Seaside Neighborhood School 850-231-0396
Seacoast Collegiate High School 850-200-4170

Seaside School, Inc. Board

There will be a special board meeting on Tuesday, March 8, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. It will be held at Seaside School. The topic of the meeting will be the elementary school expansion. The February Board meeting will be held on Thursday, March 24, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Seaside Neighborhood School Campus.

If you would like to address the Seaside School Board please email [email protected].

Seaside School Board 2014-2015

This Seaside School, Inc. Board meets at least 10 times per year, unless there is a need for additional meetings outside of the regular schedule. Notice about any meeting of the Seaside School, Inc. Board is posted in the front office of the Seaside School at least seven days before the scheduled meeting. Meetings are generally held on the third Thursday of the month at 5:30 PM.

For the 2014-2015 school year, the following individuals serve on the Seaside School, Inc. Board:

Judd Jackson, Chariman

Originally from Troy, Alabama, Judd S. Jackson graduated from Auburn University in 1995 with an accounting degree and after beginning his career in Birmingham, AL, with a certified public accounting firm, he and his family relocated to the Emerald Coast in 1999. He is a partner with Warren Averett, LLC, a regional CPA firm, serving in the consulting, tax and audit divisions and is a licensed CPA in Florida and Alabama. Judd’s practice revolves around small to medium-sized family-owned businesses with a concentration in the real estate industry focusing on issues such as taxation and strategic and succession planning.

Giving back to the community is something Judd feels strongly about and is serving or has served on the Board of Directors of Seaside Neighborhood School, Sacred Heart Hospital of the Emerald Coast, Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation and the Walton County Chamber of Commerce.

Judd and his wife Penny reside in Sandestin, Florida, with their sons, Spencer and Parker.

Cameron Strayhan, Vice-Chairman

Cameron Picture for the BoardCameron was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. She and her husband, Lee, enjoyed countless summers visiting the beautiful emerald coast before calling it their home in 2006, following Hurricane Katrina.
Cameron graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Chemistry. She then obtained her Juris Doctor from Loyola University College of Law, where she earned the top overall score for legal research and writing. Cameron spent several years practicing law particularly closing real estate transactions before transitioning into the Real Estate Sales Industry. Currently she is a Realtor for Beachy Beach 30A Real Estate, a boutique company specializing in 30A and known for their commitment to service, which made them a perfect fit for Cameron.
Both as a parent and as a professional, Cameron is very involved in the Scenic 30-A community, particularly in the area of education. In addition to her position as a board member for the Seaside School, she is the past President and Vice President of the PTO for Butler Elementary. Cameron has held the position of Registration Chair for the Seaside School Race Committee for the last three years, and plans to continue to hold the position well into the future. She also serves as a member of the Seaside School Business Advisory Committee and as a representative for the Walton County School District Advisory Council. Cameron holds memberships in the Florida Bar Association and the American Bar Association, as well as the regional, state, and national Association of Realtors.
Cameron is also an avid supporter of the Food For Thought Charity, Team Gleason outreach campaign, and Team Challenge, a charity that raises funds for Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis research. She and her husband, Lee, enjoy raising their two daughters, Madison and Sydney, in an area that provides such an amazing quality of life.

Brian Salter, Treasurer

Brian_SalterBrian is a native of Jacksonville, Florida and relocated to Northwest Florida in 2010 as part of a corporate relocation for the St. Joe Company where he has worked for over 12 years. Brian is a certified public accountant and holds a BBA in accounting from Stetson University and an MBA from the University of North Florida.
As Senior Vice President of Finance and Investments for the St. Joe Company, Brian has over 20 years of financial management and accounting experience with over 12 of those years in the real estate development industry. In the past twelve years he has worked with the St. Joe Company performing financial analysis, budgeting, financial planning, economic modeling and accounting. Prior to joining the St. Joe Company, Brian worked in Public Accounting performing both audit and tax work for various for- profit and not-for-profit clients.
Brian serves on the Board of Directors of the Cultural Arts Alliance as Treasurer, a local arts agency that supports the arts through leadership, advocacy, funding, programs and education, Seaside Neighborhood School Race Committee, and as usher and liturgist at the Apostles by the Sea Church. Brian resides in WaterSound Beach with his wife Marta and their two sons, Luke and Graham.

