Local Attorney to Lead AHA
Local attorney to help lead American Heart Association
Crystal C. Spencer elected to chair Board of Directors
– Crystal Collins Spencer was elected chair of the American Heart Association, Greater Southeast Affiliate Board of Directors for the Association’s 2012-2013 fiscal year. A veteran in the local legal community for over twenty-seven years, Spencer is an attorney with Spencer Law, P.A., and specializes in medical malpractice defense and personal injury defense. She graduated in 1985 from the University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law and is a Litigation Counsel of America Fellow and a Charter Member of the American Academy of Medical Malpractice Lawyers.
Since Spencer began volunteering with the American Heart Association in 2002, she has served on the Affiliate board for three terms, led numerous committees, and spearheaded many local and regional programs and projects. The organization has recognized Spencer’s long-standing service and leadership, presenting her with the Presidential Award, Fundraiser of the Year Award, Outstanding Freshman Award, and Rookie of the Year Award.
Spencer currently serves on the Affiliate Business Operations Committee, Florida Advocacy Committee, the State of Florida Tobacco Control, Use and Prevention Advisory Council, and the Executive Leadership Teams for the Northwest Florida Heart Walk and the Pensacola Heart Ball. She has served as chair of the Hearts of Gold Ball, as a member of the Heart on the Hill Committee, and as a Learn & Live visionary speaker. Spencer has been a Northwest Florida Heart Walk team captain and recognized as a Top Walker for the past six years.
During the upcoming year, Spencer will help lead the Association’s mission to prevent heart disease and stroke, ranked as the No. 1 and No. 4 killers of American men and women. The Greater Southeast Affiliate services Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Puerto Rico.
“Heart disease has taken the lives of far too many loved ones in my family, in our community, and in our country,” said Spencer. “I have learned through volunteering with the American Heart Association that we must celebrate the lives of the loved ones we have lost, and we must honor and cherish those who have survived and are struggling with the disease. By committing to the fight against heart disease, we can save lives and spare others the heartbreak of loss. I am deeply honored to serve as chair of the Board of Directors and look forward to helping the American Heart Association lead the fight against cardiovascular disease and stroke.”
The Board will support the Association’s achievement of its 2020 impact goal to improve the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20 percent while reducing deaths from cardiovascular disease and stroke by 20 percent. The Board of Directors’ responsibilities include controlling and managing the affairs, funds, and property of the Affiliate; approving the final annual budget and other fiscal matters for the Affiliate; approving all Affiliate operational policies; and delegating the implementation of Affiliate operational policy
In addition to her service to the American Heart Association, Spencer has served on several charitable boards and fund-raising committees. She recently served as chair of the Pensacola Charter Review Commission, was one of the primary drafters of Pensacola’s new Charter, and led the successful campaign to change Pensacola’s form of government. Spencer has received the Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association Community Service Award, was named Outstanding Woman in Business by Pensacola Business Journal, and is consistently named to the annual Power List published by the Independent News.
Spencer is married to Pensacola City Councilman, Brian Spencer, and resides in Pensacola, Florida.
