News

KISSIMMEE, Fla., April 30, 2018 – Six residents have submitted applications to fill an upcoming vacancy on the Kissimmee Utility Authority board of directors. The deadline for completed applications was April 27.

The outgoing director, Ethel Urbina, has served one term and is eligible for reappointment.

Applicants must be registered voters, reside within Kissimmee city limits, and should demonstrate a successful business or professional management career.

The applicants are:

– ZAHIR AHMAD is a licensed real estate broker and owner/manager of Associates First Insurance Agency, Inc. in Orlando. He is a 10-month resident of Kissimmee and fluent or semi-fluent in seven languages. He holds a chemistry/mathematics/physics degree from the Government College of Sahiwal in Pakistan.

– L. ASHLEY COKE is a two-year resident of Kissimmee and principal of Boes Financial Services, Inc. in Kissimmee. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of the West Indies and an MBA degree from the NYU Stern School of Business.

– JERRY GEMSKIE is a retired foreman with Associated Roofers in Chicago, Illinois. He is a 22-year resident of Kissimmee and a former Kissimmee City Commissioner.

– JENNIFER PATTERSON is a 41-year resident of Kissimmee and president/owner of J.G. Patterson, CPA in Kissimmee. She is a certified public accountant and holds a business administration degree from the University of Central Florida. She is a member of the Rotary Club of Kissimmee Bay, a Junior Achievement volunteer, and she serves on the finance committee at First United Methodist Church in Kissimmee.

– CARLOS RODRIGUEZ is owner of Osceola Developmental Center, Inc. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he is a 26-year resident of Kissimmee. He holds a math and science degree from University of Turabo in Puerto Rico and a master’s in education from Ana G. Méndez University in Orlando.

– ETHEL URBINA is a real estate broker and owner of Mercedes Investments, LLC in Kissimmee. A resident of Kissimmee for the past 15 years, she is a former AT&T executive with service in the U.S., Nicaragua and Puerto Rico. Urbina has served on the utility board since 2013.

The KUA board will interview the applicants at its regular meeting on May 2 and send three recommended applicants to the Kissimmee City Commission for second interviews and final appointment. The candidate appointed by the city commission will be sworn in at the board’s October meeting.

Founded in 1901, KUA (www.kua.com) is Florida’s sixth largest community-owned utility powering 74,000 customers in Osceola County, Fla.