On September 28, 2023, the Northeast Florida Regional Council (NEFRC) Leadership Academy celebrated the graduation of its 17th class. This class, consisting of 13 members, included notable figures such as Flagler County Commissioner David Sullivan, Deputy County Administrator Jorge Salinas, Emergency Management Director Jonathan Lord, and Palm Coast Chief of Staff Jason DeLorenzo. Tyler Nolen, the Program Director of the Leadership Academy, emphasized the program’s crucial role in fostering regional understanding and collaboration.
The NEFRC Leadership Academy is a seven-month program that holds monthly meetings in different counties within the seven-county region, encompassing Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam, and St. Johns. Its primary objective is to encourage leaders to draw inspiration from one another’s experiences and successful strategies.
During these meetings, guest speakers address issues pertinent to the hosting county, promoting a commitment to regionalism by focusing on topics aligned with each county’s strengths and initiatives. These subjects encompass economic development, housing, agriculture, resiliency, and emergency preparedness.
Graduates of the Leadership Academy become members of the Regional Community Institute, a non-profit organization closely affiliated with the NEFRC. This institute serves as a policy think tank dedicated to regional policy initiatives within the Northeast Florida Regional Council. To date, the Leadership Academy has graduated 298 individuals, including Heidi Petito, who completed the program in 2022 while serving as Flagler County Administrator.
The NEFRC Leadership Academy extends its invitation to participants from various sectors, and Tyler Nolen expressed gratitude to the 2023 class for their expertise and insights, underscoring the significance of diverse perspectives in regional leadership.
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