Candidate: Crystal K Kinzel

For over 30 years, I have proudly served the citizens of Collier County.  I have the experience, the vision, the energy and the proven ability to lead the Clerk’s Office into the next generation of services.  I ask for your vote and support this summer to re-elect me as your Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller.  I am committed to safeguarding your money and providing first-class customer service to the citizens and taxpayers of Collier County. 

I have a Bachelor’s of Business Administration (BBA) in Accounting from George Washington University and am a Certified Government Finance Manager.   I began my career in accounting and finance working for the National Retired Teachers Association/American Association of Retired Persons (NRTA/AARP) in Washington, D.C.  Following my time there, I worked at NASDAQ, Inc, where I was responsible for all National Broker/Dealer accounts and nationwide implementation of new broker dealer equipment.  After moving to Key West, Florida in 1983, I was the youngest person to be appointed as Finance Director for the City of Key West at age 29.  For my service and dedication, I was fortunate to have been named an Honorary Conch by the Mayor of Key West. After a brief time in New York City, my family and I returned to Florida landing in Panama City, where I became the acting Finance Director at Bay Medical Center before moving to Naples in 1988. 

In 1989, in his first term as Sheriff, Don Hunter appointed me Finance Director for the Collier County Sheriff’s Office; a position that I held for 16 years.  In 2005, I joined the Collier County Clerk’s Office as Director of Finance and Internal Audit until 2016, when then Clerk of Courts Dwight Brock named me as his Chief Deputy Clerk. 

After Dwight’s untimely death in 2018, Florida’s Governor named me the Interim Clerk of the Courts and Comptroller. Shortly thereafter, in August of 2018 the voters of Collier County formally elected me to serve in my current position with 63% of the vote.  My many years of service to our community as well as my demonstrated track record in Finance and management prepared me for this important role as Watchdog for you the citizens of Collier County.      

In addition to my professional commitments, I have remained active in trade and civic associations.  I am a member of the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce and a graduate of the Chamber’s Leadership Collier Program in 2000 and Leadership Institute in 2003.  As one of the five women founders of Youth Leadership Collier, I am proud to have kick-started a program that has guided hundreds of students on track toward becoming ethical, community-minded leaders in Collier County.  I was also fortunate to be a founding member of the Naples Paradise Chapter of the Association of Government Accountants (AGA) that supports the professional development of accounting staff in our local businesses.  I am a member of the Collier County Identify Theft and Fraud Awareness Task Force, working to provide information to our community regarding unscrupulous schemers and scams.  I have stayed active in many community organizations including the League of Women Voters of Collier County, homeowner associations, numerous clubs and my church where I taught in the youth program for many years.   

My husband Mike and I have four adult children and we are the proud grandparents of 8 grandchildren with number 9 on the way in October 2020.