Upcoming Events

March 11, 2010

Power Lunch -- It Takes Resources to Help a Child Succeed

March 24, 2010

LGAA 5K Run -- NEW DATE 3/24/10

News

Reaching Out

UF study finds nutritional needs not met in food packages for needy

Chamber Graduates Leadership Class XXXV

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Category Description
Rawlings Elementary Teacher Appreciation Social On Wednesday, May 6th, LGAA hosted a Dessert Social for the teachers and staff of Rawlings Elementary. The social was held to recognize the contribution these dedicated school staff members make for the children of Rawlings on a daily basis. LGAA members provided a broad range of sweet treats as well as held a raffle for several bags of goodies and a $25 gas card. The event was held in concert with a pizza lunch provided by Florida Credit Union.
Annual Meetings
  2009 LGAA Annual Meeting The LGAA Annual Meeting was held on Wednesday, June 17th at Region's Bank on Tower Road. At this meeting, we welcomed the new LG class and new officers, heard incoming President, Kim Mitrook's vision for the upcoming year and had the opportunity to socialize with friends old and new from LGAA.
KidStart Fair
  2009 KidStart Fair Rough start, strong finish for ’09 KSF -- What began as a challenging year for the annual LGAA sponsored Kids’ Start Back-to-School Fair (KSF) ended on a high note August 15th at the O’Connell Center. Due to the rough economic climate, we lost a couple key KSF sponsors this year. But thanks to longtime supporters like the Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs of Gainesville, some new business partners, and a dramatic spike in donations from our LG alumni mail campaign, the LGAA was once again able to offer new backpacks, school supplies, clothing and a variety of services to Alachua County Head Start graduates for the 14th consecutive year (the KSF began as a class project of LG22). “You never get tired of seeing the faces of these children and their families”, said KSF committee chair ‘Gator Bill’ Evans, decked out for the occasion in his traditional Dr. Seuss slippers and pink rabbit ears. “It’s not too often they get to experience an event that’s devoted just to them. Plus it allows these kids to get their school careers off on the right foot.” The KSF expanded it’s reach in 2007 when it joined forces with the Meridian Behavioral Healthcare-sponsored ‘Stop the Violence Rally’ and moved to the O’Dome venue. Over the past 14 years, the KSF has helped over 3000 Alachua County Head Start grads, and was cited by the Florida Head Start Association in 2005 with a Florida District Merit Award. “I can’t tell you how much the LGAA’s support has meant to our program”, said Alachua County Head Start Executive Director Ann Crowell. “You’ve helped level the playing field for literally thousands of our young, kindergarten-aged graduates. Your contribution of time, materials and support has been invaluable.”
East Gainesville Development Corporation At the annual meeting of the East Gainesville Development Corporation, Terri Lowery was awarded Advocate of the Year for her efforts at Rawlings Elementary.
Rawlings Elementary Block Party This event is being held as a mechanism to assist the school in fostering relationships with the parents and the community as a whole by providing access to information that may be helpful to their families. An event where the parents, students and faculty can interact with each other and have fun.
LG 34 5K Challenge The Leadership Gainesville Class 34 5K Challenge was held Wednesday, April 15, at 6:30 p.m. Community and business leaders hit the links of Ironwood Golf Course, not for the usual round of golf but rather a cross-country running challenge. More than 250 runners competed. Approximately $10,000 in proceeds generated from this race will benefit St. Francis House. Leadership Gainesville 34 was excited to host this race not only to challenge businesses in Alachua County to be active, but to also give back to a very deserving charity. This was a fun and enjoyable event not only for the racers, but also the spectators. In addition to the 5K race, team and individual prizes were awarded. Families, friends and co-workers of the 5K racers, as well as community residents, were invited to join in the festivities. About St. Francis House: The St. Francis House homeless shelter and soup kitchen in Gainesville, Florida provides emergency food, temporary shelter, and related support services in a safe, secure environment for people in Alachua County who, for whatever reason, find themselves homeless and hungry. St. Francis House provides these services in a supportive environment where people can begin to manage their problems effectively and re-establish themselves as productive members of the community.
