Chamber Leadership
Chamber Staff
Josh Wooton
President & CEO
Josh Wooton
President & CEO
Josh Wooten is a Florida native who has called Citrus County home since 1984. Previously a local small business owner as well as a former Citrus County Commissioner, Josh was appointed in March 2009 to lead the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce. Throughout his time in the community, Josh has served on numerous local boards and advisory committees, including the Citrus Memorial Hospital advisory board, the Florida Sheriff Youth Ranch Board of Directors and the Board of County Commissioners Stakeholders Advisory Group, as well as served as a founder and board member of Keep Citrus County Beautiful, a former State Commander of the Sons of the American Legion, and a life member of the Citrus County Historical Society. He has also served on numerous regional water boards and environmental advisory groups. He is the proud father of four lovely daughters.
Ardath Prendergast
Vice President of Operations and Business Retention & Expansion
Ardath Prendergast
Vice President of Operations and Business Retention & Expansion
Ardath Prendergast has been a Chamber employee since 2011 and is presently Vice President / Operations & BRE. A graduate of the University of Central Florida with degrees in Allied Legal Services and Criminal Justice, Ardath specialized as an aviation paralegal in Dallas and Washington, DC. However, her childhood passion had always been dance and the arts - so when she moved to Atlanta, she switched over to the nonprofit world of arts and disability, and became the arts manager of the Arts Festival of Atlanta, executive director of the National Association of Independent Artists (NAIA) and also co-founded Full Radius Dance, a professional company of dancers with and without disabilities. In 2004, Ardath made full circle back to Florida, re-discovered the wonder of Florida’s outdoors, fell in love with our Citrus County community and insists she is never leaving Florida again!
Corrine Sachewicz
Member Relations Manager
Corrine Sachewicz
Member Relations Manager
Corrine joined the Chamber in 2017 and is presently our Member Relations Manager. She is the Liaison to the Business Women's Alliance (BWA), the Ambassadors and Chamber Board of Directors. One of her strengths is building relationships within the community. After earning a B.S. in Marketing Management from Trenton State College, she worked extensively with Fortune 500 companies as an Account Manager with a Marketing firm for over 18 years. Corrine is a proud and dedicated mother to her two young adult children who she raised in Citrus County. Throughout most of their schooling, she served on several Gifted Advisory Boards, SAEC committees, volunteered in the classroom and coached Odyssey of the Mind. She has a fabulous green thumb and is passionate about nature and kayaking. She likes to use her creative talents whenever possible.
Jade White
Public Relations & Communications Manager
Jade White
Public Relations & Communications Manager
Jade joined The Chamber in 2019 bringing over 10 years of media and public relations experience from her previous position at local radio station, Citrus 95.3. She has lived in Citrus County since 2003 and graduated from Lecanto High School in 2008. Jade considers herself one of the 'lucky ones' having recently married her high school sweetheart, with whom she shares a beautiful daughter and stepson. She is grateful to be able to raise her family in such an amazing slice of paradise and among such wonderful community members. “My family originated in Illinois, not too far from Chicago, then moved to Pasco County for much of my younger years. Coming to Citrus offers a very different environment, such a caring and giving community. It's astonishing. I've never seen an entire county that doesn’t hesitate to rally around anyone, even total strangers, if they need help quite like Citrus does. I'm blessed to raise my daughter and son here and honored for the opportunity to now give back to this amazing community.”
Erin Carney
Administrative Coordinator
Erin Carney
Administrative Coordinator
Erin is a Florida native and grew up in Brevard County, Florida’s “Space Coast”. After high school Erin started working in medical records for the largest orthopedic group in Brevard County. It was there she was bitten by the “surgery” bug and went to school to become a surgical tech. This opened the door to her career of over 25 years in healthcare. Erin’s career took her to the OR as a scrub tech in the hospital and surgery center settings and is always happy to remind people that she literally has held someone’s heart in her hands!
Erin has served as a practice manager for orthopedic practices and worked for Surgical Care Affiliates, one of the top surgery center management companies in the country. While at SCA she worked in the business office/administration at a facility and was promoted to corporate level sales and market development where she was Sales Director for four facilities.
Erin graduated from Colorado Christian University with a degree in Organizational Management with an emphasis in Leadership and holds a Biblical Studies certificate. Erin received her certificate in Surgical Technology from Brevard Community College (now Eastern Florida State College).
