The Jacksonville Human Rights Commission:

Who Represents the Diverse Jacksonville Population?

The Jacksonville Human Rights Commission (JHRC) is a regulatory commission dedicated to eliminating
prejudice and the practice of discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age,
disability, marital status or familial status within Jacksonville. The JHRC consists of 20 members who
broadly represent the diverse population of Jacksonville by volunteering their time to ensure equal
opportunity and fair treatment of all citizens. Commissioners are appointed for a term of three years and
may be eligible for re-appointment for one consecutive term of three years. Currently there are only 17
members on the Commission with 3 vacancies soon to be filled.
The JHRC is assisted in its efforts by a full time staff of 15 who handle the investigations of alleged
discriminatory practices in employment, housing and public accommodations. The JHRC is also responsible
for the Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Office which is responsible for monitoring the city’s equal employment
opportunity plan and for investigating complaints made by city job applicants and employees.
Headed by their Executive Director Charlene Taylor Hill, who serves and the chief administrative officer
for the Commission and is charged with managing the daily operations of the staff. Together the staff and
member of the Commission take positive action to proactively address issues of diversity and inclusion
and to enforce local ordinances prohibiting eliminate discriminatory practices within the boundaries of
the City of Jacksonville.
>>>>>
Read on to meet some of the members of the Human Rights Commission and find out why they dedicate
their time and efforts to the commission.

Meet Commissioner Michael Wachholz. He currently serves as the Chair of the Jacksonville
Human Rights Commission. Mr. Wachholz is Chief Operating Officer of Beeline. When asked what the most
rewarding aspect of working with the Human Rights Commission is, Mr. Wachholz said he most enjoys
“working with the diverse commission group that is focused on making our community a better place for
everyone.” When he is not working or dedicating his efforts to the JHRC, Mr. Wachholz spends time with his
wife and 2 children. He says he enjoys being outdoors with his family and doing any sort of water recreation.

Meet Commissioner Michele L. A. Rollins. Michele is in her first term as a JHRC

commissioner and serves as the Chair for the Communications Committee. Michele is a local Jacksonville
Attorney as well as Public Relations professional. She is President of L. A. & Associates PR, Inc. Michele
volunteers for the JHRC because she believes that regardless of anyone’s personal beliefs, all people should be
entitled to enjoy life free from persecution and discrimination. When she is not dedicating her efforts to the
Human Rights Commission, she volunteers her legal services pro bono as an Attorney ad Litem to the Guardian
Ad Litem Juvenile Justice program which helps abused and neglected children in the system.
 Meet Commissioner William “Casey” Bulgin. He currently serves as the Chair of
Legislative and Rules Committee. Casey is a Certified Financial Planner with Morgan Stanley. When asked
what the most rewarding aspect of working with the Human Rights Commission is, Mr. Bulgin said, “Being
able to see the community I live in through other peoples' eyes has helped me understand the issues and
perceptions that so many people face every day.” When he is not dedicating his efforts to the JHRC or working
with Morgan Stanley, Mr. Bulgin enjoys playing soccer and golf, and spends some time in the water kite
boarding.

Meet Commissioner Cindy “Cynthia” Watson. Cindy serves as the Chair of the Employment
Committee as well as a member Legislative Committee and the Community Relations Committee. She is also
the past Chair of the JHRC. Mrs. Watson is the Executive Director of the Jacksonville Area Sexual Minority
Youth Network, Inc. (JASMYN). When she is not dedicating her efforts to the JHRC or JASMYN, Watson
enjoys spending time with her partner and 3 children. When asked what the most rewarding aspect of working
with the JHRC is, Mrs. Watson said, “I believe that the JHRC helps to level the playing field for all people in
our city; our work is essential to insuring that democracy is alive, and that all people can participate fully in our
community and civic life, regardless of their differences in age, race, religion, national origin, ability, etc..”

Meet Commissioner Dennis Wade, who is in his second term as a JHRC Commission member.
Dennis is the current Chair of the Community Relations Committee. Dennis believes that the most rewarding
aspect of his volunteer service on the JHRC is “effecting changes that educate our city and improve race
relations as well as developing solutions that address the JCCI’s identified race relations issues in Jacksonville.
Mr. Wade is Director of Sales & Marketing for The Florida/Georgia Star Weekly Newspaper.

Meet Commissioner Christina Comstock. She currently serves as a member of the

Communications and Employment Committees of the JHRC. Ms. Comstock is a supervisor for the North
Florida Call Center for the Department of Children and Families. When she is not dedicating her efforts to the
JHRC or working, Mrs. Comstock enjoys spending time with her husband and family. She has 6 children, 12
grandchildren, and she and her husband are in the process of adopting a child from the Philippines. When asked
what the most rewarding aspect of working with the Human Rights Commission is, Mrs. Comstock said she
enjoys being with a diverse group of people, learning about the various developments going on in our city and
“being able to give back to our community through the various undertakings of the commission.”

Meet Commissioner Dr. Alvin White, who is in his second term on the JHRC, where he serves
on the Employment Committee. Dr. White is a native of Jacksonville, Florida, where he has established a
successful and distinguished career as an educator and advocate for human rights. During the beginning of
desegregation of public schools in Duval County, Dr. White became the first black vice-principal of a
predominately white school, Robert E. Lee High School, and then the first black principal of a predominately
white school, Jean Ribault Senior High School. He was also one of the first black Area-Assistant
Superintendants in Duval County.

