Business Owner/Operator in Milton & Pensacola, FL. Mike Thomas attended Pensacola Junior College from 1971-1973. Fraternities and sororities were vital to the social fiber of the college. As a member of the Delta Kappa Alpha Fraternity, he remembers some friendly competition among the Greeks and great loyalty among the members. Greek life has disappeared from PSC, but he and the DKA Brothers have maintained a connection through regular social events that would be enviable to any organization. Now, as a member of the PSC Alumni Association Board of Directors, he is working to build that connection among all PSC alumni. “The PSC Alumni Association is about honoring memories created during college days and creating new memories as PSC alumni reconnect,” Thomas said. He helped orchestrate the alumni association’s first fundraiser, a very successful Continental Pheasant Hunt and fishing excursion. Through ownership of Milton Tastee Freez, Grover T’s BBQ, and Black Water Olive Grove, he has gained a sharp eye for business and numerous contacts that greatly benefit the alumni association. He is a Lifetime Charter Member of the PSC Alumni Association. He has been a PSC Alumni Association Board of Directors member since 2014 and has served on the Alumni Executive Board since 2018.

Area Sales Manager for Staples Business Advantage. Lane Harper attended Pensacola Junior College from 1980-1982 before pursuing the University of West Florida where he graduated in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing. He is currently the Area Sales Manager for Staples Business Advantage. Lane lives in Gulf Breeze with his wife, Jill Harper. They have two sons, Stefan and Brandon. Stefan is an Account Manager with Staples Business Advantage in Pensacola, FL. Brandon is a Chemical Engineer with Intel in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He is a Lifetime Charter Member of the PSC Alumni Association. He has been a PSC Alumni Association Board of Directors member since 2014, and has served on the Alumni Executive Board since 2018.

Gerry Goldstein graduated from Pensacola Junior College in 1972 before earning his BSBA in Finance, MBA, and master’s Certificate in Entrepreneurship from UWF. He is certified in Business Model Canvas and Lean Startup from the International Business Incubator Association. He is broker/principal of Salomon-Goldstein Properties and a Visiting Instructor for the University of West Florida College in Business. He spent 10 years on Wall Street in various roles within the investment banking world. Early on, he was a short-term money market instructions trader specializing in Banker’s acceptance, Certificate of Deposits and Treasury bills and used the Eurodollar futures market to hedge cash positions. He also collaborated with team members to build two government-trading operations. Before turning to Pensacola in the early 1980s, Goldstein worked on the institutional sales desk at the Merrill Lynch headquarters in New York. At UWF, he created the Master Level Case Competition, a unique program that brought Fortune-rated companies to the UWF campus. His commitment to PSC runs deep. He launched the popular annual spring PSC Quail Hunt and fall PSC Quail Hunt & Pheasant Shoot, two major fundraisers for the PSC Alumni Association matching funds program. Each of these events typically generate enough funds to match another new PSC Alumni Association scholarship. He and his wife, Mitzi Goldstein, along with friends, retired U.S. Army Brig. Gen. John Adams and his wife, Dr. Laura Magan, established an endowed scholarship for students in any field of study. His latest academic project is focused on PSC’s College of Business. PSC Students who pursue a Dr. Marjan Mazza Bachelor of Applied Science Degree – Business and Management – will be allowed to take the first two courses in UWF’s Master of Business Administration program while still at PSC. Upon completion, students will have a direct path to UWF’s MBA degree and will have finished about 10 percent of the MBA program. He is a Lifetime Charter Member of the PSC Alumni Association. He has been a PSC Alumni Association Board of Directors member since 2022.

Norris McMahon graduated from Pensacola Junior College in 1974 with his associate degree before venturing off to Florida State University and later the University of West Florida, where he earned a bachelor’s degree. He also attended the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University and the Synovus Leadership Institute. McMahon has worked in banking for more than 40 years and is the Market President of MidSouth Bank. He was the Market Leader and Senior Vice President at Summit Bank, where he is responsible for the Escambia County and Santa Rosa County markets. Before that he was senior vice president in commercial banking with Coastal Bank and Trust/Synovus Bank. He has served as a board member or member of numerous local non-profit and community groups including the Order of Tristan, Fiesta of Five Flags, the United Way of West Florida, and the Rotary Club of Pensacola. He also served as a Past President and Treasurer for The Pensacola Country Club. McMahon and his wife, Donna, have three adult children – Norris, Sarah Beth, and Emily. He has been a PSC Alumni Association Board of Directors member since 2018.

