#23 - Aaron Hefty

In this episode of Voices United, George Schmalstig talks with Rane Herek, CEO of the Citrus Abuse Shelter Association (CASA), about domestic violence in Citrus County and the critical services available to survivors. They discuss prevention, healthy relationships, the challenges of leaving an abusive situation, CASA’s growing needs, and how the community can support its work.

What does a Marine Corps veteran, child advocate, therapist, and first responder all have in common?Meet Sunshine Arnold.In this episode of Voices United, Sunshine Arnold, LCSW with Citrus County Fire Rescue, shares her journey of service and discusses some of the most important issues facing our community: addiction, trauma, mental health, resilience, and the well-being of our first responders.It's a conversation about helping people heal, protecting those who protect us, and finding hope even in life's most difficult moments.At United Way of Citrus County, these are exactly the kinds of conversations we believe are worth having.Listen now. Because when communities come together, healing happens. United is the Way.

On this week’s episode of Voices United, George sits down with Citrus County Administrator Steve Howard and Growth Management Director Eric Landon for an important conversation about Citrus County 2050 and what the future of our community could look like. As the county begins updating its Comprehensive Plan for the first time since 1990, this episode breaks down what that process really means for residents, businesses, and the next generation. From land use and housing to transportation, conservation, and preserving the character that makes Citrus County unique, the discussion explores both the opportunities and challenges that come with growth. We also reflect on how the county has evolved over the years, what we’re experiencing today, and why now is a critical moment for community members to speak up and help shape the vision for 2050. If you’ve ever wondered how decisions about growth are made—or how your voice fits into the process—this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

On this week’s episode of Voices United, George sits down with his good friend, Citrus County Property Appraiser Cregg Dalton, for a thoughtful conversation about property tax reform and leadership. Cregg shares insights from his role overseeing the county’s property appraisals, offering perspective on how property taxes work and what reform discussions could mean for local communities. The conversation mostly focuses on one of Cregg’s favorite topics: leadership. He reflects on the local leaders who helped shape his approach to service and decision-making, sharing the men who influenced his journey. It’s an engaging discussion about public service, mentorship, and the impact strong leadership can have on a community.

Heather Cogar joins us on this episode of Voices United. As the Statewide Director of Community Engagement for the Florida Chamber of Commerce’s Prosperity Initiative, Heather is leading a bold effort to replace poverty with prosperity, one zip code at a time. Her work brings together business leaders, nonprofits, and government partners around a shared mission: creating pathways to self-sufficiency for every Floridian. In this conversation, we dive into the power of data, what truly effective programming looks like, and why strong cross-sector partnerships are essential to driving measurable, lasting change. If you care about moving communities forward with strategy and accountability, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Our guest in this episode of Voices United is Eric Head, Citrus County’s Director of Community Services. A wide scope of departments fall under his leadership, including Animal Services, Housing, Libraries, Parks and Recreation, Transit, Veterans Services, and more. While the breadth of his responsibilities is significant, we spend plenty of time talking about libraries, Eric's first love. The conversation highlights how local government departments intersect, how partnerships strengthen outcomes, and how Community Services quietly but powerfully impacts quality of life throughout Citrus County.

In this episode of Voices United, we welcome Marci Holder, the recently appointed Chair of the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce Board and Vice President & Chief Nursing Officer at Tampa General Hospital Crystal River. Marci shares her journey to Citrus County, her deepening roots in the community, and how leadership in healthcare and business intersect to strengthen our local workforce and quality of life. It’s a great conversation about service, visibility, and why showing up matters—especially in a growing community like ours.

In this episode, we sit down with Aaron Hefty, affectionately known as the “Mayor of Ozello.” Aaron talks about what it really means to lead without a title—showing up first after storms, rallying neighbors, and turning initiative into action. We also dive into the upcoming fishing tournament he’s hosting to benefit United Way of Citrus County, a perfect example of how Ozello gives back while having a little fun on the water. It’s a great conversation about resilience, generosity, and the power of tight-knit communities that refuse to be overlooked.

In this episode, we’re joined by Greg Meade, co-owner of Quality First Roofing and a true entrepreneur’s entrepreneur. Greg shares practical advice for anyone willing to put in the work to succeed in business and build real wealth. From ATM machines to rental properties to roofing, Greg explains how strong habits, discipline, and preparation have positioned him to recognize and seize opportunities when they arise. This is a no-nonsense conversation about hustle, mindset, and doing the work when no one’s watching.

In this episode, we sit down with Elisha Belden, Founder and Executive Director of Twistid Arts Initiative. Elisha shares how Twistid Arts was born, the powerful impact it’s having on local students through creative expression, and what’s coming next on their performance calendar. It’s a conversation about imagination, opportunity, and why the arts still matter—especially right here in our community.