Teresa Jacobs

Teresa Jacobs (born April 6, 1958 in Baltimore, Maryland) is an American politician serving since 2018 as the Chair of Orange County Public School Board.^[4] Jacobs previously served as Mayor of Orange County from 2011 until taking office as school board chair in November 2018, also having represented district 1 on the Orange County Board of County Commissioners from 2000 to 2008.

Teresa Jacobs
Chair of the Orange County Public School Board
Incumbent
Assumed office November 19, 2018
Preceded by	Bill Sublette
4th Mayor of Orange County
In office January 4, 2011 – November 19, 2018
Preceded by	Richard Crotty
Succeeded by	Jerry Demings
Member of the Orange County Commission from the 1st district
In office January 3, 2001 – January 3, 2009
Preceded by	Bob Freeman[1]
Succeeded by	Scott Boyd[2]
Personal details
Born	(1958-04-06) April 6, 1958 (age 67) [3] Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Bruce Jacobs
Residence	Orange County, Florida
Alma mater	Florida State University

Early life, education, and family

Jacobs was raised in Miami and Jupiter, Florida. She is a graduate of Florida State University, graduating cum laude with a degree in economics.

Early business career

Jacobs moved to Atlanta, Georgia, in 1981. She was Assistant Vice President of National Bank of Georgia, Atlanta from 1981 to 1989.^{[5][better source needed]}

Political career

Jacobs represented District 1 on the Board of County Commissioners, which encompasses southwest Orange County from Winter Garden to Hunter's Creek. She was elected in 2000, re-elected in 2004, and stepped down in 2008 due to term limits. Jacobs was credited with championing new ethics rules for county elected officials, and successfully strengthening local laws to prevent school overcrowding.^{[citation needed]} She was elected President of the Florida Association of Counties in 2007.^[5]

2010 Orange County Mayor campaign

Jacobs announced that she planned to run for Mayor of Orange County in 2010. She was the last candidate to enter the race. She was opposed by Bill Segal, Linda Stewart, and Matthew Falconer. On August 24, 2010, Stewart (19%) and Falconer (15%) were eliminated in the primary election. Jacobs (42%) and Segal (22%) both advanced to the general election in a run-off. In the general election on November 2, 2010, Jacobs resoundingly defeated Segal, 68% - 32%, despite being out fund raised 2-1.^[6]

2014 Orange County Mayor campaign

Despite Val Demings having been in the race early on, she dropped out leaving Jacobs winning the election unopposed.^{[citation needed]}

Electoral history

Orange County Commission District 1 2000

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Teresa Jacobs	11,554	68
	Republican	Bob Freeman (incumbent)	4,610	27
	Republican	Mike McEvers	826	4
Total votes			16,990	100

Orange County Commission District 1 2004

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Teresa Jacobs (Unopposed)	N/A	N/A

Orange County Mayor 2010

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Teresa Jacobs	164,207	68
	Democratic	Bill Segal	78,476	32
Total votes			243,683	100

Orange County Mayor 2014

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Teresa Jacobs (Unopposed)	N/A	N/A

Current or Previous State and Regional Boards

• President, Florida Association of Counties (FAC)
• Chair, East Central Florida Regional Planning Council (ECFRPC)
• Member, Central Florida MPO Alliance, Member
• Chair, Central Florida Smart Growth Alliance (CFSGA)
• Member, MetroPlan Orlando Board
• Gubernatorial Appointee, Wekiva River Basin Commission
• Member, Myregion.org Executive Board of Directors
• Member, Florida Transportation Plan Steering Committee
• International Drive Master Transit and Improvement District Governing Board, Chair Person
• Lynx Board of Directors
• Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority, Board of Directors
• Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority, Finance Committee
• Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA), Board of Directors
• Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission (Sunrail), Vice Chairman
• Visit Orlando Board, Ex-Officio Director
• County Executives of America, Board of Directors
• Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida
• Tourism Development Council (TDC), Chairman
• Central Florida Regional Commission on Homelessness, Co-Chair
• Congress of Regional Leaders, Member
• MyRegion.Org, Executive Board of Directors
• St. John's River Alliance

See also

• Central Florida