Managing Partner/Owner of Lisa York Law, LLC. Lisa York graduated from Pensacola Junior College in 1981 with her Associate of Science degree before moving on to Florida State University where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Political Science and International Relations in 1983. In 1984 she graduated from The National Center in Atlanta, Georgia, earning her certification as a Paralegal. After working many years in the local legal community as a Paralegal and Judicial Assistant, she was admitted into the College of Law at Loyola University New Orleans where she earned her Juris Doctorate in 2003. She was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2003. She is also a member of the Federal Bar for the Northern District of Florida, and the Escambia Santa Rosa Bar Association. She is the Managing Partner/Owner of Lisa York Law, LLC with offices in Pensacola and a satellite office in Navarre. Her practice centers on Family Law, Guardianship, Advance Directives and Probate and serves Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa Counties. She is a proud PSC Alumnus and boasts that all of her immediate family are graduates of PSC. (Spouse, Johnny York, Class of 1990; Daughter, Caroline, Class of 2013; Son, William, Class of 2017) Lisa has been a PSC Alumni Association Board of Directors member since 2019 and currently serves on the Alumni Executive Board as Secretary /Treasurer.

Gerald Adcox graduated from Pensacola Junior College in 1975 with his associate degree. He went onto UWF for his bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance. He is president of Adcox Imports. He is a seasoned financial executive with over thirty years of M&A Experience. He started his career as a bank auditor for the largest bank holding company in Florida and became an auditor and account manager for Walter E. Heller in New Orleans specializing in leveraged buyouts and financing for emerging companies. He was the youngest officer at 25 years of age for this $4 billion finance company. He returned to Pensacola in 1991 where he now owns and operates a successful luxury car dealership. He holds licenses in mortgage brokering, real estate, and is a Certified Collector Car Appraiser. He received the very first Distinguished Business Alumnus Award from UWF. He has a history of extensive charitable service: former president of the Ronald McDonald House, former chairman of the Cattle Barons’ Ball for the American Cancer Society, former Sacred Heart Hospital Foundation Board Member, former chairman of the Development Board Sacred Heart Foundation, former Vice-Chair of Escambia County Value Adjustment Board, past chairman of Pensacola Habitat for Humanity, which is one of the largest and most successful in the United States and numerous other civic organizations. He has served as an expert witness and consultant in numerous bankruptcy cases throughout the United States. He is an elected director for the University of West Florida Foundation Board of Directors. He is a Lifetime Charter Member of the PSC Alumni Association. He has been a PSC Alumni Association Board of Directors member since 2016.

James Bradley graduated from Pensacola Junior College in 1976. He is a native of Pensacola and general manager and chief financial officer of Bradley Masonry Inc. – a primarily commercial and residential contractor that has served the area for more than 50 years. Bradley is a 1974 Tate High School graduate. After Pensacola State, he went on to the University of West Florida where he earned a bachelor’s degree in 1978. Along with serving on the board of the Masonry Association of Florida, Bradley also is active in his community. Bradley and his wife, Lisa, have one son, Jonathan Bradley, a criminal justice major and U.S. Air Force ROTC student at the University of South Alabama in Mobile. He is a Lifetime Charter Member of the PSC Alumni Association. He has been a PSC Alumni Association Board of Directors member since 2020.

David Collins graduated from Pensacola Junior College before earning a bachelor’s degree from University of West Florida. He is considered one of the most dynamic and knowledgeable speakers on the subject of real estate in Florida. He has been a real estate broker and real estate school instructor since 1980. In 1997, Florida Governor Lawton Chiles appointed him to the Florida Real Estate Commission Education and Research Foundation for which he served four years and was Chairman in his final year of service. He is a member of the Florida Realtors Instructor Academy and the Real Estate Educators Association. In addition, he was recently appointed to the City of Pensacola Planning Board. He owns and operates Real Estate CareerQuest and Florida Real Estate Trainers, licensed real estate schools. In addition, he is the author of Florida Real Estate Guide, a pre-license textbook for sales associates and Florida Real Estate Broker, a pre-license textbook for brokers. Both books have been approved by the Florida Real Estate Commission for licensing requirements. In addition, he has written numerous other real estate books and articles that are available online as well. He has practiced real estate since 1978 and brings hands-on experience that others can only imagine. He has worked in residential and commercial-investment sales as well as participated in the development of subdivisions, shopping centers and medical communities. He was recently appointed to the City of Pensacola’s Planning Board. He is a Lifetime Charter Member of the PSC Alumni Association. He has been a PSC Alumni Association Board of Directors member since 2014.

