Teresa Jacobs
Teresa Jacobs | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Orange County | |
| Assumed office January 4, 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Richard Crotty |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Baltimore, Maryland |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Bruce Jacobs |
| Children | Joshua Jacobs Max Jacobs Lisa Jacobs Chase Jacobs |
| Residence | Orange County, Florida |
| Alma mater | Florida State University |
| Website | Campaign Website |
Teresa Jacobs (born in Baltimore, Maryland) is the current mayor of Orange County, Florida. The Board of County Commissioners is led by the Mayor of Orange County. Teresa Jacobs assumed office as the 4th Mayor of Orange County on January 4, 2011. Previously she represented district 1 on the Orange County Board of County Commissioners from 2000 to 2008.
Early life, education, and family
Teresa Jacobs was raised in Miami and Jupiter, Florida. She is a graduate of Florida State University, graduating Cum laude with a degree in economics. Teresa Jacobs is married to Bruce. They have four children together named Joshua, Max, Lisa, and Chase.
Early business career
Teresa Jacobs moved to Atlanta, Georgia in 1981. She was Assistant Vice President of National Bank of Georgia, Atlanta from 1981-1989.[1]
Political career
Prior to holding public office, Teresa Jacobs served as President of the Orange County Homeowners Association Alliance (an organization that represented approximately 100 neighborhoods). Teresa Jacobs represented District 1 on the Board of County Commissioners, which encompasses southwest Orange County from Winter Garden to Hunter's Creek. She was elected in 2000, re-elected in 2004, and stepped down in 2008 due to term limits. Jacobs was credited with taking on special interests, championing new ethics rules for Orange County elected officials, successfully strengthening local laws to prevent school overcrowding, and is a strong advocate of public participation in the governmental process. She was elected President of the Florida Association of Counties (2007).[1]
2010 Orange County Mayor Campaign
On January 26, 2010, Teresa Jacobs announced that she plan to run for Orange County Mayor. Jacobs was the last candidate to enter the race. She was opposed by Bill Segal, Linda Stewart, and Matthew Falconer. On August 24, 2010, Linda Stewart (19%) and Matthew Falconer (15%) were eliminated in the primary election. Teresa Jacobs (42%) and Bill Segal (22%) both advanced to the general election in a run off. In the general election on November 2, 2010, Teresa Jacobs resoundingly defeated Bill Segal, 68% - 32%, despite being out fund raised 2-1.[2]
Orange County Mayor
Teresa Jacobs was sworn in as the Orange County Mayor on January 4, 2011.
Establishment of the Office of Public Engagement
Mayor Jacobs immediately implemented several good government measures including establishment of the Office of Public Engagement, a Chief Accountability Officer and paved the way for an independent Ombudsman to investigate government waste and wrongdoing.
Public Engagement
Mayor Jacobs approved a major re-design of the County website to make it more appealing and useful to citizens looking for information or doing business with their government.
Economic and Jobs Summits
Mayor Jacobs held five Economic and Jobs Summits to develop a strategic plan to help businesses create new high-wage jobs.
County More Responsive
Mayor Jacobs issued an executive order establishing a “one-stop shop” to help them navigate the permitting process. The Mayor also established a Streamlining Task Force to cut government red tape and address inefficiencies in Orange County’s approval process.
Improve Accountability
Mayor Jacobs initiated a benchmarking study to compare expenditures in large budget departments such as Fire Rescue and Corrections, with those of other local governments.
Rejects plea to speed cash for DPAC
[John Hugh "Buddy" Dyer|Mayor Buddy Dyer] and DPAC wanted Jacobs to amend the arts center's original finance plan to allow county tourist-tax money to begin flowing to the project sooner. On April 22, Jacobs rejected this plea due to the lack of the project's finances, management and oversight. Also citing recent the spike in gas prices, which could affect vacation travel and the economy.
Electoral history
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Teresa Jacobs | 11,554 | 68 | |
| Republican | Bob Freeman (incumbent) | 4,610 | 27 | |
| Republican | Mike McEvers | 826 | 4 | |
| Total votes | 16,990 | 100 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Teresa Jacobs (Unopposed) | N/A | N/A | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Teresa Jacobs | 164,207 | 68 | |
| Democratic | Bill Segal | 78,476 | 32 | |
| Total votes | 243,683 | 100 | ||
Previous State and Regional Boards
- President, Florida Association of Counties (FAC)
- Chair, East Central Florida Regional Planning Council (ECFRPC)
- Member, Central Florida MPO Alliance
- Chair, Central Florida Smart Growth Alliance (CFSGA)
- Member, MetroPlan Orlando Board
- Gubernatorial Appointee, Wekiva River Basin Commission
- Member, Myregion.org Executive Board of Directors
- Member, Florida Transportation Plan Steering Committee
See also
References
External links