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Biography

About Mitch

Mitch Needelman has served as Brevard County Clerk of Courts since January, 2011.  A Florida native, Mitch has spent his entire life serving the people of Florida; first as a law enforcement officer for over 28 years, then as District 31 Representative in the Florida Legislature for eight years.  While working full time in law enforcement, Mitch earned his A.A. in Criminology from Miami-Dade Junior College, his B.A. from Warner Southern College and dual M.A. with honors in public administration and human resources from Webster University.

While a legislator, Mitch served as Chairman of Juvenile Justice for six years, Chairman of Environmental Regulations for two years, and was a member of the Criminal Justice Appropriations Committee for his entire term of office.  This broad experience within the justice system, along with his education in public administration, is the foundation of his success as Brevard County Clerk of Courts.

As the Brevard County Clerk of Courts, one of Mitch’s responsibilities is to be the steward of the taxpayer’s dollars.  It is his job to make sure that all expenditures the County Commissioners make are justifiable, and to verify those expenditures.  It is the Clerk’s duty to ensure that tax dollars are spent wisely, and he is part of the checks and balances of the county’s budgetary process.

Mitch has the same high standard of stewardship for the Clerk’s budget that he has for the County’s budget.  Unlike other politicians who promise to run government like a business, Mitch actually achieved that objective in less than one year.  His first goal after taking office was to evaluate the Clerk’s processes from a business perspective, and make changes, suggestions, and recommendations to achieve taxpayer savings in every area possible.  He took office at a critical time.  The Clerk’s Office was facing a $2.5 million shortfall.  Employee layoffs and cutbacks in essential services were imminent.  Something had to be done immediately to bring the expenses and the budget in line.  The executive team was challenged to “trim the fat” so to speak, and they rose to the challenge admirably.  In 2011, by implementing new strategies for organization of the Clerk’s offices, tactical consolidation of many departments, and other “outside the box” ideas Mitch has saved the taxpayers millions of dollars, brought down the size and cost of government, and kept employees on the job with full benefits at a savings to the people.   The Clerk’s Office now runs efficiently and economically.  Mitch has proven that more can be done with less.  Perhaps his example will encourage other government offices to do the same.

Major Qualifications

  • Public Policy Development
    Specializing in:

    • Criminal Justice
    • Juvenile Justice
  • Court Operations
    • Judicial
    • State Attorney
    • Public Defender
    • Clerk of Circuit Court
  • Public Budget Development
    Specializing in:

    • Criminal Justice
    • Juvenile Justice
    • Court Operations
      • Judicial
      • State Attorney
      • Public Defender
      • Clerk of Circuit Court

Education

  • Webster University — Dual Master Degree w/Distinguished Honors
    Human Resources Development
    Public Administration
  • Warner Southern College — B.A. Organizational Management
  • Miami Dade Jr. College — A.A. in Criminology

Business/Management Experience – Private Sector

  • CEO, Needelman/Needelman Associates
  • CFO, “4 the Kids of Brevard”
  • Managing Partner, Eligere Strategies
  • 180 Degree Program (Education Program for At Risk Youth), Consultant for Southeastern United States

Professional/Business Experience – Public Sector

  • Florida State Legislature
  • Chairman Juvenile Justice
  • Chairman Natural Resources Regulations
  • Chairman City of Melbourne Zoning Board of Adjustments
  • Florida Marine Patrol Officer

Professional/Community Affiliations

(Past and Present)

  • State of Florida Notary Public
  • Florida Police Benevolent Association: Life Member
  • Melbourne Municipal Band: Community Liason
  • Palm Bay Chamber of Commerce: Member
  • Honor America – Advocacy Group for Military Personnel: Member
  • North Eau-Gallie Civic Association: Member
  • American Red Cross, Brevard Chapter: Board of Directors
  • American Cancer Society: Advocacy Committee Member
  • Florida Police Benevolent Association, SELO Chapter: Executive Board
  • Continuing Adult Education Board: St. Joseph Parish
  • Marine Resources Council: Member