Latest news with #PACA
Associated Press
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
DARYL WARD, PH.D., NAMED INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ASHLEY GIBSON BARNETT MUSEUM OF ART
LAKELAND, Fla., June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art (The AGB) at Florida Southern College is pleased to announce the appointment of Daryl Ward, Ph.D., as interim executive director, effective Thursday, June 26. A respected leader in the regional arts community, Ward brings decades of experience in education, nonprofit leadership, and arts advocacy to this transitional role. Ward will continue to serve as executive director of the Polk Arts & Cultural Alliance (PACA) — a position he has held for just over three years — while assuming interim oversight of The AGB. 'Dr. Ward's collaborative leadership and deep ties to the cultural fabric of Polk County make him an ideal steward for the Museum during this time,' said Dr. Jeremy Martin, president of Florida Southern College. 'We're grateful to Daryl for his willingness and PACA for its partnership as we continue to advance the Museum, the College and the arts in Lakeland, Polk County and beyond.' Ward's appointment comes at a time of strong momentum for The AGB, following the successful opening of its expansion and the debut of the current Frank Lloyd Wright & the College of Tomorrow exhibition. The Museum continues to offer a robust slate of youth and adult programming and is actively preparing for an exciting lineup of exhibitions in 2026 and beyond. Among these is LIFE: Six Women Photographers, which will spotlight the work of six pioneering women who contributed to LIFE Magazine between the 1930s and 1970s, capturing powerful stories that shaped the cultural and political landscape of the 20th century. 'The work that Dr. Kerr and Dr. Rich have done to elevate the status and significance of The AGB is extraordinary. I'm grateful to be able to contribute even a small amount to the legacy of this amazing art institution,' said Ward. This shared-leadership arrangement allows Ward to continue directing PACA's current initiatives — the ACI grants, the arts and culture economic impact study, the Art in Public Spaces program and the annual Hall of Fame Gala, scheduled for Oct. 14 — while also guiding The AGB through its leadership transition. During this time, he will maintain strategic leadership of PACA, with daily operations delegated to the organization's newly hired Arts Program and Marketing Coordinator. 'Dr. Ward is not only a champion of our local art organizations and artists through his leadership of PACA, but he is also dedicated to promoting the extraordinary value the arts contribute to our economy, our education system and our quality of life in Polk County. The AGB will continue to thrive as our premier arts institution under his interim leadership,' said Sara Roberts McCarley, PACA board member and Lakeland City Commissioner. Ward began his career in public education, working for 32 years in Polk County Public Schools, including seven years as principal of Harrison School for the Arts. After retiring in 2020, he held a brief post at Southeastern University before stepping into the executive director position at PACA. He also serves as an adjunct professor in the education department at Florida Southern College and is an accomplished photographer. 'I'm humbled that Dr. Martin and The AGB board of trustees would consider me to assist them during this transitional phase. I'm grateful for the relationship between PACA and The AGB, and I believe this arrangement — albeit temporary — will strengthen that relationship. I also appreciate the support of the PACA board of directors for recognizing the importance of collaborating with our local arts and culture institutions,' Ward added. A national search for The AGB's next permanent executive director will begin this summer. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Florida Southern College
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
DARYL WARD, PH.D., NAMED INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ASHLEY GIBSON BARNETT MUSEUM OF ART
LAKELAND, Fla., June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art (The AGB) at Florida Southern College is pleased to announce the appointment of Daryl Ward, Ph.D., as interim executive director, effective Thursday, June 26. A respected leader in the regional arts community, Ward brings decades of experience in education, nonprofit leadership, and arts advocacy to this transitional role. Ward will continue to serve as executive director of the Polk Arts & Cultural Alliance (PACA) — a position he has held for just over three years — while assuming interim oversight of The AGB. "Dr. Ward's collaborative leadership and deep ties to the cultural fabric of Polk County make him an ideal steward for the Museum during this time," said Dr. Jeremy Martin, president of Florida Southern College. "We're grateful to Daryl for his willingness and PACA for its partnership as we continue to advance the Museum, the College and the arts in Lakeland, Polk County and beyond." Ward's appointment comes at a time of strong momentum for The AGB, following the successful opening of its expansion and the debut of the current Frank Lloyd Wright & the College of Tomorrow exhibition. The Museum continues to offer a robust slate of youth and adult programming and is actively preparing for an exciting lineup of exhibitions in 2026 and beyond. Among