Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has appointed Steve Lester of Winter Haven to fill an opening on the Polk State College board of trustees.
Lester is chief of staff for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, serving as second-in-command to Sheriff Grady Judd. Lester is a Distinguished Alumnus of Polk State, having received an associate in science in criminology in 1982 and an associate in arts in 1983, according to a Polk State news release.
He also holds a bachelor of science in criminology from the University of Florida and a master of public administration from Troy University.
Lester joined the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in 1986 as a detention deputy sheriff and rose to become chief commander for the Department of Detention before his appointment as chief of staff in 2010. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, the release said.
DeSantis reappointed Ann Barnhart, Cindy Hartley Ross and Ashley Troutman to additional terms on the Polk State board of trustees. All appointments are subject to Florida Senate confirmation.
The board of trustees, who are unpaid, have authority over all college policies, including matters related to programs, buildings, finances and personnel. All appointments are subject to Florida Senate confirmation.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Governor appoints Polk sheriff’s chief of staff to Polk State College board of trustees
Reporting by Lakeland Ledger / The Ledger
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