Bunnell, Fla. — Twelve executives, managers, and professionals graduated from the Flagler County Local Government Leadership Academy at a special ceremony held at the Sheriff Rick Staly Law Enforcement Center on February 12, 2026.

2026 Graduates:

  • Kevin Archambault, Flagler County Tax Collector’s Office

  • Dave Herne, Flagler County Tax Collector’s Office

  • Phoebe LeBlanc, Flagler County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC)

  • Jessica Martin, Flagler County BOCC

  • Stefanie Plummer, City of Palm Coast

  • Amy Rader, Flagler County Tax Collector’s Office

  • Greyson Schlobohm, Flagler County Supervisor of Elections Office

  • Michael Schoenbrod, City of Flagler Beach

  • Grace Seay-Peres, Flagler County Tax Collector’s Office

  • Renee Swaggerty, Flagler Schools

  • Robert Tarczewski, Flagler County Sheriff’s Office

  • Michelle Udell, Flagler County Property Appraiser’s Office

Daytona State College partners with the Flagler County Tax Collector’s Office and local governments to provide the Leadership Academy, which now has more than 100 graduates in executive, managerial, and professional roles serving the citizens of Flagler County. Graduates receive a certificate of completion from Daytona State College. Michael Scheck, Director for the Center for Business & Industry at Daytona State College, attended the ceremony and conferred the certificates of completion to graduates.

Students master the subjects, skills, and expertise needed to effectively lead and deliver exceptional service to the citizens of Flagler County. The Academy is an intensive four-month executive education program that meets weekly for two-hour classes at the Tax Collector’s Office. Graduates enhance their knowledge of critical topics including leadership, human resources, budgeting, risk management, customer service, program evaluation, teamwork, and organizational culture. Students read two nationally recognized books on leadership and complete a series of challenging real-world assignments. They sharpen valuable competencies such as research, writing, presenting, analysis, decision-making, teamwork, project management, communication, problem-solving, and planning. They study best practices, model policies, and data-driven decision-making to best serve citizens.

“My challenges to our graduates going forward are straightforward and simple: be the leaders we all would want to follow and grow more leaders. Lead every day like the success of your team and the community depends on it because it does. Always lead with integrity, professionalism, and purpose,” stated Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly.

“We are looking forward to seeing your continued accomplishments for many years to come using everything you have learned. We congratulate you on this highly impressive personal, professional, and academic achievement. We celebrate your commitment to being the leaders who exemplify the very best in public service,” said Dr. Joe Saviak, who taught the Leadership Academy.

“We strongly believe in investing in the success of our teams. While we may each serve different functions, we are one team united by a shared mission to provide effective, efficient, and responsive local government to the citizens we serve. This collaboration among our local government agencies strengthens our organizations for the long term — and Flagler County residents are the true winners.” stated Flagler County Tax Collector Shelly Edmonson, who coordinated the Academy and hosted the classes at her main office.

About the Flagler County Local Government Leadership Academy

The Academy is a collaborative executive education program delivered in partnership with Daytona State College and the Flagler County Tax Collector’s Office. Focused on practical leadership and service excellence, the program equips emerging and established leaders across Flagler County’s public agencies with the tools, frameworks, and skills to lead high-performing teams and deliver responsive, citizen-centered government.

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