Raising Excellence

Setting our Youth up for Success in Life! Insights with Seminole County Florida, Sheriff Dennis Lemma

In this episode, Sherriff Lemma shares some creative ways to deal with Peer Pressure in unhealthy situations, as well as the difference between punishment and consequences as it relates to our youth.  Sherriff Lemma goes deep into Leadership, Humanity, and how to make our Communities safer for our Kids. 
 
In 2017, Dennis Lemma was sworn in as Seminole County’s 10th Sheriff and was re-elected for his second term in 2020. As the County’s chief law enforcement officer, Sheriff Lemma leads a work force of more than 1,400 employees and manages a $170 million budget. In 1992, Sheriff Lemma began his career as a correctional officer with the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office. He later became a deputy sheriff and, over the course of 31 years, has worked in virtually every position within the agency, serving as the Sheriff’s Office primary spokesperson and receiving promotions from the ranks of sergeant, lieutenant, captain, major and chief deputy prior to becoming Sheriff.
In July 2019, Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis announced the formation of a drug abuse prevention panel with Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma to serve as chair. The focus of the panel will be to discuss and determine best practices and innovative solutions to combat drug abuse throughout the state, specifically as it pertains to Florida’s youth.Sheriff Lemma was selected in February 2020, for the President’s Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice to represent sheriffs on the Business and Community Development committee. In addition, in February 2020, Sheriff Lemma was appointed to represent Florida sheriffs as a member of the All Sheriffs’ Authority to address the mental health and substance abuse issues affecting communities across the nation, and its impacts on sheriff’s offices.
In February 2022, Sheriff Lemma was sworn in as the President of the Major County Sheriffs of America. The Major County Sheriffs of America is a professional law enforcement association of the largest elected sheriffs’ offices dedicated to preserving the highest integrity in law enforcement. In July 2023, Sheriff Lemma was appointed to serve as Secretary on the Board for the Florida Sheriffs Association.In February 2021, Sheriff Lemma joined the Victoria’s Voice Foundation as a Board Member. The foundation’s mission is to bring awareness and prevention of substance abuse, especially amongst teenagers.In March 2021, the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office opened the Hope & Healing Center in partnership with Advent Health. This unique health care and law enforcement collaboration will provide clinical support for substance abuse treatment.A U.S. Marine Corps veteran and graduate of the FBI Academy, Sheriff Lemma holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and master’s degree in administrative leadership. He and wife, Diana, have two sons, Dylan and Dayne.

Setting our Youth up for Success in Life! Insights with Seminole County Florida, Dennis Lemma

In this episode, Sherriff Lemma shares some creative ways to deal with Peer Pressure in unhealthy situations, as well as the difference between punishment and consequences as it relates to our youth.  Sherriff Lemma goes deep into Leadership, Humanity, and how to make our Communities safer for our Kids. 
 
In 2017, Dennis Lemma was sworn in as Seminole County’s 10th Sheriff and was re-elected for his second term in 2020. As the County’s chief law enforcement officer, Sheriff Lemma leads a work force of more than 1,400 employees and manages a $170 million budget. In 1992, Sheriff Lemma began his career as a correctional officer with the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office. He later became a deputy sheriff and, over the course of 31 years, has worked in virtually every position within the agency, serving as the Sheriff’s Office primary spokesperson and receiving promotions from the ranks of sergeant, lieutenant, captain, major and chief deputy prior to becoming Sheriff.
In July 2019, Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis announced the formation of a drug abuse prevention panel with Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma to serve as chair. The focus of the panel will be to discuss and determine best practices and innovative solutions to combat drug abuse throughout the state, specifically as it pertains to Florida’s youth.Sheriff Lemma was selected in February 2020, for the President’s Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice to represent sheriffs on the Business and Community Development committee. In addition, in February 2020, Sheriff Lemma was appointed to represent Florida sheriffs as a member of the All Sheriffs’ Authority to address the mental health and substance abuse issues affecting communities across the nation, and its impacts on sheriff’s offices.
In February 2022, Sheriff Lemma was sworn in as the President of the Major County Sheriffs of America. The Major County Sheriffs of America is a professional law enforcement association of the largest elected sheriffs’ offices dedicated to preserving the highest integrity in law enforcement. In July 2023, Sheriff Lemma was appointed to serve as Secretary on the Board for the Florida Sheriffs Association.In February 2021, Sheriff Lemma joined the Victoria’s Voice Foundation as a Board Member. The foundation’s mission is to bring awareness and prevention of substance abuse, especially amongst teenagers.In March 2021, the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office opened the Hope & Healing Center in partnership with Advent Health. This unique health care and law enforcement collaboration will provide clinical support for substance abuse treatment.A U.S. Marine Corps veteran and graduate of the FBI Academy, Sheriff Lemma holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and master’s degree in administrative leadership. He and wife, Diana, have two sons, Dylan and Dayne.

