Executive Committee

Kathryn “Kat” Gates-Skipper – President

Kathryn “Kat” Gates-Skipper served 20 years in the U.S. Marine Corps and Reserves.  As in the hymn of the Marine Corps, she was born on the shores of Tripoli where she was adopted by an Air Force Colonel and his wife at Wheelus Air Base in Tripoli, Libya, N. Africa and became a Naturalized Citizen of the United States at 3 years old….

Colleen Murphy – Vice President

Colleen was born in Wauchula, Florida.  She graduated from Hardee High School and later Florida State University.  She taught for two years in Satellite Beach, Florida, then went to England, Germany, and Japan to teach on Air Force Bases as an employee of the Department of Defense ….

Lou McCraney – Secretary

Lou grew up in Lakeland and was married to her husband, Don, for sixty-two years.  Don passed away on May 28th last year.  She has two children, five grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.  She graduated from Lakeland High School and became a telephone operator….

Barbara Smith – Treasurer

Barbara was born in Manhattan, Kansas and her family moved to Babson Park, Florida during her sophomore year of high school.  She graduated from Lake Wales High School and then attended Business College in Tampa.  She retired from Polk County Clerk of Courts and Board of County Commissioners after 34 1/2 years.

Paul Hatfield – Club Chaplain

Paul Hatfield, CFCA, Executive Director, Financial Representative
Paul was born in Warren, Ohio and is the youngest of four siblings.  As a preacher’s kid, Paul grew up in the family of a Christian home and is very thankful for Godly parents.  He has lived in many states in the eastern US, including upstate New York, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia…

Linda Logan – Greeter

Linda was born in Pocahontas County, West Virginia.  After graduating high school, she attended college and obtained a Business degree.  She has one sister and her husband, mother, and father are deceased.

Linda has been a Republican all of her life and has always been very active in the Republican Party…

Jeff Griggs – Badgemeister

Jeff grew up on the Jersey Shore then moved with his large family to Winter Haven.  He graduated from Polk Community College and USF.  His careers include banking, computer programming, sales, DJ & emcee work, and remodeling.  Now retired, he volunteers at WEDU PBS, Bok Tower Gardens, and other non-profits…