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, USA) was elected Mayor of Orange County and assumed office on 4 January 2011. The Mayor of Orange County leads the Board of County Commissioners. Jacobs previously represented district 1 on the Orange County Board of County Commissioners from 2000 to 2008.
Jacobs was raised in Miami and Jupiter, Florida and is a graduate of Florida State University, graduating Cum laude with a degree in economics. In 1981 Jacobs moved to Atlanta, Georgia where she was Assistant Vice President of National Bank of Georgia, Atlanta from 1981-1989.[1]
Prior to holding public office, Jacobs served as President of the Orange County Homeowners Association Alliance (an organization that represented approximately 100 neighborhoods). She 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. She was credited with taking on special interests, promoting new ethics rules for Orange County elected officials, successfully strengthening local laws to prevent school overcrowding, and is an advocate of public participation in the governmental process. She was elected President of the Florida Association of Counties (2007).[1]
On 26 January 2010, Jacobs announced that she would run for Orange County Mayor and was the last candidate to be presented for election. She was opposed by Bill Segal, Linda Stewart, and Matthew Falconer. On 24 August 2010, Linda Stewart (19%) and Matthew Falconer (15%) were eliminated in the primary election. Jacobs (42%) and Bill Segal (22%) both advanced to the general election in a run off. In the general election on 2 November 2 2010, she defeated Bill Segal, 68% - 32%.[2]
Jacobs was sworn in as the Orange County Mayor on 4 January 2011. She immediately implemented several government measures including establishment of the Office of Public Engagement, a Chief Accountability Officer and began the implementation of an office of for an Independent Ombudsman to investigate government waste and wrongdoing. Jacobs approved a major re-design of the County website, and held five Economic and Jobs Summits to develop a strategic plan to help businesses create new high-wage jobs. She issued an executive order establishing a “one-stop shop” to help them navigate the permitting process,[clarification needed] and established a Streamlining Task Force to reduce bureaucracy and address inefficiencies in Orange County’s approval process.[clarification needed] Jacobs also initiated a benchmarking study to compare expenditures in large budget departments such as Fire Rescue and Corrections, with those of other local governments.
Jacobs is married and has four children.
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