On November 14, 2013 the BOCC reappointed Commissioner Al Higginbotham to the River Board. A native Floridian from Plant City, Commissioner Higginbotham received a degree in political science with an emphasis on South American Government from the University of Florida. His political interests led him to serve as a Congressional aide in Washington, Hillsborough River Board & Technical Advisory Council and later as an executive assistant to the Florida State Treasurer and Insurance Commissioner.
At its December meeting, the Temple Terrace City Council re-appointed Council Member, and River Board Chair, Alison Fernandez to continue serving as the City’s representative on the River Board. Council Member Alison Fernandez became a resident of Temple Terrace in 1972. She graduated from Florida State University with Bachelor of Science degrees in Accounting and Finance. For a while, she worked as an auditor for KPMG Peat Marwick, LLC. Ms. Ms. Fernandez also is active in the Temple Terrace Junior Woman’s Club, the Lewis Elementary PTA and the Temple Terrace Soccer Association. She was elected to the City Council on Nov. 7, 2006 and re-elected in 2010.
We would like to welcome Christina Hummel who was appointed by the Planning Commission to represent them on the River Board TAC. As the base planner at MacDill Air Force Base, Ms. Hummel manages and updates MacDill’s general comprehensive plan. She holds a Masters of City and Regional Planning degree from the University of Texas at Arlington and is an AICP, certified planner with the American Planning Association.
Also joining the River board’s TAC is Jackie Julien. Formally with the Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County, Jackie is the newly hired Environmental Supervisor of the Tampa Port Authority. Congratulations Jackie, we look forward to working with you. We would also like to welcome New TAC member Cindy Zhang-Torres. Ms. Zhang-Torres was appointed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.