Cherry Fitch attended Pensacola Junior College before earning her BS at the University of West Florida and then her MS at Troy State University and finally a master’s in education from University of West Florida. She embarked on a career path that led her to serve as a high school teacher, guidance counselor, principal, realtor, city councilwoman, and ultimately mayor of Gulf Breeze. During her entire professional life, she has dedicated her talent and energy to the enrichment and growth of her hometown. Through her career, volunteer work and organizational memberships, she has built a legacy of public service and advocacy for education. The accolades and awards she has garnered at each level of her career are a testament to her leadership, integrity and ability to inspire others. Upon retirement from Gulf Breeze High School, her passion for higher education inspired the local community to create a sponsorship in her honor, thereby continuing her legacy in perpetuity. By keeping in touch with new community members – often young professionals with growing families – her real estate career positions her to guide the next generation of Gulf Breeze residents to the many community resources available. She is a Lifetime Charter Member of the PSC Alumni Association. She has been a PSC Alumni Association Board of Directors member since 2019.

Joseph Herring grew up in Pensacola but spent much of his professional life traveling the world as a musician, composer, arranger, and producer with United Artists Records. His musical roots began with classical training as a child. When he was in the 11^th grade at Booker T. Washington High School, he completed the arrangement of a musical piece for the school’s 100-piece marching band. After finishing his studies at the City University of New York, he performed with a range of artists from John Coltrane to Najee. Since “retiring” to Pensacola, he has continued his music career and his work with the world-famous Harlem Gospel Choir. He also serves as the finance director and administrator of the Gulf Coast Veterans Advocacy Council, along with managing several other local non-profit groups. He said he always had a passion for PSC and taught classes in brass and jazz at the college in the 70s. Now he invests time and effort in the PSC Alumni Association because he sees its importance to his hometown. He has a been a PSC Alumni Association Board of Directors member since 2014.

Chris Jones graduated from Pensacola Junior College in 1978 with his associate degree before earning his bachelor’s degree from Florida State University in 1983. He is a native of Escambia County and graduate of Tate High School (1976). He and his wife Angie (Cauley) Jones have been married for more than 29 years. Their three children (Shauna, John, and Corey) are all alumni of Pensacola State College. He is a Certified Florida Appraiser and licensed Realtor as well as the recipient of the 2012 Ethics in Business Award. He is an active member of the Pensacola Five Flags Rotary Club and is involved with many local and international charities such as United Way of West Florida, United Cerebral Palsy, and Junior Achievement. He also offers his time and experience to the community by serving on the Board of the Pensacola Interstate Fair and working with the Pensacola Recreational Fisherman’s Association Kid’s Clinic. He is currently serving on the ARC Board of Directors as a member of the Executive Committee. He is a Lifetime Charter Member of the PSC Alumni Association. He is a Lifetime Charter Member of the PSC Alumni Association. He has been a PSC Alumni Association Board of Directors member since 2015.

Ted Kirchharr graduated from Pensacola Junior College in 1973 before earning his bachelor’s degree from UWF in 1975, and a master’s degree from Central Michigan University in 1989. For more than 20 years, he was deputy superintendent of the Escambia County School District. He is former senior director for Studer Education. He is former vice president and CEO for Landrum Professional Employer Services. He currently serves as Human Resources Director for City of Pensacola since 2019. He is a Lifetime Charter Member of the PSC Alumni Association. He has been a PSC Alumni Association Board of Directors member since 2014. He was the president from 2016-2018.