these is LIFE: Six Women Photographers, which will spotlight the work of six pioneering women who contributed to LIFE Magazine between the 1930s and 1970s, capturing powerful stories that shaped the cultural and political landscape of the 20th century. "The work that Dr. Kerr and Dr. Rich have done to elevate the status and significance of The AGB is extraordinary. I'm grateful to be able to contribute even a small amount to the legacy of this amazing art institution," said Ward. This shared-leadership arrangement allows Ward to continue directing PACA's current initiatives — the ACI grants, the arts and culture economic impact study, the Art in Public Spaces program and the annual Hall of Fame Gala, scheduled for Oct. 14 — while also guiding The AGB through its leadership transition. During this time, he will maintain strategic leadership of PACA, with daily operations delegated to the organization's newly hired Arts Program and Marketing Coordinator. "Dr. Ward is not only a champion of our local art organizations and artists through his leadership of PACA, but he is also dedicated to promoting the extraordinary value the arts contribute to our economy, our education system and our quality of life in Polk County. The AGB will continue to thrive as our premier arts institution under his interim leadership," said Sara Roberts McCarley, PACA board member and Lakeland City Commissioner. Ward began his career in public education, working for 32 years in Polk County Public Schools, including seven years as principal of Harrison School for the Arts. After retiring in 2020, he held a brief post at Southeastern University before stepping into the executive director position at PACA. He also serves as an adjunct professor in the education department at Florida Southern College and is an accomplished photographer. "I'm humbled that Dr. Martin and The AGB board of trustees would consider me to assist them during this transitional phase. I'm grateful for the relationship between PACA and The AGB, and I believe this arrangement — albeit temporary — will strengthen that relationship. I also appreciate the support of the PACA board of directors for recognizing the importance of collaborating with our local arts and culture institutions," Ward added. A national search for The AGB's next permanent executive director will begin this summer. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Florida Southern College Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Yahoo
'Reborn Christian Man': School headmaster resigns after hiring registered sex offender
The headmaster of Park Avenue Christian Academy (PACA), in Titusville, has resigned, Channel 9 learned on Wednesday. Dr. Brian McKinney, who is still listed on the institution's website as the current headmaster, left his position days after the Council and Park Avenue Baptist Church Elders learned he had hired a registered sex offender to work on school grounds, a spokesperson for PACA told Channel 9. The school confirmed Mr. Colby R. Ammons, 41, was hired by the school as a contractor in June of 2024, and paid regularly each month to do maintenance work on the football field, a PACA statement stated. 'I had personally seen him in the car line, and he was on the playground, and children were present on the playground,' a mother who spoke exclusively with Channel 9, without identifying herself. Ammons is a registered sex offender in both the national and Florida sex offender registry. In 2007, he was arrested after engaging in sexual conversations with a police officer who was posing as a 14-year-old. Channel 9 obtained the incident report detailing that conversation. In 2008, Ammons, who's also a military veteran, took a plea deal and was sentenced to 60 months of probation. Another parent, who also wanted to remain anonymous to prevent any retaliation from the school and avoid exposing her child, said she knows the Mr. Ammons, and even confronted Brian McKinney, about it. 'He [Dr. McKinney] said, 'I mean, come on, it's not even that big of an age difference,' the mother told exclusively Channel 9. 'He said, 'I sat down to listen to his story. He is a reborn Christian man.' Ammons does not have legal restrictions to work or live near children, since his probation is now over. Orlando Defense Attorney Mark Nejame looked through all the background of this case and explained that the school should still ensure who they have working on campus, regardless of if it's an employee or a contractor. 'The school assumes the risk. If in fact they knew about it and they didn't tell the parents about it, parents had no choice on what to do with their child or children that were in the school, the private school,' Nejame said. 'If, heaven forbid, that something happened to any of those children, the school should and would face great liability because they were put on notice and they failed to notify the parents.' In a statement, PACA confirmed they learned about the case back in March of 2025, and said they 'Were not aware of any violation of law or circumstances where the welfare of a student was even compromised at the academy,' the statement read. 'I told him [Dr. McKinney] my concern was not anymore about the sex offender, it was the fact that he hired him knowing a story and brought him into a school and has been doing this for the past six years,' the parent who met with the headmaster said. The school, however, only confirmed that Mr. Ammons was working here since 2024 and was regularly paid monthly as a contractor. The headmaster who hired him resigned just days after the incident came to light. Channel 9 asked the spokesperson if a background check was done prior to Mr. Ammons' start date at Park Avenue Christian Academy, and if he had been hired directly as an independent contractor or through a third party. Over the phone, the spokesperson said 'we cannot address the other questions beyond the statement we previously shared. The Academy is focused on moving forward with its school community at this time.' Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Yahoo
