Contacts: Chris Boivin, (904) 255-6106
Cell: (904) 759-5643, cboivin@coj.net
Opening Remains on Board for Trustee to Represent At-Large Group 5
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Dec. 4, 2023 – The Jacksonville Public Library Board of Library Trustees has announced its new executive committee. Virginia Berg (Chair), Fernando Meza (Vice Chair), and Kimano Edwards (Secretary) were elected to serve as board officers for fiscal year 2024.
Additionally, two new Trustees were appointed to the Board. Mayor Donna Deegan appointed Tia Leathers, CEO of Writejustness, and past Executive Director of Family and Community Engagement at DCPS, to represent Council At-Large Group 5 (replacing Gerald Thomas), and The Honorable Pauline M. Drake, retired Duval County Court Judge, to represent Council At-Large Group 3 (replacing Steve Eagerton) on the Board of Library Trustees. Both were confirmed by City Council on October 24, 2023.
City Councilman Rahman Johnson was also recently appointed to serve as the City Council Liaison to the Board of Library Trustees by Council President Ron Salem.
One seat remains open on the Board of Library Trustees representing At-Large Council District 5. If you or someone you know lives in that district and would like to be considered for an appointment, please click here to apply for an appointment to the Board.
#Officers
Virginia Berg
Virginia Berg is the Director of Major Gifts for the Jacksonville University College of Law. Prior to joining JU, she served as Chief Development Officer for a literacy-focused non-profit and also as Director of Government Relations and Community Engagement for Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ). Before moving to Jacksonville, Virginia served as Appointments Director to Governor Rick Scott as well as Finance Director for Let’s Get to Work PC. (Read more)
Fernando Meza
A native of Los Angeles, California, Fernando Meza has lived in Jacksonville since 2003, when he was stationed aboard the USS John F. Kennedy Aircraft Carrier as a member in the US Navy. Throughout his enlistment, he worked at a local bar in Jacksonville Beach where he learned the traits of mixology and sharpened his customer service background. Entrenching himself into a new community, Fernando began engaging in local political and non-profit organizations. When arriving to Jacksonville, he registered for courses at the University of North Florida and began mentoring kids at Take Stock in Children. (Read more)
Kimano Edwards
Kimano Edwards is an attorney who has spent over a decade in public service as a sworn law enforcement officer and most recently as a prosecutor here in 4th Judicial Circuit. As a police officer, Kimano protected and served local communities in Gainesville, FL and Jacksonville, FL. As an Assistant State Attorney, he represented the state of Florida in the prosecution of criminal offenses where he managed and litigated a high volume of diverse cases—ranging from municipal ordinances to felonies.(Read more)
#New Trustees
The Honorable Pauline M. Drake
In June of 1998, Pauline M. Ingraham-Drayton became the first African American female to be appointed as a County Judge in Jacksonville, Duval County Florida. This historical event was noted as a major accomplishment as no other African American female had held this position either by election or appointment. She later married Phillip Drake and used the name Pauline M. Drake for the duration of her term. Judge Pauline M. Ingraham-Drayton (Drake) subsequently served a term of twenty-one years having never drawn any opposition in a bid for re-election. (Read more)
Tia Leathers
Tia Mackey Leathers, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Writejustness, LLC, truly cares about people. With 20+ years management experience in the nonprofit and public sectors, she is convinced the keys to success in any environment include effective communication and strong relationships. (Read more)
#City Council Liaison
Councilperson Rahman K. Ross-Johnson
Rahman K. Ross-Johnson was elected in 2023 to represent District 14 on the Jacksonville City Council. He is a professor of journalism and communications at Edward Waters University, the oldest private institution of higher education in Florida. (Read more)
About the Board of Library Trustees
The Board of Library Trustees comprises volunteers who serve as the policy and planning body for the Jacksonville Public Library system. There are 12 voting members and at least two non-voting members who serve in an ex officio capacity. Non-voting members are the city council president or a designee and up to one additional council member, and the superintendent of schools or a designee. Trustees are appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the city council. Each trustee serves a four-year term and may serve a total of two consecutive terms. Bios and photos of board members are available at Board of Library Trustees.
