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The Florida Historical Commission (FHC) was established by the 2001 Florida Legislature (Chapter 267.0612, Florida Statutes) to enhance public participation and involvement in the preservation and protection of the state's historic and archaeological sites and properties. The Commission advises and assists the Division of Historical Resources in carrying out the programs, duties and responsibilities of the Division. Seven members of the Commission are appointed by the Governor in consultation with the Secretary of State, two by the President of the Florida Senate and two by the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives.
The members are responsible for reviewing and ranking Special Category Historic Preservation Grant applications; five members of the FHC also meet as Florida's National Register Review Board to review and vote on proposed nominations to the National Register of Historic Places. In addition, the Commission exists to advise with regard to policy and preservation needs. Members of the FHC are considered to be experts in their respective fields, with the members representing the following:
- Of the seven members appointed by the Governor, one member must be a licensed architect who has expertise in historic preservation and architectural history; one member must be a professional historian in the field of American history; one member must be a professional architectural historian; one member must be an archaeologist specializing in the field of prehistory; and one member must be an archaeologist specializing in the historic period.
- The remaining two members appointed by the Governor and the two members appointed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively, must be representatives of the general public with demonstrated interest in the preservation of Florida's historical and archaeological heritage.
Current members of the FHC include: educators in Florida's university system, authors, the principal of a cultural resource management firm, and citizens who have devoted personal and professional lives to protecting and preserving Florida's historic resources.
Florida Historical Commission
Mrs. Marion Almy, Chairman
Archaeological Consultants, Inc.
8110 Blaikie Court, Suite A
Sarasota, FL 34240
Term: 9/25/2008 to 12/31/2010
Founding Principal and President of Archaeological Consultants, Inc., Mrs. Almy's 26 years experience in archaeological and architectural/historical investigations extends throughout Florida. A Registered Professional Archaeologist, Director of the American Cultural Resources Association, past President of the Florida Archaeological Council, she formerly chaired both the Florida National Register Review Board and the Florida Historic Preservation Advisory Council. She is a current Board member of the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation, and earned a Bachelor's degree in Anthropology from Florida State University and a Master's degree in Anthropology with an emphasis in cultural resource management from the University of South Florida.
Dr. Titus Brown
Florida A&M University
History Department
P.O. Box 1123
Tallahassee, FL 32302
Term: 9/25/2008 to 12/31/2010
Dr. Titus Brown is a Professor of History at Florida A&M University. He is the author of Faithful Firm and True: African American Education in the South, co- author of African American Life on The Southern Hunting Plantation, Albany State University: A Centennial History and the co-author of The African American Experience. He received his Doctorate of Philosophy degree from Florida State University in 1995. He is a past National Endowment for the Humanities Fellow. He has served on the Editorial Board and currently serves on the Advisory Board of the Southern Conference for African American Studies. He recently served on the Southern Program Committee for the Organization of American Historians, the largest learned society for history in the world. Dr. Brown has been employed by Florida A&M University for fifteen years. He also serves as a member of the Florida National Register Review Board.
Mr. Graham W. Fountain
3008 Crown Creek Circle
Crestview, FL 32539
Term: 6/17/10 to 1/01/2012
Graham W. Fountain has enjoyed a distinguished career in state and local law enforcement, governmental regulation and public safety. Graham was appointed by Governor Jeb Bush as Director (Law Enforcement Colonel) in 1999 to head up Commercial Vehicle Law Enforcement for the Florida Department of Transportation. During his tenure, he was successful in bringing major accomplishments in the areas of highway safety and homeland security programs, and providing leadership that resulted in the agency receiving professional law enforcement agency accreditation. Graham received his Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice/Political Science from Troy State University.
Mr. Rick Gonzalez, AIA
REG Architects, Inc
307 Evernia Street, 4th Floor
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Term: 9/25/2008 to 12/31/2011
Rick Gonzalez, AIA, founded REG Architects, Inc., with his father Ricardo in 1988. Rick holds two architectural degrees from the Catholic University of America and has studied design in Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Italy. He was Chairman of the Florida Board of Architecture and Interior Design, and is actively involved with community organizations such as the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation and the Palm Beach County Cultural Council. His association with high-profile projects like Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago Club, the 1916 Palm Beach County Historic Courthouse, and "The Harriet" at City Place, has led the firm to numerous awards for historic preservation and downtown redevelopment.
