DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Mary Ellen Hancock, Chairman (St. Johns County)

Mary Ellen Hancock joined the SJR State Board of Trustees in 2011. She has been the Vice President and Regional Market Manager of Northeast Florida for TD Bank since 2010. Previously, she was the Vice President of Branch Administration for First Federal Bank of North Florida from 2005 to 2010. Hancock has served on the Board of Trustees of Putnam Community Medical Center/Lifepoint Hospitals, the Board of Directors for the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce, as treasurer of the Putnam Habitat for Humanity and as treasurer for the Foundation for Rural Education Excellence. Hancock received her bachelor’s degree from Flagler College.

 

Wendell D. Davis, Vice Chairman (Clay County)

Wendell D. Davis joined the SJR State Board of Trustees in 2013. He is the senior vice president of Watson Realty Corp. He currently serves on the Clay County Commission. Davis served in the U.S. Army from 1964-1966, and in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1966-1987.

Following his two years of active military service, he coached high school football in Florida for 14 years and college football in North and South Carolina for 6 years.

Wendell served as President of the Florida Association of Realtors in 2010, the largest trade association in Florida with approximately 120,000 members, and was recognized as “Realtor of the Year” for 2011.

Davis is a University of Florida graduate. He received his bachelor’s degree in physical education, health and recreation, and his master’s degree in educational administration.

He is appointed for a term beginning June 19, 2013, and ending May 31, 2017.

 

Denise Bramlitt (Putnam County)

Joining the Board in 2012, Denise Bramlitt has been an active business and community leader in Palatka for more than 20 years. She has owned Bramlitt's Inc., a plumbing and electrical supply house in Palatka, since 1979. She has also been the business administrator for the Water's Edge Land Trust since 2005 and has served on the board of directors for the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce from 2010 to 2011. Her dedication to community service also includes serving as a member of the Lee Conlee House Board and as a supporter of the Rodeheaver Boys Ranch.

Bramlitt organized a scholarship program with Palatka High School and gives over seven scholarships annually to young adults. She has also served on the boards for the Villas of Oceangate, Sand Dollar and Hiawatha Condominiums.

 

Samuel Garrison (Clay County)

Samuel Garrison joined the SJR State Board of Trustees in 2017. He is an attorney with Kopelousos, Bradley and Garrison, P.A., a private practice of law specializing in the areas of criminal defense and matters involving city, county and local governments. Garrison previously served as an assistant state attorney for the 4th Judicial Circuit of Florida with responsibilities for investigation and prosecution of capital, felony and misdemeanor criminal cases, with over 70 jury trials brought to verdict.

Garrison has served as a Board member for the Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, the Quigley House and the Orange Park Medical Center. He is also a Leadership Jacksonville alumni, class of 2016. Garrison received his bachelor's degree from Samford University and his law degree from the University of Illinois College of Law.

Garrison succeeds Ron Coleman and is appointed for a term beginning May 15, 2017 and ending May 31, 2018.

 

Colonel (R) Joseph "Mickey" Duren (St. Johns County)

Colonel (R) Joseph "Mickey" Duren joined the Board in 2012. He is currently employed as the Vice President of Product Development and Logistics for Dr. Roy H. Hinman II, and Island Doctors in St. Augustine, Florida. COL (R) Duren retired on 31 March 2015 with over 40 years of service to this great Nation and the Florida National Guard. COL Duren began his military career as an enlisted Soldier in the Florida Army National Guard in March 1975. He served in a variety of positions as an enlisted Soldier with the 853rd S & S Company before attending the U.S. Army Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1982.

COL Duren has held numerous Command Leadership roles in the Florida Army National Guard. He was the State Quartermaster, the Commander of the Camp Blanding Joint Training Center. He was also the Group Commander of the 50th Area Support Group. COL Duren deployed to Kuwait and Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He has served in key leadership positions during state emergencies with numerous activations of the Florida National Guard, including Task Force Commander during Hurricane Katrina in Mississippi, Other assignments include Deputy Commander of the 50th Area Support Group, Commander of the 927th Corps Support Battalion, and Commander of the 853rd Supply and Service Company. COL Duren served as Aide-de-camp to the late MG Robert F. Ensslin Jr. COL Duren has served as the President of the National Guard Association of Florida. Governor Rick Scott also appointed COL Duren as a Trustee for St. Johns River State College.

In addition to a Bachelor of Science degree in Liberal Arts from Regents College, COL Duren received a Masters Degree in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College. COL Duren’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with Three Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Florida Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, Florida Distinguished Service Medal with Four Oak Leaf Clusters, Florida State Active Duty Ribbon with Three Silver Oak Leaf Cluster, and numerous other decorations.

 

Brian Keith (Putnam County)

Brian Keith joined the Board in 2014. He retired from the Palatka Police Department in 2003 after 21 years of service. He is currently one of the owners and facility manager of New Castle Shipyards, LLC. He also serves as a deputy with the Putnam County Sheriff's Office, assisting part time with cold-case homicides.

He is serving as the board president for the Children’s Reading Center Charter School, a board member for Career Source, as well as a board member for Palatka Main Street. Keith also volunteers as a caregiver for Haven Hospice. He succeeds John Nelson and is appointed for a term beginning February 20, 2014, and ending May 31, 2017.

In addition to having two sons who recently graduated from SJR State, Keith is also an alumnus, graduating from SJR State’s Criminal Justice Academy. He also holds an Associate Degree in Business from Vincennes University.

 

Marlene Lagasse (Putnam County)

Joining the Board in 2014, Marlene Lagasse has been an active community leader in Palatka for many years. She is the director of operations for the Boathouse Marina in Palatka. For the past 19 years, she has also been a business developer and closer with Estate Title of St. Augustine. Lagasse’s additional professional experiences include serving as a nurse at the former Alachua General Hospital in Gainesville.

She currently serves as the president of Downtown Palatka, Inc., and is a board member for Palatka Main Street. She was recently elected president of the Palatka Downtown Business Association. Lagasse has also served as a longstanding member of the Putnam County Waterway Committee and the Southside Historic District.

She fills a vacant seat and is appointed for a term beginning February 20, 2014, and ending May 31, 2015.

Board Attorney - Ron Brown


Joe H. Pickens, J.D. - Executive Secretary