PROGRAM OF EVENTS

5:30 PM

Doors Open

6:00 PM

Welcome & Acknowledgements

6:05 PM

Helene & Milton Remembrance

6:15 PM

Panel Discussions

Moderated by Ellen Gustafson, We the Veterans & Military Families

Craig Latimer, Hillsborough County Elections

Scott Farrington, Manatee County Elections

Adam Pedzich, Pinellas County Emergency management

7:20 PM

Open Q&A

7:45 PM

Vet the Vote Spotlight

7:55 PM

Closing Remarks

ELLEN GUSTAFSON

Ellen is a proud Navy spouse and Navy and Coast Guard granddaughter. She co-founded We the Veterans & Military Families and organizes the Vet the Vote Coalition. She also co-founded the Military Family Building Coalition. Earlier in her career, she co-founded FEED and Food Tank, co-directed the Summit Institute, and worked with the Council on Foreign Relations, the United Nations World Food Program and ABC News. She is the author of “We the Eaters” and has delivered four TEDx Talks.

Co-Founder & Executive Director, WTVMF
Navy Spouse

CRAIG LATIMER

Craig Latimer was elected Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections in November 2012 and is serving his fourth term. Before working in elections, he spent 35 years in law enforcement, retiring as a Major from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in 2008. He is the first Supervisor of Elections to earn the Governor’s Sterling Award, served as president of Florida’s statewide association of elections officials in 2020, and currently serves on the Committee for Safe and Secure Elections. His vision is to make Hillsborough County the best place in America to vote.

Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections

SCOTT FARRINGTON

Manatee County Supervisor of Elections

Scott Farrington was elected Supervisor of Elections in 2024. Since 2013, he has served in Manatee County election administration, including as Chief of Staff and Assistant Supervisor of Elections. For the decade before that, he served in similar roles in the Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections office. Across 21 years in election administration, he has administered more than 75 federal, state and local elections in the region.

ADAM PEDZICH

Response & Recovery Manager, Pinellas County Emergency Management

Adam Pedzich leads Pinellas County’s response and recovery initiatives and serves as Operations Section Chief during Emergency Operations Center activations. He has supported multiple major hurricane responses, including Ian, Idalia, Helene and Milton. Before local emergency management, Adam served 22 years in the U.S. Coast Guard, retiring in 2018 after a career that included command and major disaster-response assignments.