Teresa Jacobs

Teresa Jacobs (born April 6, 1958 in Baltimore, Maryland) is an American politician serving since 2018 as the Chair of Orange County Public School Board. Jacobs previously served as Mayor of Orange County from 2011 until taking office as school board chair in November 2018, also having represented district 1 on the Orange County Board of County Commissioners from 2000 to 2008.

Early life, education, and family

Jacobs was raised in Miami and Jupiter, Florida. She is a graduate of Florida State University, graduating cum laude with a degree in economics.

Early business career Jacobs moved to Atlanta, Georgia, in 1981. She was Assistant Vice President of National Bank of Georgia, Atlanta from 1981 to 1989.

Political career Jacobs represented District 1 on the Board of County Commissioners, which encompasses southwest Orange County from Winter Garden to Hunter's Creek. She was elected in 2000, re-elected in 2004, and stepped down in 2008 due to term limits. Jacobs was credited with championing new ethics rules for county elected officials, and successfully strengthening local laws to prevent school overcrowding. She was elected President of the Florida Association of Counties in 2007.

2014 Orange County Mayor campaign Despite Val Demings having been in the race early on, she dropped out leaving Jacobs winning the election unopposed.

Electoral history

Current or Previous State and Regional Boards

President, Florida Association of Counties (FAC) Chair, East Central Florida Regional Planning Council (ECFRPC) Member, Central Florida MPO Alliance, Member Chair, Central Florida Smart Growth Alliance (CFSGA) Member, MetroPlan Orlando Board Gubernatorial Appointee, Wekiva River Basin Commission Member, Myregion.org Executive Board of Directors Member, Florida Transportation Plan Steering Committee International Drive Master Transit and Improvement District Governing Board, Chair Person Lynx Board of Directors Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority, Board of Directors Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority, Finance Committee Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA), Board of Directors Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission (Sunrail), Vice Chairman Visit Orlando Board, Ex-Officio Director County Executives of America, Board of Directors Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida Tourism Development Council (TDC), Chairman Central Florida Regional Commission on Homelessness, Co-Chair Congress of Regional Leaders, Member MyRegion.Org, Executive Board of Directors St. John's River Alliance