BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Assistant Chief Steven Pacheco began his career with the Lakeland Police Department on June 1, 1987, in the Uniform Patrol Division.  He then transferred to the Special Tactical Alert Team and later to the Special Investigations Section where he served as a narcotics detective, intelligence detective and Task Force Agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration in Tampa, Florida.  He was promoted to Sergeant in January 2000. As a Sergeant, he supervised officers in the Uniform Patrol Division, the Neighborhood Liaison Section and the Special Investigations Section. In 2012, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and was assigned to supervise a Uniform Patrol support shift for one year. Steven was then transferred to the Criminal Investigations Section and was eventually assigned as the Officer in Charge of the Office of Professional Standards where he oversaw the department’s Internal Affairs Unit. Following this assignment, Steven was promoted to a Captain where he commanded the Community Services Division and in June 2021, he was again promoted to the rank of Assistant Chief of Police. Steven currently commands the Neighborhood Services Bureau.   

Assistant Chief Pacheco graduated from Saint Leo University with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and is planning to pursue his master’s degree at the University of Louisville, Kentucky.

steven.pacheco@lakelandgov.net   Phone:  863.834.6926

Pat is the Treasurer for the City of Lakeland and has worked for the City since 1985 and is responsible for the collection of all monies owed the City of Lakeland. Pat was born and raised in Lakeland, Florida. He holds Bachelor of Science Degrees in both Accounting, from University of South Florida, and Management from Florida State University.

pat.alderman@lakelandgov.net     Phone:  863.648-7581

 Rick was born and raised in Lakeland, and worked for 33 years as a sworn law enforcement officer at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office where he rose to the rank of Captain of the Bureau of Criminal Investigations. He retired in 2016 and a year later became a Financial Advisor employed by CPS Investment Advisors in Lakeland, specializing in public sector retirement systems. 

Rick graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.A. in Organizational Management from Warner University in 2005 and earned his MBA at Florida Southern College in 2008. He is a Florida Certified Public Manager (CPM), and a graduate of the prestigious Southern Police Institute’s Administrative Officer Course and Police Executive Leadership Graduate Program. Rick has been married for 28 years and has 2 children. 

rick@cpsinvest.com  Phone:  863-688-1725

Mike Wiener is a partner at Holland & Knight law firm, practicing in the area of public finance and business law. In the community, Mr. Wiener has been involved with the United Way of Central Florida Young Leaders, the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce, Emerge Lakeland (Founding Member), Camp Fire USA Sunshine Council (Past President) and Junior Achievement.

michael.wiener@hklaw.com     Phone:  863.499.5362

Dr. Donna McWilliams is the current owner and chief medial officer at My Pet's Animal Hospital here in Lakeland. A certified veterenarain since 2002, Donna has called Lakeland home for the last eight years. Donna is involved in various community groups and activities such as the Chamber of Commerce, ABWA, BNI, The Lakeland Rotary Club, Lakeland Business Leaders, and the Lakeland Runners Club.  Dr. Donna is also currently serving as the President of the Ridge Veterinary Medical Association.

drdonna@floridavet.com   Phone:  863.646.3669

Michele "Mick" Pugliese is the owner of Il Forno Italian Restaurant in Lakeland. Michele has been a long time supporter of the Lakeland Police Department and its members. On many occasions, Michele has facilitated fund raising events to assist LPD members in need. Since September 2014, Michele has been a valued member of the Lakeland Police Foundation Board of Directors. 

mick772010@live.com   Phone: 863.607.6030

Prior to entering law enforcement, Ofc. Strom served five years in the United States Marine Corps, where he earned the rank of sergeant. Ofc. Strom's educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice (Park University) and Master of Business Administration (Saint Leo University).

After being discharged from the military, Eric worked for the Social Security Administration from 2014 to 2018, where he guided applicants of retirement and disability benefits. Eric then became a police officer and deputy sheriff in Georgia for approximately five years, where he served as a patrol officer, deputy sheriff, K-9 handler, and a K-9 handler sergeant. Eric joined the Lakeland Police Department in March 0f 2018, where he now serves as a neighborhood liaison officer, field training officer, general instructor, drone operator, recruiting team member, and a member of the bike team. In addition to his duties as a police officer, Eric has also taught as an adjunct instructor at the police academy and now serves on the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s advisory team for the State of Florida. 

eric.strom@lakelandgov.net   Phone: 813.495.2857