This month, we proudly shine a spotlight on one of our most trusted leaders at the Citrus County Property Appraiser’s Office—Mr. Darren Pillsbury—who is celebrating an incredible 30 years of unwavering service to our organization and to the people of Citrus County. His journey of dedication, loyalty, and quiet leadership brings to mind another extraordinary figure from our office’s history—Mr. Les Cook—whose more than 40 years of service left an indelible mark on both our team and our community.

What Darren and Les represent is rare in today’s world—but it’s the very foundation that keeps organizations like ours standing strong. Their work, much like the electrical wiring or framing hidden behind the walls of your home, isn’t always visible—but it is absolutely essential. It holds everything together.

Darren has served as the steadfast anchor behind our IT infrastructure, while also guiding the Parcel Records, GIS, and Tax Roll departments with a calm confidence. Les, long before he became the Citrus County Property Appraiser, wore many hats: Residential Appraiser, Commercial Appraiser, Director of Appraisals, Technical Director, Chief Deputy, Assistant Property Appraiser—each role a stepping stone in a remarkable career defined by consistency, humility, and excellence.

You may not see the thousands of decisions they made each day, or the challenges they tackled behind the scenes—but what you do see is the lasting impact of their integrity. Their work wasn’t about the spotlight. It was about doing what was right, every single day, for the people they served and the coworkers they stood beside.

I often refer to Darren as the “Yoda” of our organization—a quiet force of wisdom and calm who always seems to have the answer when you need it most. He’s one of the individuals I turn to when I need clarity, guidance, or just a thoughtful perspective.

Similarly, over the years, I’ve often caught myself asking, “What would Les do in this situation?” That inner compass—grounded in faith, integrity, humility, and service—always points true north with men like Darren and Les.

With both of them, you never have to question where their hearts are. There is never a doubt that their decisions, their time, and their energy are devoted entirely to the good of this office, their families, and this community. They don’t just talk about values—they live them. Their daily actions are quiet reminders of what it looks like to lead with character, not for recognition, but because it is simply the right thing to do.

Their leadership is the kind that doesn’t make headlines—but it builds legacies. This is the level of leadership I aspire to reach.  It’s the kind of leadership that earns trust, builds teams, and leaves behind footprints that others want to follow. I am forever grateful for their example and the heart they poured into this office. Citrus County is better because of Darren and Les—and so am I.

These two are shining examples of the many extraordinary individuals who not only make up our Citrus County Property Appraiser’s Office today, but also of those who have come before us—leaving behind a legacy of service, integrity, and dedication that continues to guide our path forward.

Every year, we gather as an organization to take a family photo—much like you would with your own loved ones. And for us, it truly means something. That photo represents unity, shared purpose, and a commitment to one another and the people we serve. You’ll find it displayed proudly in our Crystal River and Inverness lobbies, on our social media pages, and on my own office wall—right beside a photo of my own family. Because this team is my family, too.

Studies show that the average person makes roughly 35,000 decisions a day. I can tell you that as a leader, that number feels even higher. Every choice I make I know will affect my family, my organization, my employees' families, and the thousands of citizens who call Citrus County home. And every day, I glance up at those family photos and remind myself of the standard set by Darren and Les. They’ve shown me what it means to lead with conviction, to act with compassion, and to always choose integrity—no matter how small or large the decision may seem.

Sometimes, high school students ask me why I joined the military. My answer is simple: I wanted to serve. I felt an immense pride in standing up for something bigger than myself. Later in life, people asked why I entered law enforcement, or why I stepped into a public office—especially when I’m not a politician by nature. Again, my answer remains the same: I just wanted to help people. I genuinely feel if you ask any of my staff that same question, they would give you the same answer. 

And the truth is, that same pride I felt in uniform, I feel every day I serve the people of Citrus County. That same sense of duty I carried in the military, I see reflected in the lives of leaders like Darren and Les. They’ve reminded me—through their humble example—that public service is one of the most honorable callings there is.

In a world that often celebrates the loudest voices and the flashiest titles, it’s important to pause and recognize the quiet giants—those who lead not for applause, but for purpose. I remind myself daily that true leadership isn’t measured by recognition, but by the lives you impact, the standards you uphold, and the legacy you leave behind. As we move forward, may we all strive to lead with the same humility, integrity, and servant’s heart. Because in the end, it’s not about being remembered for what we built—but for how we made others feel, and the difference we made when no one was watching.

As we celebrate Darren’s 30 years of excellence, we also celebrate something greater: the quiet, consistent, and powerful kind of leadership that truly transforms an organization. Thank you, Darren. Thank you, Les. Your legacy is woven into the fabric of this office—and it will continue to inspire generations to come.