Commissioner Welch was born
in St. Petersburg and attended local schools,
graduating from Lakewood Senior High School
in 1981. He holds a B.A. degree in Accounting
from the University of South Florida, and
a Master’s Degree in Business Administration
from Florida A&M University. Commissioner
Welch’s corporate work experience includes
14 years as a Disbursements Auditor, Senior
Financial Accountant, and Financial Systems
Administrator for Florida Power Corporation
(Progress Energy). In November 2000, he was
elected to the Pinellas Board of County Commissioners,
representing District 7. Commissioner Welch
was reelected to the Commission on November
2, 2004.
In addition to his duties
as a County Commissioner, Commissioner Welch also serves on the Board
of Directors of the Florida Association of
Counties (FAC), FAC Finance and Audit Committee,
Pinellas County Information Technology Board,
Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA)
Board of Directors, County Commission representative
to the Juvenile Welfare Board of Directors,
and the Pinellas Homeless Leadership Network.
Prior to his election to the County Commission,
Commissioner Welch was appointed by Governor
Jeb Bush to the St. Petersburg Junior College
Board of Trustees. Ken and his wife Donna
have 2 daughters.