Board Members
Each of the 12 state universities has a 13-member Board of Trustees, responsible for cost-effective policy, implementing and maintaining high-quality education programs consistent with the university's mission, performance evaluation, and developing a process, meeting state policy, budgeting, and education standards. Members of the boards of trustees shall receive no compensation but may be reimbursed for travel and per diem expenses.
Members are appointed by the Governor (six citizen members) and by the Board of Governors (five citizen members). These 11 appoints are subject to confirmation by the Senate. The remaining two members are the chair of the faculty senate or the equivalent; and the president of the student body of the university. The appointed members shall serve staggered five-year terms. There shall be no state residency requirement for university board members, but the Governor and the Board of Governors shall consider diversity and regional representation.
Board Member Current Terms of Office
Kevin Hyde | Jason Barrett | James Beasley | Jack Boyle | Jill Davis | Jay Demetree | Amelia Dyal | John Gol
Allison (Ali) Korman Shelton | Christopher Lazzara | Steve Moore | Paul McElroy | Nikul (Nik) Patel
Kevin Hyde - Chair
Kevin Hyde is the Office Managing Partner of Foley & Lardner LLP in Jacksonville, Florida. Mr. Hyde represents employers in a variety of human resources matters, including day-to-day employment counseling, and workplace safety, and litigates cases in charges of discrimination, employment-discrimination cases, wage-hour, and management-union matters. He has been listed as a leading lawyer in various publications, including being included in Best Lawyers in America, Who’s Who Legal USA, Chambers USA: America’s Leading Business Lawyers, Florida’s Legal Elite™ by Florida Trend magazine, and Florida Super Lawyers. Mr. Hyde is a member of the Florida and Tennessee Bars and is a past chair of the Florida Bar Labor and Employment Section (1998-1999) and the Florida Bar Labor and Employment Certification Committee.
Mr. Hyde has been active in civic and community matters. He was an elected member of the Jacksonville City Council from 2003 through 2011 and is a past president of the City Council. Additionally, he has served as chair or a member of the Board of Directors of WJCT Public Broadcasting, Goodwill Industries, the Jacksonville Public Education Fund, Jacksonville Community Council, Inc., the Jacksonville Civic Council, the Youth Crisis Center, Red Cross, and Florida College.
Mr. Hyde is a graduate of the University of Florida College of Law (J.D., with honors, 1988) and the University of South Florida (B.A., magna cum laude, 1984). He is married to Kathi Hyde and has two daughters.
Mr. Hyde was appointed to the UNF Board of Trustees by Governor Scott on March 24, 2016, and reappointed on September 10, 2021, for a term ending January 6, 2026. He serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees and Chair of the Governance Committee.
Jason Barrett, MS, MBA, FACHE
Jason Barrett is the CEO of Northwest Texas Healthcare System (NWTHS), a 495-bed facility with over 2,000 employees serving the top 26 counties of the Texas Panhandle and neighboring states. Mr. Barrett is a recognized thought leader in the healthcare space with a focus on transforming healthcare experiences to be affordable, accessible, convenient and personalized.
Mr. Barrett previously served as President & CEO of Flagler Health+, an expansion of Flagler Hospital, which has been caring for the residents of St. Johns County since 1889. Mr. Barrett served in a number of executive roles at Flagler Health+ including Vice President of Operations, Chief Administrative Officer, Chief Integration Officer and Chief Operating Officer as well as various leadership positions at UF Health Jacksonville. He effectively evolved the system into a facility offering comprehensive health services, facilitated substantial growth, and enhanced quality outcomes.
He holds a Master of Science in Systems and Engineering Management from Texas Tech University and both a Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Health Science, Health Administration from the University of North Florida.
