The Hernando County Senior Leadership Team (SLT) consists of the County Administrator, Deputy County Administrator and eight of the County's department directors. This team works together to carry out the directives and policies of the Board of County Commissioners as well as serve the citizens of Hernando County. The SLT and their staff work hard to make Hernando County a beautiful place to live, work and play.

Meet the Team:

Jeff Rogers

County Administrator 

Jeff Rogers, P.E., became County Administrator on May 14, 2019. He joined Hernando County Government as Deputy County Administrator in September 2017 and served as Acting County Administrator  starting January 2019. Rogers has a  Bachelor's in Environmental Engineering and a Masters in Civil Engineering, both from the University of Miami. A U.S. Navy Veteran, Rogers earned two Navy Achievement Medals. He currently lives in Hernando County with his wife Melissa and two daughters. 

As County Administrator, Rogers is responsible for carrying out the directives and policies of the Board of County Commissioners and enforces all orders, resolutions, ordinances and regulations of the Board to assure they are faithfully executed.

Toni Brady

Deputy County Administrator

Toni Brady has been announced as Hernando County’s Deputy County Administrator. As Brady is new in the position, she is not new to local government. Brady originally joined the Hernando County Clerk’s office in 2016. She worked closely with the Board of County Commissioners in her role within the Finance Department. It was a natural transition into the Budget Director position in 2020. From there, Brady then transitioned into the role of Deputy County Administrator on October 2, 2023.

Brady earned a Bachelors of Science in Accounting and a Masters of Business Administration both from Saint Leo University. She graduated in 2020 from the Certified Public Manager’s program with Florida State University. She earned the Florida Government Finance Officers Association’s Certified Government Finance Officer designation in 2023.

Brady was born and raised in Spring Hill and has been married to her high school sweetheart for 27 years. They have 19-year-old twins.

As Deputy County Administrator, Brady supervises daily activities of Department Directors and Managers, and is accountable for the management function of planning, organizing, leading and controlling for all departments, programs and services under the county administrator with emphasis in coordination and measurement of the core services of public works, utilities, planning and development.

Carla Rossiter-Smith

Chief Procurement Officer

Carla Rossiter-Smith joined Hernando County as the Grants and Operations Performance Coordinator in 2022. Carla transitioned to the role of Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) in 2023 and she continues to serve in this capacity. As Hernando County’s CPO, Carla manages contract development and the procurement of goods and services. Carla also manages the County’s team of grant professionals, overseeing grant writing and grant management for Hernando County. Ms. Rossiter-Smith is currently overseeing the development of Hernando County’s Strategic Plan.

Prior to joining Hernando County Carla served in leadership and management roles in higher education and the human services sector. Her experience includes the position of Dean of Institutional Effectiveness, best practices presentations at national and local conferences, and participation in national working groups on data systems and accountability. Ms. Rossiter-Smith has also taught College-level courses in Management and Leadership.

Carla is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and a Certified Grants Professional (GPC). Ms. Rossiter-Smith holds a master’s degree in management from Hodges University and bachelor’s degrees in political science and social work from the University of Central Florida.

Carla lives in Brooksville with her husband Keith and their two children.

Chris Linsbeck

Community Services Director

The Community Services Director is an administrative position that plans, develops, and manages the Community Services Departments of Hernando County. The Community Services Departments consist of Parks and Recreation, Library Services, Animal Services, Veteran Services, and County Extension. 's management responsibilities include planning, directing, and coordinating professional services for all Community Service Departments and programs.

Chris is a long-time resident and grew up here in Hernando County. He served for four years in the Unites States Marine Corps from 1996-2000. After returning home, he attained his Bachelors of Applied Science in Business Administration and Management in 2009.

Chris is currently on his 18th year as an employee of Hernando County Board of County Commissioners.

Dominique Holmes

Director of Communications and Government Affairs

Dominique Holmes joined Hernando County Government in February 2022 and currently serves as the Director of Communications and Government Affairs. In this role, she leads the Office of Public Information, which connects residents with their local government through transparent communication and civic engagement. Mrs. Holmes manages local legislative appropriations, oversees the County’s social media presence, and coordinates media relations across all departments. She also plans and executes community events such as celebrations, groundbreakings, and ribbon cuttings, while ensuring citizens are directed to the appropriate departments for information and services.
Dominique has a Bachelor's Degree in Communication from Florida Gulf Coast University and is a proud alumna of F.W. Springstead High School. Dominique currently serves as the Vice President of the County's internal Robert Whitmore Memorial Employee Trust Fund, which assists any County employee with a documented terminal illness. Dominique also serves as the Past President of her Kiwanis Club.

Gordon Onderdonk, P.E. 

Utilities Director

Gordon Onderdonk started with Hernando
County in 2016. He is a dual-disciplined civil and structural engineer registered in the state of Florida and is also a LEED accredited
professional for building design and
construction. Gordon earned a degree in Civil
Engineering from the University of South Florida.

Gordon lives with his wife and two kids in Land O’ Lakes, FL and spends his free time coaching Little League baseball, practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and playing music.

