Biographical Information
City of Residence: Fleming Island
Occupation: Retired U.S. Navy, Business Owner
Spouse: Mr. Nolan Carroll of Miami, Florida
Child(ren): Nolan II, Nyckie, Necho
Education: St. Leo University, M.B.A.; University of New Mexico, B.A., Political Science
Born: August 27, 1959, Port of Spain, Trinidad West Indies
Military: Enlisted in the United States Navy in 1979 and served for 20 years. Served as a jet mechanic and worked her way up through the ranks to retire as a Lieutenant Commander Aviation Maintenance Officer; Meritorious Service Medal; two Navy Commendation Medals; two Navy Achievement Medals; National Defense Service Medal; Overseas Ribbon; two Coast Guard Special Operation Ribbons; Expert Pistol Medal
Moved to Florida: 1986
Religious Affiliation: Christian
Recreational Interest: stained glass creation, traveling
Legislative Service
Elected to the House May 13, 2003, reelected subsequently
First Black Female Republican elected to the Florida Legislature
Appointed Deputy Majority Leader by Speaker Johnnie Byrd 2003-2004
Majority Whip 2004-2006
Other Public Services
Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs, Executive Director
Mayor's Commission on the Status of Women
Northeast Florida Regional Planning Council
Presidential Scholars Commission
Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission
Affiliations
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
American Legion Post 0197, Lifetime Member
Dye-Clay YMCA of Clay County, Board Member
Clay County Republican Executive Committee
Federated Republican Women of Clay County
Fleet Reserve Association Post 128, Member
NAACP, Lifetime Member
NRA, Lifetime Member
Orange Park Rotary, Honorary Member
Paul Harris Fellow
Republican Women’s Club of Duval Federated, Dual Member
Unified Sportsmen of Florida
Highlights
Florida County Veterans Service Officers Association, Legislator of the Year 2009
Christian Coalitional of Florida, Faith and Family Award 2005, 2008
Black Political Action Committee's 2005 Vikki Buckley Political Leadership Award
Orange Park Rotary Club Citizen of the Year Award 2005
Northeast Florida Realtors Association "Legislator of the Year" 2004
Republican Club of Clay County, "Top 10" Republican Award 1999, 2002
Center for New Black Leadership, Excellence in Leadership Award 2001
Appointed by President George W. Bush to "The White House Presidential Scholars Commission" 2001-2004
Appointed by President George W. Bush to the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission, 2004-2007
Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs, Former Executive Director: was responsible for the claims and benefits of over 1.8 million veterans. In fiscal year 2001, under her leadership, more than $63 million in retroactive compensation was awarded to Florida veterans. She was also responsible for the agency's $30 million budget, legislation, three state nursing homes, and one domiciliary home. As a former registered lobbyist in the State of Florida, she lobbied for the retention of state construction funds for the Bay and Charlotte County State Veterans' Nursing Homes and led the generation of two federal matching grant applications that resulted in $15 million of federal funds for these projects.
First Coast African American Women Award 1998
Leadership Jacksonville Class of '97
Project Blue Print Class of '97, graduate
Clay County Chamber of Commerce, Military Person of the Year 1996
YMCA Black Achievers Award 1996
Clay County Young Republican Club "One of Clay's Most Influential People"
Florida Assembly of Black Republicans, Honorary Chair
Florida's Council on Homelessness, former Chairperson: she sought ways for Florida to provide enhanced services toward solving homeless problems in the state and particularly within the veterans' community.
Republican Party of Florida African American Leadership Council, Chair