Registered sex offender hired to work at Titusville private school
Parents in Brevard County are demanding answers after they learned a registered sex offender had been working at their school for almost a year. The incident was reported at the Park Avenue Christian Academy (PACA), a private Baptist Church on Park Avenue. 'It was a very serious situation,' said a mother anonymously who spoke exclusively with Channel 9. 'I think it should still be handled very seriously.' 41-year-old Colby Ammons, from Merritt Island, is registered in the National Sex Offender Registry and in the State of Florida. Court documents show Ammons was trying to meet up with a police officer posing as a 14-year-old back in 2007 in Polk County. In 2008, the judge in his case ordered Ammons to follow all sex offender restrictions, which meant he could not be within 1000 feet of any place where kids congregate. 'I had personally seen him in the car line, and he was on the playground, and children were present on the playground,' the mother said. 'Everyone should be background checked. I understand that he was hired as a contractor, but contractors should also be checked.' Park Avenue Christian Academy teaches children from VPK through 8th grade. The mother, who has now pulled her son from the school and is transferring him to another institution, found out about the incident through a parent group chat. 'It took, actually, a social media post being shared all across Facebook for me to really realize what happened,' the woman recalled. Channel 9 reached out to the school on Tuesday, and questioned about the incident. PACA responded with the statement below: At Park Avenue Christian Academy, ensuring a safe, secure school environment for all our students, families and staff is our top priority. Recently, on March 31, we informed families of a situation involving a contractor performing outdoor field work at the school and the immediate action taken to resolve this matter, including no longer allowing the contractor to perform work on the outdoor field. To be clear, we are not aware of any circumstances where the welfare or safety of a student was ever compromised at the Academy. We have communicated directly with all our families about this matter and continue to act in the best interests of all those we serve, with their safety and well-being always at the forefront. The former headmaster hired this contractor in June 2024 to perform outdoor fieldwork. The Council and Elders were first informed about the contractor on March 22, 2025. The Council and Elders took immediate action, including an investigation and consultation with legal counsel, and the contractor was asked to stop providing services at the same time. The contractor was never an employee of the Academy. Although the Council and Elders disagree with the headmaster's unilateral decision to allow this individual to perform field maintenance services, we also recognize that the contractor had no restrictions from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement as to where he could live, travel, or work. The claim that the Academy's use of this contractor for field maintenance services violated Florida law is not true. Channel 9 has also reached out to Titusville Police Department, and they informed that, in the last five years, there were no criminal reports made from 2600 Park Avenue, the school address., Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lancaster County produce company accused of not paying vendors on time
LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) — A central Pennsylvania produce company is accused of not paying sellers on time. Hurst Produce and Flowers Corp. in Ephrata, Lancaster County, allegedly did not make payment promptly to nine produce sellers from September 2022 through November 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now USDA filed an administrative complaint against the company, accusing them of not paying $296,668. A hearing can be requested by Hurst Produce and Flowers Corp. According to the USDA, if the allegations of the company 'committing repeated and flagrant violations' are found, it will be barred for three years from the produce industry as a licensee, or two years with a USDA-approved surety bond. U.S. Customs seizes nearly $30,000 of counterfeit skin creams in Pennsylvania The company's principals can not be employed by or affiliated with any Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) licensee for two years or one year, also with a USDA-approved surety bond. In 1977, the company started as a stand in Ephrata, and shortly began selling to retailers. The company was acquired in 2013 by Mike Fryberger. 'We source produce direct from all domestic shipping points as well as a network of local growers,' according to Hurst Produce's website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Sign in to access your portfolio
