News Release: Governor Rick Scott Appoints Three to Sixth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission
Sep 15, 2011
The Office of Florida Governor Rick Scott issued the following news release on September 15, 2011:
Governor Rick Scott Appoints Three to Sixth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission
Tallahassee, Fla. – Governor Rick Scott today announced the reappointment of Justin R. Zinzow and the appointments of Judith DeBella-Thomas and Hugh C. Umsted to the Sixth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission.
Zinzow, 33, of Tarpon Springs, has been the founder and president of Zinzow Law L.L.C since 2009. He was previously an attorney at Zinzow Martin P.A. from 2007 to 2008 and an attorney at Ruden McClosky from 2001 to 2007. Zinzow serves as chairman of the Judicial Nominating Commission for the Sixth Circuit. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Albany and his law degree from the Stetson University College of Law. He is reappointed for a term beginning September 14, 2011, and ending July 1, 2015.
DeBella-Thomas, 59, of New Port Richey, is the marketing and recruitment liaison for the Advaed Research Institute and has served on the city council for New Port Richey since 2008. Previously, she served as executive director for Greater New Port Richey Main Street from 2000 to 2011. DeBella-Thomas is also currently a councilmember of the Pasco Tourist Development Council and has held the position since 2008. She is a member of the board of directors of the Heart Gallery of Pasco and Pinellas, chairs the Pasco Advisory Committee and helped found the New Port Richey Business Owners’ Association. DeBella-Thomas received her associate degree from Kingsborough Community College. She succeeds William Hyland Jr. and is appointed for a term beginning September 14, 2011, and ending July 1, 2015.
Umsted, 56, of New Port Richey, has been the president and owner of Hugh C. Umsted P.A. since 1998, serving as a civil traffic infraction hearing officer for the Sixth Judicial Circuit. Umsted was a member of the United States Navy Reserve from 1977 to 1984 and served as the president of the West Pasco Bar Association from 2001 to 2002. He is also a member of the Hernando County Bar Association and the Clearwater Bar Association. He received his bachelor’s degree from Massachusetts Maritime Academy and his law degree from Stetson University College of Law. He succeeds Robert Decker and is appointed for a term beginning September 14, 2011, and ending July 1, 2015. He is appointed from the list of nominees submitted by the Florida Bar.