COLONEL BRIAN WOODRINGColonel Brian Woodring is the Chief Deputy under Sheriff Hoffman. He has served the agency for 27 years in various roles including: investigations, school resources, patrol and SWAT, having served as the team’s commander. Colonel Woodring is a graduate of the 283rd FBI National Academy, FBI-LEEDA’s 306th Command Institute for Law Enforcement Executives, FBI’s Florida Executive Development Seminar, the Southern Police Institute’s 77th Command Officers Development Course through the University of Louisville and the Florida Sheriff’s Association Commanders Academy Class #10. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Slippery Rock University and master’s degree from the University of South Florida. In 2022, Colonel Woodring also earned a graduate certificate from the University of Virginia. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Teen Court of Sarasota, Inc.
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION CHIEF LISA KIESEL
Chief Lisa Kiesel is the Administrative Division Commander, tasked with managing the emergency operations, finance, human resources, information technology, and support services bureaus for the agency. She joined the sheriff’s office in 2013 and serves as the agency’s Chief Financial Officer. Chief Kiesel earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Accounting from the University of South Florida (Ft. Myers campus) in 1997 and then continued on to earn her Certified Public Accountant license in 1998. In 2010, Chief Kiesel earned the Certified Court Executive designation from the National Center for State Courts. In 2023, she completed the 29th Command Officer Management Program through St. Leo University.
MAJOR BRIAN MEINBERG
Major Brian Meinberg is the Courts and Corrections Division Commander. He is a 19-year-veteran of the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, beginning his career in 2004. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the New York Institute of Technology and holds his master’s degree in Public Administration from Florida Gulf Coast University. He is also a graduate of the Southern Police Institute's Command Officers Development Course and The Florida Sheriffs Institute Commanders Academy. Major Meinberg is both law enforcement and corrections certified and a graduate of the FBI's Florida Executive Development Seminar. Major Meinberg currently serves on the Boards of Directors for Lightshare of Sarasota as well as Jewish Family and Children Services of the Suncoast. In January 2022, he was selected as one of nine members who represent sheriff's agencies from throughout the state of Florida to serve on the Florida Model Jail Standards Review Subcommittee. In 2023,
Major Meinberg was appointed to two Sarasota County councils; The Human Services Advisory Council and the Behavioral Health Advisory Council.
MAJOR RYAN BROWN
Major Ryan Brown is the Law Enforcement Division Commander. Brown joined the sheriff’s office in 1997 and throughout his career, has worked in the Corrections Division, Criminal Investigations Section, Patrol Bureau, Civil Section, and Special Operations Bureau. The former SWAT Team Commander, Major Brown is a graduate of the FBI-Law Enforcement Executive Development Association’s 306th Command Institute for Law Enforcement Executives and Florida Executive Development Seminar, the Southern Police Institute’s 73rd Command Officer Development Course, the National Tactical Officers Association’s SWAT Command Leadership Course, and 9th Florida Sheriffs Association Commanders Academy. He holds his bachelor’s degree in Criminology from the University of South Florida and currently serves on the Board of Directors for NAMI of Sarasota and Manatee Counties.
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JULIE HERD
General Counsel Julie L. Herd joined the sheriff’s office in 2019. She is tasked with managing legal issues, including negotiating contracts, reviewing policies and procedures, litigating, and advising on applicable state and federal laws. Herd is a former prosecutor for the Sixth Judicial Circuit who specialized in juvenile delinquency and gang prosecution. She received her J.D. from Stetson University College of Law with a certificate of concentration in International Law, received her B.A. cum laude in Political Science and magna cum laude in East Asian Language and Literature (Chinese), from the University of Florida, and completed a certificate program from Saint Leo University Department of Public Safety Administration in Command Officer Management. Herd serves on the boards of the Sarasota Chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers, the Judge John M. Scheb American Inn of Court, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Sarasota and Desoto Counties. She is also an active
member of the Florida Association of Police Attorneys and the Florida
Sheriff’s Association.
