Ms. Northey, a 35 year resident of Volusia County, and her husband, Ed Northey, live in Deltona and have two sons, Edward and Erik, a daughter-in-law, Kathleen and granddaughter Morgan.  Ms. Northey's current community experience includes:

• President of Volusia Flagler Healthy Start
• Florida Hospital Fish Memorial Board of Directors
• Chair of The St. Johns River Alliance
• Member of the Executive Committee for Myregion.org
• Member of Four Townes Rotary
• Member of the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council

Ms. Northey received a bachelor's degree from Nova University in Professional Management.  She is a graduate of Leadership Florida:  Class XIX, 2001.

Polk County Walk
Teresa Martinez

Teresa Martinez is the founder and President of the Institute of Spanish Communication, Inc. headquarted in Lakeland, Florida; a cultural and linguistic bridge to the Spanish;/ESL instructor/trainer, Translator and Interpreter with over 35 years of experience working with Polk County Schools, Central Florida Development Council, Polk County Board of County Commissioners, multiple law firms, as well as multinational corporations such as the Marriott Hotels, FMC Corporations, The Vatican, Christian Dior Perfumes, Estee Lauder/Prescriptives, Summit and Golf Digest Magazine.  Mrs. Martinez has been the Nations Hispanic Training Director for the Avon Cosmetics Phase II Program and an Interpreter/Travel Manager for the Miss Universe title holders Mpule Keneilwe Kwelagobe 1999 from Botswana, South Africa, and Miss Universe 2000 Lara Dutta (India).  Teresa is also the host and producer of the first Informational Spanish talk show in Polk County.  "Comunidad Viva" - PGTV, Brighthouse 19, Comcast 33 and Verizon 20 since 2005.  Also now airing on TELEMUNDO/Tampa and LAX 1460am and La Super W 1280 am Spanish language radio.

Teresa is a member of the American Translators Association, National Association of Women Business Owners, Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce, Hispanic Club of Lakeland Board of Directors and a Leadership Lakeland Graduate. 

 Greater Orlando Walk
Andrew Lawson

Since 1997, Andrew Lawson has worked with Aflac in various capacities from their sales force to his current position as Regional Sales Manager.  Beyond the work of recruiting and training professional associates, Andrew is also an Ambassador for the Aflac Cancer Center, a Children's Specialty Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia.  As Ambassador, Andrew keeps the connection close between the Research and Treatment Facility in Atlanta, and the Aflac field force here in the Central Florida area. 

Aflac's long history of pioneering cancer protector coverage, coupled with the "Care and Cure" work done at the Aflac Cancer Center made it a natural choice for him to become involved with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society-Central Florida Chapter.  Both organizations directly support the patients and their families during the challenging season of diagnosis and treatment.

Andrew is married with two sons, who all keep a busy schedule.  As a member of several local Business Chambers and Professional Organizations, Mr. Lawson shares his leadership experiences in a broad range of places ranging from youth mentoring to board positions on National Professional Associations. 

Volusia County Walk Honorary Chair
The Honorable            Suzanne Kosmas

Elected to Congress in 2008, Suzanne Kosmas, a former State Representative and small business owner, has served her community for over 30 years.   

As the State Representative for District 28, Kosmas successfully fought for children's issues, including more money for local schools and helped improve health care for senior citizens.  A fiscal conservative, Kosmas also voted to eliminate taxes on investments and joined successful efforts to quash a proposed tax on services.  The Daytona Beach News-Journal wrote in an editorial that "Kosmas has been instrumental in focusing both house parties on building consensus on issues like education and child safety."  Kosmas has been active in her community for over 30 years, and served as Chair of the Board for the United Way Women's Initiative, the Atlantic Center for the Arts, Friends of Spruce Creek Preserve and Southeast Volusia Habitat for Humanity.  She was Vice President for the Volusia/Flagler Boys & Girls Club, and served for many years on Volusia County's Planning and Zoning Board as well as the Cultural Arts Advisory Board.

Kosmas is a member of Coronado Methodist Church, where she recently served on mission team assisting in construction of a pre-school in Guatemala.  Southeast Volusia Habitat for Humanity recently recognized Kosmas for leadership in initiating the first "women build" home in New Smyrna Beach, constructed for single mother with children.  Congresswoman Kosmas sits on the House Committee on Financial Services and the House Committee on Science & Technology.  Suzanne Kosmas has lived in the New Smyrna Beach area since 1973 and has four children.