Thank You To Our 2010 Leadership!

Volusia County Walk
Lisa Ford Williams 

Lisa Ford Williams, a 47 year resident of Volusia County, and her husband, Richard Williams, live in DeLand, have two children, Geoff Strobeck and Brittany Maxwell, a son-in-law, Taylor Maxwell, and an expectant grandson, Anthem Tate Maxwell, due June 2010.

Lisa is employed by family-owned business Ford Properties and helps manage the real estate holdings with an emphasis on agriculture.  She received a Bachelor of Arts from Stetson University in 1984.

Lisa is a past chair and active member of VCARD (Volusia County Association for Responsible Development), serves as chairperson for the Halifax Hospice of Volusia/Flagler Advisory Board, is Vice President of the O'Neill Foundation for Community Health and is also a board member of The House Next Door Family Foundation.  

Polk County Walk
Dr. Eileen Holden, PH.D. 

Eileen Holden, Ph.D.

Eileen Holden became President of Polk State College in February 2006 and brought to PSC and Polk County 23 years of community college experience as an instructor and administrator.  From 2001 to 2006, Dr. Holden served as Vice President for Academic Affairs and

Technical Education at Broward Community College in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. From1987 to 2001, she worked at Palm Beach Community College, first as Program Manager (1987-1991), later Division Chair (1991-1997) and finally Dean for Academic Affairs (1997-2001). Dr. Holden also served as a faculty member at Lummi Community College in Washington and Houston Community College in Texas.

In December 2005, following an extensive national search, PSC?s District Board of Trustees selected Dr. Holden to be president. She received her bachelor's degree (in 1977) in Secondary Education Teaching from Utica College of Syracuse University, a master's degree (in 1983) in Education from the University of Houston and a doctorate (Ed.D. in 1997) in Higher Education Administration from Nova Southeastern University.  Dr. Holden currently serves on the Board of Directors for PolkWorks, Polk County Arts Alliance, Polk Vision, Haines City Economic Development Council, Lakeland Chamber of Commerce, Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce, Volunteers in Service to the Elderly (VISTE) and the East Polk Committee of 100. She also serves on the county?s High-Wage, High-Skill Workforce Committee and is a member of the Central Florida Development Council, Lakeland Economic Development Council, Lake Wales Economic Development Visioning Committee, and the Winter Haven Rotary Club.  She lives in Winter Haven with her husband, Al.

 Greater Orlando Walk
 Jay W. Freeland

Mr. Freeland served as President and Co-Chief Executive Officer of the Company from January 2006 to December 2006, as President and Chief Operating Officer from November 2004 to January 2006, and as a director since February 2006. Before joining FARO, Mr. Freeland was President of his own consulting company from 2003 to 2004. Mr. Freeland began his career at General Electric (GE-NYSE) in their financial management program in 1991.  He spent four years on their corporate audit staff and served in financial, business development, strategic planning, sales and operational management roles of increasing responsibility until 2003. Mr. Freeland holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Union College, Schenectady, New York.  In 2008, Mr. Freeland was awarded Ernst & Young?s Entrepreneur of the Year for technology in Florida. 

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.