Mark A. Jackson (20 Years of Service) Division: Tourism/Sports Marketing
Position: Tourism/Sports Marketing Director - Hired: September 28, 1992
- Mark Jackson has served continuously as Polk County’s Director of Tourism & Sports Marketing since 1992.
- Mark earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology and Business from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and his Masters of Business Administration from Florida Southern College. Mark also attended United Theological Seminary in New Brighton, Minnesota.
- In addition to his career with Polk County, Mark is an Adjunct Instructor in Economics for Polk State College and Professor of Sports Marketing for STS Marketing College, Atlanta, Georgia.
- Mark currently attends Christ Community Church in Winter Haven. He has also been an active member of St. John’s United Methodist Church, where he has served as past-chairman of the Staff Parish Committee, a member of the Finance Committee and Church Council, and a Sunday School Instructor. He is a
volunteer and past-vice president for Meals on Wheels in Winter Haven.
- Mark has been a professional athlete in two sports – snow skiing and water skiing. He has been inducted into the AWSEF Water Ski Hall of Fame, receiving an Award of Distinction; the ISA Hall of Fame; NSA Hall of Fame; Florida Water Ski Hall of Fame; and the Wisconsin Water Ski Hall of Fame.
- Mark is married to Mary Beth; He has two sons – Nick and Hunter. Mark’s
hobbies include water and snow skiing, hunting, travel, golf, and family activities. - Mark Jackson brings more than 30 years of marketing, sales management and
tourism experience to this position. During his tenure with Central Florida Tourism and Sports Marketing, he was responsible for the development of the Lake Myrtle Sports Complex and Business Cluster; merged the Central Florida Visitors Bureau and Sports marketing; created the area’s first (and Florida’s most honored) sports commission; and developed the organization’s first visitors’ center – Polk Outpost 27. Mark was also responsible for recruiting the Florida Youth Soccer Association, Florida Sports Hall of Fame, Cleveland Indians Spring
- Mark has worked as a color commentator on shows aired on ESPN I, ESPN II, Outdoor Life Network, Sun Sports Network, Water Channel, Versus, Bright House Sports Network, and various nationally syndicated sports shows. In addition he has authored more than30 articles about sports and business related topics for various publications. He is a frequent speaker at business conferences and conventions nationwide.
Ana C. Martinez-Hubert (25 Years of Service) Division: Land Development
Position: Principal Planner - Hired: January 4, 1988
- Prior to her employment with Polk County, Ana Martinez-Hubert worked for the Ministry of Urban Development in Venezuela.
- Twenty-five years ago, she began her Polk County career as a Planner I, and has worked her way up to the Principal Planner position.
- Ana was part of the team that prepared the original Comprehensive Plan adopted in 1991, and has participated in the two Evaluation and Appraisal Reports
completed since then. She has been assigned to several special projects,
including Selected Area Plans and the Water Supply Plan. She has also been a part of the County’s United States Census team for the last three Censuses. - Ana has a Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Studies from the Simon Bolivar University
in Caracas, Venezuela. She is also a Florida Certified Public Manager.
- Ana has been a member of the American Planning Association since 1989, and the American Institute of Certified Planners since 1990, having obtained the AICP certification in 1993.
- Ana is also a member of the Resurrection Catholic Church.
- Ana is married to Rick Hubert, who is a Clerk of the Court for the Hillsborough County Clerk of Courts in Plant City. Ana and Rick have three children: Phillip, 36, is a fireman for Orange County in the Orlando area; Lothar, 21, is a student at Polk State College, and Yolianne, 19, is a student at New College of Florida.
- Ana and Rick love to attend Broadway musicals, travel, and read. Ana also enjoys making pottery.
- Ana says that she plans to continue to participate on special projects and anywhere else she is needed while planning for retirement. A trip to Europe is planned for this summer. She would also like to visit Hawaii and Alaska in the future.
Bobby L. Steadman, Jr. (25 Years of Service) Division: Facilities Management
Position: Project Coordinator II - Hired: February 23, 1988
- Bobby Steadman is a Florida native, and has been married to the love of his life, Janis, for 39 years. Bobby and Janis have two sons: Christopher, 38, lives in Nashville, Tennessee; Jeffrey, 35, lives in Polk City. They also have three grandsons: Cody, 17; Case, 14; and Kendall, 11.
