Board Members

William V. Husfelt, III

Superintendent

Bill Husfelt was elected Superintendent of Schools in November 2008. A former high school principal with both middle and high school coaching, teaching, and administrative experience, he holds a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Florida State University. Mr. Husfelt was the recipient of the 2004 and 2006 Florida Commissioner’s Principal Achievement Award for Outstanding Leadership. Believing public education to be the backbone of our free society, he is quick to give credit to the many people who guided and helped him reach his goals. The vast majority of those he credits are educators, coaches, and school administrators. He currently serves as a deacon and Sunday school teacher of the Young Married Class at Hiland Park Baptist Church and has been a director on the board of Panhandle Educators Federal Credit Union since 2000. He and his wife, Theresa, have three daughters ~ Stephanie, Allison and Anna ~ who all graduated from Bay District Schools.

E-Mail: husfewv@bay.k12.fl.us

Jerry Register
District 1

Elected to the Board in 2008, Jerry Register graduated with Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of West Florida. He is also a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi with a master’s degree in Supervision and Administration. He has 16 years teaching experience at all grade levels in public education. Mr. Register was Principal of the Year in 1998 and served as an elementary school administrator for 14 years. He is owner of Painting with Principal Jerry Register, Inc. Throughout his career, he has served and is currently active in numerous civic, educational, youth and church organizations. He emphasizes his philosophy ~ “Children are our most valuable commodity. So, their interests should be at the center of every decision made by the School Board.” His best personal advice is, “The key to success is personal integrity and hard work!” Mr. Register is married to the former Mavis Faye Moseley. They are parents of two adult sons, Grant and Mark.

District 1 includes Hiland Park Elementary School, Lynn Haven Elementary School, A. Crawford Mosley High School, Mowat Middle School, New Horizons Learning Center and Tom P. Haney Technical Center.

 E-Mail: regisj@bay.k12.fl.us

 School Board District 1

Brenda Ruthven  

District 2

Brenda Ruthven has lived in Panama City since 1972. She graduated from the University of West Florida with a BA in Elementary Education. She worked for the Bay District Schools: Cove Elementary, Cherry Street Elementary and Northside Elementary for thirty years and St. Johns County Schools for two years as a teacher in grades K-5. Upon retiring she went to work for a national learning company. She has trained teachers throughout the United States in reading, math and science programs for the past eleven years.  She has a deep seeded love for children, their education and how we can make it better.

She is married to Jimmy Ruthven and has four children, all graduates of Bay District Schools. She has six grandchildren attending school in Bay County and is actively involved in their education. 

She is a member of the GFWC Woman's Club and attends the First United Methodist Church. 

District 2 includes Callaway Elementary School, Merriam Cherry Street Elementary School, Tommy Smith Elementary School, Merritt Brown Middle School, Margaret K. Lewis School in Millville, Parker Elementary School and Tyndall Elementary School.

E-Mail: ruthvbl@bay.k12.fl.us

School Board District 2

Pamm Chapman
District 3

Pamm Chapman was elected to the BDS School Board in 2018 and also serves as the Vice-Chair. She was born and raised in Bay County. Pamm completed an AA degree from Gulf Coast Community College and a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Florida State University. She has served on many civic and community organizations. She is a past president of the Junior League and has also served on the Bay Medical Foundation, Gulf Coast State College Foundation, and the Junior Museum Board. Currently, Pamm is a board member for the Bay Education Foundation and the Tom P. Haney Foundation and is also serving on the Community Health Task Force for Bay County. She has enjoyed working with students and faculty over the years serving many terms as an officer for the MAPPS program and Mosley SAC Board, a Mosley Cheer Coach, a mentor with the Take Stock in Children Program and a substitute teacher with the district. Pamm is a member of The Northwest Florida Tennis Association and a group fitness instructor at Sequence Gym. She is married to Joey Chapman and has three children; Joseph, Nathan, and Elizabeth who all graduated from Bay District Schools.

District 3 includes, Bay High School, Cedar Grove Elementary School, Jinks Middle School, Lucille Moore Elementary School, Northside Elementary School, Oscar Patterson Academy, Rosenwald High School, Rutherford High School, and St. Andrew School at Oakland Terrace.

 E-Mail: chapmpb@bay.k12.fl.us

School Board District 3  

Winston Chester
District 4

 Winston Chester was elected to the Board in 2020. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education from the University of Florida, a Master of Education degree in Administration and Supervision from the University of West Florida, and an Educational Specialist degree in Leadership from Florida State University.  He has 44 years teaching and coaching experience in Bay County, served as department chair, Teacher of the Year at Mosley High School, where he created the highly successful Outdoor Education program. He researched and authored the award winning book, Full Box! 100 Years of Fishing and Boat Building History in Bay County. 

Currently, he is in his 16th year hosting Panhandle Outdoors on WPGX Fox 28, America's only daily outdoor television show. He is married to Gail Gregory Chester, and they have two children, Wendy Woodrick (Walter), and Chip Chester (Jill). Both graduated from Mosley High School and were selected to the Hall of Fame by their fellow classmates. They also have five grandchildren: Whitney, Ashley and Mason Woodrick and Maddie and Mackenzie Chester. He and his wife are active members of Lynn Haven United Methodist Church. 

District 4 includes Deane Bozeman School, Deer Point Elementary School, Southport Elementary School, and Waller Elementary School.

 E-Mail: chestew@bay.k12.fl.us

 School Board District 4

Steve Moss
District 5

Steve Moss was elected to the School Board in 2010. He is a full-service financial advisor and founder of Moss Wealth Management. His company specializes in retirement and estate planning. Mr. Moss is an alumnus of the University of Florida (UF) with a degree in Telecommunications. He has also completed numerous post-graduate courses in finance, including several from the College of Financial Planning from which he earned the designation of Accredited Asset Management Specialist. His interests are in public education finance and service to families. In the decision making process on the board, he will use his unique perspective as the parent of several students who currently attend Bay District Schools. He is a member of Destiny Worship Center, a member of the UF Alumni Association and proudly participates in the Elevate Bay mentor program and the Bay Education Foundation.  He enjoys spending time with his family and coaching/watching baseball. His wife Deniece is the principal at West Bay Elementary School.

School Board District 5