Pat Northey is a distinguished public servant, civic leader, and transportation advocate whose career spans more than three decades of government, healthcare, and community leadership.
She began her career in healthcare administration at Advent Hospital East Orlando, where she served as Patients Business Director (1987–1993). In that role, she oversaw admissions, emergency room operations, insurance billing, and collections, while also serving as campus representative to the Advent Health Multi-Cultural Management Committee. Pat was also active in professional leadership, serving as director of the Buccaneer Chapter of the American Guild of Patient Account Managers.
Pat went on to a remarkable tenure in elected office, serving multiple terms as District 5 Representative on the Volusia County Council (1993–2004; 2006–2014), including two terms as Chair. During her time in office, she championed transportation, environmental stewardship, and community development. She served more than 20 years on the Volusia Transportation Planning Organization, twice as Chair; led the Central Florida MPO Advisory Council; chaired the Tourist Development Council; and represented the Florida Association of Counties on the FDOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Partnership Council. Her leadership extended to major projects such as the I-95 Widening, ISB Master Plan, the Volusia Transit Corridor Study, and the 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan.
Beyond elected office, Pat has been deeply committed to community service. She has held board and leadership roles with Florida Hospital Fish, Habitat for Humanity, The River to Sea Loop Alliance, Healthy Start Coalition of Volusia/Flagler Counties, the St. Johns River Alliance, and the Rotary Club of DeBary, Deltona, Orange City, among many others. She also founded “Leadership West Volusia,” nurturing future generations of civic leaders.
Her dedication has been recognized widely. Among her many honors are the Outstanding Elected Official of the Year Award from the Florida Planning and Zoning Association (2012), the Citizen of the Year Award from the Volusia County Association for Responsible Development, the Community Leadership Award from the West Volusia Chamber of Commerce, and the Paul Harris Fellow recognition from Rotary International. Trails bearing her name—the Pat Northey 5K Trail and the Pat Northey Holly Hill Greenway Trail—stand as lasting tributes to her advocacy for active transportation and quality of life.
Pat is a graduate of Nova University and a proud alumna of Leadership Florida (Class XIX). Named by My Coast Magazine as one of the region’s “30 Most Influential People,” she continues to be celebrated as a tireless advocate for smart growth, healthy communities, and civic engagement across Florida.