TALLAHASSEE, Fla., —Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Robert “Wayne” Ivey, Robert Bage, Edgar Rosa, and James Reaves and the reappointment of Eugene “Tommy” Ford, Jeff Pearson, James Sewell, and Chris Nebbeling to the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission.
Robert “Wayne” Ivey
Ivey is currently the Sheriff of Brevard County. With over 40 years of experience in law enforcement, he has been the sheriff since 2013. Prior to that, Ivey worked for the Florida Department Law Enforcement as the Resident Agent-in-Charge. He is currently the Chairman of the Florida Sheriff’s Association Training Committee and the recipient of the President’s Award for efforts in crime prevention and community awareness from the Florida Crime Prevention Association. Ivey earned his associate’s degree from Brevard Community College, his bachelor’s degree from Daytona State College, and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy class 237.
Robert Bage
Bage is currently the Police Chief for the City of Fort Walton Beach. With over 20 years of experience, he was previously the Assistant Police Chief for the City of North Miami. Bage is a veteran having served in the United States Navy. He is currently the Vice President of the First Judicial Circuit Law Enforcement Association and a current member of the Fort Walton Beach Rotary Club, International Association of Chiefs of Police, and Florida Police Chiefs Association. Bage earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Florida International University and his master’s degree in public administration from Barry University.
Edgar Rosa
Rosa is a Correctional Sergeant with the Orange County Corrections Department. He is currently the Vice President of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 86 where he has been a member since 2004. Rosa earned a Corrections Officer Certification from Valencia College.
James Reaves
Reaves is a Sergeant with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. He has been in law enforcement for over 15 years and currently serves as the President of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5-30 in Jacksonville. Reaves earned his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Auburn University.
Eugene “Tommy” Ford
Ford is currently the Sheriff of Bay County. With 30 years of experience in law enforcement, he has been sheriff since 2016. Prior to that, Ford started his career in law enforcement with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and left the agency as the Resident Agent-in-Charge in Panama City. He is the current chairman of the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission, the Co-Chair of the Northwest Florida Regional Domestic Security Task Force, and a board member of the Florida Sheriff’s Association. Ford earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from the University of West Florida, a graduate certificate in criminal justice education from University of Virginia, and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy class 258.
Jeff Pearson
Pearson is currently the Police Chief for the Satellite Beach Police Department. He has been in law enforcement for over 34 years, with 12 of those years serving as a Police Chief. Pearson is the past President of Brevard County Chiefs of Police Association and FBI National Academy Association. He is the District Director for the Florida Police Chiefs Association and is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Pearson earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Central Florida and his master’s degree in public administration from Webster University. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy class 224.
James Sewell, PhD
Sewell is a former Assistant Commissioner of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Previously, he was Director of Planning Services for the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and Chief of Police and Acting City Manager for the City of Gulfport. Sewell is a member of the Florida Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame, Florida Police Chiefs Association, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police. He earned a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and Doctor of Philosophy in criminology from Florida State University.
Chris Nebbeling
Nebbeling is a Patrol Officer, Instructor, and Range Master with the West Palm Beach Police Department. He served in and received an honorable discharge from the United States Army. Nebbeling is a Florida Department of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructor, Master Taser Instructor, Driving Instructor, and Defensive Tactics Instructor. He is a member of the Palm Beach County Police Benevolent Association. Nebbeling earned his bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Phoenix.
