Candidate: Diane Hutchings

Diane Hutchings, Republican, has resided in Clay County for 45 years. She is a graduate of Clay High School. During her freshman year, Diane was fortunate to meet her husband, Brett. They married in 1981 at Hickory Grove Church in Green Cove Springs. Diane and Brett have two children, Ashley and Kyle, and seven grandchildren. The Hutchings have been active members of Hibernia Church in Fleming Island, where the couple teaches Sunday School to preschool-aged children, since 2003.

Municipal Government

Diane’s broad experience in both the private and public sector uniquely qualifies her to serve as Clay County’s next Tax Collector. At age 31, Diane was elected to the Green Cove Springs City Council. She served two terms from 1993 to 1999 and served as Mayor. 

Following her 6-year tenure, Diane left municipal government and returned to the private sector. She spent the next 20 years focused on her career in the banking and financial services industry. 

n 2012, Diane Hutchings returned to public service when she was elected County Commissioner. She has served in this role for the past 8 years. On the Commission, Diane served as Chairman of the Board for 2 consecutive years. Her public duties in 2020 include Vice Chairman of the Infrastructure & Development Committee, North Florida Transportation Planning Organization, and liaison for the Chamber of Commerce.

Clay County Port Executive Director, Ted McGowan, said Diane’s work in economic development and transportation in addition to  her financial leadership have been profitable to our local economy.

"The job of Tax Collector requires strong municipal government experience; Diane has that.”––Ted McGowan

Diane’s municipal certifications include Certified County Commissioner (CCC) and Advanced County Commissioner (ACC).

Business Credentials

Diane Hutchings is a financial industry professional. She began her career in financial services at Barnett Bank and transitioned into the investment side in 2001 by joining Salomon Smith Barney. In 2003, she joined Prudential Financial and was later recruited by a credit union in 2009, where she became the Managing Director of First Florida Credit Union. She holds a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation and has 25 years of experience in the financial-services industry. She is a FINRA Series 7 and 65 Registered Representative with LPL Financial, a Member FINRA/SIPC and is Life/Health/Variable Annuity licensed in Florida.

Diane says that her public service, professional training, and professional business experience qualify her to bring taxpayers the highest level of experience and diligence.

"In my profession, I work with private citizens and small business owners as a financial planner. My background involves assessing, goal setting, data collection, risk assessment, strategic planning, execution, and monitoring” said Hutchings.

Community Leadership

Commissioner Hutchings is dedicated to serving people beyond the requirements of her elected position. She is on the Board of Trustees of Orange Park Medical Center. Serving from 2012-2020, Diane’s long tenure on the OPMC Board of Trustees is noteworthy according to local attorney David King, who serves alongside her as a fellow Trustee at the hospital.

"…it shows that she’s serious about the quality of our local healthcare system, and most importantly, that she truly cares about the neighbors we serve” he said.

Additionally, Diane currently serves as the President of the Governing Board of St. Johns Classical Academy. Along with the other Inaugural Board Members, Diane partnered with the Barney Charter School Initiative of highly-respected Hillsdale College to bring a classical, virtue-based education option to the families of Clay County. She believes in building intelligent, virtuous American citizens. St. Johns Classical Academy is an “A”-rated school in Clay County that serves students in kindergarten through eleventh grade. The school will enter its fourth year of operation in August 2020. Diane is committed to the mission of the school—to develop graduates in mind and character through a classical, content-rich curriculum that emphasizes the principles of virtuous living, traditional learning, and civic responsibility. 

In addition to her service to Orange Park Medical Center and St. Johns Classical Academy, Diane has also voluntarily served on the: Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, as Chairman of Economic Development, Tourism Development Board, Transportation Advisory Commission, and the School District Health Education Advisory Council. She also served as the President of Clay Women in Business. She is a member of the Orange Park Sunrise Rotary. 

Political Affiliation

Diane Hutchings is a lifelong Republican; she’s on the Republican Executive Committee. Diane is pro-life.

"I would hope to be remembered for the people I helped, the lives I touched. As someone who led as a servant-leader from the heart, who was a woman of her word, and who always did her homework and had a gift for bringing people together for the common good.” –Diane