Commissioner René Flowers

Education

• Capella University, Doctoral Candidate
• Capella University, Master’s Degree, Public Administration
• Eckerd College, Bachelor of Arts Degree, Organizational Studies
• Tallahassee Community College, Associate of Arts Degree, Political Science

Certifications

• Florida Certification Board Trainer
• Statewide Certification as a Quality Assurance Auditor

Pinellas County Public Service

Committee / Board Appointments by BCC Chairman

• Business Technology Services (BTS)
• Career Source Pinellas Board, Vice Chair
  • CareerSource AdHoc CEO Council Review Committee
  • CareerSource Audit Committee
  • CareerSource Executive Committee
• County Attorney Oversight Committee (CAOC)
• Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA)
  • Executive Committee
  • Planning Committee
• Tampa Bay Area Transit Agency (TBARTA) Board
  • TBARTA Secretary/Treasurer
  • TBARTA Legislative Subcommittee
  • TBARTA Finance Committee
  • TBARTA Policy Committee
• Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council (TBRPC) 
• Value Adjustment Board (VAB)

Additional Public Service

• Florida Association of Counties (FAC) Member
  • FAC Finance Committee, Board Appointment
  • FAC Urban Communities Chair
• Pinellas County Education Foundation
• Northside Hospital Board of Trustees
• St. Petersburg Metropolitan Chapter of the National County of Negro Women

Community Social & Civic Organizations

• Friends of the Carter G Woodson Museum
• Childs Park Neighborhood Association, Member
• Central Oak Park Neighborhood Association
• Charter Board Member for CCYD (Community Change for Youth Development)
• Kappa Delta Pi International Honor society in Education, Honorary Member
• Louise Graham Board of Directors
• St. Petersburg Section of the National Council of Negro Women (President’s Advisory Board)
• Pinellas Community Foundation
• Pinellas County Education Foundation Board Member
• Pinellas County Urban League Guild (2 term Guild President)
• R’Club Board of Directors
• St. Petersburg Branch of the NAACP (Former Executive Committee Member), Member
• Women in The Making, Charter Member
• Zeta Upsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, Member
• Former Florida School Board Associations (FSBA) Legislative Affairs Committee
• Former FSBA Advocacy Committee Chairman
• Former Vice Chair of the FSBA Federal Relations Committee

Awards / Accolades

• 2021 Institute of County Government Certified County Commissioner Program
• NFBPA 2021 Marks of Excellence Award
• 2019 Green Garner Educator of the Year Finalist
• 2015 African American Women’s First Award presented by the Dr. Carter G Woodson African American History Museum
• Woman of the Year
• Resource Center for Women
• I’m Every Woman 1996
• Women and their Hats
• Volunteer of the Year Award
• NAACP Branch Award 2001
• Sigma Gamma Rho Footprints of Service Award
• Unsung Hero Award
• PEMHS Pace Award for Outstanding Service 2002
• NCNW Salute to Women of Empact 2004
• St. Petersburg Housing Authority Community Partner Award 2007
• LINKS Woman of Distinction Award
• Everyone’s Youth United Dedicated Service Award
• Gwen Reese Lifetime Achievement Award
• Gwen Reese Leadership Award
• “The Flower Girls”- a group of young ladies who are being mentored in Pinellas County by the Gathering of Women

Past Elected / Community Positions

• Pinellas County School Board, 2012-2020, Board Chair for two consecutive terms
• Florida League of Cities, Past President, 2005
• St. Petersburg City Council, 1999-2008
• National League of Cities, Board Member
• National League of Cities, Finance Committee Member

Employment Prior to Election

Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services, Employee Education and Development Manager
Responsible for the professional development and specialized trainings for over 400 employees throughout the State of Florida

Personal

Commissioner René Flowers is a native of St. Petersburg Florida, the youngest of 12 and a graduate of Pinellas County Schools.

She is a member of Greater Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church where she serves as an officer on the Steward Board. Ms. Flowers is the mother of three: Kyesha, Joshua and Jeremy (all graduates from Pinellas County Schools). She is also the grandmother of Jeremy Jr., Maurice, Johnadia, Johndasia, Jerry, and a great grandmother to Nal’yia.