Candidate for South Walton Fire District Commissioner, Seat 4
Jim Jaquess and his family have been residents of South Walton for more than twenty years. They are members of the Chapel at Crosspoint Church in Santa Rosa Beach and have been involved in various South Walton volunteer activities for many years.
Jim has served the community in a number of capacities, including as a member of the Walton County Sheriff’s Posse and has served on numerous boards over a span of forty+ years. Several years ago, Jim was appointed by the BCC to the Walton County Zoning Board of Adjustment and is currently a member of the Planning Commission which makes recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners on major development applications as well as amendments to the Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code.
He states that he is not running to be an EMT or a fire-fighter, SWFD has many well qualified experts in that arena. However, he would bring his management and board experiences to the table in order to strengthen the organization by conservative budgeting, increasing compensation for district employees while lowering SWFD taxes through innovative revenue generation and providing direction in regard to overall management of the district.
As a member of the Northwest Florida State College Institute of Senior Professionals, Jim was instrumental in conducting a review of the Destin Fire Department, publishing a report providing recommendations for improvement. SWFD was used as a model for the report, which included reviews of similar size fire districts.
During his professional career in electric power generation, he was tasked with the development and implementation of fire protection programs to minimize risk and assure regulatory compliance at local, state, and federal levels. He has conducted root cause evaluations of oil and natural gas pipeline failures on an international basis.
Jim’s youngest daughter graduated from Freeport High (prior to the existence of South Walton High School). His wife retired from full time teaching, but has served as a substitute teacher at South Walton High. Both daughters (Regina and Renee) are elite level athletes who serve on various boards within the United States Olympic Committee while owning/operating Emerald Coast Compounding Pharmacy in Santa Rosa Beach.
The Jaquess family has a long history of military service. Jim’s father served in the Philippine Islands during WW2 where he was awarded the Silver Star, Purple Heart and three Bronze Stars. Jim’s grandfather retired as a USAF colonel who served during WW1, WW2 and the Korean war. He was awarded the Air Force Legion of Merit for his service in Europe. Jim is a member of the Emerald Coast Chapter of Sons of the American Revolution.
Jim has been a Board Member of the Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center, NW Florida State College – Institute of Senior Professionals, Walton County Taxpayers Association, University of Southern Indiana Alumni Association and USA Water Ski (USOC). He is recognized as a Kentucky Colonel and Notable Alumnus of the University of Southern Indiana.
He holds a Juris Doctorate from Georgia State University, MBA from Indiana State University, and BS from University of Southern Indiana.
