FSA announces new Board for 2020-2021; Levy County Sheriff Bobby McCallum appointed V.P.
L to R: Sheriff McCallum, VP; Ashley Moody, Florida's Attorney General; and Sheriff Schultz, Pres.
Photo credit: Gilchrist County Sheriff's Office.
On July 29, the Florida Sheriffs Association (FSA), one of the largest and most successful law enforcement associations in the nation, announced its leadership for the 2020-2021 year.
The newly-elected President, Gilchrist County Sheriff Bobby Schultz, will preside over the association and work with the staff and board of directors to guide the efforts and direction of FSA and its 67 Sheriffs, succeeding immediate Past President, Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri.
Other FSA board appointments include Levy County Sheriff Bobby McCallum as Vice President, Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis as Secretary, Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper as Treasurer, Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell as Chair, and Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma as Vice-Chair.
Sheriff Schultz started his career in 1992 as a correctional officer and dispatcher in Gilchrist County. Soon after, he decided to obtain his law enforcement credentials and crossed over to a neighboring county where he earned work experience. Over the next several years, Sheriff Schultz worked at Lancaster Correctional Institution, the Chiefland Police Department, the Levy County Sheriff’s Office, and as an investigator for the State Attorney’s Office and the Public Defender’s Office. In 2012, he was elected the Sheriff of Gilchrist County.
“Gilchrist County is a small, agricultural county with only two public schools and one red light,” Sheriff Schultz explains. “It has about 18,000 people living in it, which means, as Sheriff, those people look to you in times of crisis. You have to show calm in a storm.”
And that’s exactly what he did. Sheriff Schultz was re-elected in 2016 and has earned several awards and honors for his exceptional leadership. Schultz received the “Outstanding Service, Beyond the Call of Duty” Award from the Chiefland Police Department in 1997, Law Enforcement Officer of the Year for the Levy County Sheriff’s Office in 2000, and served as the Florida Sheriffs Association Board of Directors Treasurer. This past year, he served as FSA’s Vice President under Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri.
“I am honored to step into the role of President for this next year,” Sheriff Schultz said. “Our community and our country are facing a difficult time, but I feel confident in our ability to serve the state of Florida while prioritizing the safety of our citizens and our officers.”
“The Florida Sheriffs Association is thankful to have Sheriff Schultz stepping in to lead us in these trying times,” said Pinellas County Sheriff and Immediate Past President Bob Gualtieri. “Sheriff Schultz has shown great leadership that will represent the association well. I am confident he will continue to move the association in a positive direction and work to strengthen our relationship with the community and our criminal justice system partners.”
“One of the Florida Sheriff Association’s top priorities each year is electing a new board of directors to lead our initiatives,” said FSA Executive Director Steve Casey. “The sheriffs are elected by their peers and represent the very best in the entire state. These men and women are comprised of true leadership skills and integrity and we know they will lead according to the ideals our association was founded upon 127 years ago.”
About Florida Sheriffs Association:
The Florida Sheriffs Association is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 corporation made up of the Sheriffs of Florida, approximately 3,500 business leaders and 90,000 citizens throughout the state. Founded in 1893, FSA has steadfastly served the citizens of Florida by supporting the needs of the state's law enforcement community. Through the Florida Sheriffs Association, Sheriffs are given a forum to address lawmakers to push for positive changes in Florida’s public safety arena. FSA also provides Sheriffs' Offices much-needed programs such as affordable training, special task forces and legislative and legal services. Dedicated to the prevention of juvenile delinquency and the development of lawful, productive citizens, FSA has established and funded the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches with facilities throughout the state to help restore hope, fulfill dreams, and prepare boys and girls for the future. It has grown to be one of the largest and most successful state law enforcement associations in the nation.