Executive Committee

James Ring – President

James Ring is a native of Polk County and graduated from Bartow High School. Following graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves as an Airborne Military Policeman.  After 9/11, he was called to active duty and deployed to both Afghanistan and Iraq in support of Operations Enduring Freedom & Iraqi Freedom. Recipient of the Bronze Star Medal.  He is recently retired from the Lakeland Police Department as a Police Sergeant, where he ….

Charlie Hardage – Vice President

Charlie lives in Lakeland with his wife, Elizabeth, and their 10-year-old daughter, Olivia. He grew up in Ocala, Florida in Marion County and his family has lived in Florida for many generations.

Charlie is a lawyer with the law firm of Bishop & Mills, working in the field of business litigation. Prior to moving to Polk County, Charlie and his family lived and worked in Beijing, China for ….

Hardam Tripathi – Secretary

Attorney Hardam Tripathi exclusively practices U.S. Immigration & Nationality Law with a focus on business and investor based immigration services, with respect to commercial real estate syndication and development projects. Attorney Tripathi passionately defends his clients in matters related to deportation defense for Veterans with other than honorable discharges, humanitarian relief, waivers of inadmissibility, adjustment of status….

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…