Florida Redevelopment Association Unplugged
4:45 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.
Palma Ceia 1-2
Have you wanted to become more involved in the association or wondered about certain aspects or programs? Are you getting the full benefit of membership? We will overview the FRA Academy and why you want to obtain a designation as an FRA-RA or FRA-RP. We will unveil the continuing education requirements for all graduates, effective January 1, 2020. Learn about the secret of success on the MyFRA network. Check out this great overview of all things FRA.
Presenters: Kyle Dudgeon, AICP, FRA-RA, Assistant Division Director, Economic Development/CRA; Cecilia Gayle, CRP, MBA, PLA, Senior Landscape Architect, Waldrop Engineering; John M. Jones, AICP, FRA-RP, Project Manager, S&ME; Rick Stauts, Executive Director, City of Florida City CRA and Carol Westmoreland, FRA Executive Director
Cecilia Gayle Ms. Gayle is the Senior Landscape Architect for Waldrop Engineering, a Tampa based company that provides planning, civil engineering and landscape architecture services. Raised in south Louisiana, 11th of 12 children, she learned to be a steward of nature, and her love for horticulture from her farmer father. This influenced her decision to pursue her passion in design & construction through landscape architecture. She graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture and later followed with a Master of Business Administration from Florida Institute of Technology. She began her professional practice in West Palm Beach, settled in Destin and 6 years ago, set roots in Tampa. Cecilia has accumulated 30+ years of private and public-sector experience in Landscape Architecture, Planning and Urban Design, now proudly practicing as a Senior Landscape Architect with the Waldrop Engineering, Tampa team. In 2013, Cecilia discovered the Florida Redevelopment Association – realizing that CRA’s bring together her education & experience, love for revitalization, transformation of spaces and rebuilding communities. Cecilia is currently an active member of the Florida Redevelopment Association and chairs the FRA Academy Committee. In addition to advocating in her profession realm, Cecilia is passionate about her family, plants and pets.
John M. Jones Mr. Jones is the Senior Project Manager for S&ME, Inc. His specialization is in planning and consulting in community redevelopment and economic development. With over 20 years of experience in the field, Mr. Jones has facilitated the establishment, expansion, extension and day to day operations of several Community Redevelopment agencies in Central Florida including the Seminole County US17-92 CRA; the City of Sanford CRA and the City of Oviedo CRA. He has authored numerous Finding of Necessity Studies, CRA Redevelopment Plan updates and amendments for CRA’s throughout the State of Florida.
Mr. Jones’ career began as a public-sector planner focusing on land use and economic development planning and programming. The past 16 years of his private sector career have enabled him to continue his work with public sector CRA’s. Mr. Jones has participated in private sector redevelopment planning, developing business assistance programming, developer matchmaking, the preparation of developer/development RFQs/RFPs and solicitations, the creation of Memorandums of Understanding, negotiation of Developer’s Agreement for community redevelopment projects and preparation of retail market studies and economic and fiscal impact report.
Rick Stauts Mr. Stauts is the Executive Director of the Florida City Community Redevelopment Agency. A native Texan, he graduated from Stephen F. Austin University with a BBA. Rick moved to Morgan City, Louisiana, working for the Credit Bureau for nine years, then the First National Bank. In 1987, Rick moved to Florida with First American Bank in Tallahassee. In 1989, Rick became an Economic Development Specialist and later, Planning Manager with the State of Florida Community Development Block Grant Program.
Since 2003, Rick has been the CRA Executive Director in two cities, Homestead until 2007, and Florida City from 2007 to present. Rick served two five-year terms on the Florida Redevelopment Association Board of Directors, serves on the FRA Nominating Committee, and is the Past Chairman of the FRA Academy Committee. Rick has presented at conferences and workshops for such groups as the Florida League of Cities, Florida Redevelopment Association, Florida Economic Development Council, Florida Community Development Association, Florida Housing Coalition, Florida Main Street, FEMA, and US HUD.