The Clay County Utility Authority is governed by a seven-member Board known as the Board of Supervisors. The Board Members are required to be ratepayers of the Clay County Utility Authority’s utility system. Individual supervisors may serve no more than two consecutive 3-year terms, not including the initial term of the members appointed in this act. Six of the Board Members are appointed by the Clay County Board of County Commissioners (“BCC”) and one is appointed by the Governor of the State of Florida (“Governor”).
The Clay County Utility Authority was created as an independent special district by the Florida Legislation in 1994 (F.S. 94-491).
Wendell Davis - Chairman
Appointment: October 2017 (BCC)
Mr. Davis holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree from the College of Human Performance at the University of Florida. He has been employed at Watson Realty Corp. for over 26 years and currently serves as an Executive Vice President. Mr. Davis is also President of Watson Maintenance Services.
His professional affiliations include serving as President of Florida Realtors—the largest Trade Association in Florida, Past President of Clay County Chamber of Commerce, Trustee for St. Johns River State College, Trustee for Orange Park Medical Center, and served two terms as Clay County Commissioner including as its Chairman twice.
Mr. Davis’ background also includes serving as an Officer in the Army, and as a High School and College Football Coach for many years.
Dan Hodges - Vice Chairman
Appointment: July 2020
Committee: Audit/Finance Chairman
Mr. Hodges holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing from Liberty University and a Master of Business Administration from Jacksonville University. He is currently the President of Hodges Management Group, Managing Member of Double Cuts Barber Shop, and Owner of North Florida Dirt Works, LLC. Mr. Hodges is a Trustee of St. Johns Country Day School, Trustee of Blue Claws Baseball Foundation, and a Member of Christian Family Chapel in Jacksonville.
Jim Starnieri
Appointment October 2018 (BCC)
Committee: Personnel
Mr. Starnieri is a long-time resident of Clay County. He retired from AT&T after 35 years of service. Mr. Starnieri has extensive experience in project management, managing budgets, contracts, vendors and bids. He is active in the Clay County community and has volunteered his time with the YMCA and served on the Clay County YMCA Board of Directors.
Anna Lebesch
Appointment: May 2021
Committee: Personnel Chairwoman
Dr. Anna Lebesch earned a Bachelor of Educational Studies from University of Missouri-Columbia, Master of Education from University of Missouri-Columbia, and Doctor of Education from University of Florida. She is currently employed by JAXUSA Partnership as the Vice President for Workforce Strategy and Talent Development. She is the former Vice President for Workforce Development and Executive Director of the Orange Park Campus of St. Johns River State College. Dr. Lebesch is very active in the community and serves on the PACE Center for Girls (Clay) Board, St. Johns River State College Foundation Board, University of North Florida Coggin College of Business Advisory Board, Jacksonville University Davis College of Business Executive Board, and the Clay County Economic Development Board.
David Gardella
Appointment: October 2021 (BCC)
Committees: Personnel
Mr. Gardella holds a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the United States Naval
Academy. After a distinguished military career, he retired as a Naval Aviator in 2015. Mr. Gardella
currently works as a Senior Flight Instructor for LSI, Inc., instructing P-3 Aircrew for federal and foreign
allied militaries. His professional affiliations include serving on the Board of Trustees at Orange Park
United Methodist Church (OPUMC), and he was a prior member of the OPUMC Stewardship Committee.
While active duty in the United States Navy, Mr. Gardella served on several Boards and Committees.
Michael “Chris” McNees
Appointment: October 2021 (BCC)
Committees: Audit/Finance
Mr. McNees holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of North Florida. He currently
works as a Project Manager for the US Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District, Programs and
Project Management Division, Water Resources Branch. His professional affiliations include serving as
President-elect 2021-2022 of the Sunrise Rotary Club of Orange Park. Mr. McNees also serves as
Personnel Committee Member at First Baptist Church of Orange Park. Formerly, Mr. McNees served as
the past Chairman of the Clay County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
Grady Williams, Jr., Esq.
Attorney for Clay County Utility Authority
Appointment: October 1994
Mr. Williams holds a Bachelor of Science from Florida State University, a J.D. from the University of Georgia, and an LL.M. from the University of Florida. He has 39 years of law practice experience in Texas and Florida, and professional affiliations with the American Bar Association, The Florida Bar, The State Bar of Texas (inactive), U.S. Tax Court, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Academy of Florida Elder Law Attorneys (President 2021). He also serves as legal counsel to the Clay County Property Appraiser's Office.