Sheryl Wood was named General Counsel for the South Florida Water Management District in May 2003. She is responsible for the day-to-day management and operation of the agency's Office of Counsel. In this leadership role, she provides guidance to a staff of 50 and serves as a key member of the District's executive management team.
Ms. Wood initially joined the District as an Associate Attorney in 1989 to handle contracts and business transactions. During her distinguished District career, she also served as the District's employment attorney, and as Director of the Procurement Department. She received the Employee of the Year Award in 1996. In 1999, she was promoted to the position of Deputy General Counsel to help oversee and manage the legal office.
In addition to her water management duties, Ms. Wood is an advocate and activist for the arts. She received the 2002 Community Service Award from the Palm Beach County Legal Aid Society for her pro bono work with community organizations, including Ballet Florida, Palm Beach County Cultural Council and the Sculpture Theatre. As a 14-year member of the Bar Association's Cultural Activities Committee and its past chair, she was instrumental in establishing an Advocacy for the Arts Project whereby pro bono lawyers volunteer to provide free legal services to fledgling arts organizations which serve minority and low-income communities.
She serves on the Palm Beach County Bar Association's "Lawyers for Literacy Committee" and she devotes numerous hours each year reading stories to children in kindergarten up to third grade.
Ms. Wood is a graduate of Florida Atlantic University and received her Juris Doctorate from Stetson University College of Law. She is also a member of the American Bar Association and the Florida Bar, serving as the Government Lawyer Section's Chair 1997-1998, and as a charter member of the Section's Executive Council since 1991.
Agency Overview
Sheryl Wood
Northern Everglades
