Commission Candidates Make Their Case
INTERVIEWS CONDUCTED VIA EMAIL BY LAUREN LAWSON
FOR DISTRICT C
ASHLEY TROUTMAN
Age: 44
Profession: Financial Advisor
Political affiliation: Republican Party of Florida
Civic involvement: He is the current Board Chair of Lighthouse Ministries, serves on the Lakeland Regional Health Foundation Board of Directors and was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to the Polk State College District Board of Trustees.
Learn more about Ashley and follow his campaign at voteactroutman.com
The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
THE LAKELANDER
What’s a small, everyday part of Lakeland life that you love and want to preserve or enhance as a city leader?
ASHLEY TROUTMAN
I love the walkability of my neighborhood and the access to amenities that we have; I live in the Camphor Heights Neighborhood. I can walk to Publix Supermarkets, Starbucks, Concord Coffee, Born & Bread, Cob & Pen etc. I’m within walking distance from medical care as well. As attractive as some of the subdivisions are outside of city limits, my wife and I come back to the fact that our neighborhood gives us access to meaningful amenities, while using active forms of transportation. I’d like to see all Lakelanders in all neighborhoods with this same opportunity.
TL
Can you share a story from your experience as a business owner that taught you a lesson you’d bring to the City Commission?
ASHLEY
As a business owner, I know every transaction matters and every person deserves your best effort—customer service is paramount. Sometimes you must go beyond normal processes to keep customers happy and projects on track, which in turn drives revenue. While I may not have direct influence on departments, I would like to see stronger customer service across all city departments, especially in supporting small businesses. If we do not improve, we risk losing opportunities. For example, a Lakelander opened a successful coffee shop in another city, believing it was more supportive.
TL
How do you hope residents will remember your time in office, not just as a leader, but as a neighbor and community member?
ASHLEY
I hope that my time in office is remembered for integrity. I hope that residents say that he did what he said he would do. What I promise is that I will be accountable, accessible and diligent. The same things I try to do as a husband to Kia, a father to my two boys and as a financial advisor to my clients.
TL
Tell us about a challenge in the community that struck you personally—how would you approach it differently based on your experiences?
ASHLEY
A couple of things come to mind. First, how we handled the Kaitlin Bennett issue. (Reference is to an activist and social media personality who ended up in a dispute with the LDDA over free speech). From a customer service perspective, I would have met with her directly to understand her concerns and try to resolve matters before they reached the attorney general. My experience with disgruntled clients has taught me the value of early, personal engagement. Second, how we approach name changes of public spaces and roads. Too often these decisions are made without consulting historical staff, like LuAnn Mims. Storytelling tied to places should expand Lakeland’s shared narrative, not erase contributions.
TL
If you could spend a day shadowing a local family, business, or community group in Lakeland, what would you hope to learn or take away?
ASHLEY
I would hope to learn the same thing I look to learn everyday as a financial advisor: their story, but with a slight twist. My goal with each new business prospect is to learn; where have you been, where are you today and where are you going? In this role, I would add the question: what outcomes would you like to see occur in the city to help give you life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness?
TL
If elected to the city commission, what would be at the top of your priority list to implement or accomplish in year one?
ASHLEY
The nuts and bolts of this job is to pass a budget and protect the citizens of Lakeland. That said, I would want to work alongside the Mayor, City Manager and our lobbyists to ensure the resources needed to open fire station eight on time. I’d also work with the Mayor, City Manager and finance team to identify opportunities to make the budget process even more transparent.
DENNIS ODISHO
Age: 46
Profession: Project Director Healthcare Construction
Political affiliation: No Party Affiliation
Civic involvement: He serves as an Advisory Committee Member for the Construction Management Program at Everglades University (Tampa), a board member of the Lakeland Regional Health Foundation Board of Directors, and a member of the Lakeland Police Athletic League Board of Directors.
Learn more about Dennis and follow his campaign at dennisodisho.com
The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
THE LAKELANDER
Looking back at your journey from a laborer to executive, what’s one moment that shaped how you approach leadership?
DENNIS ODISHO
Early in my career as a laborer, I watched a superintendent stop work to personally help a crew solve a difficult concrete pour. Instead of blaming anyone, he asked questions, listened and taught as we fixed it together. That moment stuck with me. Real leadership isn’t about authority, it’s about accountability, humility and empowering people to succeed. As I moved into management, I carried that lesson forward: stay approachable, listen first and lead by example. The best leaders earn respect not by giving orders but working alongside their teams and helping them grow.
