Becoming a politician wasn't on Joanna Wilkinson's list of things to do. But, once she realized that the city commission was the governing body making decisions she cared about, she added it to the top the list and threw her hat into the proverbial ring.
And, don't think that Wilkinson doesn't have a list of things to do. She probably has several at least a country mile long. Although she has been "retired" for nearly 20 years, she stays more than busy and has been on the Haines City City Commission for four consecutive four-year terms. She currently is the city's mayor.
Wilkinson's interest in city government started around 1991, after she cared for her beloved parents, Cody and Alma, and retired from 23 years in banking. Not one to sit at home, she joined Haines City Main Street with the encouragement of longtime friend Cherry Dowdy.
"Joanna has never been too busy to volunteer for a project, as long as it was a benefit to Haines City," says Dowdy, the city clerk of Haines City. "She is the epitome of a public servant and her dedication and work ethic has benefited us all."
It was during her time with Main Street that Wilkinson quickly realized that being a commissioner was where the rubber meets the road.
"I found out that the commission made decisions that concerned me and that's where I wanted to be," says the native of Blue Springs, Ala. "When I care about something, I am full force for that cause."
Even on the local level, politics wasn't something Wilkinson ever imagined getting involved with. But, because she genuinely cares for the community and its betterment, she became and remains smack dab in the middle.
"The only reason I do this is to help the city," Wilkinson says. "One thing I don't like is that it takes so long for a decision to be made. But, understanding that is what it takes, I do what is best for Haines City."
Haines City's city manager, Ann Toney-Deal, has been a witness to the kind of asset Wilkinson is to the town.
"All you have to do is look at all of the exciting positive changes in Haines City and know that an important part of the successes was because of Joanna Wilkinson's dedication and love of Haines City," Toney-Deal says.
In 1968, Wilkinson moved here with her husband, Delane, and their three children - Steve, David and Mary Ann - and started work at what then was State Bank. What followed was a succession of promotions, working her way up to the vice president level. Along the way, she says one colleague particularly stands out as a mentor, Ernie Pinner.
Pinner selected Wilkinson as his operations vice president when he was named bank president. "Pinner selecting me for that position was my biggest professional accomplishment," she remembers. "He was a great mentor to me."
Pinner, now president, chief executive officer and chairman of Winter Haven-based CenterState Bank of Florida, says he feels the same about Wilkinson.
"Joanna may have reported to me, but I really reported to her," Pinner laughs. "She was a great decision maker, passionate ... able to tell it like it is but professionally."
The banking business also helped somewhat to prepare Wilkinson for public service.
"It is all about customer service," Wilkinson explains. "The customer always comes first and, now, for me, that is the entire community as a whole."
Karen Barker Brown, a former banking colleague of Wilkinson's, fondly remembers the days when they worked together and, on the flip side, thinks of her as a mentor.
"She was an inspiration to me, as well as a mentor," Barker Brown says. "She is a perfectionist but caring. She's very real."
Wilkinson's banking experience has proven to be a benefit during her time as a commissioner and mayor.
She says she is most proud of having been a part of the creation and implementation of the Haines City Master Plan. Several portions of that plan are already complete - areas in the Oakland neighborhood, Railroad Park and Lake Eva Park, but much work remains.
"For the most part, I've had fun and enjoyed my time on the commission," she says.
In addition to her work for the city, Wilkinson enjoys spending time with her husband of 56 years, Delane, a retired business owner; and her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
"The most relaxing place I can be is at the beach," she says. "I really want to travel and see more of the United States."
But, when she isn't traveling or at City Hall, she enjoys remodeling and decorating her home.
Career, volunteerism, community, travel and home improvements are all an important part of life for the self-professed "woman who is my own person." But, ultimately, what is really important to her, what she goes back to and what has grounded her from the beginning is family.
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Joanna Wilkinson, left, mayor of Haines City, works with Ann Toney-Deal, the Haines City city manager, in the Haines City commission room.
Paul Crate / News Chief |
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Those connections first run deep with her parents, to whom she was extremely close and was devastated by their passing. Calling Delane her best friend, with her children running a close second (third and fourth), she seems to have a full and satisfying life.
"I can remember taking a career assessment at the bank years ago, and it asked my biggest accomplishment and, without a doubt, it was and is my children," Wilkinson says.
City Hall shared a well-kept secret about Wilkinson. Every year, because of her concern for Haines City, she returns her commissioner's salary to purchase Christmas lights for the city.
She still has three years remaining in her fourth commission term, and she says she thinks this may be the last one.
"I don't know. Who can say what will happen in three years from now?" she says. "I just wanted a fun job when I retired."
An avid Auburn University football fan, she has two granddaughters currently enrolled at the university in Alabama.
When asked what advice she'd give them, without hesitation she says, "Stay true to your beliefs."
