Santa Rosa Island Authority Board of Directors (effective December 12, 2007)

Thomas Campanella, Chairman
Dr. Thomas A. Campanella was elected to the Authority Board November 2002 and will serve for a two-year period. He is a resident and leaseholder on Pensacola Beach. Dr. Campanella is a dentist currently practicing in Pensacola.

Thomas previously worked for various retail and medical businesses in the Pensacola area and worked as an Adjunct Professor at Pensacola Junior College. He received his DDS degree from Louisiana State University School of Dentistry.

He is currently affiliated with the Pensacola Beach Elementary School PTA, the Gulf Breeze Rotary Club, past president and current member of the Pensacola Beach Residents and Leaseholders Association, Boy Scouts of America and a member of the Gulf Breeze Sports Association.

John Peacock, Vice Chairman
John Peacock was appointed to the Santa Rosa Island Authority in November 2006. He serves as an investment representative for Edward Jones in Pensacola. Previously, he provided consulting services to the U.S. Department of Energy for PRC Environmental Management, Inc. He served as a nuclear prototype plant instructor for the U.S. Navy Nuclear Program prior to that.

John received his Bachelor of Science degree in nuclear technology from the University of the State of New York. He has served on the Association for Retarded Citizens, the Northeast Pensacola Sertoma Club, the Optimist Club of North Pensacola, the Pensacola Little Theater/Cultural Center, the Council on Aging, the North Pensacola Rotary Club, the Panhandle Tiger Bay and the Panhandle Charitable Open.

Tammy Bohannon, Secretary/Treasurer
Born an entrepreneur, Tammy began her first business - the Southern Touch - in a small garage adjacent to her Pensacola Beach home, offering housekeeping services to the island's condominiums. Always looking for ways to best serve her clients - Tammy expanded into linen services which lead to the opening of Beach Laundry. She qualified for her real estate license when she was only 18, but didn't pursue the career full force into about five years ago. Now this lifetime Pensacola Beach resident ranks in the top of the ERA team nationwide - brokering over 20 million in sales last year. Tammy is also a member of Gulf Breeze Methodist Church, a Rotary Club and a member of the Gulf Breeze Chamber of Commerce.

Fred Gant, Acting Secretary/Treasurer


Ed Guernsey
With over 32 years of experience in the financial services industry, Ed Guernsey helps his clients reach their both their financial and personal objectives. His approach to a financial plan is to understand the client's concerns, opportunities and strengths; explore strategies with his client; and help his client implement the best solutions. Attention is given to the accumulation, distribution, conservation and protection of assets – and ultimately the handing down of wealth and family values to subsequent generations.

Ed has a long history of community involvement from PTA president to presiding of the board of Families Count. The list includes the YMCA, Sacred Heart Foundation, Planned Giving Committee and First Baptist Church of Pensacola. He has been chosen as one of the 75 Charitable Planning Specialists for the March of Dimes/US. He has also given countless hours as an adjunct professor at the University of West Florida, teaching the public at large about the basics of retirement planning. He was a finalist for one of the top six awards given by the MDRT Foundation in 2006. As a result, Families Count, a non-profit organization that prevents, diagnoses and treats child abuses and neglect, received a $4,000 grant.

Ed's firm, Guernsey & Associates, Inc., was started more than 60 years ago by his father Clinton C. Guernsey and today includes 18 associates committed to their clients' best interests in all their actions.

The current focus of Ed's practice is teaching his clients the value of including charitable giving as a major part of their family estate plan, allowing his clients to created a legacy and placing much needed resources in the hands of competent charities.

Vernon Prather
Appointed by Kevin White, Escambia County Commissioner for District 5, Vernon Prather served as General Manager of the South Santa Rosa Utility System from 1996 to present. He served as Lead Plant Operator of the South Santa Rosa Utility System from 1990-1996, Lead Plant Operator City of Gulf Breeze from 1986-1992 and Waste Water Operator I & II for the Santa Rosa Island Authority from 1981-1986.

Vernon graduated from Tate High School and attended Pensacola Junior College and California State University for courses in operating and managing utility systems. In 1991, he received a Certificate of Recognition from the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation for his work in domestic wastewater treatment. In April 2006, he was named Director of Public Works for the City of Gulf Breeze. He has served on the Molino Utilities Board since 2000 and is presently serving his second term as President of the Molino Utilities Board of Directors.


Executive Director
W. A. "Buck" Lee, a native of Pensacola, was selected as Executive Director of the Santa Rosa Island Authority in April 2005. As Executive Director of the Santa Rosa Island Authority, Mr. Lee is responsible for implementing the plans and programs established by direction of the Santa Rosa Island Authority board and administering the daily support operations of the Santa Rosa Island Authority. Mr. Lee oversees a staff of 35 permanent employees and approximately 40 seasonal employees during the busy spring and summer months on Pensacola Beach.

Mr. Lee is the former owner of Jack Lee Buick as well as the former president of Buck Lee Governmental Consulting, Inc. In addition to his extensive business experience, Mr. Lee also gained governmental experience as a former county commissioner, having served in both Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties. Mr. Lee is also active in various civic and community organizations.

The Island Authority has five departments that carry out various functions of the Authority to insure that it operates efficiently and professionally to carry out the duties of the Authority as empowered by Chapter 24500 that created the Authority.

All departments with the exception of the Public and Recreational Facilities Department are located at the SRIA's administrative office at 1 Via de Luna Dr., Pensacola Beach, Florida. Office hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. The Public and Recreational Facilities Department is located at 33A Via de Luna Dr. (behind the Via de Luna shopping center) Pensacola Beach, Florida. Operational hours are 7:00 A.M. to 3:30 P.M.

For questions or comments, email Buck_Lee@sria-fla.com

Administration / Leasing
Jayne Bell, CPA, Director of Administration
This department insures that the Authority conducts business according to the rules regulations, ordinances and statues that have been adopted governing the Authority’s roles, activities and responsibilities. It also plans and implements quality events and promotions on Pensacola Beach to enhance and increase business on the island. The department oversees:

• Public Records
• Sunshine Law
• Leases
• 1988 Pensacola Beach Land Use Plan
• Emergency Preparedness
• Meeting Schedule
• Legal Issues
• Request for Proposals, Request for Qualifications and Bids.

The Administration and Leasing Department is available to help you with any questions you may have concerning your lease, public records request or meeting schedules and information. Please contact us if you are considering changing the use of your property, assigning or subleasing your property, or unsure of the terms of your lease.