FSA Dedicates New Headquarters

With a Nod to the Past, the Florida Sheriffs Association
Dedicates New Headquarters to Usher in the Future

See the photo gallery from dedication day

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May 3, 2011, Tallahassee, FL – Today, the Florida Sheriffs Association, Sheriffs, community leaders, staff, law enforcement partners and FSA members celebrated the completion of the newly-named Perkins-Phillips Building. The headquarters is named for Gary Perkins and Buddy Phillips, past executive directors who played integral roles in making the Florida Sheriffs Association as strong, effective and far-reaching as they are today.

“We are so pleased to be able to turn a tragic fire into a rebirth for our organization and for Florida’s Sheriffs, says FSA Executive Director Steve Casey." With this new building, we can best serve Florida as one of the oldest and largest law enforcement associations in the nation." He says the addition of a new state-of-the-art Training Center housed within the headquarters building has already played a significant role in the state’s law enforcement efforts as the site for a multi-agency, month-long planning of Governor Scott’s inauguration. “We know all of those before us would stand here proud to watch as we serve this great State with our partners in law enforcement.”

The Florida Sheriffs Association (FSA) suffered a tragic loss on April 15, 2008 when a fire burned the original headquarters to the ground. Although the cause of the fire could not be determined, firefighters believe it was caused by an electrical appliance in the break room, thankfully during off hours, so there were no injuries.

After deciding to build their future home in the same location, FSA hired architects Clemons Rutherford & Associates and Ajax Building Corporation to design and build their future campus. Ground-breaking took place in October of 2009.

“It has been a tremendous honor for our team to work alongside the Florida Sheriffs Association on building their new home and renovating their old facility,” says Ajax Vice President Jay Smith. The two-story 17,000 square foot building features extensive wood paneling throughout most of the facility, a high tech glass handrail stair and balcony, and a conference room overlooking the main lobby that is enclosed in both glass and wood. The building also houses the 2,000 square foot Sheriff John E. Polk Training Center, which can be divided into up to three individual classrooms.

Speakers at the dedication ceremony included FSA President Harrell Reid, FSA Past-Presidents Sheriff William “Bill” Farmer Jr. of Sumter County, Sheriff Joey B. Dobson of Baker County, Sheriff Jerry Whitehead of Union County, plus President of Clemons, Rutherford & Associates Bill Rutherford and Ajax Vice President Jay Smith. In addition, Warren Halstrom, a local singer and songwriter, sang the National Anthem, “God Bless America,” to a large crowd from across the state.

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The Florida Sheriffs Association is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 corporation made up of the Sheriffs of Florida, approximately 3,500 business leaders and 70,000 citizens throughout the state. Founded in 1893, FSA has quietly served the citizens of Florida by supporting the needs of the state's law enforcement community. Through the Florida Sheriffs Association, Sheriffs are given a forum to address lawmakers to push for positive changes in Florida’s public safety arena. FSA also provides Sheriffs' Offices much-needed programs such as affordable training, special task forces and legislative and legal services. Dedicated to the prevention of juvenile delinquency and the development of lawful, productive citizens, FSA has established and funded the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches with facilities throughout the state to help restore hope, fulfill dreams, and prepare boys and girls for the future. It has grown to be one of the largest and most successful state law enforcement associations in the nation. For more information on the Florida Sheriffs Association, visit www.flsheriffs.org.

For more information:
Nanette Schimpf, APR
Moore Consulting Group
850-224-0174 work or 850-528-2639 cell