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REA Resources

Access the UWF REA Charter, Bylaws, information and resources available to UWF Retired Employee Association members.

Board Members

Board of Directors 2025-2026

  • Colleen Asmus, President
  • Anna Shiplee, Vice President/President Elect
  • Ellen Till, Past President
  • Pat Wentz, Secretary
  • Connie Fleming, Sunshine Chair
  • Louise Tolbert, Member at Large
  • Joy Ward, Member at Large

Steering Committee 2006:

  • Linda Dye – Chair
  • Gerri Bailey
  • Gordon Eade
  • Evelyn Grosse
  • Tom Henderson
  • Annie Ruth Howard
  • Betsy Oram
  • Peter Young

Board of Directors 2007:

  • Tom Henderson President
  • Linda Dye – Vice President/President Elect
  • Gerri Bailey – Treasurer
  • Grady Morein – Secretary
  • Gordon Eade – Director 2007-2009
  • Lee Martin – Director – 2007-2008
  • Evelyn Grosse – Director 2007-2008
  • Ben Williamson – Director 2007

Board of Directors 2008:

  • Linda Dye – President
  • Gayle Privette – Vice President/President Elect (resigned position at end of year)
  • Tom Henderson – Past President
  • Gerri Bailey – Treasurer
  • Grady Morein – Secretary
  • Betsy Oram – Director 2008-2010
  • Gordon Eade – Director 2007-2009
  • Lee Martin – Director 2007-2008
  • Evelyn Grosse – Director 2007-2008

Board of Directors 2009:

  • Betsy Oram – President
  • Jane Dysart – Vice President/President Elect
  • Linda Dye – Past President
  • Connie Fleming – Treasurer
  • Gayle Privette – Secretary
  • Richard Berg – Director 2009-2011
  • Charles Wentz – Director 2009-2011
  • Grady Morein – Director 2009-2010 (replaced Oram)
  • Gordon Eade – Director 2007-2009

Board of Directors 2010:

  • Jane Dysart – President
  • Marcia Phelps – Vice President/President Elect (resigned mid-year)
  • Betsy Oram – Past President
  • Connie Fleming – Treasurer
  • Gayle Privette – Secretary
  • Priscilla Myers – Director 2010-2012 (resigned)
  • Jan Williamson – Director 2010-2012 (replaced Myers, resigned)
  • Pat Dyehouse – Director – 2010-2012 (replaced Williamson)
  • Richard Berg – Director 2009-2011
  • Charles Wentz – Director 2009-2011
  • Grady Morein – Director 2009-2010

Board of Directors 2011:

  • Gayle Privette – President
  • Ralph Roberts – Vice President/President Elect
  • Jane Dysart – Past President
  • Connie Fleming – Treasurer
  • Helen Wigersma – Secretary
  • Tom Henderson – Director 2011-2013
  • Pat Dyehouse – Director 2010-2012
  • Richard Berg – Director – 2009-2011
  • Charles Wentz – Director 2009-2011
  • Gordon Eade – Legislative Liaison
  • Evelyn Grosse – Sunshine Committee
  • Grady Morein – Website Committee
  • Betsy Oram – Membership Committee

Board of Directors 2012:

  • Ralph Roberts – President
  • Jim Weaver – Vice President/President Elect
  • Gayle Privette – Past President
  • Dorothy Bruton – Treasurer
  • Helen Wigersma – Secretary
  • Tom Henderson – Director 2011-2013
  • Pat Dyehouse – Director 2010-2012
  • Linda Dye – Director 2012-2014
  • Bill Halpern – Director 2012-2014
  • Gordon Eade – Legislative Liaison
  • Evelyn Grosse – Sunshine Committee
  • Grady Morein – Website Committee
  • Betsy Oram – Membership Committee

Board of Directors 2013:

  • Jim Weaver – President
  • Butch Seabrook – Vice President/President Elect
  • Ralph Roberts – Past President
  • Dorothy Bruton – Treasurer
  • Sonia Davis Gray-Jensen – Secretary (resigned)
  • Sherell Hendrickson – Secretary (replaced Davis Gray-Jensen)
  • Tom Henderson – Director 2011-2013
  • Linda Dye – Director 2012-2014
  • Bill Halpern – Director 2012-2014 (resigned)
  • Pat Smith – Director 2012-2014 (replaced Halpern)
  • Jacqui Berger – Director 2013-2015
  • Evelyn Grosse – Sunshine Committee
  • Grady Morein – Website Committee
  • Betsy Oram – Archives
  • Jim Weaver – Legislative Liaison