Mr. Barrett is also very active in the community, having served as the Chairman of the St. Johns County Economic Development Council, a board member of the St. Johns County Education Foundation, a mentor in the Take Stock in Children Program and a Board Member of the St. Johns County Planning and Zoning Agency. He is currently an active member of the First Coast Health Care Executives Group and the American College of Health Care Executives. Mr. Barrett is passionate about addressing the growing prevalence of mental illness and substance abuse among young people in America and serves in a number of capacities related to addressing these issues, including a role on the Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Florida Board of Governors.
Mr. Barrett was appointed to the UNF Board of Trustees by Governor Ron DeSantis on March 12, 2021, for a term ending January 6, 2026. He serves as the Chair of the Strategic Plan Implementation and Monitoring Committee.
James Beasley
James Beasley is Professor of English and Director of the UNF Digital Humanities Institute. He completed his Ph.D. in Rhetoric and Writing Program Administration from Purdue University in 2007. He teaches courses in rhetorical history, theory, and pedagogy. He is the author of Rhetoric at the University of Chicago from Peter Lang Publishers, as well as the co-author of Dramatism and Musical Theater: Experiments in Rhetorical Performance, with Kimberly Eckel Beasley and also from Peter Lang Publishers. His research areas are rhetoric in contemporary composition study, as well as contemporary applications of rhetorical theory. His work has been published in CCCC and Rhetoric Review.
Dr. Beasley has served as co-chief negotiator for UNF-UFF, and as chairs of the Faculty Association's Faculty Enhancement Committee and Faculty Association's Faculty Affairs Committee. As Director of UNF's Digital Humanities Institute, he coordinates the Institute's projects, events, and curriculum. See https://www.unf.edu/dhi/ for further information.
Dr. Beasley assumed his role on the UNF Board of Trustees on September 1 2024, for a term ending August 31, 2026.
Jack Boyle
Jack Boyle of Jacksonville, Florida is President of North America and Buying for Fanatics, the leading global digital sports platform. During his leadership at Fanatics, the business has grown from a $250 million US based ecommerce business to over $8 billion global leader and diversified into trading cards, collectables, in venue retail, and gaming. Mr. Boyle is also serves on Board of Directors for DXL, a public company and leader in Men's Big and Tall apparel and he previously served as Global Co-President of Direct to Consumer and President of Merchandising.
Prior to Fanatics, Mr. Boyle held leadership positions of increased responsibility at Kohl's in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, including EVP of Merchandising. During his 12 years at Kohl's, the business grew from $1 billion regional retailer to over $20 billion national leader. He began his professional career for 10 years at May Department Stores in St. Louis.
Mr. Boyle is very involved in the community including Board of Trustees for Episcopal School of Jacksonville, Jacksonville Civic Council, Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, and Jacksonville Sports Foundation Board of Directors.
Mr. Boyle was born in Kirksville, Missouri and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, and he holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration - Finance from University of Missouri. Mr. Boyle is the husband of Louise Boyle and father of four children.
Mr. Boyle was appointed to the UNF Board of Trustees by the Board of Governors on June 28, 2024, for a term ending January 6, 2028. He serves as Vice Chair of the Strategic Plan Monitoring and Implementation Committee.
Jill Davis
Jill Davis, of Jacksonville, graduated Cum Laude from Salisbury University with a B.A. in Political Science. She received a J.D. from Florida Coastal School of Law in 2004. Upon graduation, Ms. Davis was admitted to the Florida Bar, and has remained an active member for 14 years.
Ms. Davis worked as a prosecutor in the State Attorney's Office in the 4th Judicial Circuit from 2004 to 2007. She prosecuted over 900 criminal cases, ranging from misdemeanors to life felonies.
