Sheriff Grady Judd began his career at the Polk County Sheriff ’s Office (Florida) in 1972 as a dispatcher. After transferring to the Patrol Division in 1974, he quickly progressed through the ranks – holding every rank from Sergeant to Colonel. Polk County overwhelmingly elected Grady to serve as Sheriff in 2004.

Sheriff Judd has earned higher education degrees through the Masters level – having obtained both Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees from Rollins College. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, the Senior Management Institute for Police, the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar, and the FBI National Executive Institute. He was a participant of the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs (JINSA) Law Enforcement Exchange Program (LEEP).

Sheriff Judd has taught as an adjunct professor at both the University of South Florida and Florida Southern College. He is a Polk County School Board Hall of Fame inductee, a past recipient of Polk State College’s prestigious Distinguished Alumni Award, the 2008 Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Citizen Award, Protect Our Children Junny Award, the 2013 Callyo’s Leaders in Online Child Protection Award, as well as the 2013 Church Women United Human Rights Award. He is a past President of the Florida Sheriffs Association and the Major County Sheriffs of America, a national organization serving counties with a population of 500,000 or more.

Grady has been married to Marisa since 1972, and they have two adult sons and 13 grandchildren.

You can find Mark at Mahalak Auto Group  and here is a little but about his creative life below..

Mark S. Graham (Director) has directed over 100 plays and musicals including
the premiere of Elizabeth Fuller's Me and Jezebel at The Actor's Playhouse. Mark
worked with Ms. Fuller to develop the play from her book. He has produced and
directed Me and Jezebel in productions across the country including a production
starring Jim Bailey. Mark directed John O’Hern's Rooster in the Henhouse at
Theater Row. At Feinstein’s in NYC, he directed Barbara Schottenfeld’s cabaret
act. Mark staged a musical version of Dark of the Moon narrated by Werner
Klemperer at The Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. He directed the premiere
of Sweetspot, a comedy about golf addiction by John O' Hern. He directed E.
Katherine Kerr in Ann Richards, Backwards in High Heels at The Abingdon
Theater. At The Theatre for The New City, Mark recently co-directed
Renovations, a new play by William Russell. Mark has directed and co-produced
Stan Lachow's Harry and Thelma in The Woods in readings with Rue McClanahan
and productions at The New Jersey Rep and The Hollywood Playhouse. He is
currently developing a play about the life of William Shakespeare, entitled 
Shakespeare in The Dark by Mary Jane Schaefer, which will be read at the
National Arts Club in September. For ten years, Mark was a producing partner
with the late Tony Award winning producer Lester Osterman. He began his career
as general manager of Lucille Lortel's White Barn Theater. Mark is a founding
member of The Downtown Cabaret Theater in Bridgeport, Ct. Mark has an
MFA in directing from the University of Connecticut. He has served as a board
member of Westport Country Playhouse and Playhouse on the Green. In
addition, Mark is a thirty year member of The Theatre Artist's Workshop.
What the critics have said:
 ―The story is delightful, the writing is entertaining, and what comes out
of Bette’s mouth is priceless.‖ — New York Post
 ―Delicious.‖ — The New York Times
 ―A Sparkling two-hander…Elizabeth Fuller, playing herself, lends the
evening both authenticity and a touch of the surreal…‖ — London Times

https://www.dodgeofwinterhaven.net/

Greg Littleton, President and CEO of Citizens Bank & Trust, was been named 2022 Banker of the Year by the Florida Bankers Association (FBA). The award is given to an individual who demonstrates the highest level of commitment to both the banking industry and service to his or her community. Littleton was recognized at the FBA’s annual meeting, held in Orlando. 

Littleton currently serves as immediate past chair for the BancServ, Inc. Board of Directors and is beginning his second term on the government relations council. BancServ is a wholly owned for-profit subsidiary of the Florida Bankers Association. He previously served a two-year term as board chair for BancServ, which included a concurrent term on the FBA Board of Directors. Prior to being named board chair in 2019, Littleton served on the BankServ board for six years. 

With service to FBA dating back to 2003, Littleton previously served two terms on Florida BankPac, the association’s nonprofit political action committee, and two years on the FBA board.

In addition to his service with the FBA, Littleton is vice chair of the Polk State College District Board of Trustees. Initially appointed to the board in 2007, he has previously served as both vice chair and chair. He is immediate past chair for the United Way of Central Florida and serves on the AdventHealth Board of Directors. Littleton’s community involvement also includes past and present key leadership roles with the Bartow Economic Development Council, Central Florida Development Council, Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce, Lake Wales Arts Council, Lake Wales Chamber of Commerce, Polk Museum of Art, and Polk Vision. Citizens Bank & Trust supports organizations and events throughout the Bank’s service area of Polk, Pasco and Hillsborough Counties.

Littleton received his Associate of Arts degree from Polk State College in 1987, then attended Freed-Hardeman University in Tennessee. He graduated cum laude in 1989 with a degree in Finance. He is also a 2001 graduate of the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University. He joined Citizens Bank & Trust in 1997 and was named president in 2001. 

About Citizens Bank & Trust:

Citizens Bank & Trust is a wholly owned subsidiary of Citizens Banking Corporation, a one-bank holding company located in Frostproof, Florida. Citizens Bank & Trust operates 16 full-service offices in Polk, Pasco and Hillsborough Counties. The Bank proudly offers a full line of banking services, including residential and commercial loans, mortgages, and investments and trust services.

The Citizens Bank of Frostproof, as the Bank was originally known, was established in 1920. Over the past century, and three generations of family ownership, Citizens Bank & Trust has continued its tradition as a reliable and dependable community partner. 

www.citizens-bank.com

Listen in as the ladies from the Chamber of Commerce discuss everything that's happening in May 2023!



The Northeast Polk Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit business financed by Membership dues with the purpose of serving the NE Polk County Region. We are committed to taking a leadership role in supporting the business community and improving the quality of life in our area.

The Chamber acts as a liaison between the business community and local, state, and federal governments. We notify our Members of legislation that will directly affect business in our community. We offer educational and networking opportunities to help businesses grow, and we create a regional awareness of the business community. We also promote the area and Member Businesses to visitors and prospective residents.

The Chamber sponsors an annual scholarship award and we provide a Youth Leadership program for 11th grade students in the area at no cost to the participants. We also offer an Adult Leadership Program.

The Chamber provides Members the opportunity to promote their business and network at monthly Business After Hours events as well as monthly luncheons/breakfasts business forums. We sponsor annual events including the Chamber’s Pig Roast & Political Rally, our Annual Banquet and Annual Youth Leadership & Scholarship Golf Tournament.

Our Chamber Members are more than just “Members.” They are truly Chamber Partners and take ownership in their Chamber. We are here to serve our Members and to continue to grow a sustainable first-class community!

Contact us at 863-422-3751 or [email protected] to find out how to become a Chamber Member and make our Chamber your Chamber!