A native of Fort Walton Beach, Jessica is a community leader and non-profit executive, proudly serving the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast in the capacity of President & CEO. In this role, she is responsible for working in partnership with the Corporate Board of Directors of the BGCEC to carry out the mission of the Clubs in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton counties through visionary leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight - ever keeping the inspiration and empowerment of Club kids at the heart of her decision-making.
Before joining the BGCEC, Jessica served as Area Director for Troy University. In this capacity she was the chief administrator for Troy’s presence in Okaloosa and Walton counties with oversight for four locations in that service area. She also served the University as Director for Business Development for all Florida locations. During her tenure at TROY, she was appointed to many University-wide initiatives to include Website Redevelopment, and a Continuing Education Pilot Program. Among her many accomplishments at TROY, she is most proud of the initiative to partner with the Okaloosa County School District to open a University location in Crestview, her leadership through an extensive and successful reaffirmation of accreditation process, and her efforts to bring a graduate degree in Educational Administration to the area.
Prior to joining Troy, Jessica was involved with the Kaplan organization in instructional and marketing capacities. Jessica is a graduate of the University of West Florida with a major in Marketing and also earned an MBA from the University of Florida. Her areas of expertise and special interest include the management of non-profit entities, strategy formulation and implementation, youth development, and military related initiatives. Jessica has been invited to speak at many national professional and educational venues to include a case study presentation on Military Spousal Tuition Assistance at the Department of Defense’s Worldwide Education Conference.
Jessica has established strong partnerships and positive relationships throughout the BGCEC service area through service in many local and national civic and professional organizations including the American Marketing Association, Council of College and Military Educators, We All Value Education PAC, Economic Development Councils, Taylor Haugen Foundation Board of Directors, Emerald Coast Science Center Board of Directors, various area Chambers of Commerce, and the Junior League of the Emerald Coast. She is a member of the Leadership Florida organization and graduate of Leadership Okaloosa. She is also proud to have served as Honorary Commander for the 46th Test Wing at Eglin Air Force Base.
Jessica makes her home in Fort Walton Beach with her two beautiful daughters, Jillian and Avery