Board of Directors 2014:

  • Butch Seabrook – President
  • Richard Berg – Vice President/President Elect
  • Jim Weaver – Past President
  • Carol Morgan – Treasurer
  • Sonia Davis Gray-Jensen – Secretary (resigned in 2013)
  • Sherell Hendrickson-Secretary (replaced Davis Gray-Jensen)
  • Jerry Cartwright – Director 2014-2016
  • Linda Dye – Director 2012-2014
  • Bill Halpern – Director 2012-2014 (resigned due to health)
  • Pat Smith – Director 2012-2014 (replaced Halpern)
  • Jacqui Berger – Director 2013-2015
  • Evelyn Grosse – Sunshine Committee (resigned)
  • Judy Weaver – Sunshine Committee (replaced Grosse as interim chair until June 2014)
  • Evelyn Grosse – Sunshine Committee (replaced Weaver, June 2014)
  • Grady Morein – Website Committee
  • Betsy Oram – Archives (died)
  • Butch Seabrook – Archives (replaced Oram)
  • Jerry Cartwright – Legislative Liaison

Board of Directors 2015:

  • Richard Berg – President
  • Faye Bowers – Vice President/President Elect
  • Butch Seabrook – Past President
  • Carol Morgan – Treasurer
  • Elaine Lavender – Secretary (resigned in 2015)
  • Jerry Cartwright – Director 2014-2016
  • Ron Bush – Director 2015-2017
  • Pat Smith – Director 2015-2017
  • Jacqui Berger – Director 2013-2015
  • Judy Weaver – Sunshine Committee
  • Grady Morein – Website Committee
  • Tom Henderson – Camellia Garden Committee
  • Butch Seabrook – Archives
  • Jerry Cartwright – Legislative Liaison

Board of Directors 2016:

  • Faye Bowers – President
  • Karen Barth – Vice President/President Elect (resigned after 1 meeting in 2016)
  • Butch Seabrook – Vice President/President Elect (replaced Karen Barth)
  • Richard Berg – Past President
  • Carol Morgan – Treasurer (interim until replacement found)
  • Connie Fleming – Treasurer
  • Martha Hancock – Secretary
  • Jerry Cartwright – Director 2014-2016 (resigned due to health in 2015)
  • Jim Weaver – Director 2016 (replaced Jerry Cartwright)
  • Ron Bush – Director 2015-2017
  • Pat Smith – Director 2015-2017
  • Peter Young – Director 2016-2018
  • Judy Weaver – Sunshine Committee
  • Grady Morein – Website Committee
  • Tom Henderson – Camellia Garden Committee
  • Butch Seabrook – Archives
  • Jerry Cartwright – Legislative Liaison (resigned in 2015)
  • Jim Weaver – Legislative Liaison (replaced Jerry Cartwright)

Board of Directors 2017:

  • Butch Seabrook – President
  • Lal Goel – Vice President/President Elect
  • Faye Bowers – Past President
  • Connie Fleming – Treasurer
  • Martha Hancock – Secretary
  • Ron Bush – Director 2015-2017
  • Peter Young – Director 2016-2018
  • Carl Backman – Director 2017-2019
  • Pierre Kaufke – Director 2017- 2019
  • Judy Weaver – Sunshine Committee
  • Grady Morein – Website Committee
  • Tom Henderson – Camellia Garden Committee
  • Butch Seabrook – Archives
  • Jim Weaver – Legislative Liaison

Board of Directors 2018:

  • Lal Goel – President
  • Doug Friedrich – Vice President/President Elect
  • Butch Seabrook – Past President
  • Judy DeBolt – Secretary
  • Connie Fleming – Treasurer
  • Carl Backman – Director 2017-2019
  • Pierre Kaufke – Director 2017-2019
  • Janet Shelby – Director 2018-2020
  • Peter Young – Director 2016-218
  • Evelyn Grosse – Sunshine Committee

