Dr. Cristie Kedroski – Senior Vice President

Cristie Kedroski, Ed.D., is a seasoned higher education leader with a demonstrated commitment to facilitating transformation through education to advance student success, community, and workforce development. Currently serving as the Senior Vice President, she oversees the Foundation, grants development, human resources, and student services.

During her ten-year management of the NWFSC Foundation, the organization’s total assets increased more than 70%, growing to more than $62 million. In addition, the College received more than $65 million in grant awards during the last four years.

Dr. Kedroski serves on board of directors for CCB Bank, the HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital, the Destin Chamber of Commerce, and the Niceville Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce. She is a former board member of the Walton Area Chamber of Commerce, a graduate of the Leadership Okaloosa program, and a 2022-23 Hurlburt Field Honorary Commander.

Dr. Kedroski holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Florida, a master’s degree in business administration from the University of West Florida, and her Ed.D. in higher education administration from the University of Florida. Dr. Kedroski and her husband, Art, have three daughters.

Dr. Jenna Sheffield – Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs

Dr. Jenna Pack Sheffield is an accomplished academic leader with over 9 years of experience in various higher education leadership roles and over 14 years of experience teaching professional and technical writing as a faculty member in higher education settings. Currently serving as the Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs at Northwest Florida State College, Dr. Sheffield oversees academic operations as well as institutional research. Sheffield has published extensively in reputable scholarly journals on topics spanning from digital media and writing program administration to composition pedagogy and theory. Sheffield previously worked as the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Undergraduate Studies at Salem College in Winston Salem, NC. Dr. Sheffield specializes in innovative curriculum design, teacher training, data analysis, program assessment, and accreditation. One of her proudest accomplishments was founding the University of New Haven Center for Teaching Excellence in 2020 and serving as its director, where she also brought in a $240,000 grant to support faculty development around open educational resources. Dr. Sheffield resides in Niceville, FL with her husband, two children, and their dog, Coda.

Whitney Rutherford – General Counsel

Whitney Rutherford provides general counsel services to Northwest Florida State College through Hand Arendall Harrison Sale. She is responsible for the College’s legal matters and is a member of the President’s Cabinet.

While she was in-house with the College from 2021-2024, she led efforts to bring on-campus student housing to the College along with assisting in campus expansion projects and overseeing several departments.

Prior to serving as Northwest Florida State College’s general counsel, Whitney worked in private law practice and as a federal law clerk. Whitney is a Walton County resident along with her family.

Jackie Bytell – Interim Chief Information Officer

Jackie Bytell currently serves as the Interim Chief Information Officer at Northwest Florida State College. In her role, she oversees the College’s IT infrastructure and digital strategy, ensuring alignment with institutional goals. Jackie is responsible for leading cybersecurity efforts, enhancing user experiences for students and faculty, and promoting innovative technology solutions that support academic success and operational efficiency.

Kevin Brown – Associate Vice President for Government Relations and Special Projects

Kevin Brown has nearly two decades worth of governmental and political experience in Florida and the Southeast.

Kevin attended the University of Southern Mississippi and entered politics as an intern for then-Congresswoman, now U.S. Senator, Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee. Kevin also worked with former U.S. Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee.

Kevin spent 12 years in both the Florida House and Senate, where he served as Chief of Staff to Florida Senator Doug Broxson. During his time in the legislature Brown worked on a number of policy issues, including the BP Oil Spill and recovery, insurance and business regulatory reform, education funding, local government issues, and military and veteran initiatives.

Since 2010, Kevin has managed numerous legislative campaigns and ballot initiatives in Florida. Additionally, he served as the North Florida Campaign Director for Attorney General Pam Bondi. Kevin is the former Treasurer, State Committeeman, and Chairman of the Escambia County Republican Party. As Chairman, he oversaw the successful GOP midterm elections of 2018 and was appointed Co-Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida’s Legislative Affairs Committee, as well as a member of the Chairman’s Caucus, and the Next Generation Republican Roundtable.

Kevin is formerly the Director of State and Local Policy for a Tallahassee-based advocacy firm, advising a variety of clients from FORTUNE 500 companies to local nonprofits on legislative strategy. Kevin has also served on the Board of Directors for the Santa Rosa County Chamber of Commerce and was named an Honorary Submariner by the U.S. Submarine Veterans; Drum Base.

David Bishop – Executive Director, Strategic Communications

David Bishop has spent twenty-five years working in public relations and marketing with most his career spent in his native state of Florida.

Bishop previously served as deputy secretary of the Florida Lottery and was responsible for all aspects of brand management. He also served in the administration of then-Governor Jeb Bush, worked in the Florida Senate and in various other roles in state government. Mostly recently Bishop served as director of public relations at Southern Utah University, and as creator of strategic digital content for the Georgia Ports Authority. He started his career as a television news reporter/anchor.

David received his Bachelor Science in Political Science from Florida State University, and his Master of Interdisciplinary Studies in Public Relations Leadership from Southern Utah University. He, his wife and children live in Niceville, Florida.