In 2007, Ms. Davis left the State Attorney's Office to start her family and focus on philanthropy and fundraising for many organizations in the North Florida region. Some of her involvements have included serving as: Event Co-Chair of Teach for America Jacksonville, "Ten Year Anniversary Celebration" (2019); Event Chair and Committee Chair of Riverside Presbyterian Day School Annual Gala (2016 - 2018); Committee Chair of St. Vincent's Hospital, "Delicious Destinations" (2016); Co-Event Chair of the Jacksonville Zoo Fundraiser "Zoobilee" (2010 - 2013); Committee Chair of the Pediatric Hospice Fundraiser, "Halloween Doors and More" (2012); Committee Chair of the Wolfson's Children's Hospital Gala, "The Arts and Antiques Show (2011); Committee Chair of the American Cancer Society Gala, "The Cowford Ball" (2007). Currently, Ms. Davis is a Board member for MOSH serving as the Capital Campaign Chair for the new MOSH museum since 2020 and as the UNF representative for the MOCA Board since 2021.
In addition to her volunteer efforts, Ms. Davis has served on numerous boards throughout Jacksonville. Her passion for children and education drives her desire to serve those in need. She has served as a Community Advisory Board Member for North Florida Pediatric Hospice (2013) and a Board Member of Teach for America Jacksonville (2013 - 2016).
Ms. Davis is currently pursuing a certification as a Title IX Investigator to assist organizations receiving federal funding with sexual assault allegations.
She and her husband, Jed, are actively involved in Riverside Presbyterian Day School where their three boys, Cooper, Austin, and Smith attend school.
Ms. Davis was appointed to the UNF Board of Trustees by the Board of Governors on January 6, 2020, and reappointed on February 20, 2025, for a term ending January 6, 2030. She serves as Vice Chair of the Audit and Compliance Committee.
Jay Demetree
Jay Demetree is the President and CEO of Demetree Brothers, Inc., a Florida based real estate service company. He serves as President and Managing Member of Pentagon Properties, LLC, a limited liability company with investments in real estate and financial securities. He is also the Managing Member of other investments with holdings in the chemical, mineral, telecommunication, and quick-service restaurant industries.
Mr. Demetree currently serves as a director on the Boards of both growing and established companies. He serves on numerous charitable boards including Guardian Catholic School Ambassadors Board, Jacksonville University Public Policy Institute Board of Advisors, Ronald McDonald House Advisory Board of Jacksonville, and the Jack and Betty Demetree Family Foundation. Mr. Demetree holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Management from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Mr. Demetree was appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis to the University of North Florida Board of Trustees on March 28, 2024, for a term ending January 6, 2028. He serves as Vice Chair of the Academic and Student Affairs and the Finance and Facilities Committees.
Amelia Dyal
Amelia Dyal is the Student Body President and head of the Executive Branch of Student Government at the University of North Florida. She has previously served in the Legislative Branch first as a Senator then as the Senate President Pro-Tempore and the chair of the Rules and Oversight Committee, where she oversaw all intergovernmental affairs of Student Government.
Ms. Dyal has formerly served on the Food Services Advisory Council.
Other involvements at the University of North Florida include being an active member of the Public Health community at the University of North Florida. Ms. Dyal is a member of the Alpha Gamma Chapter of Eta Sigma Gamma health education honorary and she is also involved in the Talon Health and Service Alliance. In her free time, she enjoys going to the beach, hiking, and spending time with her friends and family!
Ms. Dyal was appointed to the UNF Board of Trustees upon swearing in as Student Body President on April 11, 2025, for a term ending April 10, 2026.
John Gol
John Gol is a prominent healthcare executive with 20 years of senior leadership with Borland Groover. As the Chief Financial Officer of Borland Groover, he is responsible for overseeing financial and accounting operations including accounts payable, collections, financial reporting and internal controls for Borland-Groover, Jacksonville Center for Endoscopy, Fleming Island Surgery Center, all ancillary services and the BGC Foundation. Borland-Groover has over 500 employees and 18 locations across NE Florida. The annual budget is $145M with approximately $3.8M in charity care.
Mr. Gol was born in Savannah, Georgia and raised in Jacksonville. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from The Florida State University and an MBA from the University of North Florida.
Mr. Gol enjoys golfing, grilling/BBQ, reading books on behavioral-economics, and being a dad.
