Officers:
Humberto Ramirez - Chairman
As chairman of the
Highlands County Democratic Party, I am looking forward to leading our
efforts to build the Democratic Party in Highlands
County so we can
start to make a difference in the quality of people’s lives here.
We are looking forward to the re-election of the president of our
United States of America, Barak Obama, and filling more elected seats
with Democrats. Only our
party will truly look out for the interests of the people.
As a citizen of Highlands County since 1976, I have been very involved in social and civic activities to better the lives of our people in this county. I was a member of the United Farm Workers of America from 1978 to 1998, when the “right to work” laws were passed in Florida and the union was made useless. I believe that government should work for the interests of the people: “government of the people, by the people and for people.” I will work to lead us back to this principle.
Harvey Hollin, Sr. - Vice Chairman
Harvey
attended Stillman College Tuscalosa, Alabama on a basketball
scholarship. He graduated
with a degree in math and science in 1958.
He worked
as a math and science teacher and coached basketball and baseball at
Gibbs High School in St. Petersburg, Florida for eight years. He was
then employed as an underwriter for Allstate Insurance for two years
before becoming an Insurance salesman in 1968 until he retired in 1990
in Miami, FL.
Harvey
moved to Highlands County in 1995 where he worked with The Florida
Sportsman's Association, Sponsoring Minority Banquets, Buses to Florida
Classic for last 14 years, and helped scholarships for local youths.
He was
also active in registering voters for the Barack Obama Campaign.
Paula House - Secretary
Raised in a small farming town in central Illinois, Paula House brings
the experience of her careers in journalism, education and law to her
public
service
in Highlands County. She received her undergraduate degree in
journalism from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, and was a
certified public school teacher for a number of years in Maine, where
she raised her family. She received her JD from the University of
Maine and
is licensed to practice law in Maine and Florida.
Michele “Mickey” Shames
I’m originally from Southern
California. I moved to south
Florida in 1970 met my hubby, Sam and married in 1973.
We lived happily in
Miami-Dade County for many years but when it came close to retirement we
decided to move to beautiful, quite and friendly Highlands County in
2004.
I have worked in the bookkeeping – accounting
fields for over 30 years. I
have worked in all fields of bookkeeping from accounts payable, accounts
receivable, payroll, general ledger, etc.
I love working in my yard, gardening and
maintenance. I also enjoy
decorating and upgrading the interior in my home.
I also have plans to learn to fly an airplane.
I someday want to travel in our own airplane to visit with my
family, which like most families these days, is spread out all over the
US and elsewhere.
I have two beautiful daughters, Cindy and Ginger
and three wonderful grandkids, Hayley, Andre and
Cesley.
Davette
Thompson-State Committee Woman
Davette is a native of Chicago, Illinois , the home of the " Democratic political machine". She was a network analyst for SBC Corporation until an early retirement brought her to Florida with the other retirees. While in Sebring, she went back to school at SFCC and received an associate in science degree, and embarked on her second career as a Registered Nurse,. She currently works at Florida Hospital Heartland Medical Center.
Pat
Hogan-State Committee Man