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Ashley Troutman is running for Lakeland City Commission to represent District C Southwest.
As of Aug. 20, Dennis Odisho is the only other candidate for the open seat in the Nov. 4 city election. It is currently held by Sara Roberts McCarley, who is running for mayor.
“I’ve been serving this community since 2003 — started coaching basketball down at Simpson Park during my senior year in college … driving home every day from Tampa to Lakeland,” Troutman said. “It’s always been a desire to serve in a public role.”
Knowledge and awareness
Troutman, 44, said his understanding of the city is his greatest strength. “I don’t think there is anyone running currently or anyone that is on the commission that is more knowledgeable or aware of this community,” he said.
Troutman is the current board chair of Lighthouse Ministries and a member of the Lakeland Regional Health Foundation Board of Directors. He was also appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to the Polk State College District Board of Trustees.
He previously served on the city’s Utility Committee, Code Enforcement Board and Charter Review Committee. He is an active member of Trinity Presbyterian Church.
This is Troutman’s first run for political office. He said his top priority will be balancing growth and infrastructure with the need for economic development.
Lakeland is a great place to raise a family; it should also be a great place to own a business, he said.
Troutman applied to fill a short-term vacancy on Lakeland’s commission when Commissioner Scott Franklin resigned to run for the U.S. House of Representatives in 2021.
Commissioner Chad McLeod supported Troutman, but the commission ultimately chose former Commissioner Don Selvage to fill the position.
Roots run deep
Troutman was born and raised in Lakeland. “My mom worked 27 years for Lakeland Electric. My dad was a phosphate mine worker [for The Mosaic Company],” he said.
His maternal grandmother was a domestic worker for former Mayor Scott Kelly and his maternal grandfather was a railroad worker in Lakeland. His paternal grandfather was a fruit harvester.
Troutman graduated from George Jenkins High School. He earned an Associate in Arts degree from Polk State College and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing degree from the University of South Florida.
After college, Troutman returned to Lakeland, where he has been a financial advisor and business consultant for almost 20 years. He worked for Northwestern Mutual from 2016 until earlier this year. He recently founded his own firm, Guided Financial Planning.
Troutman and his wife Kia live in Lakeland with their two sons, Bryce and Ellis.
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