Emily Lewallyn began her journey with GT Independence nearly 7 years ago as a per diem Field Service Representative. Since that time, Emily has served in multiple capacities for the company including Florida State Manager, Director of State Services and most recently as the Business Implementation Manager following the company's restructure. In August of 2022 Emily stepped into the role of Director of Operations with GT Independence. Emily's passion for Social Work became clear when she took a break during college and spent a semester volunteering as an English teacher in Africa. Emily earned her Bachelor of Social Work with a minor in Aging Studies from the University of West Florida Emily Lewallyn has 14 years’ experience in the human services field and has worked in domestic infant adoptions and has served as a licensed Social Worker serving as part of the Hospice interdisciplinary team in South Carolina. Emily is an avid advocate of choice and supporting an individual's autonomy to live a life of their own choosing.  

 

Emily enjoys time spent with family, friends, and loves to try new food and coffee. Emily lives in northwest Florida with her two daughters and her husband, Bryan. They have two dogs and a cat.

Denis McKinnon, Sr. graduated from Escambia High School (1959) and attended Pensacola Junior College from 1960 to 1961. After a bright start at PJC now PSC, he entered the United States Marine Corp Aviation program in 1961, quickly earning the Naval Aviator Designation. His military career was replete with achievement and success. He served two tours in Vietnam, earning over 30 personal combat decorations during his 20 years as a naval aviator, including a Purple Heart and a Meritorious Service Medal, and was honored with a selection as aide to President Gerald Ford during the Michigan politician’s appointment as the House of Representatives minority leader.  In parallel with his many military achievements, he pushed himself to continually pursue higher education. His studies at PSC enabled him to experience success. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi, followed by a Master of Business Administration from the University of West Florida, and finally postgraduate studies at Nova Southeastern University. In 1981, after retiring from his distinguished military career, he returned to Pensacola. He immediately began establishing himself as a community leader, serving as president of First State Bank Share and First State Bank and its subsequent transition to Wells Fargo. He was recognized as the Kiwanis Pensacola Business Leader of the Year and was the recipient of two PACE awards – 1989 Business Leader of the Year and 2004 Spirit of Pensacola. He served as the president of the Sacred Heart Foundation and of the United Service Organization. He developed and built the PSC childcare enter and served as member of the Pensacola State College District Board of Trustees. He is the president of Veterans National Homecare. He has been a PSC Alumni Association Board of Directors member since 2019.

Alan McMillan graduated from Pensacola Junior College in 1963 with his associate degree before earning his bachelor’s degree in 1966 from University of Florida. He began his career in the Federal Government in 1966. He joined the U.S. Department of Labor in 1970. He was one of the early Department of Labor officials to be involved in the implementation of the OSHA law, joining OSHA itself in 1972. He served as an Assistant Regional Administrator in Atlanta, GA and held several special senior management assignments in the Washington DC National Office. He earned his M.A. degree from the University of West Georgia in 1980. In that same year, he was selected as the first U.S. Department of Labor official to receive a Senior Executive Fellowship at Harvard University. He then served as Deputy Director in the OSHA National Office prior to being selected into the Senior Executive Service in 1981 as Regional Administrator for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Chicago Region. In 1983, he was appointed as Regional Administrator to the Atlanta Region. As Regional Administrator in two of the largest OSHA regions, he was the Senior Executive responsible for all enforcement and voluntary compliance activities in the six Midwestern states and later in the eight Southeastern states. These responsibilities included making final regional determinations for all enforcement cases, including standards interpretations and judgments regarding litigation and settlements of OSHA cases. From 1987 – 1989, he was named Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health (MSHA) by Secretary of Labor, William Brock; named Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for the Employment Standards Administration by Secretary of Labor, Ann McLaughlin; and named Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA by Secretary of Labor, Elizabeth Dole. From 1990 through 1992, he served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of OSHA and was responsible for making agency decisions independently or in consultation with the Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA. During this position, he served as the principle official responsible for federal and state OSHA inspections, enforcement, standards and voluntary compliance activities. In 1990, President George H.W. Bush awarded him the Presidential Award for Distinguished Executive Service, the Federal Government’s highest award for Senior Executive Leadership. Throughout the period of 1987 through 1992, he testified numerous times before the U.S. Congress on the full range of OSHA and MSHA technical and administrative matters. He represented the U.S. Government in international forums from the United Nations, ILO organization to negotiations with specific nations on all aspects of U.S. occupational safety and health responsibilities. In October 1992, he joined the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, where he led the nuclear weapons laboratory’s occupational safety and health, nuclear safety and occupational medicine activities. He later assumed the position of Deputy Associate Director of the Laboratory’s Environmental, Safety, Health and Quality programs. He served as the President and Chief Executive Office of the National Safety Council from 2001 until his retirement in 2008. The National Safety Council is the nation’s largest non-governmental organization (NGO) responsible for safety and health advocacy. Prior to becoming President, he served for six years as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. He has more than 40 years of government and private sector safety, health and environmental experience, including service with the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and the U.S. Employment Standards Administration (ESA). Since his retirement and relocation to his hometown of Pensacola, FL., he has served as President of the Star Lake Homeowners Association, Commodore of the Pensacola Yacht Club, member of the Board of Directors of WSRE (public television), and member of the Escambia County Mass Transit Advisory Committee. He chaired the 2010 and served on the 2013/14 Escambia County Administrator Candidate Review Committee and Vice Chair of the Restore Act Advisory Committee to the Escambia County Board of Commissioners. In 2014, he was designated as an “OSHA Legend” by the leadership of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. In 2016, he was awarded the Commendation Coin by Assistant Secretary of Labor, David Michaels, PhD., representing OSHA’s highest honor for outstanding efforts on behalf of the nation’s workers. He is President of McMillan and Associates, which provides safety and health consultation services to employers and workers. He has been a PSC Alumni Association Board of Directors member since 2022.

