Governor Ron DeSantis appoints five members to the St. Johns River State College District Board of Trustees
Tallahassee, Florida – Governor Ron DeSantis has announced five appointments to the St. Johns River State College District Board of Trustees, selecting a mix of legal professionals, business leaders, and public servants with deep ties to Northeast Florida communities. The new appointments include Alexandria Hill and Kevin Payne, along with the reappointment of Richard Komando, Willard “Jud” Sapp Jr., and Tammy “Chereese” Stewart.
The board plays a key role in guiding the college’s mission, overseeing policy direction, and supporting educational and workforce development programs that serve students across the region. With these appointments, state leaders aim to strengthen leadership continuity while bringing in new perspectives to support the college’s long-term growth.
Among the newly appointed members is Alexandria Hill, a Partner at Driver, McAfee, Hawthorne & Dibenow. Hill is actively involved in community development efforts and currently serves on the Clay County Development Authority. Her academic background includes a bachelor’s degree in finance and marketing from Stetson University and a juris doctor from the University of Florida. Her experience in both law and finance is expected to contribute to the board’s oversight responsibilities.
Kevin Payne has also been appointed to the board. Payne serves as Senior Manager of Contracting for Imagine 360 and is active in professional healthcare circles. He currently serves as President of the Jacksonville Association of Health Underwriters. Payne earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Texas and later completed a master’s degree in business administration from Oklahoma City University. His background in contracting and healthcare administration brings an industry-focused perspective to the board’s leadership structure.
Governor DeSantis also reappointed three members, ensuring continued experience and institutional knowledge remain in place. One of them, Richard Komando, is a Partner and Attorney at Bradley, Garrison & Komando, P.A. Komando has extensive legal experience in Florida’s justice system, having previously served as Circuit Director and Statewide General Counsel for the Fourth Circuit Florida Guardian ad Litem Office. He also worked as an Assistant State Attorney in the Fourth Circuit. Komando holds degrees from Florida State University, including a bachelor’s in criminal justice and a master’s in business administration, as well as a juris doctor from Loyola University.
Another reappointed trustee is Willard “Jud” Sapp Jr., owner of W.J. Sapp & Son, Inc. Sapp is a veteran of the United States Navy and has long been involved in local education governance, previously serving on the St. Johns County Day School Board of Trustees. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business from Florida State University. His combination of military service, business leadership, and education experience has made him a consistent presence in regional civic affairs.
Tammy “Chereese” Stewart has also been reappointed to the board. Stewart currently serves as Assistant County Manager for the Clay County Board of County Commissioners. She previously served as an elected Clay County Commissioner and remains active in several community and professional organizations, including the Clay County Development Authority, Clay County Cattlemen Association, Clay County Farm Bureau, and the Florida Planning and Zoning Association. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University and a master’s degree in educational leadership and administration from the University of North Florida.
Together, the five trustees represent a broad range of experience spanning law, business, education, agriculture, public administration, and military service. State officials say this mix of backgrounds is intended to support the college’s mission of preparing students for both academic advancement and workforce readiness.
The St. Johns River State College District Board of Trustees is responsible for setting policy, overseeing budgeting priorities, and ensuring the institution remains aligned with the needs of students and regional employers. With Florida continuing to emphasize workforce training and higher education access, the role of the board has become increasingly important in shaping local education outcomes.
All five appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate. Once confirmed, the trustees will begin or continue their service in guiding the college through its next phase of development, balancing academic goals with the evolving needs of the surrounding communities.
