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Ralph L. “Buddy” Fletcher, Mayor (1989 - 2009)
ralph.fletcher@lakelandgov.net
Buddy was elected to the Lakeland City Commission in 1989 and became Mayor in January 1993. He is a member of the Legislative Committee, a member of the Land Acquisition & Disposition Committee, Chairman of the Utility Committee, and is active in many civic and community organizations. He attended Florida Southern College and is the owner of Fletcher Printing Company. |
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Justin Troller, Commissioner (2008 - 2011)
District: At Large
justin.troller@lakelandgov.net
Justin teaches American Government and is the Head Wrestling Coach at Lakeland Senior High School. He is the Chairman of the Community Development Committee and a member of the City’s Finance, Legislative, and Utility Committees. He is the Vice President of the Lakeland Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association and serves in leadership roles on several civic and community organizations. Justin is a graduate of the University of South Florida and is currently pursuing his Masters Degree in Educational Leadership.
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Gow B. Fields, Commissioner (1992 - 2011)
District: Northwest
gow.fields@lakelandgov.net
Gow is the owner of Fields & Company, Inc., doing business as Allstate Insurance. He is Chairman of the Finance Committee and is a member of the Transportation - Airport Committee and the Utility Committee. He is a member of the Lakeland Area Mass Transit District Board and the Polk Transit Authority Board. He is a member of the Downtown Lakeland Kiwanis, plus several other organizations. He has been inducted into the Kathleen Sr. High School Hall of Fame and received their Distinguished Alumnus Service Award. He has also received the Distinguished Alumni Award for Polk Community College. Gow graduated from the University of South Florida and holds a Masters degree in Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University. |
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Glenn E. Higgins, Commissioner (2003 – 2011)
District: Northeast
glenn.higgins@lakelandgov.net
Glenn retired from the Army as a lieutenant colonel in 1979 and in 1997 retired from Polk County Schools where he was the senior ROTC instructor at Lake Gibson High School. He was inducted into the Lake Gibson High School Hall of Fame in 2005. Glen is a member of the Board of Directors of the Polk County Tourist Development Council as well as the Lakeland Area Mass Transit District. He was chairman of the city Planning and Zoning Board, a member of the Citizens’ Advisory Committee and a Victim’s Advocate with the police department. He also served on the city’s Drug-Related Nuisance Abatement Board and graduated from the police department’s Citizens’ Police Academy. Glenn earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 1958 from West Virginia University. |
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Edie Yates, Commissioner (2006 - 2009)
District: Southeast
edith.yates@lakelandgov.net
Edie is the founding partner of Baylis & Company PA CPAs, where she is currently the Senior Partner. After becoming a Certified Public Accountant in 1975 and working for an international accounting firm, she returned to Lakeland to become the internal auditor for Lakeland Regional Medical Center. Edie served as President of the local professional chapter of CPAs, as Chairman of two statewide, not-for-profit conferences, and volunteered countless hours of community service. She has served in leadership roles on the national, state and local levels of various organizations, most recently as Chairman of the United Way of Central Florida.Edie holds a Bachelors degree in Accounting from Florida Southern College. |
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James Verplanck, Commissioner (2001 - 2009)
District: Southwest
james.verplanck@lakelandgov.net
James is retired from the city after 30 years of service, which he served as the Director of Community Development. He is the Chairman of the Transportation-Airport Committee and a member of the Community Development Committee and the Municipal Boards & Committees. James holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Urban Planning, a Masters degree in Urban Planning from Michigan State University and a Bachelors degree in Public Administration from the University of Mississippi. He is a member of Kiwanis and a number of civic and community organizations. |
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R. Howard Wiggs, Commissioner (1993 - 2009)
District: At Large
howard.wiggs@lakelandgov.net
Howard is the co-owner of Bagley Advertising. He is the Chairman of the Legislative Committee. He is also a member of the Finance Committee and a member of the Central Florida Regional Planning Council, as well as several civic and community organizations. He has a Marketing degree from Florida Southern College and is a graduate of Florida School of Banking and is a Rotarian. |
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