2021-06-01 Item V.D - Administrator ResumeGary J. Ritter
Resume
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AREAS OF EXPERTISE:
Manage human resources and project management teams through mentoring and coaching to maximize
productivity. Facilitate, coordinate and develop public and private partnerships through relationship and
team building. Work with media, community relations, event activities, emergency management, and
local governments on technical and non-technical water and natural resource issues including
environmental resource permitting and compliance. Work with federal and state governmental teams, the
agricultural industry, and environmental activist groups facilitating public and private sector meetings
dealing with water and natural resource related issues. Develop program budgets for regional offices,
manage remote field and regional offices, and coordinate environmental resource assessments specifically
for water quality, quantity, and environmental restoration. Develop and implement regulatory programs
and associated rule development, agricultural land management and assessment, initiate grant programs as
well as submit grant proposals to generate project funding streams.
FLORIDA FARM BUREAU FEDERATION
EXPERIENCE: 6.5 years of service
2014 to Present - Assistant Director of Government and Community Affairs:
Responsible for advocating, representing and communicating the Florida Farm Bureau Federation
policy before state and federal agencies, and local governments in central and south Florida. Facilitate
other natural resource, environmental and land use issues as assigned. Provide written and aral reports
on meetings and activities to Farm Bureau's state board, its members and other staff as appropriate.
OKEECHOBEE CITY COUNCIL
EXPERIENCE: 4 years of service
2014 to 2018 - City Council Member:
Responsible for representing the interests of the constituents, proposing; passing, and ratifying laws
and ordinances, review and manage budgets as well as oversee projects. Represent the City on the
Healthy Start Board, The Treasure Coast Regional League of Cities, and the Central Florida Regional
Planning Council.
SOUTH FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
EXPERIENCE: 36 years of service
2011 to 2014 — Intergovernmental Representative:
Responsible for working with local governments, municipalities and regional planning councils, providing
outreach and disseminating information concerning District programs and activities involving water and
natural resource related issues. Emergency Management Liaison for local governments.
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Gary J. Ritter
Resume
June 2, 2021
2008 to 2011 — Director Okeechobee Service Center, South Florida Water Management District:
' Manage a diverse workforce at a regional office responsible for a 3 county jurisdiction
' Intergovernmental liaison to local governments/municipalities working on water and natural
resource issues including environmental resource permitting and compliance.
' Coordinate emergency management activities with local governments/municipalities and the
private sector
' Manage and coordinate programs and projects with local governments and the private sector
' Manage budgets across departments within a regional office through matrix management
' Establish and manage media relations
' Develop and implement public information and outreach programs
1996 to 2008 — Lead Environmental Scientist, South Florida Water Management District:
' Project/Contract Management/Grant Development
' Program Budget/Local Government and Tribal initiatives
' Emergency Management Liaison with local governments/public outreach
' Regulatory resource compliance, permitting and rule development
1984 to 1996 -Sr. Supervising Environxnental Scientist, South Florida Water Management District:
' Supervision of regulatory permitting and compliance staff and water quality field office
' Manage field of�ice budget/public outreach/design water quality monitoring networks
1980 to 1984 — Environmentalist, Water Chemistry Division, South Florida Water Management District
1978 to 1980 - Lab Technician, Water Chemistry Division, South Florida Water Management District
EDUCATION:
' A.S. — Biology, 1975, University of South Florida, Tampa Florida
' B.S. — Ecology, Forest Resources and Conservation, 1977, University of Florida,
Gainesville, Florida
TRAINING:
' South Florida Water Management District: Ualuing Diversity. 1992
' University of Miami: One year course on Supervisor/Management CORE training. 1990
' Colorado State University: Design of Water Quality Monitoring Systems. 1987
' Southeast Watershed Unit ABAC College, Ga: CREAMS and GLEAMS modeling short
course. 1987-1988
' Institute of Government Management Series: Performance Management; Managing in
a Changing Environment; and Creative Decision Making Strategies; Dynamic
Presentations; Dealing with Angry People; Writing for Management; Achieving Balance.
1989-1993
' Emergency Management Series: IS22, IS 100, IS200, IS700
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Gary J. Ritter
Resume
June 2, 2021
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
' Current Vice President and Member of the Okeechobee Battlefield Friends
' Current member of the Board of Trustees for HCA Raulerson Hospital
' Past member of the City of Okeechobee Planning and Zoning Board
' Past member of the Okeechobee City Fireman's Pension Fund
' Past member of the Healthy Start Board
' Past member of Kiwanis
' Past member of the Okeechobee County Code Enforcement Board
REGIONAL ENGAGEMENT:
• Current member of the Career Source Heartland Board and Chair of the Youth Services
Council
• Current member of the Indian River Lagoon Management Council
• Current member of the South Florida Water Management WRAC
• Current member of the Loxahatchee River Management Council
• Past member of the Central Florida Regional Planning Council
• Past member of the Treasure Coast Regional League of Cities
SKILLS:
' PC- Word, Excel, Power Point, Technical Report Writing, General Correspondence,
Computer Modeling, Statistics. Public Outreach, Managing Human Resources, Public
Speaking, Mediation, Grant Development, Ability to Mentor and Coach, Team Building
Excellent Interpersonal Skills, Listening, Understanding, Compassion, Permitting local,
state and federal.
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