Meet Doug Alexander

A native Floridian, born and raised in Hernando, whose family roots in Citrus County go back to the late 1800s, Bishop Dr. Douglas “Doug” Alexander, Sr. is a recognized and greatly admired spiritual and community leader, affectionately acknowledged throughout the community as “Citrus County’s Pastor.” He and his wife of 37 years, Teresa, raised their family right here and they have four children- Douglas Alexander Jr., Christopher, Tiarra and Denzel. 

Exemplifying the ideals of placing others above self, he has dedicated his life to serving our nation, his community, fellow veterans and those in need. Doug Alexander is always the first to voluntarily step forward as a leader of community organizations, programs and projects to make Citrus County the best place to call home. 

Doug has extensive military education, training and service and was inducted in the Florida Veterans Hall of Fame Class of 2021. He served with the 351st Military Police Company, U.S. Army Reserve in Ocala, Florida and is an operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm combat veteran. He was the Unit Chaplin while assigned to the 82nd Airborne Corps during the war. 

After serving our nation Doug returned home and guided by faith, a desire to keep the peace, and help people he went to work for the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office. He began his career in corrections and advanced to Deputy Sheriff. He received many commendations throughout his employment. When he retired he was a beloved School Resource Officer, protecting and mentoring students at his alma mater, Citrus High School. 

Alexander believing God unfolds history not man, was then called to do more for his community. He founded the multicultural, community outreach New Church Without Walls International and Metropolitan Ministries. Under his spiritual and compassionate leadership, he has inspired his congregation and the community at large to embrace feeding the hungry, and helping veterans in need. Possessing a passion for helping the poor, the hungry and the broken, Doug at the onset of the Great Recession in 2007, co-founded the Thanksgiving Feeding Alliance to provide a turkey with all the fixings to 2,500 Citrus County families.

He is a rallying point for helping veterans and giving them purposeful direction through his personal example of seeking out veterans in need or crisis to selflessly offer them a helping hand and compassionate support to weather their personal storm. Among the many endeavors that he has initiated, oversees and supports for the benefit of local veterans are a weekly food pantry, transition shelter for homeless veterans, transportation to VA medical facilities, and grant financial assistance to veterans in financial crisis. 

In addition to his selfless efforts in caring for his fellow veterans and the downtrodden, Doug Alexander is steadfastly dedicated to unifying his community to live together in peace and harmony. He is respected community-wide as a voice of reason and a calming hand. Recognizing the importance of dialogue and social interaction to building bonds of understanding, Doug Alexander instituted an annual “Unity Walk” that brings the county’s leaders and residents together in fellowship each year to commemorate the birth of The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

A man of the people and a champion for Citrus County, Doug Alexander’s decades of devoted spiritual leadership, faithful support of his fellow veterans and selfless dedication to our country and his community exemplify the credo of “service above self.” He has been recognized for his efforts and accepted the Citizen of the Year Award in 2016 and the Man of the Year Honor from the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office in 2020. 

Doug is a conservative Republican with extensive military/officer training and education and vast public safety experience. He is running because we need a change in leadership at the Sheriff’s office. He knows how to build a great team and foster a positive work environment. He will always work with local leaders and elected officials to get everything the Sheriff’s office needs to keep you safe.

Military Education (U.S. Army):

• U.S. Army Training Center and Ft. Jackson, Ft. Jackson, South Carolina.
• U.S. Army Military Police School, Ft. McClelland, Alabama.
• Physical Fitness Specialist School, Ft. Benjamin Harrison, Indiana.
• Primary Leadership Course, Ft. Bragg, North Carolina.
• Basic Non-Commissioner Officer Course (BNOC), Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. 

Training Accomplishments: 

• Awarded Military Occupational Specialty Military Policeman (95B).
• Awarded Military Occupational Specialty Physical Activities Specialist (03C).
• Appointed Chief of Delegation, United Boxing Team.
• Rifle (M-16) Expert Badge.
• Driver Badge.

Membership Veterans and Military Organizations:

• Life Member, American Legion.

Civic and Fraternal Affiliations: 

• Member, International Police Association.
• Member, International Chaplains Association.
• Member, U.S. Boxing.

Awards and Honors: 

• Army Commendation Medal.
• Meritorious Service Medal.
• Army Achievement Medal.
• Army Good Conduct Medal w/2 Oak Leaf Clusters.
• National Defense Service Medal.
• Armed Forces Service Medal.
• Armed Forces Reserve Medal.
• Army Service Ribbon.
• Army Overseas Service Ribbon.

Civilian Education: 

• Diploma, Citrus High School, Inverness, Florida. 
• Bachelor of Arts, University of Alaska, Anchorage, Alaska. 
• Bachelor of Arts, Central Texas College, Killeen, Texas. Master of Theology,
• Chesapeake Bay Bible College & Seminary, Greensboro, Maryland.
• Doctorate, Trinity Theological Seminary of South Florida, Pompano Beach, Florida.

Elected/Appointed Offices:

• Board of Directors, United Way of Citrus County, Florida
• Board of Directors, YMCA of the Suncoast Citrus County Florida Branch.
• Board of Directors, Citrus County Micro School

Awards and Honors: 

• Keys to the City, City of Inverness, Florida – 2004.
• Proclamation, “Alexander Family Day,” Citrus County, Florida – 2013.
• Citizen of the Year, Citrus County, Florida – 2016.
• Man of the Year, Citrus County Sheriff’s Office – 2020.
• Best of the Best Among Clergy and Pastors – 2020.
• Bishop of the Year, International Chaplains Association – 2020.
• Pillar Award, Chamber of Commerce, Citrus County, Florida – 2020.
• Florida Veteran’s Hall of Fame Inductee – 2021