She moved to Citrus County in April 2021 and started with the Chamber in January 2022 as the Administrator Coordinator. She serves as the Liaison to the Board of Directors. Erin has two fur babies, Pippa who is a “shelter special” and Pico, a long-haired chihuahua. When she’s not working Erin enjoys hanging at the beach, raising orchids and Monarch butterflies, traveling with her boyfriend John and she loves watching and attending all sporting events, especially the Florida Gators and Denver Broncos
Cynthia Oswald
Program Support Specialist
Cynthia Oswald
Program Support Specialist
Cynthia’s leadership journey began in New York, serving as the executive director of the Livingston County Business Education Alliance (BEA), a nonprofit dedicated to providing career awareness programs for the emerging workforce, after years in the education sector with experience in everything from preschool to college faculty. After a successful tenure leading the BEA Cynthia was hired as the first woman president and CEO of the Livingston County Area Chamber of Commerce (LCACC). During her time at the chamber, she led the chamber’s 501c3 affiliate the Livingston County Education Alliance (LCEA) and held the county contract for tourism and the Visitor and Convention Bureau (VCB), along with overseeing the construction of the new chamber offices and visitor center. While in New York Cynthia was appointed to the U.S. Chamber’s Small Business Council in Washington, D.C. and Governor Cuomo’s Regional Economic Council and executive committee. She served as vice-chairwoman for the Chamber Alliance of New York State (CANYS), chaired the local United Way campaign and was named Livingston County Business Person of the Year by the New York State Department of Labor. Cynthia has also worked in international economic development in Europe, China, and Africa. She received the Excellence in Community Development award from the New Juaben, Ghana traditional ruler Dassabre Oti Boateng for her work supporting the creation of the first chamber of commerce and business women leadership group in the region. Throughout her career the end-game was always to relocate to Citrus County after discovering the county over thirty years ago when her parents moved to Crystal River as snowbirds. Landing here in 2016 to work as the Citrus County Public Information Officer (PIO) was the perfect position giving her a crash course in county history, culture, and amenities. Life has come full circle for Cynthia, in semi-retirement she is happy to be back in the chamber world as program support specialist for the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce two days a week. Cynthia has a BA in Human Services from the State University of New York (SUNY) and a certificate in nonprofit organizational management from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Northeast Institute at Villanova University.
Judy Knowlton
Administrative Assistant- Inverness
Judy Knowlton
Administrative Assistant - Inverness
Judy Knowlton has worked for the Chamber since 2015 as an Administrative Assistant in the Inverness office. She graduated from Jamestown Business College as a Medical Assistant and worked Lutheran Social Services in youth services for ten years beginning in 1968. In 1983, as an Certified Activity Director, started the programming for Chautauqua Adult Care in New York State where she found her love in working in dementia and memory care and stayed for the next 20 years. She fell in love with Florida after visiting on vacation, and left New York behind to live happily in Inverness in 2003. After arriving, one of her most gratifying work experiences was being Director of Volunteer Services for Hospice of Citrus and the Nature Coast where she trained administrative and patient support volunteers to provide services to those with needs at end of life. Her work life within the human service field has been very fulfilling. She also enjoys performing in amateur theater.
Missy Slanker
Special Events Manager
Missy Slanker
Special Events Manager
Melissa (Missy) Slanker joined the Chamber team in 2022 and is presently the Special Events Manager. Although not originally native to Citrus County, she has resided here since 2007. Missy and her husband, Bobby started Sound Decisions in 2015 and joined the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce in 2017. Shortly after joining the Chamber, she became an Ambassador. She has a background in business since 2000 and earned her Associate’s Degree from Remington College. She currently sits on the board for United Way and Kings Bay Rotary. She enjoys connecting with the public and is always willing to go out of her way to help with projects, ribbon cuttings, mixers, luncheons, and fundraisers along with being a business owner, a wife, a mom of 5, and a Mimsie to 3 grandchildren.
Jackie Hanna
Administrative Assistant- Crystal River
Jackie Hanna
Administrative Assistant - Crystal River
Jackie Hanna joined the Chamber team in June of 2017 as an Administrative Assistant in the Crystal River office. She comes from a background in Administration and Banking. She has lived in Florida most of her life, her family moved her from Michigan in 1964. She enjoys the outdoors, collects seashells, and enjoys reading. She is very artistic and brings old pieces of yard art back to life.
Chamber Board of Directors
2022 Executive Board
Lindsey Platz
Chair
Insight Credit Union
Lindsay Platz
Chair
Insight Credit Union
Lindsay is a graduate of Florida Southern College in Lakeland with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. After graduation, she moved to Inverness to begin her professional career.
Lindsay has worked in the banking industry for 10 years. She is currently the branch manager for Insight Credit Union in Inverness. As Branch Manager, her responsibilities include business development, public relations, operations, and employee relations.
She is married to Citrus County local and businessman, Robert Platz. Together they own Local Boy Lawn & Pest Control. In her free time, Lindsay enjoys spending time with family and traveling.
