Staff

	Beth Boone Executive Assistant to the President bboone@ufl.edu	Beth Boone works closely with the president and his cabinet and various organizations within and outside UF. She also schedules and coordinates his meetings and travel throughout the year. Additionally, she is responsible for the seamless operation of the president’s office, including budget, staff supervision and student interns. Ms. Boone came to the office in January 2005 from the UF Department of Physics, where she spent eight years, most recently as administrative assistant to the chairman. Her nearly 25 years at UF have also included positions at the Division of Sponsored Research, English Language Institute and Program in Linguistics.
	Kylie Emerson Executive Secretary kremer@ufl.edu	Kylie Emerson is the office’s chief receptionist, and she also assists with office and financial management, including overseeing billing and other matters related to rental of the UF President’s House.  Additionally, she serves as assistant to Special Assistant to the President Jamal Sowell.   Ms. Emerson joined the president’s office in January 2010 after graduating from Baptist College of Florida in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Counseling.
	Aaron Hoover Executive Speechwriter ahoover@ufl.edu	Aaron Hoover works closely with the president on speeches, presentations, op-eds, correspondence and other communications projects.  He also provides communications expertise and assistance to UF’s provost, chief operating officer, vice presidents and First Lady Chris Machen.  His speeches have won national awards, including a Cicero Award for the best speech in education (2011).  He joined the president’s office in April 2011 following a 20-year career as speechwriter, science writer and daily newspaper reporter.
	Stacey Merritt Assistant to Director of Presidential Events and Commencement staceym@ufl.edu	Stacey Merritt assists the director of presidential events and commencement with coordinating and monitoring UF President’s House rentals, university commencement ceremonies, and other presidential events. She also supports the president’s office with clerical and non-clerical assignments as needed. She joined the staff in August 2012 after spending 18 years in the banking industry in Jacksonville, Florida.
	Susan Smith Correspondence Assistant susansmith@ufl.edu	Susan Smith’s responsibilities include preparing and reviewing the president’s correspondence, assembling background and presentations for delivery, updating the president’s website and assisting with calendar and database management.  She joined the president’s office in February 2008 after 22 years at Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio, where she worked in the offices of admissions, vice president for instruction, engineering and public relations.
	Jamal Sowell Special Assistant to the President and Liaison for Board of Trustees jsowell@ufl.edu	Jamal Sowell acts as director of special projects and a strategic advisor to the president and the board of trustees, enhancing relations, communications and operations.  As a member of the president’s cabinet, Mr. Sowell also works with university, community and government leaders to ensure timely advancement of key presidential and board initiatives.  Mr. Sowell joined the president’s office in January 2011 after serving five years in the United States Marine Corps, including combat operations in Afghanistan.
	Donna Stricker Director of Presidential Events & Commencement Coordinator donnas@ufl.edu	Donna Stricker is responsible for the planning and implementation of presidential events, as well as all university-wide commencement ceremonies.  Additionally, she oversees the use of the UF President’s House for campus-related rental events; coordinates selection and celebrations of recipients of honorary degrees and distinguished alumni awards; and provides guidance for ceremonial events university wide.  She joined the president’s office in 2005 after spending 10 years as director of development for the Alachua County Housing Authority and five years as project supervisor in market development for General Mills Restaurant Group (now Darden Restaurants).