Tami Cullens

Tami Cullens

is chair of the SFSC District Board of Trustees and has served on the board since 2006, representing Highlands County. She was born and raised in Highlands County, graduated from Avon Park High School, and earned her bachelor’s degree in retail from Webber International University. For the last 15 years, Cullens has been an active member of the SFSC Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors, and has served as secretary, vice president, and president. She is, currently, chair-elect of the Association of Florida Colleges (AFC) Trustees Commission. She is involved in her family business, Saxon Groves, Inc. Cullens is a member of the Highlands County Cattlewomen's Association, Highlands County Outreach Board of Good Shepherd Hospice, has been a mentor with Take Stock in Children, and was involved in planning Florida Hospital Heartland Division’s benefit galas for many years.

Patrick “Joe” Wright

Patrick “Joe” Wright

is vice chair of the SFSC District Board of Trustees. He was appointed to the board in 2011 and represents Highlands County. A resident of Avon Park, he has been the president of V&W Farms of Delray Beach since 1988 and president and board chairman of Southeast Milk Inc. since 1997. From 2007 to 2009, he served as a councilman for the city of Avon Park. A member of the board of directors of the National Milk Producers Federation since 1997, he has been a member of the board of managers for Gustafson’s L.L.C. and NAD L.L.C. since 2004 and 2005, respectively. He was director and vice president of Florida Dairy Farmers from 1992 to 2010. Wright received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Master of Business Administration, and a law degree from the University of Florida. He and his wife, Suzanne, have one son, Charley.

Timothy D. Backer

Timothy D. Backer

was appointed to the SFSC District Board of Trustees in 2009, representing DeSoto County. Originally from St. Louis, Mo., he moved to Arcadia, Fla. in 1972. One of the college’s own, Backer graduated from SFSC with an Associate in Arts degree in 1975. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in accounting from the University of South Florida in 1983. A real estate appraiser since 1975, Backer has been adjunct faculty in real estate at SFSC since 1985. He is commander of the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Auxilliary. He was a member of the Arcadia Volunteer Fire Department for 27 years, serving 24 years as chief. Backer is currently chairman of the DeSoto High School Advisory Committee. He is president of the DeSoto County Board of Realtors, an office in which he has served 12 terms. Backer and his wife, Pat, have three children--Tim, Jim, and Bryan.

Derren J. Bryan

Derren J. Bryan

was appointed to the SFSC District Board of Trustees in 2011 and represents Hardee County. A resident of Bowling Green, he has been the general manager and information technology director for Albritton Insurance Services L.L.C. since 2006. From 2000 to 2008, he was president of Net-Pro Professional Networking Solutions Inc. From 1997 to 2007, he taught science and coached at Hardee Senior High School, and from 1995 to 1996, he taught and coached at Port Charlotte Senior High School. His community involvement includes the Hardee County Chamber of Commerce, the Hardee Athletic Foundation, the Hardee County Economic Development Authority, and the Healthy Start Coalition of Hardee, Highlands and Polk Counties Inc. Bryan received a bachelor’s degree from Western State College of Colorado.

Dr. Louis H. Kirschner

Dr. Louis H. Kirschner

was appointed to the SFSC District Board of Trustees in 1999 and represents DeSoto County. Originally from Chicago, Ill., he graduated from Chicago City Junior College in 1963, attended Southern Illinois University, and graduated from Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in 1972. He has been a chiropractic physician for 30 years. He has been chairman of the DeSoto County Republican Executive Committee since 1990.

Kenneth A. Lambert

Kenneth A. Lambert

was appointed to the SFSC District Board of Trustees in 2011 and represents Hardee County. A resident of Wauchula, he is the vice president of enterprise solutions for Knowledge-Based Marketing Group. Previously, he was a senior vice president for Merrill Corporation from 2009 to 2011, a self-employed marketing services consultant 2007 to 2009, senior vice president of Harte-Hanks Direct Marketing from 1989 to 2007 and vice president and officer with First Union National Bank from 1983 to 1989. Lambert served as a commissioner of the City of Wauchula from 2004 to 2009 and as mayor from 2000 to 2004. Lambert received an associate degree from South Florida State College and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida.

Lana C. Puckorius

Lana C. Puckorius

was appointed to the SFSC District Board of Trustees in 2011 and represents Highlands County. She serves as the board liaison to the SFSC Foundation. A resident of Avon Park, she is a retired Certified Financial Planner practitioner. She was president of Puckorius and Associates Inc. from 1987 to 2009. She has served as president and a board member of the SFSC Foundation.

Kris Y. Rider

Kris Y. Rider

was appointed to the SFSC District Board of Trustess in 2011 and represents Highlands County. A native Floridian, Rider is a resident of Lake Placid and has lived in Highlands County since 1966. She is a graduate of Lake Placid High School and received her associate degree from SFSC in 2000. She has worked with her husband, attorney Michael A. Rider, as bookkeeper since 1981. For the last 20 years, she has been active on several committees and boards concerning education and the promotion of scholarship. Rider served on the Lay Advisory Team of Lake Placid High School and was one of the founders of Project Graduation. She is the past president of Scholarship Recognition, Inc. of Highlands County and recently served on the grants board of a local charitable organization. For the last 10 years, she has been a mentor with the Take Stock in Children program. The Riders have two children and two granddaughters.