Donnie Land began his service to
Lafayette
County as the Emergency Management Director in February 1996. During that time he oversaw the county’s response and recovery from numerous incidents. From the floods and fires of 1998 through the Mallory Swamp Fire in 2001 and the hurricanes in 04 and 05, he worked to ensure that the county has had the resources and financial assistance necessary to respond and recover from these incidents. In 2006 he became Director of the newly formed Public Safety office which incorporated Emergency Medical Services, Emergency Management, 911 addressing and Fire Department Liaison under one office. In 2011 the Board of County Commissioners appointed Donnie as the Director of the Industrial Park.
Due to the many hats he wears Donnie asked the County Commissioners at the reorganization meeting in November to promote Alton Scott to the Director's post for the Emergency Management Department which would allow him more time to focus his energies on the other programs he is assigned.
Donnie grew up as an Air Force “brat” and lived in several parts of the country and overseas before returning to
Lafayette
County in August of 1965. He graduated from
Lafayette
County
High School in 1967. In 1969 he enlisted in the United States Air Force and served 21 years before retiring as a Senior Master Sergeant in 1990. During his career he received an Associate of Arts degree in Air Traffic Control Services from the Community College of the Air Force, A Bachelor of Science from
Troy
State
University and A Master of Arts in Public Administration from
Valdosta
State
University . Since becoming the Emergency Management Director he has completed numerous professional development courses covering the duties and responsibilities of Emergency Management. He is an active member of the Florida Emergency Preparedness Association.
Donnie is married to the former Martha Ann Hewitt and they have 3 children and 3 grandchildren. They both have deep ties to
Lafayette
County as their parents and grandparents were born and raised here.
