The Santa Rosa Island Authority (SRIA) is the governing branch overseeing the direction of Pensacola Beach on Santa Rosa Island. Pensacola Beach is owned by Escambia County and is home to about 2,000 residents. The SRIA was created by the Florida legislature in 1947 under Chapter 24500. The SRIA does not receive tax support from the taxpayers of the county, but instead is fully funded from rental fees collected from beach business and residences.
The Authority is made up of six members, five are named by members of the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners and whose term is the same as the commissioner who appointed them. The sixth member is elected by the registered voters on Pensacola Beach. The sixth members’ term is two years.
To promote tourism, manage growth and provide entertainment in a safe, clean, eco-friendly environment.
- Thomas Campanella, Chairman
Dr. Thomas A. Campanella was first elected to the Authority Board in November 2002. 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.
- Tammy Bohannon, Vice Chairwoman
Born an entrepreneur, Tammy Bohannon is a self-made woman and has had an interest in politics since visiting the legislature as a child during her Uncle's time as a legislator. Since the inception of ERA Beach Ball Realty she has held the title of top producer. She has recently had the opportunity to expand her career and work with other real estate professionals within the ERA Legacy Realty team. Her highest sales volume for one year to date is 28 million. She is dedicated, driven, focused, and has high energy with a good sense of balance.
She is the wife of Lewis Bohannon, entrepreneur, and they have three grown daughters, two granddaughters, and one grandson, all of whom she adores!!! She is an avid tennis player. She has won her division in the Pink Ribbon Tennis Tournament. She is a member of Gulf Breeze Rotary, Impact 100, NAIOP, and other numerous organizations. She takes pride in her volunteer work for Council on Aging of West Florida and their Meals on Wheels program. She is a past Chairwoman of the SRIA and currently holds the position of Vice Chairwoman. She is a member of Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church. She values God, family, and community.
- Fred Gant, Secretary
Frederick J. Gant, Esquire has served on the SRIA Board of Directors since 2007 and was elected as Chairman of the Board in December 2008. Gant is a graduate of the University of Florida and Howard University School of Law, and is a member of the Florida Bar and Alabama State Bar. While running his own law firm, Frederick J. Gant Attorney at Law, stays active in the community and is a member of many organizations such as 100 Black Men of Pensacola, Inc., St. James Missionary Baptist Church, Pensacola Civitan Club and the Gulf Coast African-American Chamber of Commerce.
Previously, he worked at Allbritton & Gant, Attorneys at Law and is a recipient of the Escambia Santa Rosa Bar Association Community Service Award and the Pensacola News Journal/Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce Emerging Leader of the Year award. He also has been active in several professional organizations and is currently a member of the Escambia Santa Rosa Bar Association and the Charles Wilson Bar Association.
- Janice Gilley, Acting Secretary/Treasurer
Janice Gilley is the Associate Vice President of Community and Governmental Relations and Special Assistant to the President at the University of West Florida, responsible for advocating the legislative priorities at the local, state, and federal levels, and a liaison to all government officials and staff as well as any agency necessary to acquire university funding and program approval. With more than 20 years of Governmental experience, she is proficient in all aspects of Public Policy and Budget from development to passage to implementation.
In addition to her professional experience in the Governor's office and the Florida Legislature, Janice has committed herself to serving the public and held the positions of Commissioner on the Escambia County Board of Commissioners from May 2002 to November 2004, Escambia County School Board Member in 1999 as well as a Member and Vice Chair for the Three Rivers, Conservation and Development Council from 1993 to 2007. Her volunteer services include working with the American Cancer Society, Leukemia Society, Children's Home Society, and Trinitas Christian School.
Janice earned her Master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Florida and a Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Public Relations, and Communications from the University of Southern Miss. A lifelong learner, she enjoys farming, hunting, and baking as well as spending time with her family.
- Elwyn Guernsey, Member
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.
Mr. Guernsey 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 Guernsey'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 Mr. Guernsey'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.
- Dave Pavlock, Member
Dave Pavlock of Cantonment is the appointee of Commissioner Wilson Robertson in District 1. Dave served on the SRIA from 1996 to 2000, and was reappointed in 2008. He served as Chairman during 2012. Dave was a member of the Escambia Board of County Commissioners from 1988 to 1992...and served 4 years on the Escambia County Planning Board.
Dave retired from a 39 year career in broadcasting, He is past president of the Pensacola Bay Area Advertising Federation, past president of the Pensacola North Rotary Club, and has been affiliated with motorsports at 5 Flags Speedway in Pensacola for the past 40 years.
