The Board

A six-member board of directors, with six alternates, governs the FGUA, with representatives from Lee, Polk, Citrus, Pasco, Hendry and DeSoto counties. These board members meet monthly to represent the member systems and establish policy and priorities on issues such as expansion, rates, environmental resource management and long-range planning.

Each board member is a county employee appointed by their local government. Their expertise in water and sewer utility management makes the board a very important part of the FGUA structure.

In addition, the board works hard to make sure the FGUA serves your best interests.

Lea Ann Thomas, Chairperson

Assistant County Manager, Polk County

Ms. Thomas received a bachelor’s degree from Auburn University, a master’s degree from Valdosta State University and a master’s degree from the University of Central Florida.

She is a member of the Government Finance Officers Association (FGFOA) and the Florida City and County Management Association (FCCMA).

She joined the Polk County Office of Management & Budget in 1989 as an analyst, and was promoted to director in 1995. In May 1997, she was promoted to the assistant for special projects, and currently is the Polk assistant county manager.

Ms. Thomas began her tenure on the FGUA Board of Directors in 1999.

Robert Knight, Vice Chair

Director of Water Resources, Citrus County

Michele Baker, Vice Chair

Chief Assistant County Administrator, Pasco County

Ms. Baker has worked in Pasco County government since 1993, beginning as director of the county’s emergency management division, and later moving into the county’s overall administration in 2007.

Before that, she spent 10 years as the Metro-Dade Office of Emergency Management coordinator, and was the operations officer at the center when Hurricane Andrew hit Florida in 1992.

Ms. Baker received her bachelor’s degree in business management and management information systems from Florida International University in 1991, and earned her MBA from Saint Leo University in 2001.

Shane Parker

Public Works Director, Hendry County

Mr. Parker began his career with Hendry County as its county engineer in 2006 after spending 11 years in the private sector, primarily in land development. He later was elected to public works director for the county, and directs Hendry County airports, special districts, Port LaBelle Utilities, GIS, engineering, and the road and bridge department.

Mr. Parker joined the FGUA board of directors in 2008.

He received his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of South Florida in 1994.

Michael Crumpton, P.E

Utilities Director, DeSoto County

Mr. Crumpton has worked for DeSoto County in the capacity of Utilities Director since December 2010. Prior to his present position, he has served the citizens of Florida in positions with Polk County, Lee County, Seminole County, and the Cities of Sanford, Orlando, South Daytona, and Altamonte Springs.

Mr. Crumpton received his Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Central Florida and earned his Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Orlando College. He is a Florida licensed Professional Engineer.

Douglas L. Meurer, P.E.

Assistant County Manager, Lee County Public Works

Mr. Meurer received his BS degree in Civil Engineering from Rose Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, Indiana. He is a registered professional engineer with 35 years of experience in both the private and public sector. This experience has been in all facets of planning, design, construction and management of utilities, roads, bridges, structures and drainage projects for municipalities.

Mr. Meurer joined Lee County as Director of Utilities in July 2006 and was promoted to Assistant County Manager, Public Works, in August, 2010. In this role, he assists the County Manager by implementing the policies and programs of the Board of County Commissioners as they relate to the departments of Transportation, Solid Waste, Utilities, Natural Resources and Construction and Design.

He serves on numerous professional and legislative committees and was instrumental in the formation of the Lower West Coast Utility Council. He has served as Lee County’s FGUA Alternate Board Member since 2006 and was appointed as Director to the FGUA Board in December, 2010.

Alternates

Bruce Kennedy, Pasco County
Pam Keyes, Lee County
Polk County, Vacant
DeSoto County, Vacant
Citrus County, Vacant
Hendry County, Vacant