Rick Bebout:  

After leaving Mahomet-Seymour High school in 1963, not by choice. I started my Senior year at Champaign High School and joined the Navy. I graduated from Champaign High School C.O.64 while I was in the Navy. After spending 4.5 years in the Navy I returned to Il. I worked at Kraft, Zale's Jewelery store, Humko, Springer Ford, McMorHan trucking and finally Champaign County Court Services as a Juvenile Detention Officer,Counselor until I was hired by the U.S. Government in Jacksonville, Florida. After exiting the Navy I obtained an Associate Degree from Parkland and then a Bachelor's Degree from Eastern Illinois University. After going to work for the Government I continued my education in the fields of Computer Systems Analysis and Program Management. I retired in 2005 as a Management Analyst;"Budget Financial Manager". Before moving to Florida and going to work for the Government I had become involved in politics, ie, serving as a Parks and Recreation Commissioner in Paxton, Il.. After moving to Clay County Florida, I became involved in a number of political activities and became an organizer and activist for transportation and recreational trails in Florida, serving on numerous local, county and state level committees. I served on these committees either by appointment from the County Commissioners, the "Speaker" of the Florida House, or the Governor of Florida. I ran or managed a number of political campaigns at the local, county and state level, including my Daughter's campaigns for City Council, successful twice, and my own for County Commissioner, I lost to a girl, LOL. I am now serving, in retirement, as a county "Planning Commissioner", Vice President of the Executive Committee of the Clay County Council on Aging, Board of Directors for the Clay County Fair, Precinct Captain of the Clay County Republican Executive Committee and a Guardian Ad Litem for the 4th Judicial Circuit Court. I am tasked on a recurring basis to chair Ad Hoc committees on such effor...Expand for more