Mr. Gol was appointed to the University of North Florida Board of Trustees by the Board of Governors on June 23, 2021, for a term ending January 6, 2026. He serves as Chair of the Finance and Facilities Committee.
Allison Korman Shelton
Allison Korman Shelton, of Jacksonville, is a mental health counselor and owner of San Marco Counseling LLC. She served as Director of Government Affairs for Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry and was previously Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations for The Stellar Group. She is a recipient of the Jacksonville Business Journal’s Women of Influence Award and currently serves on The Bolles School Board of Trustees in addition to being a Past President of the Jewish Community Alliance and a graduate of Leadership Florida. Shelton earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from Florida State University and a master's in clinical mental health counseling from Jacksonville University.
Shelton was appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis to the University of North Florida Board of Trustees on August 6, 2021, for a term ending January 6, 2025. She serves as the Chair of the Academic and Student Affairs Committee.
Christopher M. Lazzara
Christopher M. Lazzara founded MountainStar Partners in 2013. As Chief Executive Officer, he leads the firm’s investment committee, directs investment strategy, and continues to oversee all major initiatives for the company and its subsidiaries.
In addition to overseeing the growth and success of MountainStar Partners, Mr. Lazzara also co-founded the Georgia School of Orthodontics, in 2016, with his father, an orthodontist. Mr. Lazzara’s leadership has been crucial to the institutions’ continued growth and success. He is a permanent member of the Executive Committee of the GSO Board of Trustees, a position he has held since 2016. Currently, Mr. Lazzara serves as Chair of the School’s Finance and Facilities Committees.
Mr. Lazzara is a respected leader in North Florida. Since founding MountainStar Partners, he has devoted his time to serving on various boards of organizations that align with his values. He has a deep passion for the MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation, where he served for eight years. Additionally, Mr. Lazzara has previously been a member of the University of North Florida’s Student Affairs Community Council and has served as a state appointed Trustee of the University of North Florida for the past five years. His commitment to higher education and community development continues.
Mr. Lazzara attributes his passion to his parents, Irene and Dr. Gasper Lazzara. He was honored to have directed all operations of the Lazzara Family Foundation, which provided grants to worthy organizations. Mr. Lazzara co-chaired the 2016 Cowford Ball benefiting the American Cancer Society, which raised more $650,000 for the fight against cancer.
He currently also serves as board member for the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville. Mr. Lazzara is also a member of YPO, the premiere leadership organization of chief executives around the world.
In 2023, his 6-month-old daughter began experiencing symptoms of an ultra-rare and uncurable pediatric disease. Mr. Lazzara responded by founding the Isa Elaine Foundation to benefit others including children. The foundation is committed to sharing research, clinical application and financial resources to help other patients experiencing similar challenges. All financial proceeds from the foundation will benefit the Wolfson Children’s Hospital and Nemours Children’s Health, both located in Jacksonville.
Mr. Lazzara has his degree from the Southern Methodist University as well as certificates from the Wharton School of Business.
Mr. Lazzara was appointed to the UNF Board of Trustees by Governor Ron DeSantis October 22, 2020, for a term ending January 6, 2025.
Paul McElroy
Paul McElroy, of Jacksonville, retired as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of JEA - Jacksonville, Florida's municipally owned electric, water and wastewater utility. JEA is the eighth largest municipal utility in the nation.
Mr. McElroy previously served on the boards of Florida Electric Power Coordinating Group, Inc. (FCG), as Chair, The Energy Authority, Inc. (TEA), Florida Reliability Coordinating Council, Inc. (FRCC), Northeast Florida Safety Council, Inc., and the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce. Mr. McElroy served as a member of the American Public Power Association (APPA) Board's Executive Committee, holding the position of Treasurer, as well as Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee and Chair of the Retirement Committee. He also served as Chair of the Tax and Finance Committee at the Large Public Power Council (LPPC).