Tabitha Wells
Immediate Past Chair
Wells Business Solutions
Tabitha Wells
Immediate Past Chair
Wells Business Solutions
Tabitha Wells grew up, attended college and started her professional career right here in Citrus County.
Tabitha holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration with specialization in Accounting and completed a fifth year, making her eligible to become a Certified Public Accountant. She is also a QuickBooks Certified ProAdvisor.
Her experience in the accounting field includes public and private accounting, along with tax and audit services. Tabitha has also performed full-service accounting functions for government entities, non-profit organizations, and individuals. She has served on numerous boards and volunteered for several charities.
Tom Ryan
Incoming Chair
Central Ridge Insurers
Tom Ryan
Incoming Chair
Central Ridge Insurers
Tom Ryan grew up in New York State and graduated from the University of Hartford with a degree in Business Management. He has been in the insurance industry since 2015 and is currently the personal lines manager at Central Ridge Insurers. His current duties include overseeing all aspects of the property and casualty markets for the organization.
Living twenty years in Citrus County Tom has been active on various boards and civic groups including the Knights of Columbus and Inverness Elks. He is a present member of the Beverly Hills Civic Association, and Chairman of the Beverly Hills Area Council (BHAC), an advisory council of the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce. In the past he has also served with the Chamber Ambassadors.
When Tom is not working or serving the Citrus County community, he enjoys playing golf, kayaking, boating, and cycling.
Rob Wardlow
Treasurer
Wardlow & Cash, PA
Rob Wardlow
Treasurer
Wardlow & Cash, PA
Rob is a Florida native and lifetime resident, who was born in Hernando County and is currently a resident of Citrus County. He graduated from the University of South Florida in 1991 and has been a Certified Public Account since 1994. Joining Wardlow & Cash, P.A. in 1993, Rob became a partner in 1996. He has over 25 years in governmental accounting and auditing experience. Rob is an active member in the community and has been affiliated with the Citrus County Chamber, Early Learning Coalition and others. Rob enjoys spending time with wife, children and grandchildren along with being on the water and is an avid fisherman.
Kelley Paul
Secretary
Wollinka Wikle Title Insurance
Kelley Paul
Secretary
Wollinka Wikle Title Insurance
Kelley is a Florida native who was born in Crystal River and is a current resident of Citrus County. She graduated from Crystal River High School and furthered her education at the College of Central Florida. She has her AS degree in Computer & Information Technology and is a Licensed Title Insurance Agent and Certified Land Closer. Kelley has two children, Christian and Jesse, which keep her busy at YMCA basketball, CRLL baseball, and NC football games. She has worked at Wollinka Wikle Title Insurance since 2011 and is an active member of Gulf to Lake Church, Citrus County Chamber, and the Builders Alliance.
2022 Board of Directors
Tiarra Alexander
The Pace Center for Girls
George Bendtsen
Insurance by George
Leslie Bollin
City of Crystal River
Mike Buchanan
Excel Printing
Ginger Carroll
HCA Florida Citrus Hospital
Cregg Dalton
Citrus County Property Appraiser
Martin Drango
Duke Energy
Barb Fletcher
LKQ
Dr. Jim Harvey
College of Central Florida (ret.)
Grace Hengesbach
Beech Street Consulting
Alyson Brennan
(on behalf of YP's - Young Professionals)
Realtors Association of Citrus County
Gwen Klaiber
(on behalf of BWA- Business Women's Alliance)
Citrus County Property Appraiser
Dr. Vernon Lawter
College of Central Florida
Gary Mock
Covenant Children's Home
Gerry Mulligan
Citrus County Chronicle (retired)
John Murphy
Citrus County Chronicle
Marci Olinger
Bravera Health Seven Rivers
David Reed
YMCA
Debbie Reilly
(on behalf of Leadership Citrus)
Citrus County Library System
Missy Slanker
(on behalf of Ambassadors)
Sound Decisions
Craig Stevens
Citrus County Fire Rescue
Don Taylor
EDACC
Harold Walker
Duke Energy
Lifetime Directors
Pete Burrell
Citrus County Chronicle (Ret.)
Kevin Cunningham
RE/MAX Realty One
Charles Davis
Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home
Dick Dolbow
Citrus County Schools
Joe Fallon
Retired
Mike Fitzpatrick
Century Link (Ret.)
Carl Flanagan
PRIMERICA Advisors
Rocky Hensley
Brannen Bank
Jim Neal
James N. Neal Jr., PA
Karen Pulcini
Jack Reynolds
Brannen Bank
Janice Warren
Tax Collector
Chet White
Stanley Steemer
Janet Yant
Nature Coast Charters