Board of Directors 2019

  • Doug Friedrich – President
  • Anna Shiplee – Vice President/President Elect
  • Lal Goel – Past President
  • Judy DeBolt – Secretary
  • Connie Fleming – Treasurer
  • Carl Backman – Director 2017-2019
  • Pierre Kaufke – Director 2017-2019
  • Janet Shelby – Director 2018-2020 (resigned)
  • Pat Smith – Director 2019-2021
  • Evelyn Grosse – Sunshine Committee

Board of Directors 2020*

  • Anna Shiplee – President
  • Carl Backman – Vice President/President Elect
  • Doug Friedrich – Past President
  • Judy DeBolt – Secretary
  • Judy DeBolt – Treasurer
  • Joann Curtain – Director 2020-2022
  • Pat Smith – Director 2019-2021Judy Weaver – Sunshine Committee

*Officers agreed to serve two terms in 2020 and 2021 owing to severely reduced activity in 2020 due to COVID pandemic

Board of Directors 2021*

  • Anna Shiplee – President
  • Carl Backman – Vice President/President Elect
  • Doug Friedrich – Past President
  • Judy DeBolt – Secretary
  • Judy DeBolt – Treasurer
  • Joann Curtain – Director 2020-2022
  • Pat Smith – Director 2019-2021
  • Judy Weaver – Sunshine Committee

Board of Directors 2022-2023**

  • Carl Backman – President
  • Bill Healey – Vice President/President Elect
  • Anna Shiplee – Past President
  • Pat Wentz – Secretary
  • Jacqui Berger – Treasurer
  • Connie Fleming – Director 2022-2024
  • Rohan Hemasinha – Director 2022-2024
  • Gabi Grosse – Sunshine Committee

Board of Directors 2023-2024

  • Bill Healey – President
  • Ellen Till – Vice President/President Elect
  • Carl Backman – Past President
  • Secretary ***
  • Treasurer ****
  • Connie Fleming – Director 2022-2024
  • Rohan Hemasinha – Director 2022-2024
  • Gabi Grosse – Sunshine Committee

Board of Directors 2024-2025

  • Ellen Till – President
  • Colleen Asmus – Vice President/President Elect
  • Bill Healey – Past President
  • Pat Wentz – Secretary
  • Louse Tolbert – Director 2024-2026
  • Joy Ward – Director 2024-2026
  • Connie Fleming – Sunshine Committee

*Officers agreed to serve two terms in 2020 and 2021 owing to severely reduced activity in 2020 due to COVID pandemic

**Board served all calendar year 2022 and first half of calendar year 2023 as part of the transition to affiliation with the Division of Advancement as approved in March 2022. Moved from calendar year to fiscal year.

***Pat Wentz had to resign from the Secretary position so as not to jeopardize her retirement per state statute pertaining to volunteering after retirement; minutes/meeting notes prepared by various members of the Board

****Transition to affiliation with the Division of Advancement resulted in financial aspects being handled by the Advancement Representative and so the Treasurer position was no longer needed.

Board of Directors 2025-2026

  • Colleen Asmus – President
  • Anna Shiplee – Vice President/President Elect
  • Ellen Till – Past President
  • Pat Wentz – Secretary
  • Louse Tolbert – Member-at-Large 2024-2026
  • Joy Ward – Member-at-Large 2024-2026
  • Connie Fleming – Member-at-Large (Sunshine Committee)

Proposed Slate for Board of Directors 2026-2027*

  • Anna Shiplee – President
  • Ellen Till – Vice President/President Elect
  • Colleen Asmus – Past President
  • Joan Seifert – Secretary
  • Louse Tolbert – Member-at-Large 2026-2028
  • Lisa Griswold – Member-at-Large 2026-2028
  • Pat Wentz – Member-at-Large 2026-2028 (Sunshine Committee)

*Current UWF REA members will have the opportunity to vote on the 2026-2027 proposed slate at the UWF REA Annual Meeting on May 7, 2026.

UWF REA Charter and Bylaws

UWF Retired Employees Association Charter

Adopted December 15, 2022

Article I – Name

The name of this organization shall be The University of West Florida Retired Employees Association.

The University of West Florida Retired Employees Association (UWF REA) is an entity within the Division of University Advancement of the University of West Florida (UWF).