TL
Lakeland captured your heart when you arrived—can you share a specific experience or place that made you feel at home here?
DENNIS
It’s always been about the people and their ability to engage you with a smile and start a random conversation. I felt a sense of community when I was here, and people were proud to call Lakeland home. I’ve worked in dozens of cities in Florida and could’ve chosen to live anywhere, but I selected Lakeland because of its people. I’m running to represent all of them, no matter their race, religion, sexual preference or social status. This is my home.
TL
Tell us about a time you navigated a complex problem in your career or community work where listening to different perspectives made all the difference.
DENNIS
On a hospital project, the mechanical and ceiling trades clashed over limited overhead space. Instead of deciding alone, I brought both teams, the design engineer and the owner, together. By listening to each other’s perspective, we discovered the issue wasn’t just space, but long-term maintenance access. Collaboratively, we adjusted elevations and re-sequenced work, satisfying all parties and keeping the schedule intact. That meeting turned conflict into cooperation and strengthened team trust. It reinforced that listening to every viewpoint in construction doesn’t slow progress, but drives better, lasting solutions and builds respect across all trades.
TL
If a resident spent a day with you during your campaign or work as a commissioner, what would they notice about your approach to problem-solving or community engagement?
DENNIS
I am smart enough to know I don’t have all the answers, and I’m humble enough to admit it. We solve problems collectively, and the job of a commissioner is to listen and take action. I remove emotion, opinion and ego when making business decisions. I prefer to rely on facts, statistics, data and subject matter expert opinion. A great commissioner leads by listening to the community, making informed and transparent decisions and always putting people before politics.
TL
Looking ahead, what’s one project or improvement in Lakeland that excites you most personally, and why?
DENNIS
I love what Lakeland Electric is doing with the new nitrogen generation facility. We will be the first in the country to pilot this type of energy producing project. This project will bring power to nearly 5,000 homes, and they are doing it on a half-acre site. To put this into perspective, it would take almost 25 acres of solar panels to accomplish the same feat. It’s this type of innovative, out-of-the-box thinking that will power us into the next generation.
TL
If elected to the city commission, what would be at the top of your priority list to implement or accomplish in year one?
DENNIS
We need to attract higher paying skilled jobs that are in the six-figure range with full benefits. We have five universities available, with some of the brightest students in the state, but currently nowhere for them to earn a livable wage. I’d like to redirect our efforts from warehousing into healthcare to support our two new healthcare systems, Orlando Health and AdventHealth, and bring innovation to our Innovation District at Florida Polytech by attracting Defense/AI/Tech.
FOR DISTRICT D
KIM-MARIE NOBLE
Age: 47
Profession: To-go specialist / Voice-over artist / Singer
Political affiliation: No Party Affiliation
Civic involvement: She is a member of the The Red Tent Initiative and has been an active volunteer at her son’s school for over four years.
Learn more about Kim-Marie and follow her campaign at kimmarieforlakeland.com
The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
THE LAKELANDER
What’s a moment in Lakeland over the past 17 years that made you feel the community really came together—and why does it stick with you?
KIM-MARIE NOBLE
For me, it was the Black Lives Matter protest in 2020. To see and be part of people peacefully coming together, standing together with our grieving neighbors, I was moved to tears several times. My son and I walked together while I explained to him the importance of standing up for what you believe.
TL
You advocate for those often overlooked—can you share a story of a person or group that inspired you to take action?
KIM-MARIE
I haven’t been able to pinpoint one thing or person, but before I decided to run, I did visit some neighborhood associations to listen, and asked coworkers what their concerns were locally. I also witnessed what seemed to be a disconnect between many citizens and our local leaders. I want to help people feel seen and heard and encourage them to be involved.
TL
If a resident spent a day following you in the community, what would they notice about the ways you connect with people and listen to their concerns?
KIM-MARIE
I am real, and truly want to connect and understand where someone is coming from. Although I take issues seriously, I do not take myself too seriously. I love to laugh loudly and make others laugh. I take other thoughts and viewpoints into heavy consideration because I seek balance. We all want a Lakeland that works for everyone.
TL
What’s one small but meaningful change you’d love to see in Lakeland that could make a real difference for everyday residents?
