ORLANDO, Fla. – The Board of Directors of Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida (BGCCF) has announced the appointment of its new President & CEO, Jamie Merrill.
Merrill is an expert in operations management. A resident of Lake County, Merrill has spent the last 16 years in positions of increasing responsibility in the senior living and health care industries, culminating in the position of Chief Operating Officer of Sonata Senior Living in Orlando. Previously, she served as Senior Vice President of Operations for Brookdale Senior Living, directing the operations for 72 senior living communities across Florida. Merrill serves on several local and national boards, including Florida Senior Living Association, The University of Central Florida Senior Living and Hospitality and Argentum Women in Leadership, and was awarded the 2022 McKnight’s Woman of Distinction. A graduate of Wayne State University, Merrill and her husband Blake are parents of two children.
“Jamie is a visionary leader with a heart for service and developing others,” said Lisa Mihelich, Chair of BGCCF. “She has the clear-eyed vision and experience-forged wisdom necessary to help build on the tremendous strengths of our organization, and our staff’s outstanding track record enriching the lives and prospects of underserved children.”
Brock Nicholas, a BGCCF board member and past chair who led the search committee, said, “Jamie’s management and communication skills will attract and retain top talent in a competitive environment. Her operational expertise will ensure delivery of enriching programming and growth to the children in our community. The search committee is enormously confident in the strength of leadership, and future of our organization, with Jamie’s appointment as CEO.”
As CEO, Merrill will lead Florida’s largest Boys & Girls Club organization. Currently, BGCCF operates 40 Club sites in 6 counties—Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake, Brevard and Nassau. Last year, the organization served more than 11,000 children, offering them academic support, extracurricular enrichment and positive adult role models during the non-school hours. The Clubs are located in neighborhoods that rank, on average, at the 80th percentile for household poverty, nationally.
“My personal and professional life has always encompassed serving others, from youth to seniors,” says Merrill. “I am excited to join BGCCF and eager to serve beside such a dedicated team, who is focused on the critical mission of developing our future generations while reaching forward for new opportunities to broaden our impact.”
As CEO, Merrill will follow BGCCF’s longtime leader, Gary Cain, who served in the role for 29 years. Cain will remain with the organization in an emeritus role, focusing on special projects.
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — Florida State Representative Rita Harris has secured reelection to the Florida House after no opposition qualified to challenge her in District 44 during the state’s candidate qualifying period.
Harris, a Democrat representing House District 44, will return to Tallahassee for another term after neither a Republican, third-party nor write-in candidate entered the race.
Her uncontested reelection reflects continued support within the district and allows her campaign to shift its focus toward supporting Democratic candidates and legislative priorities ahead of the 2027 Legislative Session.
House District 44 includes portions of west Orange County and surrounding communities in Central Florida.
Florida’s General Election is scheduled for Nov. 3, 2026.
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — U.S. Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost secured an easy path to a third term representing Florida’s 10th Congressional District after no Democratic, Republican or write-in challengers qualified before the close of Florida’s candidate qualifying period Friday.
“I’m proud that the people of Central Florida continue to put their trust in me, and I don’t take that for granted,” Frost said. “Over the last term, we’ve delivered real results, and now it’s time to build on that.”
Campaign Focuses on Down-Ballot Races
Despite facing no major-party opposition, Frost said his campaign is expanding its political operation to help Democrats compete across Central Florida.
“We’re focused on electing Democrats up and down the ballot.”
The campaign has recruited 87 fellows this summer as part of its year-round organizing program for young people ages 16 to 24. Campaign officials said participants will engage in door-to-door canvassing, phone banking and voter outreach efforts while supporting Democratic candidates throughout the region.
According to the campaign, more than 162 fellows have participated in the program, helping contact more than 157,000 voters during the current election cycle.
Historic Member of Congress
Frost made history in 2022 as the first member of Generation Z elected to Congress. He represents Florida’s 10th Congressional District, which includes much of Orlando and surrounding portions of Orange County.
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — Florida State Representative Bruce Antone has won reelection to the Florida House after qualifying for the 2026 election cycle without opposition.
Antone, who represents portions of Orange County, remains the longest-serving Democratic state lawmaker in Orange County and one of the most senior members of Florida’s Democratic legislative delegation.
Following his reelection, Antone thanked supporters in a statement posted on Facebook.
“Today, I was reelected to the Florida House of Representatives. I didn’t have any opposition. Thank you to everyone who has supported me during my time and tenure in the Florida House of Representatives,” Antone wrote.
Under Florida election law, candidates who qualify for office without opposition are automatically elected and do not appear on the ballot.
Antone will begin another term in the Florida House as lawmakers prepare for the 2027 Legislative Session in Tallahassee.