2006 Kickball Tournament On Saturday, February 24, 2007, the LGAA team played in the ACEL & Gainesville Jaycees "Champions for Charity" kickball tournament at the Alachua County Fairgrounds. Team Kane won and gave their winnings of $2500 to Tyler's Hope. Tyler's Hope team won the $500 round and Rebuild Gainesville team won $500.
LGAA Members
Tiger Bay
  Alachua County Sheriff Candidates Sadie Darnell One of Gainesville's best known law enforcement leaders, Darnell began working the streets at a time when women weren't welcome in law enforcement, and through sheer persistence and determination gradually won the respect of her brother officers. Darnell is perhaps best known as a ferocious advocate for victims rights. As GPD's public information officer during the student murders she handled national media inquiries with aplomb while compassionately dealing with the students' grief-stricken families. For years after the murders, Darnell personally maintained the student memorial on the 34th Street wall. Emory Gainey Throughout his 24 - year career with the Alachua County Sheriff's Office, Gainey has fulfilled assignments within nearly every department. Today, he serves as Chief of Staff, the agency's highest - ranking position and second in command, and Chief Financial Officer. As such, he manages the agency's 800-plus employees and oversees the roughly $60 million dollar budget. This Gainesville native and University of Florida and FBI National Academy graduate is tough on crime but also pragmatic.
  Gainesville Commission Candidates Forum Jeanna Mastrodicasa Dr. Mastrodicasa works with the undergraduate opportunities, including University Scholars Program and undergraduate research at UF, prestigious fellowship advising and recruiting, and general academic advising for the Honors Program. In 2004 she earned a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Florida. Before coming to work in the Honors Program, Dr. Mastrodicasa served as the Assistant Dean of Students for Orientation and an academic advisor/pre-law advisor in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at UF. She earned a Master of Science degree in College Student Personnel from the Leadership Studies Unit in the College of Education at the University of Tennessee in 1997. She also holds a J.D. and a A.B.J. in public relations from the University of Georgia. Tony Domenech The Key West native of Cuban descent and District 3 incumbent came to UF for his bachelor's degree in the 1960s, and, other than serving two years in Vietnam, he has lived in Gainesville ever since. Lynn, his wife and high school sweetheart, and daughter Jocelyn are UF grads as well. His longstanding ties with UF ensure that he's in tune with student needs, a critical point considering the mass of students concentrated in his district, the area west and southwest of UF's campus.
  Marco Rubio On October 22nd, LGAA hosted House Speaker Marco Rubio at a Tiger Bay event. About 60 Leadership Gainesville graduates and their guests had the opportunity to hear the very passionate Speaker give his insights on education, property tax and the planned purchase of US Sugar by the state of Florida. Peter Johnson (LG31) posed the Question of the Day by asking Speaker Rubio’s opinion of the US Sugar Deal. Former Speaker Jon Mills again served as our moderator and Speaker Pro Tem Larry Cretul (LG31) shared his thoughts on some of the challenges facing our state in the upcoming year.
  Gainesville Sun Editor and Editorial Cartoonist Speakers: Ron Cunningham and Jake Fuller Special Guest: Bill Nelson, US Senator, presented a special resolution to the UF Basketball Team in recognition of the NCAA National Title. Elgee A. Alumnus Award Winner: John Stevenson Bill Nelson is a fifth-generation Floridian who has served the people of his home state for over 30 years as a state legislator, congressman, state insurance commissioner and now as a U.S. senator. During his time in the Senate, he's supported measures to protect consumers from identity theft and increase penalties for sending spam e-mails. He also has fought to get affordable prescription drugs for seniors and quality health care for veterans and their spouses. He has been an outspoken advocate for space exploration, and has worked in the Senate to protect Florida's environment and tourism-based economy by preventing oil drilling off US coastlines.
