Julie earned her master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science, contributing to her passion for working with clients to secure funding to make their visions and plans come alive. She has an extensive background in long-term disaster recovery and redevelopment following major storms, specializing in affordable housing, economic development, and community resilience. Before 2019, Julie served as the Director of Community Development for the State of Florida leading community planning and state and federal grant programs statewide including crucial CDBG-DR recovery dollars in the wake of Hurricanes Hermine, Matthew, and Irma. Her insights on long-term recovery were captured in a podcast recorded by the American Planning Association. She has served on the Florida Housing Finance Corporation Board of Directors and is currently serving on the Florida Workforce Development Association Board. In addition, she serves as an Economic Development Coordinator for the Wakulla Economic Development Council.
In 2022, Julie was featured in Florida Politics for her work in grant development and management, and in 2023 she was recognized by City & State and the News Service of Florida as a trailblazer that goes above and beyond for the State of Florida. Julie has spent years designing and directing a wide variety of federal and state grant programs and knows the best positioning and organization to receive and manage federal dollars. Julie lives with her husband in Wakulla County at Shady Hammock Farm with her menagerie of animals and is a Level 2 Cowboy Mounted Shooter.
