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An eight-member board of directors, with six alternates, governs the FGUA, with representatives from Citrus, Flagler, Hendry, Lee, Marion, Nassau, Pasco, and Polk 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.
Chair, Polk County
Chair, Polk County
Tamara Richardson, P.E. has served as Director of Polk County Utilities since December 2017. Polk County owns and operates a full service utility. As director, Ms. Richardson and her team are responsible for all functions of the Utilities Division, including water production and distribution, wastewater collection and treatment, reclaimed water production and distribution, compliance and capacity, capital investments, maintenance and repairs, customer service and billing, and the financial management of these efforts.
Prior to Polk County, Ms. Richardson served as the City Engineer and Utilities Director for a medium-sized city with similar utility services in Central Florida for 15 years. Prior to that, she was a consulting engineer for a design firm specializing in municipal water and wastewater infrastructure.
Mr. Richardson graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor degree in Environmental Engineering in 1992.
Vice Chair, Lee County
Vice Chair, Lee County
Ms. Keyes joined Lee County in 2011 as the Utilities Director. She was designated Alternate Board Member when she joined Lee County and has consistently participated in monthly Board meetings and annual work sessions. She maintains a Professional Civil Engineering License in both Florida and California. Ms. Keyes has also worked for several public agencies and private firms in the general Public Works and Environmental Engineering industries for over 25 years. She has a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, a Master of Science in Environmental Quality Engineering and Master of Public Administration.
Vice Chair, Hendry County
Vice Chair, 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.
Board Member, Citrus County
Board Member, Director of Water Resources, Citrus County
Mr. Cheek is a Florida Registered Professional Engineer with over 20 years of utility-related engineering experience. He has worked in Citrus County government since 1998, as the Water Quality Project Coordinator, County Engineer and Director of Water Resources.
Mr. Cheek also spent several years in private practice as a design engineer and project manager working on various water, wastewater, stormwater and roadway projects for numerous public and private clients. Mr. Cheek received his bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of South Florida in 1991.
Board Member, Pasco County
Mr. Allen joined Pasco County in June 2022 as the Utilities Director and leads over 500 employees in the following departments: Customer Information and Services, Engineering and Contract Management, and Operations and Maintenance.
He has over 30 years of experience in the design, construction, operations, and management of water, sewer, and reclaimed water systems in California and Colorado. Mr. Allen also has executive leadership experience over other local government programs and services including public works, park maintenance, human resources, human services, library and cultural affairs, and solid waste. He has a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Colorado State University and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Southern California.
Board Member, Flagler County
Board Member, County Administrator for Flagler County
Heidi Petito has 31 years of experience working in government administration, and more than half of those in Flagler County. Mrs. Petito has been working for Flagler County since August 2005. Before being named Interim County Administrator, her tenure included working as the Chief of Staff and managing the county’s largest department – General Services – developing capital improvement plans, writing and managing grants, implementing cost saving initiatives to retain $1.6 million annually and directly managing 111 employees. Mrs. Petito has an Associate of Science Degree in Business from Columbia Southern University.
Board Member, Nassau County
Board Member, Marion County
Board Member, Marion County
Mr. Kirkman has served as the Environmental Services Director for Marion County since January 2019. The Environmental Services Department is responsible for providing water, wastewater, and solid waste services for the citizens of Marion County. Mr. Kirkman has over 30 years of governmental experience in the planning, design, construction, inspection, project management, administration, operation and maintenance of water and wastewater systems. As the Director of Environmental Services, Mr. Kirkman is responsible for the oversight of the completion of capital improvements and operational goals and objectives established for the Environmental Services Department. Mr. Kirkman received a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of South Florida and is a licensed Florida Professional Engineer.
Christina Malmberg, Citrus County
Glen Salyer, Lee County
Vacant, Pasco County
Vacant, Hendry County
Vacant, Marion County
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