Reynolds Henderson, Secretary

Reynolds hendersonReynolds is a graduate of the University of Alabama with a BS in Political Science. He is a principal owner of Continental Pacific LLC, a closely held private capital real estate investment company. Continental Pacific and its wholly owned subsidiaries self-manage and invest in all areas of real estate including residential, commercial, and agricultural land development along with loan servicing and acquisition of liquidated distressed assets and alternative energy ground leasing. Reynolds’s responsibilities include executive management currently focused in Hawaii, Michigan, and Chile. He is currently working on a South America vodka project Sirena de Chiloé. In addition to Continental Pacific, he is also principal owner of two smaller companies, Henderson Barrett, LLC and FRH Holdings, LLC. The latter primarily owns and manages local retail and office space. Reynolds has served on several boards in the past including Children’s Volunteer Health Network, the Rosemary Beach Foundation, the Seaside Repertory Theater, along with the University of Alabama College of A&S Leadership Board. In addition to the Seaside Neighborhood Schools Board, he also is an at-large member of the American Enterprise Institute’s Enterprise Club, which is a Washington D.C. center-right think tank. Reynolds lives in Watersound Origins with his wife Stacey, their two sons, Fox and Parke, along with their pug, Foo.

Scott Barnes

barnesScott Barnes, a native of Montgomery, Alabama, graduated from Auburn University in August of 1995 with a degree in Building Science. Scott it a licensed General Contractor and runs his own development company. Scott is married and has three children. His personal interests include spending time with his family, fishing and attending Auburn Sporting Events. Scott is also currently serving as a HOA Board member for Watercolor.

Ali Barrett

For nearly 20 years, Ali Barrett has been a pioneer for educational growth, expansion and quality schooling in the state of Florida and within the Panhandle area. She has held various community leadership positions aimed at growing early childhood and elementary level offerings and 10 years ago even co-founded the first Santa Rosa Beach preschool. Notably, Ms. Barrett was personally appointed by Governor Jeb Bush to serve on the Florida Commission on Community Service aimed to strengthen Florida’s communities through national service, fostering volunteerism and leveraging resources.

Originally from Tallahassee, Florida and a graduate of Florida State University, Ms. Barrett is the mother of three boys. She and her husband Jeff own a reprographics business, House of Blueprints, in Seagrove Beach. Seaside Neighborhood School is near and dear to her heart since her eldest son attends the
school. The Barrett family continues to strive for excellence in public education and serve within the local community and beyond.

Jason Comer

Jason Comer was born and raised in Eufaula, Alabama. After living in Eufaula and later Sylacauga, Alabama, his family moved to Birmingham, Alabama where he attended Birmingham-Southern College. In 2003, Jason moved to South Walton County to oversee the development of Alys Beach. Jason’s real estate career spans 25 years, and he currently runs his own private real estate investment and development firm. He is a father of four, and he currently lives in Alys Beach with his wife, Anna, and children. Jason loves traveling with his family, SEC football and reading. In addition to his Seaside Neighborhood School Fundraising responsibilities, Jason serves on several boards and committees including EBSCO Industries, Inc. (Director and Compensation Committee Member), Alys Foundation (Director and President), Boy Scouts of America - Gulf Coast Council Executive Board and Point Washington Methodist Finance Committee.

Alden Lagasse

AldenAlden Lagasse is dedicated to helping children, supporting local and national charities, managing her own business, and being a mom to two children. She is a native of Gulfport, Mississippi, and graduated from the University of Mississippi with Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism in 1989.
In 2002, Alden demonstrated her passion for helping disadvantaged children by co-founding the Emeril Lagasse Foundation with her husband. She has dedicated her time as a Board Member to creating and developing ideas that generate new opportunities for children. She has also co-chaired the capital campaign for the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center, a children’s museum that focuses on performing arts and education for young children.
In addition to the time spent working with the foundation, Alden and her family contribute much of their time to supporting charities across the country. After residing in New Orleans and New York for the past 14 years; Alden and Emeril, along with their two children EJ and Meril, relocated to Destin, Florida, where they live full time. In Destin, Alden serves on the board of the Seaside Neighborhood School and is Co-Chair for the Capital Campaign of the Seaside Neighborhood School Foundation.