Patrick Rooney graduated from Pensacola Junior College with an Associate in Arts degree in business in 1974. He was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa international honor society, where he chaired the tutoring subcommittee and the mathematics subcommittee. He continued his education and graduated from the University of West Florida with his B.A. and certificate in Multinational Management Program from Georgia Institute of Technology-Southern Center for International Studies. He is a certified public accountant and chartered global management accountant. He was the co-founder/CEO of Bionymity, Inc. from February 2011 to December 2014. He worked as CFO/COO of Brand Assest Digital, LLC from July 2007 to September 2009. He is currently the business coach/director of entrepreneurial development at FloridaWest EDA. He is a lead principal consultant at Coastal CxO Services, Inc. He lives in Gulf Breeze with his wife, Michelle. He is a Lifetime Charter Member of the PSC Alumni Association. He has been a PSC Alumni Association Board of Directors member since 2020.

David T. Sutton attended Pensacola Junior College in Political Science (Pre-Law) and transferred to the University of West Florida and completed that degree. Following UWF, he moved away and was involved in recreational real estate and radio syndication. After a number of years, he returned to Pensacola and UWF’s graduate program in Organizational/Industrial Psychology. In 1980, he began as an adjunct instructor in Psychology at Pensacola Junior College, now Pensacola State College. In 1982, he added a half-time position as an academic advisor/recruiter to cover Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Corry Station and Saufley Field. In 1985, he became the full-time Military Liaison and began the groundwork for what became the college’s NAS Center. As Director of Military Programs, he initiated classes onboard NAS Pensacola, Corry Station, Naval Hospital, Saufley Field (including the federal prison) and NAS Whiting Field. In this office, he created and implemented programs that allowed sailors to take classes despite their unpredictable lives and schedules. He became coordinator of Veteran Services and retired from Pensacola State College in October 2011. He is co-founder and Director of Behavioral Services and Operations of the People’s Medical School at UWF. This organization is committed to patients being better informed about health care and strong patient advocacy. Professional memberships are the Association of Psychological Science, Southeastern Psychological Association, and Florida Advisory Council on Military Education. He is a Lifetime Charter Member of the PSC Alumni Association. He has been a PSC Alumni Association Board of Directors member since 2017.

J.P. Whibbs graduated from Pensacola Junior College with his associate degree. He is a lifelong resident of Pensacola. In 1988, he graduated from Florida State University with a bachelor’s degree in finance. After college, Whibbs accepted a position with a prominent wealth management company in Raleigh, North Carolina. However, his father, the late Vince Whibbs Sr., asked him to come work in the family business – Vince Whibbs Pontiac-GMC – he founded in 1958. Over the next 30 years, Whibbs and his partners grew the business to include many additional franchises and eventually sold the company in 2018. He now owns and operates Whibbs Real Estate Group, a real estate network servicing Florida and Alabama. He has been a PSC Alumni Association Board of Directors member since 2020.

