Commerce Chief Kelly Named Sole Finalist for Pensacola State College President
September 1, 2026
Pensacola State College is poised to tap J. Alex Kelly, Secretary of the Florida Department of Commerce, as the school’s next president.
The school’s board of trustees made its recommendation Friday for Kelly to be the sole finalist after a national search.
“We believe he brings the experience, character and leadership needed to guide PSC into its next chapter and strengthen the college’s role in preparing students for the workforce needs of our region and to become productive citizens,” said Board of Trustees Chairman Zack Smith, who also chaired the search committee.
Kelly is in line to replace Edward Meadows, who has been president of PSC since 2008. This spring, Meadows announced he would retire at the end of 2026.
In his last year as president, Meadows made a base salary of $353,558.
DeSantis appointed Kelly as secretary in 2023, after the state folded and rebranded the Department of Economic Opportunity as the Department of Commerce.
As secretary, he currently earns a yearly salary of $185,996.64.
For the previous two years, Kelly worked in DeSantis’ office as his deputy chief of staff. Before that, he was chief of staff at the Florida Department of Education to then-Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran.
PSC’s presidential search included 109 applicants from across the country, according to the school. The search committee then selected nine candidates for interviews and four candidates for in-person interviews in Pensacola.
Kelly will visit campus in late September for meetings and forums with students, faculty, staff and community members.
“I am incredibly grateful to be selected as the recommended finalist to lead Pensacola State College,” Kelly said. “I have gained a tremendous appreciation for the College, the dedication and thoroughness of the board of trustees, the opportunities PSC creates for students and the important role the college plays throughout Northwest Florida.”
Kelly joins a number of DeSantis administration members who have taken prominent educational leadership roles the past couple of years.
Most recently this summer, former Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas was selected the next president of Polk State College.
Kamoutsas was also DeSantis’ deputy chief of staff prior to becoming education commissioner in 2025.
by Ana Goñi-Lessan, The News Service of Florida
Northview Sweeps J.U. Blacksher, Undefeated Tate Blanks Washington
September 1, 2026
Northview Chiefs
The Northview High School Chiefs swept the J.U. Blacksher Bulldogs from Uriah, Alabama, in straight sets across both junior varsity and varsity volleyball matches Monday evening in Bratt.
The varsity Lady Chiefs earned a decisive 3-0 victory over the Bulldogs. Northview set the pace early with back-to-back 25-20 wins in the opening frames before closing out the sweep with a 25-15 finish in the third set.
For more photos from Northview varsity on Monday, click here.
Up next, Northview will travel to Baker on Tuesday and Jay on Thursday.
In the preliminary matchup, the Northview junior varsity squad also took care of business at home, defeating J.U. Blacksher 2-0. Individual set scores for the JV contest were not available.
Tate Aggies
The Tate High School Aggies remained undefeated on the season Monday evening, sweeping the Booker T. Washington Wildcats 3-0 in Cantonment.
The varsity Lady Aggies improved to 6-0 overall, controlling the match in straight sets with scores of 25-13, 25-16, and 25-20.
Through six matches, the Aggies have been powered at the net by Torrie Garrett with 77 kills and Myla Manoso with 12 blocks. Bailie Merritt has anchored the offense and serving game with 136 assists and 13 aces, while Harper Leopard leads the back row with 50 digs and 50 receptions.
In junior varsity action, Tate also earned a clean sweep over Washington, defeating the Wildcats 2-0.
Tate will host Choctaw on Tuesday and Gulf Breeze on Thursday.
Pictured: Northview varsity defeated J.U. Blacksher 3-0 on Monday. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
James Ray Ramey
September 1, 2026
James Ray Ramey, 66, of Atmore, AL, passed away on August 25, 2026. He was born on May 18, 1960, in Albuquerque, NM, where he spent most of his working life.
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of James Ray Ramey, whose death came far too soon. After a lifetime of working hard and caring for those he loved, he had only recently begun retirement and a new chapter of life in Atmore, Alabama.
James was a true family man who showed his love through the things he did for others. He loved taking care of his family and found great joy in cooking, grilling, and smoking large meals for everyone to enjoy. Some of the best times were gathered around a meal he had prepared, with plenty of food and plenty of family.
He was, in every sense of the word, a man’s man. He believed that any job, whether big or small, personal or business, should be done right, with no shortcuts. If something needed to be fixed, built, or taken care of, he was determined to do it himself whenever possible. His work ethic, knowledge, and pride in a job well done were a defining part of who he was.
Before his years in the trades, he was known as “Jamo” during his days in music and entertainment. Jamo spent those years doing what he loved: lighting and sound. Hitting the road right after High School, traveling with the band “Off The Wall”, running lighting and sound. The guys from his “Off The Wall” days said he had a special talent for creating moods with the lighting system he built. He later continued working in sound and lighting with Quickbeam, which provided production services for big-name entertainers. Johnny Cash and Gloria Estefan were a couple of artists he had great respect for, as they were respectful to him. Those days were an important part of his life and reflected his love of music and the excitement of live entertainment.
When his daughter, Sarah, was born, his priorities shifted toward building a stable career and providing for this growing family. He became an electrical apprentice and entered the trades, beginning a career that would become a major part of his life and identity.
A highly skilled tradesman, James held multiple journeyman licenses and was deeply respected for his work as a boiler technician in New Mexico. Boilers were his true passion. He often said that he had a good understanding of boiler systems and that the short list of things he didn’t do was refrigeration. His knowledge, experience, and reputation earned him the respect of those who worked alongside him and those who relied on his expertise.
Throughout his career, James received many opportunities and offers for lucrative positions which he tried for brief periods. Yet, he chose to return to work for contractors serving schools because he believed the children deserved the very best care and expertise. He took great pride in knowing that his work helped keep the schools and their boiler systems safe and functioning properly for the children who depended on them. To him, the children were worthy of his expertise, and that belief mattered more than pursuing a higher salary. It reflected the kind of man he was, someone who valued doing meaningful work and using his knowledge to take care of others.
Retirement was meant to be a time for James to slow down and enjoy the life he had worked so hard to build. He and his beloved wife, Michelle, moved to Atmore, Alabama, seeking a slower and quieter life.
There, he looked forward to spending his time doing the things he loved most: attending drag races and concerts, camping and fishing. Even in retirement, he was never one to sit still for long; there was always something to repair, improve, or make better.
James was a proud and loving Grandpa to all seven of his grandchildren. He loved his grandbabies dearly and took great pride in each of them. The time he spent with them and the memories they shared will remain a treasured part of the legacy he leaves behind.
He was preceded in death by his beloved Mother, Wanda Cannon, and his respected father-in-law, Wynn Schneider.
James leaves behind his loving wife, Michelle Ramey; six children, Sarah, Jessica, Janna, Jared, Daniel and Drysta; seven cherished grandchildren, Sweetye, Kenny, Maxwell, Kashmir, K’zahrius, Braxton, J’Saahni; his beloved Pops, Bobby Cannon; his loved mother-in-law and gardening buddy, Derlie Schneider; and many other family members, friends, and colleagues whose lives were touched by his kindness, knowledge, strength, and unwavering devotion.
Although his retirement time was far too short, the life he lived was full of purpose. He will be remembered for the meals he prepared, the problems he could solve, the work he took pride in, the knowledge he shared, and, most importantly, the many ways he took care of the people he loved.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.