The Finley/JoJo Neighborhoods are sponsoring a political debate for the District 4 County Commissioner nominees. Both Ron Helms and Ashlee Hofberger will be in attendance to discuss their positions on issues affecting our community. The debate will be held on Thursday, October 17, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Olive Baptist on Davis Highway.
RON HELMS BIO
Ron Helms is a community leader, business owner, military veteran, and ordained clergy. He also has extensive involvement in community engagement. His passion for public service remains his driving success. As a resident of Pensacola, Helms has given much of his time and energy to the business, political, and nonprofit landscapes. He has decades of leadership in religious, community and nonprofit organizations. He further holds membership in several engaging organizations including, the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the non-partisan Institute for Women in Politics of Northwest Florida. Helms is additionally a member of the Escambia-Pensacola Human Relations Commission and multiple other organizations.
He is a former board member for Sunday’s Child, a non-profit organization that awards grants to local organizations whose mission includes meeting community needs through diversity and inclusion.
He was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, then went on to serve in the Navy, which took him to many countries around the world. While serving on active duty and beyond, Ron attended multiple colleges, even aboard ships, to pursue studies in business, religious studies, and psychology. He received special recognition for his military service in the Grenada Invasion in 1983. Helms is a two-time honorably discharged military veteran from the United States Navy.
He was later ordained in 1996 in Richmond, Virginia. Prior to relocating to Pensacola, Florida, in July 2005, from his last long term pastorate in Rochester, New York, after several years as senior pastor. Rev. Helms further served as the Presiding Moderator of Metropolitan Community Churches in Eastern Canadian and Northeast Districts (USA: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont; CANADA: New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec). As a collateral duty, Helms was a regional Judiciary Representative for most of this tenure. He is the past Vice President for the Greater Rochester Community of Churches.
His last pastorate prior to ministry retirement was with Christ Fellowship Church of Pensacola, who celebrated his life of ordained ministry with a Reaffirmation of Ordination. Ron is proud to call Pensacola home.
ASHLEE HOFBERGER BIO
Meet Ashlee Hofberger: a dynamic leader, a devoted mother, and an unstoppable force for conservative values and positive change. Ashlee is a passionate advocate for community service, a proud wife to her loving husband, Grant, and a doting mother to her two-year-old daughter. Born and raised in the heart of Pensacola, Ashlee’s roots run deep in her beloved community. A graduate of UWF, she’s not just a resident; she’s a hometown servant leader on a mission to make a real difference.
Ashlee’s professional career journey began in 2010 when she entered the male-dominated world of restoration. Fast-forward to 2012, and she co-founded what would soon become the Gulf Coast’s restoration powerhouse, showcasing her innate entrepreneurial spirit and knack for leadership.
Ashlee’s achievements don’t stop there. In 2020, she earned her Human Resources SHRM-CP designation, followed by the SHRM Talent Acquisition Specialty Credential in 2021. In 2022, she became an Emergenetics Certified Associate, a testament to her unwavering commitment to understanding and optimizing team dynamics, ensuring a harmonious and productive work environment.
Ashlee’s passion for leadership and dedication to her beloved community extends beyond the boardroom. In 2021, she co-founded The Wash Room, a revolutionary chain of high-end laundromats. Her vision? To turn mundane chores into memorable experiences while creating desirable jobs and fostering community connections.
Ashlee’s leadership philosophy is simple yet profound: lead with candor and kindness. This ethos fuels her dedication to uplifting those around her and fostering growth in her community.
As a true Pensacola native and a proud UWF alumna, Ashlee is deeply intertwined with the pulse of her community. Her commitment to Pensacola’s prosperity knows no bounds, and she’s thrilled at the prospect of bringing her unique blend of experience, innovation, and community spirit to the role of County Commissioner. With Ashlee at the helm, the future of District 4 shines brighter than ever before!
