Special Edition Leadership Newsletter

Regional Counsel, Second District – Ita M. Neymotin
Favorite quote: “Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear.”
Favorite TV Show: Star Trek – Original Series
Ohio State Buckeyes Fan.
Fun Fact: I translated and revised three books from Russian to English. The books were written by my grandfather Yosef Neymotin titled, “The Story of My Life”, my grandmother Tziva Neymotin titled “Unveiling the Whispers from Behind The Iron Curtain”, and my father Dr. Evsey Neymotin titled “Hunted by the Hammer & Sickle.” These books outlined their tribulations and their triumphs during the oppression of the former Soviet Union.

Administrative Director – Diana Golden
Former Judicial Assistant – Twentieth Judicial Circuit– 17 years
A former member of ‘Just Horsing Around’ equestrian drill team, I compete in dressage, a grandmother of six, and a State finalist in Volleyball in Lee Middle School.
Favorite quote: “A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.”

Investigation Chief – Christopher Nelson
I was a Police Officer, Deputy Sheriff and Detective in Florida; A Drug Enforcement Agent in Oklahoma City who was deployed to provide security at the site of the Murrah Federal Building bombing site in Oklahoma City on 4/19/95 as a state officer.

I.T. Chief – Clay Oberhausen
I am building my own Ponderosa & I am a hard and true Miami Dolphins Fan

Supply & Inventory Chief – Joshua Johansen
During my 21 yr career as a US Navy Submarine sailor, I once saved 145 lives and the ship by initiating the Emergency Surfacing system during the 2005 USS San Francisco grounding incident.
I once re-enlisted into the US Navy while in diving gear in 65ft of water standing on top of the Tokai Maru and signing the reenlistment contract in grease pencil.
I once drove from San Diego CA, to Norfolk VA in 46 hours.
Bad things happen when left unmonitored with Walt Otto (please see Walt Otto’s response).

Homicide Chief – Byron Hileman
I was a boxer in college. I once tried out in the Pan Am Olympic tryouts for boxing.

Homicide Managing Attorney – Christopher Boldt
I am the son of a professional jazz saxophone player. My father graduated from a classical music conservatory (the University of Minnesota) in 1930. He wanted me to follow in his footsteps, and I have been playing the sax since I was six years old. Yes, that means I began playing the saxophone in 1969. Dinosaurs roamed the earth.

Circuit Chief – Robert Hines
When Bob was asked about his presence on social media his only comment was “I googled myself and found nothing”

Managing Attorney Criminal Division – Zachary Miller
Country Fiddler & “Adheres to the Way of the Spreadsheet”

Managing Attorney Dependency Division – Rose Lee
I ran half a marathon in a tutu at Disney & my favorite show is ‘The Office’

Managing Attorney Criminal Division – Patrick Finnegan
Pitcher for Saint Catherine’s ‘The Patriots’ in Kentucky

Training Supervisor Attorney – John Humpreville
I enjoy fishing in my free time and watching Alabama football.

Circuit Chief Criminal Division – Scott Swartz
Huge Tampa Bay Lightning Fan and big movie buff

Circuit Chief Dependency Division – Johnathan Jenkins
I’m a total nerd that loves anime (Japanese cartoons), superhero everything, and Star Wars.

Managing Attorney Criminal Division – Richard Smith
I had really long hair in college, and no one will ever let me live it down.

Managing Attorney Dependency Division – Adriannette Williams
Former Assistant Director of The Florida Bar Henry Latimer Center for Professionalism
My favorite dessert is banana pudding

Training Supervisor Attorney – Pavlina Petrova
By now, you all know that I am an immigrant.
My hobby is gardening. After I learned to grow new plants from clippings, I have been comparing a clipping to an immigrant: some adopt, grow roots, and flourish fast and very good, some others, not so good, while still others, never make roots.
I think we did good: myself and the Angel Trumpet (pictured below). Look also at Ms. Neymotin! Isn’t she proof of my belief.

Circuit Chief – Mark Brewer
Member of the War Crimes Center in Kuwait in 1991, Father of an Eagle Scout, Graduate of the Citadel, Military College, Assistant General Counsel – Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), & Legal Advisor of Lake County Sherriff’s Department

Managing Attorney Criminal Division – Andrew Cummer
I played on the varsity tennis team at Sarasota High School.
‘Peace thru music. Gators growl, owls hoot, hawks screech, deer eat everything we plant. Sure beats neighbors.’

Managing Attorney Dependency Division – Daphney Branham
Although I am deathly afraid of heights, I am always looking for the tallest and fastest roller coasters to go on at amusement parks. The faster and higher the better but the first time I ride, I’ll keep my eyes closed the whole time. I love fishing but I never had sea legs so always got sick if the water was too rough. We went on a charter fishing trip for groupers one time and I was sick the whole time. The limit was 1 per person but if no one else was catching fish they would allow you to catch 2 and you can decide which to keep. I was the only female on the boat. I caught my two groupers while the men were still trying to get a bite then went inside the cabin and laid down the rest of the trip. That was the quickest time I ever caught 2 groupers.

Circuit Chief – Walt Otto
1) Best guitar player in the agency.
2) Has the quickest car in the agency.
3) Should never be left unsupervised with Josh Johansen (please see Joshua Johansen’s response).
4) Member of the Inns of Court

Managing Attorney – Eve Greenberg
Graduated from Mars High School, a Pennsylvania farming community. Though raised in Amish paradise I have lived and practiced law in Bartow, Florida since 2007. Now, growing and canning my own vegetables.

Office Manager – Kim Kitka
1. I have three children that all start with the letter “T” and I always call them by wrong name. Also, my little one wasn’t really planned so I panicked and had to come up with another “T” name.
2. My family and friends say I am very clumsy and loud but I tell them it is because I have no hearing in my right ear. (which I really don’t). I try to read peoples lips when they are talking to me.

Circuit Chief – Ngozi Acholonu
For a friend, I stopped a taxiing plane.

Managing Attorney – Laguerra Champagne
1. Cooking is my stress reliever. When I’m stressed, I will cook enough food to feed an army. . . to include desserts!
2. I swim like a rock!