- Bobby and Janis attend the First Church of God in Winter Haven, where Bobby teaches an adult Sunday School class. He is also a member of the Men’s Ministry Group and preaches when asked by the pastor. Bobby was saved and became a Christian 30 years ago. He says it was one of the most important and greatest decisions of his life. He has been involved in several ministries over the years. - Bobby’s favorite sport is motorcycle drag racing. He has two 1970s-era drag bikes
that he rides and works on. He enjoys tinkering with vintage motorcycles, specifically Kawasakis and Nortons.
- Bobby has worked in construction for 40 years. He holds a Class B Building Contractor’s license and is a qualified stormwater management inspector. He started his career with Polk County in February, 1988 as a carpenter, and is now a Project Coordinator II. Bobby takes pride in completing his projects on time and within budget. He received commendations for his work on the Winter Haven Government Complex renovation and the Millennium Park project, which was completed 16 days early.
- Bobby says he is privileged to have accomplished 25 years with Polk County Facilities Management, and looks forward to completing his career here.
Sharon A. Clayton (35 Years of Service) Division: Parks and Natural Resources
Position: Fiscal Specialist III - Hired: February 24, 1978
- Sharon Clayton began employment with Social Services in 1978 and transferred to Water Resources (now Parks and Natural Resources) in 1985. Positions held were Secretary I, Secretary II, Senior Secretary, Division Fiscal Assistant, and currently Fiscal Specialist III.
- Sharon graduated from Bartow Senior High School in 1975. Originally from Gadsden, Alabama, she is one of seven children – four girls and three boys. She has been in Polk County since she was two years old.
- She is a member of Christian Fellowship Alive ministries, previously serving as Sunday School Superintendent and Vacation Bible School Coordinator.
- In addition to her regular duties, Sharon served as United Way Leader for multiple years, Polk Pulse Reporter and Editor, member of the first Employee Picnic
Planning Committee, and was the first County employee to receive the Shine Program’s Creative Club Award.
- Sharon’s hobbies include home improvement projects, gardening, and puzzling. She is a tremendous cook, and has shared her talents with division staff at times. - She and her husband of 37 years, Lee, are also great NASCAR fans. Lee was also
a Polk County employee, and retired from Parks and Recreation in May 2011. - Sharon and Lee have one niece, Cierra, who they helped raise; Cierra graduated
from Polk State College’s Occupational Therapy Assistant Program. They also have a four-year-old great-niece, Emma (nicknamed “Bean”), who is very much a part of the Clayton household. Sharon and Lee have been adopted by three cats: Fancy, Princess, and Lucky.
- Sharon was caregiver to her mother, Neda Davis, from 1999 until she passed in 2008. She continues to be a caregiver to her mother-in-law, Vinie Clayton, who will be 91 in March.
- Sharon is a conscientious employee with a strong work ethic. She is extremely knowledgeable about how the County works, and is a tremendous asset to the Parks and Natural Resources Division. She is capable of working with many
- After retirement, Sharon plans to start sewing and scrapbooking again, along with camping and fishing. She also plans to do volunteer work and spend some time exploring more of the United States.
Ricky L. Grant (35 Years of Service) Division: Facilities Management
Position: Painter
- Hired: February 20, 1978
- Ricky began his career with the Polk County Board of County Commissioners 35 years ago tomorrow, on February 20, 1978. He is a Painter in the Facilities Management Division.
- At some point, Ricky has probably painted some walls for everyone who works for the County. Given all of the interior work he performed, Ricky more than likely painted the equivalent of the entire Administration Building and Courthouse more than 20 times! Can you imagine how many times Ricky has painted and
repainted the same wall in his 35 years?
- When it comes to the exterior of County buildings, Ricky has painted the old Polk General Hospital, the Lawrence W. Crow Building, and the County Administration Building. If you could equate the amount of painting Ricky has done to mileage, it would probably stretch from here to New York City and back.
- Ricky is retiring from the County this summer. He will not be an easy person to replace. So, let’s take this opportunity to thank him for his 35 years of service to the Polk County Board of County Commissioners!