Meet Commissioner Susan Harthill. She currently serves as a member of the Employment
Committee and Housing & Public Accommodations Committee and she is an Associate Professor of Law at
Florida Coastal School of Law. When she is not dedicating her efforts to the JHRC or working at Florida
Coastal, Mrs. Harthill enjoys spending time with her husband and 3 children, doing yoga, community service,
and traveling. When asked what the most rewarding aspect when working with the Human Rights Commission
is, Mrs. Harthill said she most enjoys “participating in developing policies and guidance on employment
discrimination and workplace issues such as diversity and hiring practices.”

Meet Commissioner Dr. Leonardo del Rosario. He currently serves as a member of the Public
Housing & Public Accommodations Committee and he is a family medicine practitioner. Dr. del Rosario is
also a volunteer physician and Medical Director with Legacy Clinic and Christ the King Clinic and a physician
with Solantic Urgent Care. When he is not dedicating his efforts to the JHRC or working at the clinics, Dr. del
Rosario enjoys spending time with his children and grandchildren, tending to his gardens, and dancing. When
asked what the most rewarding aspect when working with the Human Rights Commission is, Dr. del Rosario
said he most enjoys working with the various committees and board members to solve the many problems our
community faces.
 Meet Commissioner Dottie Wilson. Dottie participates in both the Legislative Committee as
well as the Housing & Public Accommodations Committee, where she is able to utilize her years of real estate
expertise. Dottie is a long time Jacksonville resident who volunteers intensively within the community. She is
an avid tennis player, enjoys cooking with her husband, Chuck and spending time with her family in Lake
Tahoe. Dottie is a member of Congregation Ahavath Chesed and is the former president of the National
Association of Realtors, Jacksonville Chapter.

Meet Commissioner Ken Middleton. Ken currently serves on the Community Relations
Committee of the JHRC. In his full time professional career, he is the Contract Compliance and Civil Rights
Program Manager for the Jacksonville Transportation Authority. When he is not dedicating his efforts to the
JHRC or working for the JTA, Mr. Middleton enjoys spending time with his 2 children and serves as the
Chairman of the Shands Jacksonville Community Advisory Committee. He also loves to go boating and
fishing. When asked what the most rewarding aspect when working with the Human Rights Commission is,
Mr. Middleton said he enjoys the “collective thinking and diverse dialogue that the Commissioners have with
each other in attempting to bring about awareness and effect positive change within the Jacksonville community
as it relates to eliminating prejudice and the practice of discrimination.”

Meet Commissioner Maria Taylor, who is in her second term as a JHRC commissioner. Ms.
Taylor serves as a member of the Legislative Committee of the JHRC, as well as many other community
organizations in Jacksonville such as JCCI, Department of Health, Alliance for the Prevention of Teen
Pregnancy, and the Bridge.

Meet Commissioner Yvonne McClain, who is President of CMTS Inc., and has over 11 years
experience in project management and construction management. Yvonne is a native of Colorado and is married
with two daughters. Currently, she serves on the Executive Committee of the JHRC as Commission Secretary
and is in her first term on the Commission.
 Meet Commissioner Dan O’Conner. Dan is Senior Rehabilitation Specialist with the Division
of Blind Services and also serves as President of the Jacksonville Council of the Blind. Mr. O’Conner is the
current Chair of the JHRC Housing and Public Accommodations Committee, where he champions the rights of
the disabled community.

Meet Commissioner Parvez Ahmed who is in his first term as a JHRC member. Dr. Parvez
Ahmed is Associate Professor of Finance at the Coggin College of Business, University of North Florida and is
a U.S. Fullbright Scholar 2009-2010. His research work has appeared in several major finance journals. He
recently co-authored a book titled, Mutual Funds – Fifty Years of Research Findings. Dr. Ahmed is an active
member of the Islamic Center of Northeast Florida and OneJax. In his first year on the commission Dr. Ahmed
assists the Community Relations committee in their work.

Meet Commissioner Isabelle Lopez, who is Vice Chair of the JHRC and also serves on the
Communications Committee and the Housing & Public Accommodations Committee. Ms. Lopez is a Partner in
the law firm of Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P. A. Ms. Lopez is a passionate advocate for the JHRC and
feels that the most rewarding aspect of working with the JHRC is “providing a positive, win-win scenario for
individuals and businesses by doing outreach and training. For example last year’s “Opening Doors to
Accessibility” conference brought together specialist in the fields of construction and “Aging in Place”
expertise, demographics professors, economic development and housing experts, all for the benefit of the
construction, planning and design community to earn free continuing education credits and learn how to make
our public and private spaces more physically accessible for all.”

Meet Commissioner Dane Grey, who is the newest member to the JHRC being confirmed by
the City Council in February 2011. Dane attended his first Commission meeting in March 2011 and will spend
the next few months getting acclimated with the JHRC. Dane is owner and operator of Elite Parking Services of
America specializing in both parking and transportation operations. Dane graduated from Jacksonville
University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Aviation Management and Business and has recently attained his
Master’s Degree.