Patrice S. Whitten, CFRE attended Pensacola Junior College before earning a bachelor’s degree in communication, broadcast journalism, and marketing at UWF. She has been a Certified Fund-Raising Executive since 2002. She has called Pensacola State College her home away from home for more than 28 ½ years. Over a year after she retired on August 1, 2020 as the Executive Director of the PSC Alumni Association and Special Assistant to the President, she has returned to the College working part-time as a Consultant and Special Assistant to the President. Over her tenure at the College, she has been instrumental in many measures including the re-establishment of the PSC Alumni Association, which raised more than $700,000 in scholarships to benefit students. $290,000 of those scholarship dollars were raised as a result of the 2019 PSC Distinguished Alumni Awards, one of her last major events hosted at PSC. She first joined the College as PBS Development Director for WSRE from 1992-1994, and then as Chief Development Officer. She was the Executive Director of the PSC Foundation and Office Development from 1994 until 2012, when she moved into the Alumni Association position. She worked for four PSC presidents – Drs. Ed Hartsell, Charles Atwell, Tom Delaino, and Ed Meadows. She was an active student – serving as SGA president and secretary, a Delta Chi Omega sorority member, recipient of the Faculty Leadership Award and active in intramural sports. She is a Lifetime Charter Member of the PSC Alumni Association. She has been a PSC Alumni Association Board of Directors member since 2021.

Jerry L. Maygarden graduated from Pensacola Junior College in 1972. He continued his education and earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of West Florida in 1974 and 1978. He also received an honorary doctorate from UWF. The Honorable Jerry Louis Maygarden has enjoyed a long and distinguished career in public service. His professional life includes leadership roles in state and local governments, hospitals and health systems, private foundations, and public trade associations. He is a former city councilman and mayor of Pensacola who served as a state legislator and majority leader in the Florida House of Representatives. He also served as president and chief executive officer of the Greater Pensacola Chamber. He retired in October 2005. He was called out of retirement to help establish the L.A. Maygarden Center for Financial Literacy at the University of West Florida. The center is seeking the best ways and means to develop a prosperous, self-reliant citizenry capable of contributing to the orderly and sustainable advancement of community, state, and nation. He is a life-long parishioner and servant-leader in the United Methodist Church. He is a founder of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Florida, a Paul Harris Fellow in Rotary International, a 33̊Scottish Rite Mason, and a Foundation Fellow at the University of West Florida. He was a member of the United States Mobile Riverine Forces, and he is a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War. He was the PSC Alumni Association Board of Directors president from 2014-2016 and a honorary member emeritus.

Marie Young is a Pensacola legend who has dedicated her life to education and the community. She has served on the Pensacola City Council and was the first African American woman to serve on the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners. But even before she was an elected official, she had already built a legacy of service ─ having taught in the Escambia County School District for more than 40 years.  “I loved teaching and always strived to be a great teacher,’’ she said. “My goal was to make sure my students were becoming the best that they could be.” She eventually became a school administrator and, later, a principal. She is a Pensacola native who graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1951 at age 15. She attended Booker T. Washington Junior College graduating in 1953. The College merged with Pensacola Junior College in 1965. She is a Lifetime Charter Member of the PSC Alumni Association. After Booker T. Washington Junior College, she earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education at age 19 from Florida A&M University. She later received her master’s degree in elementary education from Atlanta University. Her entry into politics came in 1997 when she was elected to the Pensacola City Council. Three years into the term, she was appointed by then-Florida Gov. Jeb Bush to fill the District 3 Escambia County Commission seat that had become vacant. She would be elected to the position in 2004 and was re-elected in 2008. Following her retirement in 2012, the Escambia County Commission honored her legacy with the naming of the Marie K. Young Wedgewood Community Center and Park in the Wedgewood community. Her community involvement is vast. Young has served on boards for the WSRE-TV Foundation, the Council on Aging of West Florida, the Area Housing Commission and the Community Equity Investment Board. She met the Rev. James S. Young at his church, Mount Canaan Baptist Church, in the late 1950s. They were married in 1960. Rev. Young was a prominent area civil rights crusader who died in 2018. Her commitment to service and the community has been lifelong. “I think it is important to be a servant to your fellow man,’’ she said. “I’ve been blessed with a servant’s heart and want to serve others. You can’t be an effective leader unless you show some real concern for other people.” She has been a PSC Alumni Association Board of Directors member since 2015. She was voted to the Emeritus Board position in 2020.