Jobs and Economic Opportunities Committee

Michael (Mike) Davis is a third generation Floridian, moving to Pasco County in 2002. Mike has worked in the Public Safety profession for the past 16 years. Additionally, Mike serves on other community committees, looking to help advance the economic impacts within the community. Mike completed his M.B.A. from Saint Leo University, and a Bachelor’s in Public Safety Administration from St. Petersburg College.  Mike has a passion for finance and a solid background in government finance.

Ralph is new to Pasco County having only lived in the area for roughly two years but share a heartfelt concern for the economic growth of this area. In additions to serving on the JEOC, Ralph has experience as President of 2 HOA boards and two high school athletic booster clubs, volunteer for many civic and church groups, and coached for several teams.  Professionally, Ralph works from his home in Port Richey as an auditor of used car dealers in the Tampa Bay metropolitan area.  He graduated from Ohio Northern University with a B.A. in Marketing and has completed some post-graduate coursework at Clemson University,

Alex J. (AJ) Quinn has lived in the greater Tampa Bay area since 2011 and in Pasco County since 2016.  He relocated from Akron, Ohio to manage a startup hydraulic components business inside of an established industrial equipment integrator in Tampa.  Alex now serves as the Americas Director of Sales for a global manufacturer of precision valves used in Semiconductor, Oil and Gas, and Analytical instruments markets.  His experience spans global manufacturing and several ventures from startup to successful maturity.  He earned his bachelors degree in Economics from John Carroll University in Cleveland, OH and is currently pursuing his MBA.

Brenton Basinger resides in Zephyrhills with his wife Sonya and two young children. Sonya works as an Assistant Principal for Pasco County Schools where their children also attend. 

Brenton was born in Lima, Ohio and moved to Tampa Bay in the late 90’s. Brenton works remotely as an Account Executive for Virbela where he sells commercial office space in virtual reality. In addition to his day job, Brenton serves his local community as Vice Chairman of the Lake Bernadette Community Development District Board of Supervisors where he was elected in the 2020 general election to serve a four-year term. Brenton also serves as the President of the Lake Bernadette Community Association, Inc. 

Brenton has been fortunate in his career to work for companies big and small. Spending seven years working in finance at Coca-Cola, seven years as a small business owner and several years working for high tech startups in Tampa Bay. 

Brenton holds an AA from Hillsborough Community college, BA in Political Science from USF, Master of Science in Entrepreneurship in Applied Technologies from USF and a second Master of Science degree in Business Analytics and Information Systems, also from USF. Brenton was named “Student of Year” in 2013 by the USF Center for Entrepreneurship.  

Brenton is grateful and excited to have been appointed by the Board of County Commissioners to serve on the Jobs and Economic Opportunities Committee and looks forward to helping bring additional high paying jobs to the residents of Pasco County. 

Linda Mather has consistently supported the communities and organizations where she has resided in Bartlett (Memphis), Tennessee, LaPorte (Houston), Texas and the Tampa Bay Area of Florida. She has served in many capacities with local governments and volunteer opportunities while continuing a success career. Linda is currently a Broker/Associate/REALTOR with Coldwell Banker F.I. Grey and Son Residential, Inc. and has been active in the real estate industry since 1979 in Tennessee, Texas and now Florida. She is also currently employed and has served as an Office Manager and Tax Preparer with H&R Block since 2006.

Linda moved to Hudson, FL in August of 2018 from Houston, TX  and is very excited to be a part of the growth and development of Pasco County.

• Board Member: Shelby County (Memphis), TN  Housing Authority appointed by County Mayor Bill Morris
• Board Member: Design and Review Commission City of Bartlett, TN appointed by Mayor Keith McDonald
• Chairperson: Bartlett, TN Humane Shelter
• Chairperson: Bartlett, TN Historical Society
• Ambassador: Bartlett, TN Chamber of Commerce
• Citizen's Police Academy Support Member: City of LaPorte Police Department-LaPorte, TX
• Auxiliary Member: American Legion Posts in Texas and Florida
• Senior Warden: St. Stephen's Episcopal Church-New Port Richey, FL

Les Stearns has lived and worked in Pasco County for over 20 years.  Les, his wife and children reside in Odessa and their children have always attended Pasco County public schools.  Les has volunteered at Odessa Elementary for 10 years, as well as, Charles Rushe middle school for 3 years in a variety of capacities including being active in their Student Advisory Councils (SAC).

Les has been in a high tech environment for over 35 years and the Port Richey location is a critical supplier of laser crystals and components where they produce high precision grade laser crystals for various uses around the world.

Les is passionate about continuing to see Pasco County grow with high tech companies while bringing new jobs and opportunities to Pasco County to ensure the continued success for many decades to come.

Jay is working as a business consultant for local, small businesses assisting them to accomplish their vision through marketing, planning, management, and financial strategizing.  This is semi-retirement for Jay.  After completing his Master’s in Electrical Engineering, he had a long career positioned as an executive within the high tech industries in Silicon Valley, California. Alongside his lucrative career out west, he also served as a Commissioner and Homeowner's Association President. Now, Jay lives in Land O’ Lakes, where he has continued to be a mentor for students and professionals alike.  In the JEOC, he will continue to assist in developing people, businesses and jobs in his hometown.

Joe Ward has lived in Pasco County since 2013.  He is retired and is now looking forward to utilizing his extensive skills in the real estate and economic development fields to benefit Pasco County residents.

Prior to moving to Florida, Joe planned and directed the financing and construction of a 120,000 square foot shopping center, a 55,000 square foot industrial building and several other building projects.  Earlier in his career he worked as an economic development consultant for the City of Paterson, NJ.  He also worked as an economic development specialist and project manager for the New York State Urban Development Corporation.

Joe holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Michigan.  He also received a Masters in City Planning degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Rosie Paulsen, who has been honored as one of the Fifty Most Influential Hispanic Business Leaders in Florida, is a native of Ecuador who came to the United States as a teenager. A public speaker and business trailblazer, Rosie owns Rosie Paulsen Enterprises and S&R Services, a company that brokers Medicare coverage for people all over the State of Florida. She has received a Leadership Award from the Tampa Bay Hispanic Heritage and is an alumnus of Smart Start Pasco and Inner-City Capital Connection. Rosie currently serves as a commissioner of The Florida Commission on the Status of Women. She lives in Zephyrhills with her husband Scott.