On the Front
CFK COVID-19 Heroes
CFK alumni take more than just knowledge, skills, and sun-soaked memories along with their diploma. Living and learning on an island chain — separated from “real world” conveniences like Target, and in the path of tropical storms and hurricanes — CFK students develop a strong sense of community and the importance of lending a helping hand. This spring, when the coronavirus pandemic usurped our daily lives, we saw those qualities radiate in the CFK family. Alumni, students, and employees have provided — and are still providing — heroic services on the front lines in a variety of professions. This segment salutes just a few of many who deserve gratitude, recognition, and emulation.
Tina Carr
Meghan Foster (BLE ’20)
Senior Vice President and Loan Servicing Manager / First State Bank of the Florida Keys
Since she was a girl, Meghan Foster knew she wanted to be a police officer. She watched her father’s struggles take him in and out of jail throughout her childhood. While such painful events may traumatize some people, Meghan found motivation. She decided that she wanted to help people and contribute to the “right side of the law.” The Coral Shores High School graduate set a plan to reach her goal before her 20th birthday. Meghan joined the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office’s (MCSO) Civilian Reserve Volunteer program in 2019 after participating in a ride-along with a deputy she met while waitressing at Hobo’s Café in Key Largo. Soon, she was spending her weekends on ride-alongs that spanned day and night — soaking up the real-world experience and learning from multiple mentors. During the week, she formally trained in CFK’s rigorous Basic Law Enforcement Academy — studying law, communications, firearms, and vehicle operations. When the pandemic hit, Meghan asked to help at the US1 checkpoint. The checkpoint was set up at Monroe County’s northern border to limit the number of people entering the Keys so as to protect residents from the initial spread. She joined MCSO from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the grueling heat — all while balancing her evening classes. She racked up 180 hours working the checkpoint, which earned her MCSO’s Reserve Deputy of the Quarter award. Meghan graduated from CFK in October. During the ceremony, she was sworn in as a new MCSO officer — officially joining the force and embarking on her dream career.
(AS, Fin Mgmt ’81)
Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Deputy
At the onset of the pandemic, as jobs were being lost, businesses closed, and incomes restricted, many wondered how they would put food on the table, let alone pay their bills. CFK alumnus Tina Carr, who serves as Senior Vice President and Loan Servicing Manager for First State Bank of the Florida Keys (FSB), headed up the team that immediately jumped into action creating two loan deferral programs allowing hundreds of Monroe County bank customers six months of breathing room, in a world in which they were otherwise scared to take a breath. Tina also was a part of FSB’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) team that processed almost 1,000 loans (26% of all PPP loans in the Keys). These loans provided over $50 million in desperately needed funding to local businesses, and thus to their employees, impacted by the COVID-19 shutdown. A native of Key West, Tina joined FSB in 1975 as a Switchboard Operator after graduating from Mary Immaculate High School. She earned an Associate in Science in Financial Management at CFK in 1981, helping her to climb the ladder in her banking career. This year, Tina celebrated 45 years of service to FSB as well as the Keys community. 28
KEYS CURRENTS
A PUBLICATION OF THE COLLEGE OF THE FLORIDA KEYS