Article II – Purpose

The purposes of the UWF REA are (1) to keep UWF retirees informed of opportunities for engagement with the University community, university benefits to which they are entitled, and other resources available to them; (2) to promote the fellowship and welfare of retired employees, (3) to support the educational, research, and service missions of the University of West Florida, and (4) to conduct other activities approved by the Board of Directors.

Article III – Membership

Membership status in the UWF REA is based on the nature of the affiliation with the University and on the level of annual contributions to the UWF REA account in the University of West Florida Foundation.

Membership designation based on Affiliation:

  • Retiree: All UWF retirees, by virtue of their retirement status, are regular members of the UWF REA.
  • Spouse: The spouse of a retiree, or the surviving spouse of a deceased employee may become a regular member of the UWF REA.
  • Associate Member: Interested individuals not eligible for regular membership may become associate members if approved by the Board of Directors. Associate Members are expected to make an annual contribution to the UWF REA foundation account.
  • Honorary Member: Individuals whom the UWF REA wishes to honor may be awarded honorary membership, if approved by the Board of Directors. Honorary Members are not expected to make an annual contribution to the UWF REA foundation account.

Membership designation based on level of annual contributions: There shall be at least three membership designations based on level of annual contributions to the UWF REA account in the UWF Foundation. The Board of Directors, in consultation with the Division of Advancement, may identify additional designations based on level of annual contributions.

  • Friend (no annual contributions)
  • Active Member (a minimum annual contribution as set by the Board of Directors)
  • Sustaining Member (a higher minimum annual contribution as set by the Board of Directors)

Membership Eligibility: The question of eligibility of an individual for any membership category shall be determined by the Membership Committee with notification to and approval of the Board of Directors.

Eligibility to Vote and Hold Office: All UWF retirees are eligible to vote and hold office in the UWF REA. Spouses and Associate Members who are Active Members or Sustaining Members are eligible to vote and hold office in the UWF REA.

Membership Dues: In lieu of dues, members make annual contributions to the UWF REA foundation account in support of the activities of the UWF REA. Minimum contribution levels associated with the Active Member and Sustaining Member designations shall be recommended by the Board of Directors to the Vice President for the Division of University Advancement.

Membership Year: Membership shall be on a fiscal year basis beginning July 1 of each year.

Article IV – Meetings of the Association

Annual Meeting: There shall be an annual meeting of the membership of the UWF REA each year, to be held in the spring at a time and place designated by the Board of Directors. Business matters shall be conducted when properly presented for action. The election of officers and board members from an approved slate shall be conducted at the annual meeting.

Special Meetings: Special meetings of the UWF REA may be called by the Board of Directors on its own initiative or by petition signed by at least one fourth of the Active and Sustaining Members of the UWF REA to consider matters stated in the petition.

Quorum: Ten percent of the Active and Sustaining Members shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the UWF REA.

Rules of Order: Robert’s Rules of Order shall be followed at all UWF REA and Board of Directors meetings.

Article V – Board of Directors

The Board of Directors shall consist of the officers and two additional elected at-large members of the UWF REA and shall be responsible for governing the UWF REA. Elected at-large Board of Directors members shall serve terms of two years and shall not be eligible to serve more than two consecutive terms.

Directors shall be elected by written ballot from a previously approved slate distributed to all eligible voting members at least one month prior to the annual meeting. Newly elected Directors shall assume their duties at the beginning of the fiscal year. A majority of the Board members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The Executive Committee shall fill by appointment any vacancy that may occur on the Board. The Board of Directors may be referred to as “the Board” in this document.

Article VI – Officers and Committees

Executive Committee: The officers of the UWF REA shall be known as the Executive Committee and be comprised of the President, Vice President/President Elect, Past President, Secretary and Treasurer. The President and Vice President/President Elect shall serve a term of one year in those offices respectively. The Secretary and Treasurer shall serve a term of two years. All officers will be elected from and by the members eligible to vote at the annual meeting. Newly elected officers shall assume their duties at the beginning of the fiscal year. The duties and responsibilities of the officers shall be as contained in the Bylaws

Committees: There shall be standing committees as provided in the Bylaws and such ad hoc committees as shall be determined by the Executive Committee or requested by the Board of Directors.

Article VII – Records

The records of the UWF REA shall be maintained by the Division of University Advancement.

