Governing Board

Caridad "Carrie" E. Lee, Chair

Caridad "Carrie" E. Lee is a businesswoman, community leader, and former teacher. She is the President of Florida Blue Farms, Inc., a family-owned and operated commercial blueberry farm located in Waldo, Florida.

Mrs. Lee is a former Chair of the Florida Commission on the Status of Women. She has served on the Catholic Charities Board of Directors since 2000 (as Chair from 2004 to 2008). She is a member and former President of the Gainesville Women's Forum, and a founding member of Friends of the Child Advocacy Center. She is emeritus on the Board of the Florida Museum of Natural History at the University of Florida and previously served as their President.

Among her many recognitions, Mrs. Lee received the Girl Scouts "Women Who Make a Difference" award, as well as the ACCT 鈥淭rustee of the Year 2024鈥� for the Southeast region of Community Colleges. In addition, she was recognized by the Santa Fe College Foundation in 2025 with the 鈥淧illars of Service Award鈥� for her commitment.

Mrs. Lee taught in Marion County Schools from 1973 to 1975 and helped develop reading and foreign language programs at North Marion Middle School and St. Patrick School 1993-1996. She received her bachelor's and master's degrees in Education from the University of Florida, and received a second master's degree in Religious Education from Loyola University in New Orleans.

She was appointed to the Board in 2012 and reappointed in 2021 and currently serves as Board Chair.

Emery A. Gainey, Vice Chair

Emery Gainey has devoted his entire career to law enforcement in our state.

He began in 1982 as a uniform patrol deputy for the Alachua County Sheriff's Office, where he went on to serve 25 years in many roles, including as Chief Deputy, Commander of the Uniform Patrol Division, and Homeland Security Commander. Later he became Sheriff of Marion County.

Mr. Gainey also has held positions in the Florida Office of the Attorney General as Chief of Staff and as Director of Law Enforcement Relations, Victim Services, and Criminal Justice Programs. He served as the primary law enforcement liaison between the Attorney General and Florida's state law enforcement directors, sheriffs, police chiefs, and federal law enforcement agency directors.

Mr. Gainey is a member of the Special Olympics of Florida Board. He previously served on Florida's Constitution Revision Commission and the 8th Judicial Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission.

A Gainesville native, he earned his associate's degree from Santa Fe College and bachelor's degree in criminal justice from the University of Florida. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, 188th Session.

Mr. Gainey was appointed to the Board in 2021.

Dr. Tara Ezzell

Dr. Tara Ezzell is a Partner and Dermatologist at Dermatology Associates. She has been practicing in our community since 2007. Active in her community, she is the Chair of the Parker Road Community Development District Board of Directors and is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Medical Association, the Florida Medical Association, the Florida Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, and the Alachua County Medical Society.

Previously she served on the Child Advocacy Committee Board and was a member of the Junior League of Gainesville. Dr. Ezzell earned her bachelor鈥檚 degree from Emory University and Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Florida.

She was appointed to the Board in 2025.

G.W. "Blake" Fletcher

G.W. 鈥淏lake鈥� Fletcher was born and raised in Gainesville and serves as Chief Futurist of the Fletcher Family Companies, where he leads long-term strategy across its real estate, construction, and restaurant divisions throughout North Central Florida.

Appointed to the Santa Fe College District Board of Trustees in 2015 by Governor Rick Scott and reappointed in 2018, Blake served as Chair from 2019 to 2021. He also serves on the Board of Trustees at Oak Hall School and previously held leadership roles in various community and industry organizations supporting education, entrepreneurship, and regional development.

A lifelong Gainesville resident, Blake is now raising the fourth generation of his family here with his wife, Ashley.

Michael M. Goldwire

Michael M. Goldwire is the President of Goldwire Associates, Inc., a management consultant firm. Along with his wife, Mr. Goldwire also co-founded MamaDearCares.com, an online private community for professional women with children aged 0 to 4 years old that provides both career and parenting resources.

A Florida native, Mr. Goldwire graduated from Bradford High School and went on to receive his bachelor's degree from the University of Florida. He continued his education with post graduate studies at Emory University and Nova Southeastern University with a focus in Psychology.

After serving as an Army Intelligence Officer in Vietnam, Mr. Goldwire moved on to senior management positions in human resources, public relations, marketing, and advertising, with both private and public companies.

He has served various community organizations including Kiwanis International, Rotary International, Communities in Schools, the Boy Scouts of America, the Kairos Prison Ministry, and the Bradford County Food Pantry. Further, under Governor Reubin Askew, he briefly served on the Florida Management and Efficiency Study Commission.

Mr. Goldwire was appointed to the Board in 2018.

Jeff L. Oody

Jeff L. Oody is the President of Community State Bank. He began his banking career at Barnett Bank of Jacksonville as a credit analyst and underwriter for commercial and small business loans. Later, he became area President for several First Union offices and, after Capital City Bank acquired some of the First Union offices in North Florida in 1998, President of several offices in the Capital City Bank group. He remained with Capital City Bank until becoming Director and President of Community State Bank in May 2012.

Mr. Oody invests a large amount of time in community service through the Bradford County Education Foundation, Rotary Club of Starke, North Florida Regional Chamber of Commerce, Bradford County Tourism Development Council, SHIP, and Starke Police Pension Fund. He also is extensively involved in local charity events.

Mr. Oody received his associate degree and business certification at Santa Fe College. He went on to the University of North Florida, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Finance and Real Estate and a master's degree in Business Administration. He continued his education by earning an MBA with a concentration in Finance from Liberty University. Later, he pursued a doctorate at the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated with honors from the Stonier School of Banking.

He was appointed to the Board in 2012 and reappointed in 2015.

Robert L. Woody

Robert L. Woody has served on the Florida Judicial Nominating Commission. He was selected as the State of Florida Correctional Probation Officer of the Year and the Gainesville Sun Civic Leader Person of the Year. He received the E.T. York Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his outstanding service to the community. Mr. Woody has served as Vice Chair and Chairman of the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Woody served on the Board of Trustees for Florida A & M University from 2015 to 2020.

He earned a bachelor's degree from the State University of New York at Oneonta and a master's degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Rollins College.

Mr. Woody first served on the Board in 1990, becoming Vice Chair and Chair, and was reappointed in 1994 and 1998. In 1994, he was named the State Trustee of the Year by the Florida Association of Community Colleges. He was appointed to the Board again in 2012 and reappointed in 2021.