While there are several admirable women in the field of business, finding one who can infuse enthusiasm, vigor, and productivity into their co-workers is challenging. Business leaders are respected individuals with a clear mission, vision, and commitment to reach their end goal while guiding a team of individuals into making their business progress in ways they could not have imagined before.
In that regard, let us consider the contributions made by Sharon Bock; she is currently one of the top female business leaders with accomplishments spanning over 35 years. Bock is an American attorney, business executive, and politician who served as Palm Beach County Florida’s elected Clerk and Comptroller from 2005-2021. During her career, she earned security and real estate licenses and is a certified scuba diver and general aviation pilot.
She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Slippery Rock University, graduating in 1974 with a dual major in Special Education/Early Childhood Education. She taught the first program in Ashtabula, Ohio, for physically challenged children K-8. Engaged in social issues focused on improving individuals’ lives, she attended law school and completed her Juris Doctorate from South Texas College of Law Houston in 1986.
While in law school, Bock was selected by the American Bar Association as the national Law Student Liaison for the Law Practice Management Section. She was assistant managing editor of the South Texas Law Review and has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1987.
She was also the President of the Women’s Business Development Center at Florida International University, where she developed mentoring programs and helped women entrepreneurs acquire small business loans. The Florida Association of Women Lawyers recognized her with the “Glass Ceiling Breaker Award ” award in 2002.
She started her legal career in 1987 as a real estate and business lawyer in Miami, Florida, where she vertically integrated her services by launching a title insurance agency in 1989.
As an elected official , Bock’s innovated contributions included:
Operation Fresh Start
Bock originated Operation Fresh Start and partnered with other justice authorities in 2016 to provide individuals with outstanding nonviolent charges, a one-time opportunity to get a fresh start by clearing their offenses and discharging their warrants without arrest. During the procedure, $20,000 in unpaid fines were recovered, over 380 warrants were recalled, and 160 driver’s licenses were issued allowing these citizens to resume their lives without the constant fear of arrest and jail time. This program was adopted statewide.
Operation Green Light
Bock originated and launched the first Operation Green Light in Florida. Working with collection agencies, collection agent fees were waived for drivers, saving them money and allowing them to regain their driver’s licenses. As President of the statewide Florida Association of Court Clerk’s and Comptrollers, she help steer the state legislature to passing a law, enshrining this process throughout the state. Today, thousands of individuals have benefited from this program.
ClerkConnect
Bock created Clerk Connect, one of the first websites where anybody may access court and government information on-line. It included a route to pay parking fines with a credit card eliminating mailing or going to a courthouse, it allowed immediate access to legal records, including civil and criminal histories and all recorded real estate records and it created downloadable court forms, aiding in navigating an often complex court case. All county records are hbaccessible including minutes of all Palm Beach County Commission meetings.
During her service at Palm Beach County from 1998-2021, she was part of organizations including Palm Beach County Juvenile Justice Commission, Palm Beach County Domestic Violence Council, Palm Beach County Criminal Justice Commission, Florida Supreme Court Pro Se Committee, Florida Courts Technology Commission, Florida Courts E-Filing Authority Board, Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers, Florida Clerks of Courts Operations Corporation.
In January 2021, Bock retired from the post after four consecutive elections serving 16 years.