Andy McAlexander

Andy McAlexanderAndy McAlexander was born in Mississippi and spent much of his early life travelling while competing in international shotgun sports. Upon graduating from Tulane University with a degree in Economics, he worked as a broker for Merrill Lynch and realized his true strength was in sales. Andy came to South Walton with his wife Jennifer in 2001. Upon moving to this area, Andy worked in the building supply industry for over 10 years. During this time he witnessed the tremendous growth along 30-A and developed a strong desire to be an active contributor to the community he and his family call home.
Andy is currently in real estate sales with Mainsail Realty. In 2007 he and his wife started Mac Farms, a hydroponic farm operation supplying greens and tomatoes to local restaurants along 30A. Through Andy’s love of fishing and the outdoors, he became a founding member of the local chapter of the Coastal Conservation Association. Andy served as CCA President in 2010 and has served as Banquet Chairman for their annual fundraising event since 2011. After the BP oil spill, Andy considered the importance of preserving marine life in local waters and founded the South Walton Artificial Reef Association, a 501 c(3) not-for-profit corporation, in 2013. SWARA is currently in the process of deploying 13 reef complexes off the beaches of South Walton. Andy also serves on the Destination Improvement Committee of the Walton County TDC.

Patrick McCarthy

patrick mccarthyPatrick McCarthy grew up in Panama City, Florida before moving to South Carolina in high school. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of South Carolina-Aiken, and a Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law where he was a member of the South Carolina Law Review. He has a unique background as a practicing attorney, real estate developer, and entrepreneur. He started his legal career as a law clerk to a judge of the South Carolina Court of Appeals and later practiced with the Columbia based Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough law firm primarily in the area of pharmaceutical mass tort product liability defense. In 2002, he moved to Walton County and began a new career in real estate development. He co-developed three Gulf-front multi-family projects: Adagio, Villa Coyaba, and Andante. In 2008, he returned to the active practice of law with the Matthews & Hawkins law firm focusing on real estate and business litigation. In 2012, Patrick took a break from litigation and real estate to co-found mobile app start-up Glad to Have You, Inc. He served as its General Counsel and Chief Operating Officer. After the company was sold to HomeAway, Inc. in 2014, Patrick’s primary focus has been real estate. He is currently co-owner of 850 Properties, a real estate brokerage, and is co-developing three new multi-family projects in Walton County and Destin. In addition, he continues to provide legal representation to a few local businesses and technology start-ups. Patrick is licensed to practice law in Florida and South Carolina, and is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Court Mediator. He resides in Walton County with his wife Jennifer and two young children.

Patrick Murphy

patrickmurphyir (1)Patrick Murphy is the Senior Vice President of Operations for The St. Joe Company. He oversees Resort, Marina, Club and Lease Operations for the company. Mr. Murphy brings to the company extensive experience in the management and operations of large, luxury resort properties. This marks his second tenure with The St. Joe Company since he previously worked for the St. Joe-owned WaterColor Inn & Resort in Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., which was managed by The St. Joe Company at the time of his arrival. Mr. Murphy was at the WaterColor Inn & Resort since 2006 and most recently served as the resort’s General Manager. During his career, Mr. Murphy has held management positions at various Five Diamond and Five Star Resorts in the southeast. Mr. Murphy received his Bachelor’s degree from Armstrong State University in Savannah, Ga.

Jim Shirley

Shirley Restaurateur Chef Jim Shirley is co-owner of The Great Southern Restaurant Group, Inc., which owns The Fish House, The Atlas Oyster House, and The Fish House Deck Bar in Pensacola, Florida, and is owner of the Great Southern Café, The Meltdown on 30A in Seaside, Florida, The Bay and 331South-an entertainment venue, in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida.

