Candidate: Jennifer Soto

Jennifer Soto's journey from Brooklyn, New York, to Osceola County, Florida, is a testament to her unwavering commitment to positive change. As the youngest of seven, Jennifer's the first in her family to graduate from college. Driven by a desire for a better life, Jennifer relocated to Florida, emerging as a dedicated public servant and Chief of Staff at the Osceola County Clerk’s Office.

In that role, Jennifer managed the day-to-day operation of an annual budget of over 13 million dollars, 10 executives, and a workforce of over 200 personnel across 25 different departments. During her first term, she spearheaded an organizational restructuring initiative, implementing new policies and procedures that reduced overall cost, improved operational efficiency, and increased access to essential services for the residents of Osceola County. In addition, Jennifer successfully resolved substantial financial oversights, recovering over 1 million dollars in misappropriated funds from a previous administration. 

Her impact on the community was profound, introducing innovative services to simplify the process of public interactions at the Clerk's office, such as online appointment setting and payment plans for traffic tickets to help residents with financial struggles.

In the face of State-level cuts to the Clerk's office, Jennifer showcased exceptional leadership, protecting jobs and avoiding layoffs while prioritizing the community's well-being. Her commitment to employee morale is evident in fostering a positive work environment with comprehensive training, fair compensation, and recognition for outstanding performance.

Amidst the COVID-19 epidemic, Jennifer Soto demonstrated remarkable leadership. As a trailblazer, she implemented remote work for employees, preserving jobs during challenging times. Jennifer's commitment extended further, as she voluntarily took a 30% pay cut to safeguard employment opportunities. Her innovative and strategic planning didn't go unnoticed, with other local agencies adopting her COVID-19 protocol for its effectiveness in addressing challenges within their own offices.

Jennifer's visionary approach encompasses a commitment to fiscal responsibility, championing transparency and accountability in organizational expenditures. Under her leadership, she revolutionized financial operations, achieving unparalleled reporting accuracy and accountability, resulting in consecutive perfect audit ratings with no findings. Jennifer further demonstrated her dedication to transparency by making these audit reports readily accessible to all residents on the clerk's website, ensuring an open and accountable Clerk's office. She championed a rebuild of technological infrastructure that enhanced services, secured legal cases, and supported increased online access.

Adding to Jennifer's impressive accomplishments, she holds an MBA Lite and Advanced Leadership Certification from The Florida Sterling Leadership Council. She has also been awarded The Florida Ethics Certification from The Florida Institute of Government and holds a Six Sigma certification for project management.

Jennifer's exceptional expertise in organizational and budgetary management, contract review and negotiation, along with her proficiency in policy development, conflict resolution, strategic planning, strategic improvements, training, and task execution, make her the ideal candidate with the leadership experience that Osceola County needs. 

As a candidate for Osceola County Clerk of Court, Jennifer Soto embodies experience, innovation, and a deep commitment to community service. Her journey from Brooklyn to Osceola County mirrors the American dream, promising a brighter and more inclusive future for the community she wholeheartedly cares about.