oct 2nd guest speakers

Following the loss of his cousin to a violent crime, T.K.’s career path was solidified as this incident made him realize his passion to serve and protect.

In 1991, T.K. joined the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office as a Correctional Officer. He later graduated from the Police Academy in August 1993.

T.K. has served in numerous capacities within the agency’s major departments of Patrol & Enforcement and Homeland Security & Investigations. He has demonstrated significant leadership with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office in the following ways:

• Served as the Chief of the Investigations Division overseeing operations including, but not limited to Homicide, the Crime Gun Intelligence Center (CGIC), Violent Crime, Violence Reduction, Firearms Laboratory, Special Assault, Missing Persons/Kidnappings, Officer Involved Shootings, Cold Cases, Traffic Homicides, Robbery, Burglary, Economic Crimes and Auto Crimes;
• Created the launch of the JSO’s Violence Reduction Strategy with a focus on Group Violence Intervention, an evidence-based strategy founded on the focused deterrence model;
• Met with more than 450 young men who were identified as group or gang members to help in finding the best ways to change their lives for the better.

As a Chief, T.K. was committed to establishing strong partnerships within the Jacksonville community and the National Network for Safe Communities. With the assistance of several key partners internally, as well as outside the agency, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office was able to expand its approach to addressing violent crime.

In July 2022, T.K. retired from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office to run for Sheriff of Duval County.

In November 2022, the citizens of Duval County, Florida elected him to serve as the seventh Sheriff of Duval County since consolidation in 1968.  Sheriff Waters was officially sworn in on Sunday, November 20, 2022, by outgoing Sheriff Pat Ivey.

During his administration, Sheriff Waters will be focused on making Jacksonville an even better place to live and raise a family. He plans to increase staffing levels; focus on violent criminals and gangs for prosecution; build trust through robust community outreach and engagement; make efficient and effective use of taxpayer dollars; and leverage new technology.

Ronald B. Salem, Pharm. D., is currently the President of Salem & Associates, a company that provides consulting services in the pharmaceutical industry. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1978 and Doctor of Pharmacy in 1980 from the University of Florida.

Dr. Salem has also been active locally, serving as Chairman of the Citizens Advisory Committee for the Better Jacksonville Plan under Mayor John Delaney, Chairman of the Greater Arlington Citizens Planning and Advisory Committee (CPAC) for two years, as well as, being appointed to the Jacksonville Sports and Entertainment Board from 1999-2013 serving as Chairman on four different occasions.

During his tenure on the Jacksonville City Council, Dr. Salem has served on the Finance Committee for four years, once as chair. He has served on the Transportation, Energy and Utilities Committee, once as Vice Chair and once as Chair and the Neighborhoods, Community Services, Public Health and Safety Committee once as Vice Chair. Dr. Salem has served the community in several other capacities as well while on City Council. He has served as Chair of the Special Committee on the Opioid Epidemic and the Opioid Abuse Prevention Committee, Special Committee on Social Justice and Community Investment and in a liaison role for the Jacksonville Port Authority, Tree Commission, and Tourist Development Council. He served as Vice President of the City Council for the 2022-2023 year and is President for the 2023-2024 year.

Dr. Salem is married to the former Nancy Hanania and has three children and six grandchildren.

 Chris Miller is a husband, Army veteran and servant leader who is proud to call Jacksonville home.

Chris served as a commissioned officer in the United States Army for 30 years.  His key assignments included leading Army Recruiting for Jacksonville, serving as the city mayor and city manager for 17 Army bases while managing a $333M budget over a 4,000 square mile area of Germany, serving as the Inspector General for U.S. forces throughout Europe and Israel on behalf of the U.S. European Command Commander/Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, and his last Army position was as the Inspector General for the state of Florida with the Florida National Guard.  Chris retired as a full Colonel in 2014.   

Chris’ education includes a bachelor’s degree in industrial relations from Clarion University of Pennsylvania, a Master of Business Administration in management from Golden Gate University and a master's degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College.  He also completed the NATO Senior Officer’s Course at the NATO Defense College.

Since retiring from the Army, Chris has helped various small businesses, nonprofit organizations and churches throughout the Jacksonville area.

Chris currently serves as District Director for U.S. Representative John Rutherford (FL-05), Jacksonville’s former Sheriff, where he and his team have helped thousands of people throughout northern Florida resolve their cases with federal agencies for over six years.  His wife Char works with Operation New Uniform, a nonprofit that helps military members, veterans, and their spouses successfully transition to meaningful business careers.

Chris and Char enjoy living in Riverside with their two dogs, Baron, and Pearl.  They volunteer for various nonprofits, take long walks throughout the city, ride their motorcycles whenever possible, and are members of Aspire Church of San Marco.