Jim is a member of the state board of directors of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and a recent president of the association’s Northwest Florida Chapter, founder and president of the Society of Great Southern Chefs, and a member of the Southern Foodways Alliance.

Jim has served on the board of directors of the Children’s Home Society of Florida Western Division since 1999.

Jim lives in Santa Rosa Beach with his partner and fiancée, Kelli Castille, and their two children, Elodie and James.

Michael Stickler

StickOriginally from Pittsburgh, PA, Dr. Michael Stickler completed his undergraduate degree in Biological Science/ Engineering at the Pennsylvania State University. He then attended medical school at West Virginia University School of Medicine, where he was named Outstanding Graduate (valedictorian) of his class. During this time he was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. Following medical school, he completed his dermatology residency where he served as chief resident at the University of Florida’s Department of Dermatology at Shands Hospital.
Dr. Stickler relocated to the Florida panhandle in 2006. His medical practice, Gulf Coast Dermatology, has grown since that time from its original local location to over 30 locations throughout the Florida, Alabama, and Georgia. Dr. Stickler has served on the board of the American Cancer Society and continues to lecture nationally at medical conferences regarding skin cancer and prevention. Dr. Stickler now resides in South Walton County with his wife, Johnna, and two sons, Noah and Christian.

Tom Watson

WatsonCEO – JPB Commercial Real Estate Advisors
Vice President – JPB Partners, Inc.

Personal Background

Tom is the founder and CEO of JPB Commercial Real Estate Advisors, Northwest Florida’s premier commercial real estate brokerage operation, with a regional focus primarily covering the Pensacola to Panama City market area. JPB Commercial’s expertise includes all primary commercial property sectors – retail, office, industrial, multi-family, hospitality and land. Tom also serves as Vice President of the Southeast Region for JPB Partners, a private equity investment firm based in Columbia, Maryland.

Residing in Northwest Florida since 2000, Tom was formerly Director of Land Sales for the St. Joe Company, concentrating in commercial development and land sales. Prior to relocating back to his home state of Florida, and following a brief foray into the banking sector, Tom ran the consulting division of Jamison Research in Atlanta, focusing on commercial property acquisition & development due diligence and portfolio strategy for institutional investors, developers, lenders and REITs. Tom’s work ranged from Atlanta to Texas to the Carolina’s to Florida, where he was involved in an advisory capacity in over $1 billion worth of development and acquisitions in the latter half of the 1990s.

Since 2001, Tom has spearheaded numerous shopping center and mixed-use developments throughout Northwest Florida, consummating commercial and residential land and development transactions valued in excess of $150 Million in Northwest Florida, across all property types.
A very active member of his community, Tom is on the Board of Directors of the Seaside School, the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County, the Seaside Repertory Theater and the Lakeplace at Grayton Beach Homeowner’s Association. Industry and business association affiliations include the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP), International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), Florida’s Great Northwest, the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors, the Destin Chamber of Commerce and Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce. Tom graduated from Florida State University with a B.S. in Finance, and lives in Grayton Beach, Florida with his wife Suzanne and their son Wyatt.

Meetings and Updates

Please note that meeting minutes are posted to the web once they are approved by the Board. Minutes prior to the 2013-2014 school year can be found in the Seaside School office.

Request to address the Board of Seaside School. The public may address the Seaside School Board Members by sending a formal request via email to Cameron Strayhan at [email protected]. Please state your name and reason to address the Board.

Apply to Become a Seaside School Board Member

Seaside-School-Board-Member-Application-2016

Individuals interested in becoming a member of the Seaside School Board may submit an application to Andy McAlexander beginning in January. Applications will be accepted from January until February 19, 2016. Selected applicants are interviewed by an interview committee made up of current Seaside School Board of Directors. New Board members are normally elected during the April or May Board meeting.

Seaside Financial Audits

Seaside 2013 Audit

Seaside 2014 Audit

Seaside 2015 Audit

Comments are closed.