  Inaugural Meeting Rep. Larry Cretul was first elected to his current seat in the Florida House of Representatives in 2002, defeating incumbent Perry McGriff. Prior to his election in 2002, he served on the Marion County Commission for eight years, including two terms as Chairman and Vice Chairman. His district includes a diverse population of citizens from Marion, Levy, and Alachua Counties. A self-employed building contractor and licensed real estate broker, Rep. Cretul served as Board Member a of Marion County Chamber of Commerce, Board Member of the Economic Development Council, Board Member to Success by 6 Leadership Council, Board Member of the Children Alliance, and Advisory Board Member for the Salvation Army. A graduate of Leadership Ocala/Marion County and Leadership Gainesville, he also has served as past Chairman of the Community Council Against Substance Abuse and as a deacon of the First Baptist Church of Ocala. He is a veteran of the U.S. Navy. Rep. Larry Cretul has been a resident of Marion County for over 32 years and married to his childhood sweetheart, Lana, for over 35 years. They have two grown sons, Brian and Scott. When he finds the time, he enjoys touring the countryside with his wife on their Harley Davidson. Jon Mills is Dean Emeritus, Professor of Law, and Director of Center for Governmental Responsibility at the University of Florida Fredric G. Levin College of Law. As Dean, he secured 23 million dollars for new classroom and library facilities and hired 15 new faculty who contributed to making the current faculty the most diverse and productive in college history. He has taught and lectured in Constitutional Law, International Trade and Environment in Costa Rica, Brazil, the University of Warsaw and Cambridge University. He has authored books, law review articles and reports on constitutional issues, environmental issues, Voting Rights, and Ethics in Government. He has appeared on CNN's "Burden of Proof," Public Television's "Lehr Report," National Public Radio, ABC, BBC and other media. He also produced an Emmy winning show on the Florida Everglades. In public service, Mr. Mills served as Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives. Since 2004, he chairs the Florida's Supreme Court Committee on Privacy and Court Records. He acted as a Special Assistant State Attorney in the Rolling Murder Case, and an attorney in the Versace Murder Case, and the Dale Earnhardt case representing the privacy right of victims and victims' families. He is a scuba diver, licensed pilot and studied karate. He is married to Beth Mills and has two daughters, Marguerite and Elizabeth.
  State Senate 14th District Candidates Ed Jennings, Jr. Ed Jennings, Jr. has proven himself to be a leader in the State Legislature and the Gainesville community. Elected to the State House of Representatives in 2000, Ed has worked hard to improve the lives of the people of North Florida. During the 2006 Legislative Session, Representative Jennings served as Vice-Chair of the House Committee on Community Colleges and Workforce Development, a member of the Commerce Council, Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations, the House Insurance Committee and was the Immediate Past Chair of the Florida Conference of Black State Legislators. Perry McGriff also has a proven record as a leader in the State Legislature and the Gainesville community. Elected to the State House of Representatives in 2000 he has championed the critical need for consensus building to bene?t Floridian's health care, environment, economy, and most importantly, the education of our children. He has served his community as an Alachua County Commissioner, Gainesville City Commissioner and Mayor. He is also a Florida Supreme Court Certified County Mediator.
  Gainesville Mayoral Candidates Forum 2007 Pegeen Hanrahan is mayor (as of 2006) of Gainesville, Florida, her native city. Described by The Nation as a "vegetarian, bike-riding environmentalist", Hanrahan has been active in politics since her teens. An environmental engineer, she was elected to the city commission at in 1995, and was elected mayor in 2004. Hanrahan has been married to Tony Malone since 2003. They had their first daughter, Evyleen, in 2005 Welsey Watson was born and raised in Avon Park, Florida and graduated from Avon Park High School in 1975. He has been married to LuAnne for 30 years and has lived and worked in Gainesville since 1977. He retired from Gainesville Gas Co. / Gainesville Regional Utilities in 2002 after 25 years of service. While employed, he held leadership positions with the union. He and his wife own a small business and manage their rental properties, since 1997.