Mrs. Mimi Reid Hardman
Lake Wales Depot Museum and Cultural Center
325 South Scenic Highway
Lake Wales, FL 33853
Term: 1/1/2007 to 12/31/2010
Mrs. Hardman is Founder and Director of The Depot, Lake Wales Museum and Cultural Center. She is a Board member of the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation, and the Founder and President of the Historic Lake Wales Society. A renowned community activist, her efforts have been recognized on both state and national levels. She earned a degree in Medical Technology from Emory University School of Medicine.
Dr. William B. Lees, RPA
University of West Florida
Florida Public Archaeology Network
207 East Main Street
Pensacola, FL 32503
Term: 8/10/2010 to 12/31/2012
Dr. William B. Lees is Executive Director of the University of West Florida Florida Public Archaeology Network and President of the Society for Historical Archaeology. He holds the M.A. and Ph.D. from Michigan State University. Dr. Lees has been involved in archaeological research, academic education, and public education for close to 40 years and has worked extensively in the Great Plains and Southeastern United States. His research has included terrestrial and submerged archaeological sites. At the University of West Florida, he oversees a network of eight regional public archaeology centers focused on educating the public about Florida archaeology and providing assistance to local governments interested in protecting and promoting local archaeological heritage. He is currently directing graduate students conducting research on Civil War and Revolutionary War heritage sites, maritime heritage tourism, and shipwreck archaeology. He is past president of the Society of Professional Archaeologists, the Register of Professional Archaeologists, and the Plains Anthropological Society.
Mrs. Nancy Maddox
Volusia County Leisure Services
202 North Florida Avenue
DeLand, FL 32720
Term: 9/25/2008 to 12/31/2011
Mrs. Maddox manages DeBary Hall Historic Site, New Smyrna Sugar Mill Ruins, Dunlawton Sugar Mill Ruins and Botanical Gardens, archeological sites at Doris Leeper Spruce Creek Preserve, Volusia County Community Cultural Grant, Art in Public Places, all recreation programs and the Lyonia Environmental Center. In addition to her employment with the County of Volusia, she serves on the New Smyrna Beach Historic Preservation Commission Board, is Vice President of the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation, and judge’s committee chair for IMAGES: a Festival of the Arts.
Dr. Angelo Perez
4308 Gainsborough Court
Tampa, FL 33624
Term: 4/28/2009 - 12/31/2011
Dr. Perez is a retired professor of history who received his Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University. He has served as president of the Cuban Club Foundation of Tampa and the Roundtable of Ybor City, and on the Board of Directors of the Ybor City Preservation Consortium. Since 1991, he has written and been awarded historic preservation grants in excess of $2 million for the Italian, Cuban and Asturiano Clubs, and has voluntarily directed the restoration of these projects.
Ms. Lucille R. Rights
816 St. Lucie Crescent
Stuart, FL 34994
Term: 6/17/2010 - 1/1/2012
Ms. Rights is a retired teacher who has been actively involved with historic preservation organizations in St. Lucie County for many years, including the St. Lucie County Historical Commission, the St. Lucie Historical Society and the Southeast Florida Archaeological Society. She also currently serves on our Division's South Florida Regional Office Advisory Board.
Ms. Melissa Schechter
10253 Northwest 66th Drive
Parkland, FL 33076
Term: 3/19/2010 - 12/31/2011
Ms. Schechter is Vice President of the Safety Division for Armchem International Corp. In addition to her employment, she serves on the Board of Directors of The Vizcayans and is Chairman of The La Lega dei Viscayani. She has served in various capacities within The Vizcayans for the last 16 years, including chairmanship of many events and initiatives within that organization. Ms. Schechter is a graduate of Florida International University with a Bachelors degree in Hospitality Management.
Ms. Ellen Uguccioni, Vice Chairman
1115 Obispo Avenue
Coral Gables, FL 33134
Term: 9/25/2008 to 12/31/2011
Ms. Uguccioni is a Historic Preservation Planner with the city of Miami. She is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Miami School of Architecture and a member of the Florida National Register Review Board. Ms. Uguccioni is former Director of the City of Coral Gables Historic Preservation Department and author of several books on historic buildings. She earned a Master's degree in Art and Architectural History from the University of Missouri.
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