Philip C. Harris serves as a Neighborhood Planner in the Neighborhood Partnership Department for the City of St. Petersburg. He serves as a liaison with the city's neighborhood and business associations. He consults with and advises City departments, elected officials, and community organizations regarding issues, concerns, and provides potential solutions to neighborhood problems. Philip makes recommendations regarding neighborhood policies, programs and events; gather, analyze and distribute data necessary to build capacity in neighborhood organizations through partnerships, grants, and foundation funding, enabling neighborhood organizations to have financial, labor and in-kind resources to complete neighborhood improvements. 

 

He is an active volunteer and member of First University Seventh-day Adventist Church; Deltona Lodge No. 756 Free & Accepted Masons Prince Hall Affiliated; St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals, Gamma Eta Sigma Chapter Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. and a participate in the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Program.

 

Philip attended the University of South Florida and has earned B.A. in Communication, and holds a Masters in Business Administration and an emphasis in Public Administration from Argosy University and is pursuing a Doctorate degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Public Management..

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2nd Vice-President
Louis A. Finney, Jr. is currently the Director for Hillsborough County’s Head Start/Early Head Start Division responsible for managing multiple programs and an operating budget of $32 million dollars.     Prior to the current position he was a Technical Assistance expert for the Office of Head Start’s American Indian Head Start Branch working exclusively for American Indian Head Start programs through out the country.    He’s been an active advocate on behalf of children and families in many capacities.  He served twice as President of the Virginia Head Start Association and Treasurer of the National Head Start Association (NHSA).    In 2001 he was selected among five Head Start Directors to participate in the White House Conference on Early Childhood where he presented on the impact of Head Start in the U.S. and worked cooperatively with Congressional aides and NHSA to model a Head Start classroom day on the Hill for federal law makers.     He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Hillsborough County Early Childhood Coalition, March of Dimes, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW Post 15010), Bright Beginnings Healthy Start, Florida Head Start Association, and Region IV Head Start Association

 

Mr. Finney obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore; Master’s in Public Administration from Wilmington College and has completed 36 hours of course work toward a Doctors of Philosophy in Non-Profit Management.  He is also a Cornell University certified Family Development Curriculum Instructor.  

 

He is a 2004 Army Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom having served as a Deputy Company Commander in Iraq and is an active member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Most notably, he is a Head Start graduate. 

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Treasurer

Earl Gloster Director Solid Waste/General Services at City of Clearwater

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Recording Secretary

Annette Douglas Tax Collector Supervisor at Pinellas County

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Corresponding Secretary

Mercedes Pearson Sr. Equal Opportunity Coordinator, Office of Human Rights  at Pinellas County

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Charles L. Thompson joined the Lakeland Police Department in February 2004. Previously, he joined the Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD) in 1978, after working for the Florida Department of Corrections as a Probation Officer for three years. He was promoted through the ranks with the Police Department as Sergeant, Master Sergeant, Lieutenant, and First Lieutenant. In 1993 he was appointed to Police Bureau Commander for the Warrants Bureau.

During his career, he has worked in and commanded units in Police Services and Investigative Services, which includes administrative, investigative and police operation aspects of MDPD. His more notable achievements have been response to the 1980 Miami Civil Disturbance, participation in the Pope’s visit to Miami, planning and on scene commander of the Summit of the Americas. Emergency response and recovery after Hurricane Andrew, planning and participation in Y2K operations, planning in Miami-Dade County’s 2000 General Election, and most recently, joint command during the Free Trade of the Americas Ministerial.

He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminology from Florida State University and a Master of Arts Degree from the University of Phoenix in Organizational Management. He is a graduate of both the Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute and the FBI National Academy. His professional affiliations include the FBI National Academy, International Association of Chiefs of Police, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, and the Florida Sheriff’s Association.

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Bill Horne was appointed by the City Council to serve as the Chief Administrative Officer of the city with responsibility for all departments except the City Attorney's Office. He is one of only two employees who reports directly to the Council. He is directly responsible for 1,846.5 employees and accountable for the annual operating and capital budget of $375 million.

 

With a wealth of management experience in dynamic and fast paced environments, Bill came to Clearwater in 1998 as the General Support Services Administrator. Prior to that, he served as a Colonel in the United States Air Force. Bill earned his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Tulsa, a Masters in Human Resources Management from Pepperdine University, and a Masters in Political Science from Auburn University.

 

In September 2005, Bill was designated a Credentialed Manager by the International City County Manager Association (ICMA).

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Carl Harness has been with the county since October 2003. Harness had more than 19 years experience in local governments prior to joining Hillsborough County in Florida and Ohio, most recently as the Assistant City Manager of Gainesville, Florida, for five years.

 

Harness was one of the first group of individuals who completed the management accreditation program by the International City County Management Association (ICMA) in 2002. The ICMA is a professional and educational organization for chief appointed managers, administrators, and assistants, that seeks to create excellence in local government by developing and fostering professional local government management.

 

During his five-year tenure as Assistant City Manager, Harness was responsible for overseeing five departments, including Building Inspections and Economic Development. He also coordinated all federal grant lobbying efforts for the city. Harness also has worked for the Dade County government and the cities of Opa-Locka, Florida, and Shaker Heights, Ohio.

 

Harness has bachelor's degrees in political science and biology and a Master in Public Affairs from the University of Cincinnati in Ohio.

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Polk County Representative