Setting our Youth up for Success In Life - Insights with Seminole County Florida, Sherriff - Dennis Lemma

In this episode, Sherriff Lemma shares some creative ways to deal with Peer Pressure in unhealthy situations, as well as the difference between punishment and consequences as it relates to our youth.  Sherriff Lemma goes deep into Leadership, Humanity, and how to make our Communities safer for our Kids. 
 
In 2017, Dennis Lemma was sworn in as Seminole County’s 10th Sheriff and was re-elected for his second term in 2020. As the County’s chief law enforcement officer, Sheriff Lemma leads a work force of more than 1,400 employees and manages a $170 million budget. In 1992, Sheriff Lemma began his career as a correctional officer with the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office. He later became a deputy sheriff and, over the course of 31 years, has worked in virtually every position within the agency, serving as the Sheriff’s Office primary spokesperson and receiving promotions from the ranks of sergeant, lieutenant, captain, major and chief deputy prior to becoming Sheriff.
In July 2019, Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis announced the formation of a drug abuse prevention panel with Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma to serve as chair. The focus of the panel will be to discuss and determine best practices and innovative solutions to combat drug abuse throughout the state, specifically as it pertains to Florida’s youth.Sheriff Lemma was selected in February 2020, for the President’s Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice to represent sheriffs on the Business and Community Development committee. In addition, in February 2020, Sheriff Lemma was appointed to represent Florida sheriffs as a member of the All Sheriffs’ Authority to address the mental health and substance abuse issues affecting communities across the nation, and its impacts on sheriff’s offices.
In February 2022, Sheriff Lemma was sworn in as the President of the Major County Sheriffs of America. The Major County Sheriffs of America is a professional law enforcement association of the largest elected sheriffs’ offices dedicated to preserving the highest integrity in law enforcement. In July 2023, Sheriff Lemma was appointed to serve as Secretary on the Board for the Florida Sheriffs Association.In February 2021, Sheriff Lemma joined the Victoria’s Voice Foundation as a Board Member. The foundation’s mission is to bring awareness and prevention of substance abuse, especially amongst teenagers.In March 2021, the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office opened the Hope & Healing Center in partnership with Advent Health. This unique health care and law enforcement collaboration will provide clinical support for substance abuse treatment.A U.S. Marine Corps veteran and graduate of the FBI Academy, Sheriff Lemma holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and master’s degree in administrative leadership. He and wife, Diana, have two sons, Dylan and Dayne.

Raising Excellence EP #2 - Dan Cross with Athlete Connections

In our second episode, Dan Cross with Athlete Connections sits down with Mike Friedman to discuss the foundational traits that allow our youth to live a successful and fulfilled life.
Dan Cross was a Hall of Fame Basketball Player for the Florida Gators, and was part of the first team that went to the Final Four. Since then he has focused his efforts on his Life Skill Program for youth through his foundations that he founded, Athlete Connections (www.acforyouth.org), as well as Cross Academy LMS (www.CrossAcademyLMS.com)
These Foundations focus on Character Development and Life Skills Education of youth.  Dan has also recently joined the University Of Florida's Gator Booster Board Of Directors.  
 

Building Strong Youth -EP 2 - Insights with Ephraim Grubbs - Pop Warner Superbowl Champion Coach - Ret Army Colonel

In our first episode, Ephraim Grubbs sits down with Mike Friedman to share his thoughts on building a strong future generation.   His approach to overcoming today's challenges with our youth are both inspiring and real. Throughout the show he unpacks the way he fuses Faith, Family, Football, and his Military Background, together to give real word strategies for our youth that are both impactful and insightful.  
 
Ephraim E. Grubbs, III is a Christian, Husband, Father of four boys, US Army Veteran, General Contractor and Youth Football Coach.  He enjoys sharing his life experiences in serving our country and our community in an effort to spread the good news about faith in our great Nation and the amazing opportunities we all are afforded.
Colonel (Retired) Grubbs, served for 30 years in a variety of Army leadership positions, from active duty as Jumpmaster in the 82d Airborne division to Brigade Commander of 60th Troop Command in the NC National Guard.  His deployments include: 1st Persian Gulf War, Guantanamo Bay Cuba – Haitian Humanitarian Relief,  Multi-national Peace Keeping forces South Sinai Egypt and Operation Iraqi Freedom.  Ephraim ended his military career serving as the NC’s National Guard military representative to the state partnership programs in Chisinau Moldova and Botswana Africa.
His awards and decorations include a Legion of Merit, 2 Bronze Stars, and  4 Meritorious Service Medals.
Ephraim is an active Rotarian (20+ years) and serves as commissioner of football for the local Pop Warner Youth Football Association (17th season) and is on the West Seminole FCA Board.  Colonel Grubbs resides in Lake Mary, FL with his wife of 34 years Renee, and their 4 children: Ephraim IV 28, Adam 24, Eli 19, and Noah 16 years old.
His education includes a Masters of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College, MBA from Mississippi College and BS in Business from The Citadel Military College.