Branham looks forward to new Longboat commission seat next week

Newly elected commissioner Steve Branham is excited about his next chapter — starting a town commission term. 

Branham won the March 11 election by garnering 68.3% of residents’ votes for the at-large commission seat left vacant as Vice Mayor Mike Haycock reaches his term limit. 

With a week to reflect on his victory, Branham said he’s been able to absorb the reality and is ready for what’s ahead. 

“I’m looking forward to joining the commission officially and starting to help deal with challenging issues that we face as an island,” Branham said.

Branham will officially become a commissioner during a swearing in at a statutory meeting on Monday, March 24 at 9 a.m.

Branham is familiar with many town issues during his 13 years of living on Longboat Key.

A large part of that familiarity came from being married to assistant to the Town Manager Susan Phillips, who has worked for the town for about 27 years. He said he’s also had several friends on the commission in the past, which has helped him stay up-to-date with town issues. 

Branham has also served on the town’s Consolidated Retirement System Board of Trustees, on which he has been the chair since 2014.

This is a position he will have to give up because of his town commission victory. 

“I’ll unfortunately have to give that up. That’s been great work,” Branham said. 

He added the Consolidated Retirement System Board of Trustees has been a great spot for him, and it was rewarding to help take care of the town’s retirees. 

Having these background experiences will allow him to not be blind going into the commission.

“All of that is something to reflect on and prepare me for the new challenges of being a commissioner,” Branham said. 

Immediately following the statutory meeting, the town commission will hold a regular workshop. 

Branham had not yet received an information packet for the workshop as of Monday, March 17, but he said he would be ready to do his homework when he receives it. 

His professional background will also be helpful when entering this new endeavor. 

Branham spent much of his life serving in the U.S. Coast Guard, rising to the rank of rear admiral and later served as the Chief Financial Officer for the organization. As CFO, he managed the organization’s budget of about $10 billion. 

He also served as a senior executive of a profit center in disaster response management, where he worked with organizations like the Federal Emergency Management Agency and state and local governments. 

For six years, Branham was the director of the Suncoast Blood Centers board of directors, on which he also spent four years as president.

Within the Longboat Key community, Branham’s service extends to serving on the board of the Longboat Key Foundation and the Longboat Key Garden Club, the latter of which he has been involved in for 10 years.

What’s next

The swearing in of Branham to the at-large commission seat is taking place on Monday, March 24, during a statutory meeting at 9 a.m. 

Also, the town commission will choose its mayor and vice mayor for the year. Mike Haycock, the current vice mayor, will no longer be a commissioner after Branham takes his at-large seat. Haycock reached his two-term commission limit.

The town commission is required by statute to have an annual meeting where they appoint a mayor and vice mayor.