Before joining JEA, Mr. McElroy served as a Vice President and General Manager for Bombardier Capital Corporation in Jacksonville, Florida and Colchester, Vermont. Prior to that, he served as Vice President of Internal Finance Division of Pitney Bowes Credit Corporation in Norwalk, Connecticut.
Mr. McElroy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from St. Joseph's College in Rensselaer, Indiana, and is a graduate of the Advanced Management Program at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. He pursued graduate-level studies at the University of Bridgeport, as well as the University of New Haven in Connecticut.
Mr. McElroy was appointed to the UNF Board of Trustees by the Board of Governors on January 21, 2016, and was reappointed on January 7, 2021, for a second term ending on January 6, 2026. He serves as Chair of the Audit and Compliance Committee, and previously served as Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees.
Steve Moore
Steve Moore is the President of The Vestcor Companies and is responsible for the overall direction and performance of the company, overseeing all operational and investment decisions. He is responsible for the strategic planning and growth of the company and maintains oversight of Vestcor's portfolio of investments.
Steve serves on the Duval County Research and Development Authority in addition to his duties as a UNF Trustee. He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a major in accounting and MBA from the Coggin College of Business at UNF. He also worked as student assistant, graduate assistant, and administrative employee during his time at UNF.
Steve and his wife, Jennifer, also a UNF alum, have lived and raised four children in Jacksonville for the past 28 years.
Mr. Moore was appointed to the UNF Board of Trustees by Governor Ron DeSantis July 8, 2022, for a term ending January 6, 2026.
Nikul (Nik) Patel
Nikul (Nik) Patel, is a Senior Vice President of Information/Cyber Security at Citi. He has been part of Citi for over 10 years, holding various roles. Prior to Citi, Mr. Patel worked for Walmart and Accenture in multiple locations, including Charlotte, NC; New York, NY; Boston, MA; Portland, OR; and Los Angeles, CA.
Mr. Patel received both his Economics undergraduate degree and Masters of Business degree from the University of Florida. He has been active in the Florida NE community serving as a Board Member on the St. John's County School District IT Career Academies Advisory Council and part of the founding team of Citi's Women in IT program that has now reached over 30,000+ 7th and 8th grade students in multiple states and countries.
He and his wife have two children.
Mr. Patel was appointed to the UNF Board of Trustees by the Board of Governors on January 6, 2020, and reappointed on February 20, 2025, for a term ending January 6, 2030. He currently serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees and Vice Chair of the Governance Committee.
Current Terms of Office
Members of the University of North Florida Board of Trustees are appointed by the Governor (6 members) and by the Board of Governors (5 members). These 11 appointments are subject to confirmation by the Senate. The remaining 2 members are the president of the Faculty Association and the president of Student Government. The appointed members serve staggered 5-year terms.
Appointed by the Governor:
| Mr. Kevin Hyde | March 24, 2016 | January 6, 2026 |
| Mr. Jason Barrett | March 12, 2021 | January 6, 2026 |
| Mr. Jay Demetree | March 28, 2024 | January 6, 2028 |
| Ms. Allison Korman Shelton | August 6, 2021 | January 6, 2025 |
| Mr. Chris Lazzara | October 22, 2020 | January 6, 2025 |
| Mr. Steve Moore | July 8, 2022 | January 6, 2026 |
Appointed by the Board of Governors:
| Mr. Jack Boyle | June 28, 2024 | January 6, 2028 |
| Ms. Jill Davis | January 6, 2020 | January 6, 2030 |
| Mr. John Gol | June 23, 2021 | January 6, 2026 |
| Mr. Paul McElroy | January 21, 2016 | January 6, 2026 |
| Mr. Nikul (Nik) Patel | January 6, 2020 | January 6, 2030 |
University of North Florida Student/Faculty Representatives:
| Ms. Amelia Dyal Student Government President |
April 11, 2025 | April 10, 2026 |
| Dr. James Beasley Faculty Association President |
September 1, 2024 | August 31, 2026 |