Left to Right: Lizanette Tam, Nicole Benjamin, Crockett Bohannon & Sharon Smoley. Not pictured: Ashley Cisneros Mejia
The legislation which created the Orange County Library District provides for a five member Library Board of Trustees. Each member is appointed by the Library District Governing Board (Orange County Board of County Commissioners plus one member appointed by the City of Orlando). Trustees serve four year terms and are eligible to serve two terms. The powers of the Library Board of Trustees include administering, operating, supervising, overseeing, and maintaining library facilities and services for the benefit of the residents of the Orange County Library District.
Nicole Benjamin, Vice President
Term of Office: First, January 2022 – December 2025
City or County Appointee: City
Professional Background: President & Attorney, Benjamin Law Firm, P.A.
Hobbies / Personal Interests: Reading, Going to the Beach, Playing Board Games
College / Graduate School Attended: Florida State University & Shepard Broad Law School of Nova Southeastern University
Most Influential Person in My Life: My Mother.
Favorite Weekend Activity: Spending Time with My Daughters
Favorite Genre of Literature: Fiction
Favorite Author: James Patterson
Best Book Ever Read: Too Many to List
Latest Book(s) Read: Becoming Michelle Obama
Favorite Food: Seafood of Any Kind
Favorite Vacation Spot: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
I’d like to spend a year of my life… Traveling & Eating
Crockett Bohannon, President
Term of Office: First, January 2020 – December 2023
City or County Appointee: County
Professional Background:
Financial Advisor, Raymond James
Founder, Orlando Divorce Planning
Partner, Foundations Financial Partners, LLC
Hobbies / Personal Interest: Ultra-Distance Cycling
College Attended: University of Central Florida
Most influential person in my life: My Mother
Personal Statement: My MISSION is to be known for the quality and impact of my efforts in my community, for my clients and those I am engaged with throughout my life.
Favorite Weekend Activity: Cycling
Favorite Genre of Literature: Non-Fiction / Self Development
Favorite Author: Alex Hutchinson
Best Book Ever Read: How Bad Do You Want It
Latest Book Read: The Tour According to G
Favorite Food: Peanut Butter
Favorite Vacation Spot: Camping in a tent anywhere
Childhood Spent In: Born, raised and educated in Central Florida
Favorite High School Subject: Social Studies
Favorite Music: Ska
I’d like to spend a year of my life … Riding My Bike Across America.
Ashley Cisneros Mejia, Trustee
Term of Office: Filling an unexpired term ending December 31 2023
City or County Appointee: City
Professional Background:
Business Coach for Professional Writers
Host of the Talk Freelance to Me Podcast
Freelance Journalist & Writer
Hobbies / Personal Interests: Reading, dancing & listening to podcasts
College / Graduate School Attended:
University of Florida, M.S. Entrepreneurship
University of Florida, B.S. Journalism, Minor in Sociology
Most influential person in my life: My Grandpa
Personal Statement: Libraries open doors to the world for people of all ages, offer a place of wonder and escape, and serve as our first classrooms for exploring what’s possible beyond our immediate means. Libraries remain our cherished sanctuaries for simply existing and have the unparalleled power to transform lives through knowledge, discovery, and community connections.
Favorite weekend activity: Enjoying a leisurely brunch and spending the day at the springs or the beach.
Favorite genre of literature: Biographies
Favorite Author: Fredrik Backman
Best book ever read: Too many to choose from!
Latest book(s) read: Finding Me by Viola Davis
Favorite food: A tie among Tex-Mex, Texas style smoked brisket & BBQ, Venezuelan arepas, Peruvian, and Greek cuisines
Favorite Vacation Spot: Costa Rica
Childhood spent in … Panama City, Florida
Favorite high school subject: English
Favorite music: I love all kinds – but especially NeoSoul and hip hop. On long drives, I like country.
“I’d like to spend a year of my life … traveling the world, interviewing people, and writing a book.
Sharon Smoley, Trustee
Term of Office: First, January 2023 – December 2026
City or County Appointee: County
Lizannette Tam, Trustee
Term of Office: First, January 2021 – December 2024
City or County Appointee: County
Professional Background:
Freelance Artist
New York City Public Schools Teacher of Fine Arts
Florida PTA President (Sunrise Elementary) 2018-2019
Leadership Orange 2018-2019
Hobbies / Personal Interests:
Creating Art, Collecting Art & Event Planning
College Attended:
Brooklyn College, New York – Masters in Art Education
Fashion Institute of Technology, New York – AAS in Fashion Design & BFA in Toy Design
Most Influential Person in My Life: My Mom
Personal Statement: I will do my best and look forward to working with the members of this Board to serve the Orange County Library System and our community.
Favorite Weekend Activity: Spending time with my family
Favorite Genre of Literature: Fantasy
Favorite Author: J.R.R. Tolkien
Best Book Ever Read: Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain
Favorite Food: Spanish & Chinese
Favorite Vacation Spot: Europe
Childhood Spent In: Brooklyn, New York
Favorite High School Subject: Art!
Favorite Music: Depends on my mood
I’d like to spend a year of my life … Traveling & Sightseeing
Finance Committee:
Chair: TBD
Marketing Committee:
Chair: TBD
Personnel Committee:
Chair: Sharon Smoley
Planning Committee:
Chair: TBD