Article VIII – Amendments

The Charter, Bylaws, and other official documents of the UWF REA may be amended either by (a) a two thirds majority vote of the eligible voting UWF REA members present at any membership meeting provided that notice has been given and ten percent or more of the Active and Sustaining Members are present or (b) by majority vote of the ballots returned from a written poll of the UWF REA’s eligible voting membership. Written notice of proposed amendments must be sent to the membership one month before the meeting at which they are to be acted upon. Should the Board decide to submit proposed amendments by mail ballot, a period of one month from the date of mailing must be allowed for receipt of valid ballots.

Article IX – Dissolution

Should it become necessary to dissolve the UWF REA, any assets held by the UWF REA outside of the University of West Florida Foundation are to be donated to the Foundation to enhance scholarship opportunities for UWF students.

UWF Retired Employees Association Bylaws

I.   Board of Directors and Officers

Board of Directors: The Board of Directors shall direct the activities of the UWF REA between meetings; formulate and recommend policies of the UWF REA; establish policies for expenditure of UWF REA funds; approve all standing committee appointments; negotiate with any group or organization in the interest of the UWF REA; perform such other duties as may properly pertain to the activities of the UWF REA or as provided in the Charter or Bylaws.

President: The President works closely with the Division of University Advancement to promote the purposes and activities of the UWF REA. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Board, Executive Committee, and the UWF REA; consult with the Executive Committee in the establishment of the agenda for meetings of the UWF REA and of the Board; appoint members of all committees; foster programs and activities to accomplish the purpose of the UWF REA and provide leadership for the Board; create necessary ad hoc or special committees and assign specific duties to Board members. The President becomes Past President in the year following serving as President.

Vice President/President Elect: The Vice President/President Elect becomes the President of the UWF REA in the second year of his/her term and Past President in the third year. He/she shall assume the responsibilities of the President in his/her absence; arrange for the writing, printing, and mailing of all UWF REA notices and correspondence; and with committee assistance coordinate and recommend to the Board arrangements for meetings and events.

Secretary: The Secretary, in cooperation with the Division of University Advancement, is responsible for recording and maintaining a permanent file of all records of the UWF REA and Board meetings; sending notices of all meetings to Directors, Executive Committee, and UWF REA members as appropriate; and keeping current membership listings with both home and e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers.

Treasurer: The Treasurer, in cooperation with the Division of University Advancement, shall manage the financial affairs of the UWF REA, including preparing an annual budget; keeping all fiscal records permanently and paying all bills; reporting on the status of membership dues paid; and providing a monthly financial report of UWF REA foundation account and bank account balances, receipts, and expenditures to Board.

II. Standing Committees

Executive Committee: The Executive Committee is composed of the officers of the UWF REA; does fact-finding and preliminary work for the Board and proposes policy(ies) for consideration by the Board.

Finance Committee: The Finance Committee shall be chaired by the Treasurer and shall assist that officer in preparing the annual budget and administering the funds of the UWF REA as provided by the Board. Members are appointed by the Board and shall serve two-year terms. The Chair shall regularly report the UWF REA’s financial status to the Board and the UWF REA.

Membership Committee: The Membership Committee shall be chaired by the Vice President/President Elect. In coordination with representatives from the Division of University Advancement, the committee shall develop and recommend to the Board membership recruitment plans and implement adopted plans as directed by the Executive Committee. The Chair shall regularly report membership status to the Board and the UWF REA.

Nominating Committee: The Nominating Committee shall be chaired by the immediate Past President and meet in advance of the Annual Meeting of the UWF REA. The Committee shall submit to the Board for approval a slate of candidates for open officer and Board positions. The slate must be published to the members at least one month prior to the Annual Meeting.

Sunshine Committee: The Sunshine Committee shall be chaired by one of the elected at-large members of the Board. Working in coordination with the Division of University Advancement, the Committee shall be responsible for sending messages of congratulation and/or care to UWF REA members experiencing significant life events. The Chair shall regularly report on activities to the Board and the UWF REA.

Ad Hoc Committees: The Board may appoint ad hoc committees to conduct UWF REA programs and events, or for the study of special problems. These committees shall report to the Board and shall serve at its pleasure.

III.    Amendments

Amendments are provided for in Article VIII of the UWF REA Charter.