HEATH W. BEACH, MPA
Co-Founder &
Chief Executive Officer
DENNIS W. BEACH, MPA
Co-Founder &
Strategic Advisor
LAUREN
KEY
Principal
Jacksonville, Tallahassee
ELAINE
BROWN
Principal
Jacksonville, Tallahassee
HEATH W. BEACH
Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Before founding Avail Strategies, Heath most recently served as the State of Florida Deputy State Chief Information Officer/Acting State Chief Information Officer, overseeing the state data center, the states private network, Public Safety Communications, telephone services, and more. In this capacity he served as Chair of the State E911 Board, Florida's Single Point of Contact for the national public safety broadband network known as FirstNet, and Chair of the FloridaNet Board.
From the beginning of his 20+ year career, he had a passion for making government better by identifying and executing on solutions, technology, and outsourcing to the private sector. In his various positions, he was responsible for a variety of functions including finance, procurement, strategic planning, project management, system implementations, and much more.
Heath launched his career as Director of Information Services for a nonprofit for local government providing research and training assistance to more than 400 cities and counties across the United States.
Heath then went to work for Hillsborough County and his lifelong mentor Daniel Kleman, who is known as "The Dean" of local government. He would further deepen his knowledge in finance, procurement, and technology with his first enterprise system implementation.
Kleman would later bring Heath to Jacksonville, where he served Mayor John Peyton, a prominent businessman, during his two terms in office. Heath assisted in implementing Mayor Peyton’s key priority of running government like a business in several areas including chairing the General Government Awards Committee. The committee was responsible for reviewing, awarding, renewing, and initiating municipal contracts. He also redesigned the billion-dollar capital improvement plan which was recognized as a best practice for large governments.
At the City of Tallahassee, Heath guided the finances for all services and function of government including technology, utilities, public safety, and transit. He also spearheaded and broadened budgetary engagement efforts.
Heath earned his bachelor's in International Studies and Masters of Public Administration from the University of South Florida.
DENNIS W. BEACH
Co-Founder & Strategic Advisor
Dennis has over 40 years (25 years in Florida) of local government expertise, holding the top position of City Manager/CEO. As City Manager, his responsibilities included all government operations and municipal services. Dennis was a “hands on” CEO, directly involved in designing and implementing strategies for a wide array of projects including technology expansion and innovation and he managed the procurement of hundreds of millions of dollars in services and products. His experience includes extensive background in public safety, land use, zoning, law enforcement, economic development, human services, government finance, and more.
In his most recent role as City Manager of Pompano Beach, FL in Broward County, Dennis worked closely with Broward County elected officials and leadership, law enforcement, and the balance of 31 cities within the county on a number of topics of mutual concern including the transformation and consolidation of 22 public safety answering points (PSAPS) into 3 PSAPS.
During his tenure as City Manager/CEO of Ft. Pierce, FL the City received the City of Excellence Award, the top award from the Florida League of Cities. This award is given for overall excellence in city governance/management, leadership, technology, innovative programs and services, and fiscal management.
Dennis maintains memberships in the International City/County Managers Association (ICMA) and the Florida City County Managers Association (FCCMA). ICMA has over 11,000 members that includes managers of cities, counties, towns, and their staffs throughout the world. FCCMA has over 500 members from across Florida’s cities and counties, focused on County Managers, City Managers, and high-ranking staff. These memberships provide him continuous contacts and relationships with current city and county leaders. He is a recipient of the ICMA distinguished service award and served on the Board of Directors of FCCMA, giving him a reputation among professional city and county managers of a valued and trusted colleague.
He proudly served our Country in the US Navy and is a Vietnam veteran. Dennis is the recipient of the Vietnam Service Medal with 3 bronze stars, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.
Dennis received his Master’s degree in Human Services and Public Finance from Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and his Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Southeastern University in Oklahoma. He understood early in his career, and continues to promote the idea, that relationships are everything. Building a trusting and open relationship with customers, clients, staff, and agencies delivers results.
LAUREN KEY
PRINCIPAL
Lauren Key is a dynamic leader and dedicated public servant with a proven track record of effective governance and community engagement. As a former Neptune Beach City Councilwoman, she demonstrated a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of economic development, public safety, and environmental sustainability, advocating for progress that prioritizes both economic health and the well-being of residents. Her commitment to long-term solutions and her work on various community boards and committees highlight her focus on efficiency, transparency, and fiscal responsibility.
Lauren's diverse career trajectory has equipped her with a unique blend of skills and experiences. Graduating from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, she began her career in human relations and recruiting before transitioning to marketing and public relations. In this role, she honed her ability to craft compelling brand narratives and strategic communications, developing a deep understanding of the challenges facing both local government and private businesses.
From startups and nonprofits to established enterprises, Lauren’s work and oversight has spanned a variety of sectors including health and wellness, environmental preservation, and aerospace and aviation. This breadth of experience has provided her with invaluable insights into building authentic relationships between organizations and their audiences. Her experience working in various regions of Florida - Jacksonville, Tampa, and Ft. Lauderdale - has further enriched her understanding of the state's diverse socio-economic landscapes.
Now residing in Neptune Beach with her family, Lauren remains actively engaged in her community, working alongside local organizations. She is a member of the First Coast Republican Club, Jacksonville Young Republicans, and the Republican Women's Club of Duval Federated. In addition, she provided political campaign management, consulting, and fundraising services.
As a trusted advisor and collaborative leader, Lauren brings her diverse experience and proven track record to her role as Principal at Avail Strategies. She leverages her deep understanding of policy, communications, and diverse industries to provide strategic counsel and achieve impactful results for her clients. Her commitment to building authentic relationships, coupled with her expertise in navigating both public and private sector challenges, makes her an asset to helping organizations thrive.
ELAINE BROWN
PRINCIPAL
Elaine Brown is a public affairs and government relations professional with more than three decades of experience and a strong track record of strategic advocacy, policy development, and stakeholder engagement. As Principal at Avail Strategies, she leads efforts to help clients navigate Florida’s complex legislative and regulatory landscape, ensuring they achieve impactful outcomes. Brown brings a powerful blend of public sector leadership and deep policy insight to Avail’s growing portfolio of clients.
Elaine has held key leadership roles that have shaped her expertise in government processes, coalition-building, and regulatory compliance. She most recently served as mayor of Neptune Beach, Florida, guiding her city through the challenges of the global pandemic and hurricane impacts since 2016. Brown was recently appointed to the Jacksonville Transportation Authority board by Mayor Donna Deegan, and has also represented Neptune Beach as a board member of the Florida League of Mayors and was a board member for the North Florida Transportation Planning Organization. Brown is a graduate of Massey Business College in Atlanta.
Elaine’s previous service includes eight years on the Jacksonville City Council, where she held key leadership roles including Council President, Chair of Finance, and Chair of Transportation. As President of the Council, she was active in welcoming the Super Bowl to Jacksonville in 2005. Elaine also served as chairman of the North Florida Regional Council. Her extensive experience working with state and local entities, private sector organizations, and advocacy groups provides valuable insights into the intersection of business and government for Avail’s clients.
Elaine’s approach is rooted in relationship-building, data-driven strategy, and a deep understanding of Florida’s policymaking environment. She has been instrumental in developing public initiatives, managing operations and budgeting functions, and advising on regulatory challenges, making her a trusted partner to organizations looking to engage with government entities effectively.
A proven leader and problem-solver, Elaine remains committed to advancing policies that drive innovation, economic growth, and public sector efficiency. Her ability to align government affairs with business strategy ensures that Avail Strategies’ clients remain ahead of the curve in an ever-changing political landscape.