KIM-MARIE
An up-to-date city website! It seems like an after thought, but for some, this is the first contact they may have with the city; seeing pages with two year old information is just not helpful. And maybe a few evening meetings per year so that our residents can see the commission face to face and feel like they are valued. I know they have tried it before, but again, if you’re not getting it out there publicly, no one is gonna show.
TL
Looking ahead, how do you hope your time on City Commission will impact the next generation of Lakeland residents, and what would make you feel you succeeded personally?
KIM-MARIE
I love seeing the youth of Lakeland being involved civically. I want to encourage more collaboration with our schools, colleges and universities. What a boon it would be if one of our students helped to solve an issue within the city when all of the “adults” can’t quite come up with a solution. And I would also encourage every student to be registered to vote! Their voices are important for taking control of their future.
TL
If elected to the city commission, what would be at the top of your priority list to implement or accomplish in year one?
KIM-MARIE
I would love to tackle the lack of home rule and our affordability issues. This will take time, and I will work tirelessly to help our most vulnerable residents find ways to make those ends meet. Year one? Increase community engagement and increase voter turnout. I am out here now, and I will continue to be, encouraging everyone to know who their commissioners are, get involved in your neighborhood association—and if you don’t have one, start one. And get the website updated.
MIKE MUSICK
Age: 53
Profession: Owner of Musick Roofing
Political affiliation: No Party Affiliation
Civic involvement: He serves as a board member at Camp Gilead, a Deacon at Heritage Baptist Church, a member of the Zoning Board of Adjustments and Appeals for the City of Lakeland, and a member of the Lakeland Historic Board. He also leads the CWE Missions group and is the founder of Leverage Ministries.
Learn more about Mike and follow his campaign at linkedin.com/in/mikemusickjr
The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
THE LAKELANDER
As a longtime Lakeland resident, what’s one tradition, place, or local experience you hope to preserve or strengthen in the community?
MIKE MUSICK
The city’s parks and recreation department has always been a huge part of my life. As a kid, I would run the lakes, play racquetball and fish in the lakes. When my kids were little, we would walk to Common Ground, and now I go with my grandkids. I look forward to continuing to utilize the City Of Lakeland‘s great parks and other recreational amenities.
TL
You’ve coached youth in sports and led mission work—can you share a moment when mentoring or guiding someone left a lasting impression on you?
MIKE
Coaching has been such a great part of my adult life. For years, I was able to coach alongside my dad, which was a blessing. Having coached for about 20 years myself, it brings me such joy and fulfillment when a past student comes back into town and tells me how much my leadership and input in their life made a difference to them. That’s why we all do it.
TL
Running a business in Lakeland gives you a unique perspective—what’s one challenge or lesson from your work you think city leaders could benefit from?
MIKE
As a business owner for over 25 years, I understand the value of quality staff and employee retention. We are in a very competitive market and need to be creative and insightful with our city staff vacancies. When you make payroll each week, and have dozens of families relying on that, you understand the strain and struggle of economics better than most. My business experience has brought a solid practical perspective to the commission that is a great benefit to the citizens I represent.
TL
If a resident spent a day with you volunteering, coaching, or working in your business, what would they notice about your approach to leadership and community?
MIKE
One of the things that I like to do, whether it’s in coaching, business, or the city, is to ask questions. Everybody comes from a different perspective and has different life experiences, so asking questions helps us all tap into the uniqueness of each person. My hope would be that a resident spending the day with me would say that I did a good job asking questions and listening to the responses of others.
TL
Looking forward, what’s one project, initiative, or change in Southwest Lakeland that excites you most personally, and why?
MIKE
I’d like to circle back to our parks and recreation. With the acquisition of Holloway Park on the east side, and dedicated acreage for a new park on the west side, I believe it’s really going to help our citizens and youth sports. With the increase in technology in our daily life, I am excited to see the effort that the City of Lakeland puts into our outdoor parks and opportunities for all of our citizens to get outside and enjoy our beautiful town.
TL
If elected to the city commission, what would be at the top of your priority list to implement or accomplish in year one?
MIKE
In the upcoming term, I will continue to focus on the city budget and expenditures. With the economy weighing heavily on so many, and costs increasing, my focus will be to continue to make sure that the taxes and fees the city collects are scrutinized and justified. Things are more expensive, but our job is to make sure that any fee and tax is as low as possible while simultaneously working hard to maintain the same quality of service.