Wilford Resigns From Commission, Not Charitable Causes

ALACHUA ‒ The City of Alachua is losing one commissioner and a compassionate defender for those less fortunate. Robert Wilford has resigned from the Commission to move from his longtime home in Alachua to Saint Augustine to enjoy retirement with his grandchildren.

But even in retirement, Wilford is planning to work with various charity programs and as an advocate for those in need. He has spent much of his life helping others and serving in some community capacity. “My heart is still in Alachua and it was a tough decision to move, but it is time to spend more time with my family and grandchildren,” said Wilford.

A recent health scare after a severe bout with Covid helped Wilford realize that time is fleeting and the future can be uncertain. “My wife, Diane, and I thought long and hard about the decision and decided that being close to my son Scott, and our two granddaughters, Natalie and Caroline, was more important at this stage of our lives. I will continue to serve and help others, just closer to family.”

Wilford is a native Floridian, who was born in Jacksonville, and has been married to Diane for 50 years. He is a U.S. Navy Vietnam-era Veteran who completed a distinguished 20-year career in 1983. He spent spent 16 years in the Navy as a Cryptologist with top secret clearance and then spent more four years as a Religious Programs Specialist where he authored two training publications and received numerous awards and commendations.

His Navy career also marked the beginning of his lifelong desire helping others by working with several substance abuse programs. Even after his Navy career he stayed involved multiple veterans organizations. He is currently a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America (Gainesville Chapter), Marine Corps League (Gator Chapter), Naval Cryptologic Veterans Association, and U.S. Navy Fleet Reserve Association.

After retiring from the Navy, Wilford worked in health care administration in Florida and Georgia. In 1987, he began a 10-year career as an executive director, working in substance abuse programs, addiction recovery and prison ministry to help people in recovery. As the Executive Director for the Tri County Community Council in Bonifay, Florida, he combined his goal of helping others by working in local government, coordinating transportation services, housing assistance, food distribution services, child development programs and Head Start programs. He also worked a four-year stint as executive director of similar programs in Jonesboro, Arkansas.

Wilford returned to his home state where he served as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Central Florida Community Action Agency (CFCAA), Inc., between 2006 and 2013. During his 27-year career in various roles as a CEO, including his tenure at CFCAA, he focused on various economic development and sustainability activities.

Over his career he has received numerous awards including “Advocate of the Year” by the East Gainesville Development Corporation and “Outstanding Community Leader” award by St. Luke AME Church.

Wilford is a member of the Alachua Chamber of Commerce, board member of the CDS Family and Behavioral Health Services, and a former member of numerous boards of directors including the Florida Association for Community Action, Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association, Arkansas Community Action Agencies Association, and Community Action Association of Region VI.

In 2010, he joined the City of Alachua Commission and served three terms as Vice Mayor. Wilford’s involvement with numerous organizations includes the Alachua Chamber of Commerce, board member of the CDS Family and Behavioral Health Services, and a former member of numerous boards of directors including the Florida Association for Community Action, Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association,

Wilford also authored a book about the crime of childhood sexual abuse, which was published in May 2015. Due to his philanthropic and volunteer efforts, he also holds the distinction as a Paul Harris Fellow with Rotary International and participates in a prison ministry with Kairos Prison Ministry International (KPMI) in Lake Butler, and with an incarcerated veterans program at Florida State Prison. He is also a former President of the Turkey Creek Lions Club and is a Charter Member of the Alachua Optimist Club.

Although Wilford is retiring from the Alachua City Commission, he has no plans to stop working in programs for others once he moves to Saint Augustine and has already reached out to service and charity organizations to offer his services. When asked about what he would like his legacy to be in Alachua, he simply said he wished to be remembered “As having made a difference in others’ lives.”

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