Exploring Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Workshop

If you are looking to further deepen your understanding of DEI topics and develop the skills that are important to helping everyone feel included and appreciated, regardless of circumstance, race, or creed, this workshop is pointed at developing skills that can help promote understanding and acceptance in our community. 

This event is open to everyone. (Please contact us if you are an active Catapult Member for a discount.) Food and refreshments will be provided. Leading the workshop will be Rick Maxey, who has broad experience in the field of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. 

SPEAKER BIO

Rick Maxey retired from Florida Polytechnic University in August 2021 after 35 years in state government. He was most recently the Assistant Vice President Office of Diversity and Inclusion at Florida Polytechnic University in Lakeland, Florida. At Florida Poly he has also held positions as Assistant Vice President Economic Development and Board Management and Director Government Relations. Prior to working with Florida Poly, Maxey held a similar post as executive director for government relations at Florida’s State University System Board of Governors. He acted as the lead legislative and executive advocate for the State University System of Florida from 2005-11. He later became director of government relations at Florida LambdaRail, a fiber optic company serving educational and research entities in Florida.

In his professional career, He advised the Board of Trustees and Florida Polytechnic University leaders on strategies for increasing diversity within the university and creating an environment that recognized and supported cultures of all university constituents. In addition, he organized talks on diversity for students, faculty and staff at Florida Polytechnic University as well as served as a mentor and advisor for student groups dealing with diversity and inclusion. Rick implemented programs that acknowledged the value of all cultural groups and gave them opportunities to share their cultural backgrounds within the Florida Poly community. Earlier in his career Rick developed diversity programs for use by over 400 criminal justice agencies in Florida. He also facilitated community workshops around Florida that addressed the tensions between law enforcement agencies and communities of color.

Maxey also served for more than a decade in the Florida Department of Law Enforcement in various capacities that included senior executive assistant to the commissioner, agency liaison to the Florida cabinet, bureau chief of training and forensic scientist. As the bureau chief of training, he regulated instruction for more than 72,000 law enforcement, corrections and correctional probation officers in Florida and had oversight of 39 law enforcement training facilities throughout Florida. Rick also served as bureau chief of training for the Florida Department of Corrections, where he was responsible for the professional development of 25,000 employees in Florida’s prison system.

In 1998, he founded and operated Express Office Products providing office supplies and furniture to commercial and government entities.

Maxey holds a master’s degree in public administration from Florida State University in Tallahassee and earned his bachelor’s degree in biology from Troy State University in Alabama. His areas of skills and expertise cover organization development, legislative relations, policy analysis and political campaigns.

Since retirement, Rick and his wife, Jackye started Maxey, Inc to provide consulting services to government and private sector organizations. Throughout his adult life, he has volunteered with community organizations to serve the people in the communities in which he lived. Rick continues to volunteer his time since moving from Tallahassee to Lakeland in 2013.

Rick and Jackye married in 1985 and have two adult daughters, Taylore and Whitney.

As a community volunteer, Rick chair’s the Lakeland Vision Community Unity Committee overseeing five workgroups: (1) Overall Unity, (2) Economic Development, (3) Law Enforcement, (4) Healthcare, and (5) Education. He also is the Liaison for the Economic Development Workgroup that is working to increase economic gains realized by underrepresented people in the growth of Lakeland’s economy. Rick is also a member of the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. He also serves as the Rotary District Diversity Chair covering 34 clubs in four counties and trained all Rotary District Officers on strategies to increase diversity within Rotary and make Rotary a more desirable organization for people from all backgrounds. Rotary District Diversity Chair covering 34 clubs in four counties. He is frequently asked to speak with community organizations about the dynamics of building a more diverse and equitable community.

In addition, he serves on boards of directors for Early Learning Coalition, Lakeland Montessori School, Summerlin Academy High School, Lakeland Rotary Club, Lakeland Vision, Central Florida Speech & Hearing Center, Lakeland History & Culture Center, and VISTE.