Description
Hurricane Ian - Stories from the Epicenter
Panel Participants:
- Claire Jubb, AICP, CFM, Charlotte County, FL,
- Billie Jacoby, CFM, Lee County
- Wendy Then, CFM, Town of Lady Lake
Abstract: Hurricane Ian left a wide swath of damage across Florida. As numerous as were the counties impacted, so were the responses and stories of recovery and resilience. Listen to how the leaders in the most damaged areas leaned on their colleagues and volunteers to help with the long road or rebuilding and how they are building back with future storms in mind.
Contributors
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Claire Jubb
Claire Jubb is the Assistant County Administrator for Charlotte County, FL. She earned a degree in public and private sector management from the University of Wales College Cardiff in the UK and has worked for Charlotte County in various roles since 2003. In 2020, Claire was promoted into her current role. As the Assistant County Administrator, Claire is part of a three-member executive leadership team responsible for the leadership and direction of all government operations for Charlotte County, Florida. Claire is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) and a Certified Floodplain Manager and has led floodplain management initiatives and the county’s participation in the Community Rating System for many years. Claire is very active with the Florida Floodplain Managers Association (FFMA) and holds the position of Associate Director of Legislation, Treasurer and Policy Champion. In these roles, her goal is to expand the understanding of the importance of policy and legislation in floodplain management. She is an experienced and respected public speaker, having presented to the Association of State Floodplain Managers, National Association of County’s (NACo), Public CIO, the Governing Institute, and at many other local, state, and national events. Claire was named Civic Hero for Building Communities, by Accela Inc. in 2019, was a top ten finalist in the Route Fifty Navigator awards for Leadership and was the recipient of the 2019 Florida Floodplain Managers Association Service Award.
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Billie Jacoby
Lee County is split into seven municipalities. Billie has been the CRS coordinator for “unincorporated” areas of Lee County for 10 years. As CRS coordinator, she organizes and coordinates the Community Rating System activities and works with FEMA and the Insurance Services Office to document and verify involvement in the National Flood Insurance Program and Community Rating System to ensure that the jurisdiction meets particular responsibilities in order to maintain a Class 5 Rating (25% discount for flood insurance discount in the program). She is a voting member of the Local Mitigation Strategy working group and Disaster Advisory Council. She is also part of the Regulatory Review Supervisor Team for Lee County Department of Community Development which oversees compliance with floodplain management regulations.
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Wendy Then
Wendy works in Residential and Commercial projects to ensure the implementation of the Town's Land Development Code, the Town's Comprehensive Plan, Florida Statutes and Florida Administrative Code. Wendy started working for the Town in 2006 where she has held several jobs before landing the Senior Planner position. On a typical business day, Wendy researches and prepares specialized planning studies/reports/ordinances; reviews site plans and architectural design standards; and presents before various public board meetings and elected officials. A major component of her time is devoted to the administration of data and analysis of new and existing development within Special Flood Hazard Areas in the Town of Lady Lake for compliance with the NFIP. Wendy proudly serves as one of two FFMA Region 5 Regional Directors. In 2010, Wendy received a Bachelor's in Arts in Business Administration at UCF and a Master's Degree in Public Administration with concentration in Urban Planning at UCF in 2016. Wendy became a CFM in 2011. Wendy also holds a Florida Real Estate License since 2017 and is a Florida Notary. Wendy also serves as the Town's liaison at the Lake-Sumter Metropolitan Planning Organization. Wendy is a native of the Dominican Republic and a Florida Resident since 2001. Wendy currently resides in Marion County with her husband and three boys. When she is not spending time with her boys, she is serving as the Vice-chairperson of Hands of Mercy Everywhere, Inc., a non-profit serving teen mothers, pregnant teens, and at-risk population to human trafficking. Wendy also serves as the Vice-chairperson of Delorise Isham-Presley 320 Inc., a non-profit focusing on early childhood literacy support and intervention.