In his position, Onderdonk oversees the management and oversight of water, wastewater, and solid waste services. He is also over Fleet Management which maintains the vehicles and equipment for the County.

Jan Houser

Director of Human Resources

Hernando County Government announces Jan Houser as the Hernando County Director of Human Resources. Ms. Houser joined the team on September 5, 2023. Prior to that, she was the Director of Human Resources of the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County, an organization dedicated to the well-being of children and families. Ms. Houser earned her bachelor’s degree from Emory University and holds the SHRM-SCP and SPHR Certifications. She is also a 2019 graduate of Leadership Hillsborough.

Jan and her husband re-located to Florida in 2011 from Concord, New Hampshire.  They enjoy golfing, traveling, and spending time with their rescue fur-babies.

The Human Resources Department is committed to providing professional quality human resource support services and advice to all departments and employees. Jan’s team directs and participates in various professional personnel duties involving recruitment, selection, testing, classification analysis and compensation, and labor relations.

J. Scott Herring, P.E.

Public Works Director/County Engineer

Scott Herring started with Hernando County in December of 2017. Prior to joining Hernando County, Scott served as the Public Works Director for Nassau County Florida. Scott also previously worked in Columbia County Georgia and St. Lucie and Martin Counties in Florida. Mr. Herring earned his Bachelor’s in Engineering from Vanderbilt University and is a registered Engineer in both Florida and Georgia. He is a graduate of the Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program, Class of 2018.

In his position, Mr. Herring oversees Roadway Maintenance and Traffic Operations, Engineering, Facilities Construction and Maintenance, and Property Acquisition and Disposition.  

Omar DePablo

Development Services Director

Omar DePablo's planning career began as a civil draftsman for a prominent Tampa Bay engineering firm back in the mid 90’s. During that time, Florida was experiencing a construction boom and the firm’s Planning Department was low on staff. Due to his background in civil engineering and graphic design, he was brought in to assist the department and the rest is history. Now 27 plus years later in planning, 19 with Hernando County, Mr. DePablo has become the Hernando County’s Development Services Director. During his tenure with Hernando County, starting as a Planner I, he has made it a point to cross train in other county disciplines in order to better assist our citizens and development community. Today, his main focus is directing the unprecedented growth our County is experiencing and ensuring that Hernando grows responsibly, by preserving the culture of Hernando County. It’s an honor and a privilege to serve the place I call home.

Paul Hasenmeier

Director of Public Safety & Fire Chief

Hernando County Government announces Paul Hasenmeier as the Hernando County Director of Public Safety and Fire Chief. Hasenmeier joined the Hernando County Fire and Emergency Services Team on October 17, 2022. Hasenmeier earned a bachelor’s degree in Fire Science from Columbia Southern University as well as a master’s degree in Public Administration from Capella University. He is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program. Additionally, Hasenmeier has been trained as a Firefighter, Paramedic, Instructor, Fire Inspector, and in all NFPA 1670’s technical rescue disciplines.

In addition to his current duties and responsibilities in Hernando County, Hasenmeier is a lead faculty member at Columbia Southern University where he teaches on-line courses in their Fire Administration Program. Hasenmeier is an adjunct heavy rescue instructor for Bowling Green State University and teaches at their annual state fire school. He has presented on fire service and leadership topics across the United States and in Canada. Chief Hasenmeier lives in Hernando County with his wife Amanda and 3 daughters.

Valerie Pianta

Economic Development Director 

Valerie Pianta joined the Hernando County Office of Economic Development in 2002. Pianta serves as the Chairperson for the Hernando PACE Center for Girls, is past Chair of the Tampa Bay Partnership Economic Development Practitioners Committee, a graduate of Leadership Hernando and serves on several other community committees. A New Jersey native, Ms. Pianta moved to Florida in 1989. She is married with four children and one granddaughter. 

As Director of Economic Development her areas of responsibility include the Brooksville – Tampa Bay Regional Airport & Technology Center, Tourism and Economic Development which includes business recruitment, retention and expansion. 

Veda Ramirez 

Director of Housing and Supportive Services

Veda Ramirez accepted the position of Health and Human Services Manager in October 2010 and Director of Housing and Supportive Services October 2023.

Veda holds a BS in Criminal Justice the University of Central Texas with Alpha Phi Sigma recognition. Prior to joining Hernando County, Veda served in the United States Army and Alabama National Guard, where she served in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. After her military career, Veda was later employed with the Office of the Attorney General, Victim Services in the State of Alabama, Florida Department of Children and Families, the Office of State Attorney, Fifth Judicial Circuit, FL, Victim/Witness for Hernando County. 

 A native of Tuskegee, Alabama, Ms. Ramirez moved to Florida in 1995. She enjoys traveling, music festivals, great food, and spending time with her three (3) boys and two (2) grandchildren. 

 In her position as Director of Housing and Supportive Services, Veda oversees various housing programs and grants; human services to include mental and physical health; community redevelopment; and social services state mandates and contracts. Veda Also services as the Treasurer for the Florida Association of Counties Human Service Administrators.