PRESS RELEASE: JUNE 11, 2026

SJR State welcomes new trustees

Alexandria Hill

Kevin Payne

St. Johns River State College welcomes its newest members to the District Board of Trustees. Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointments of Alexandria Hill and Kevin Payne, and the reappointment of Richard Komando, Willard “Jud” Sapp Jr., and Tammy “Chereese” Stewart.

SJR State President Joe Pickens, J.D., said the College welcomes its newest representatives and honors the service of its outgoing Trustee, Wendell Davis. "We are honored to welcome these dedicated and talented individuals to our Board," Pickens said. "Their impressive backgrounds, professional successes and community connections will be a positive contribution to our students, the College and its future growth."

Alexandria Hill
Alexandria Hill (“Alex”) is an attorney and partner at Driver, McAfee, Hawthorne & Diebenow, PLLC, where she focuses her practice on mergers and acquisitions, franchising, corporate governance, and business law. Previously, she served as General Counsel and Chief Operating Officer of Maple Street Biscuit Company, where she helped lead the company's growth and sale to Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. She is active in the Northeast Florida business community and advises business owners and executives on strategic growth, acquisitions, governance, and succession planning. She also currently serves as a member of the Clay County Development Authority, the Board of the Jacksonville Bar Association, and the Board of Jacksonville Area Legal Aid. Ms. Hill earned her bachelor's degree in business administration from Stetson University and a juris doctor from the University of Florida.

"As the spouse of a high school teacher, I have seen firsthand how access to education can change the trajectory of a student's life. St. Johns River State College provides countless opportunities for students to pursue their educational and career goals while strengthening the workforce and economic vitality of our communities,” Hill said. “I am honored to serve on the Board of Trustees and contribute to the continued success of an institution that makes such a meaningful impact across Northeast Florida.”

Kevin Payne
Kevin Payne is a Senior Manager of Contracting at Imagine 360, a healthcare benefits management company. Active in his community, he has served as President of the Jacksonville Association of Health Underwriters and on the Board of Young Life - Clay County. Payne earned his bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of Texas and his master's degree in business administration from Oklahoma City University.

"I am humbled by this nomination and appointment, and am ready to get working collaboratively with the Board of Trustees and President for the benefit of all students, staff, and the entire St. Johns River State College community," Payne said.

Pickens said the College was fortunate to have had the outstanding foresight and direction of outgoing Board member Wendell Davis (2013-2026), whose leadership made a permanent and positive impact on the College.

“Every president should be so fortunate as to have a board member like Wendell Davis,” Pickens said. “His positive impact on the College and our students over his more than a decade of service is immeasurable. I know that I speak for the entire college community when I say that St. Johns River State College is a better college because Wendell Davis served on our Board of Trustees.”

Davis will continue to serve the College as a member of the Foundation Board.

In addition to the reappointments, currently serving on the board are Nick Primrose and Cyrus Zomorodian.

For more information on the District Board of Trustees, visit https://www.sjrstate.edu/boardmembers

St. Johns River State College operates full-service campuses in Clay, Putnam and St. Johns counties and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate and baccalaureate degrees. St. Johns River State College also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of St. Johns River State College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).