KUA Board of Directors
The Kissimmee Utility Authority's board of directors sets policy
direction for the utility. Specifically, the board approves the annual budget,
sets rates and approves major purchases.
The board also selects a general manager who is responsible for
day-to-day operations of the utility. The board holds regular business meetings
on the first Wednesday of each month at 3:30 pm. Workshop meetings, generally
devoted to a single subject, are held on an as-needed basis. In addition, board
members represent the utility in various local, regional and national
organizations.
(standing, left to right) Dr. George Gant,
secretary; Jeanne Van Meter, director; Jim Welsh,
president and general manager; Fred Cumbie, chairman; Jim
Swan, mayor of Kissimmee; Reginald Hardee, vice
chairman; Grant Lacerte, vice president and general
counsel; Kathleen Thacker, assistant secretary.
Board Member Biographical Information
Fred H. Cumbie, Jr.
Chairman
Fred Cumbie is president of the law firm
Overstreet Miles Ritch & Cumbie, P.A., and holds degrees from Florida State
University College of Law and the University of South Florida. Cumbie is a
36-year resident of Osceola County and past president of the Osceola County
Council on Aging, Inc. Cumbie joined the board in 2003.
Reginald L. Hardee
Vice Chairman
Reginald Hardee joined the
board in 2007. He was elected as Assistant Secretary on November 5, 2008 and
re-elected on November 4, 2009. He currently serves as Secretary. Reginald was
appointed as the District Information System Manager of the Florida's Turnpike
on March 31, 2000. He brings over 17 years of IT experience to the
organization, focused on IT strategic planning, budgeting, building and leading
support and development teams in public sector setting.
Dr. George Gant
Secretary
Dr. George Gant is the former mayor of Kissimmee
and retired medical director of the Osceola County Health Department. He holds
a doctor of medicine degree from the University of Miami School of Medicine,
and is a 48-year resident of Kissimmee.
Kathleen Thacker
Assistant Secretary
Kathleen Thacker joined the board in 2010. She
is a retired school psychologist, a graduate of St. Cloud High School and holds
degrees from Florida State University and Western Carolina University. She is
an eight-year resident of Kissimmee and a graduate of the Kissimmee School of
Government.
Jeanne Van Meter
Director
Jeanne Van Meter joined the
Board in 2011. She is a 38-year resident of Kissimmee, a former business owner
and a licensed Realtor. She is a past Kissimmee City Commissioner. Jeanne has
been active in the community since 1973 and has served on a variety of boards,
including Valencia Community College, Greater Orlando Aviation Authority,
Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber of Commerce, Council on Aging and Goodwill
Industries of Central Florida.
Mayor Jim Swan
Ex officio
Mayor Jim Swan was re-elected in November 2012. He is a municipal
marketing and contract manager in the solid waste industry. Mayor Swan works
towards improving water quality in Lake Tohopekaliga, Served as Metroplan
Chairman, supported the Osceola Council on Aging as a board member and was
awarded Water Conservationist of the Year in 1980 by the Florida Wildlife
Federation.
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