During the District Board of Trustees (DBOT) Special Meeting, held on May 2, 2025, two new Hernando Country trustees were welcomed to the board, Gene Bell and Kirk Wilson. Additionally, during the DBOT Regular Meeting, held on May 20, 2025, the board welcomed the reinstatement of trustee Jeffrey Harrington, Ph.D., representing Pasco County, since his departure from the board in May 2024.
Bell was one of two trustees appointed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to attend his first meeting on May 2, 2025. Bell received an honorable discharge from the Vietnam War in August 1971, and shortly after, joined his in-laws’ insurance business, Snow & Bell, Inc., where he has served as the president since 1983. Bell is a dedicated supporter of Pasco-Hernando State College, having been a member of the college's first class to begin studies in 1972.
Wilson was the second trustee to be appointed by Governor DeSantis, with his first meeting on May 2, 2025. Wilson moved from Ohio to Brooksville, Fla. in 1984, starting out in the Automotive Industry before establishing his first vending business across Pasco, Hernando, Citrus and Marion counties. After selling the vending business in 2001, outdoor power equipment became a viable next step. From 2003 until present, Wilson has been involved in that industry, and currently sits as a managing partner at Green Acres Outdoor Power Equipment.
Harrington rejoined the trustees on May 20, 2025, after being reinstated to the board by Governor DeSantis. Harrington initially departed from the board in May 2024 after serving the college since 2017. Harrington retired from being the Chief Deputy Sheriff at the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office in May 2024. Previously, he was the Chief of Police at the New Port Richey Police Department and served on the board of the Tampa Bay Area Chiefs of Police Association.
These new members join current DBOT members: Chair Marilyn Pearson-Adams, Vice Chair Nicole Newlon, J.D., John Mitten, John Allocco Jr., Gino Collura, Ph.D., and Student Representative Krista Knowles. The trustees serve to establish board rules and policies for the operation of the college and oversee its governance in accordance with Florida Statutes and Rules of the State Board of Education.