City Commission

About Joshua Rydell

Joshua Rydell was born in Buffalo, New York and moved to Florida after receiving his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Delaware. After completion of his college education, he moved to Broward County, Florida and attended Nova Southeastern University’s Law Center, where he received his Juris Doctorate Degree.

He is the principal attorney with The Law Offices of Joshua D. Rydell, with a focus in criminal and civil litigation as well as administrative professional representations. He has served on the Coconut Creek Parks & Recreation Board and is an alumnus of the Coconut Creek Citizen’s Academy.   Mayor Rydell has served as an appointed member of Broward County’s Substance Abuse Advisory Board and as the chair of a Florida Bar grievance committee.  He has been an outspoken advocate for our disenfranchised and mentally ill communities.  He also sits on the Board of Florida’s Children First a State-wide non-profit dedicated to improving the lives of at risk children.   He is a proud husband and father and can be routinely found enjoying all of the green spaces in Coconut Creek. 

About Sandra Welch

Sandra Welch and her husband Andy, grew up in Southern Illinois (where she attended Southern Illinois University), and moved to Coconut Creek in 1997. She has held all offices in The Women's Club of Coconut Creek since joining in 1997. She served as Chair and Vice-Chair of the Coconut Creek Parks and Recreation Advisory Board from 2001-2013. Along with other business and civic leaders, Welch served as a facilitator during the City’s Vision 2020 strategic planning session. Welch was a member of the first Coconut Creek Citizen’s Academy in 2007.

Currently, Vice Mayor Welch serves at the Broward County level as Vice Chair of the Water Advisory Board, Climate Change Task Force member, and previously served on the Human Rights Board through June 2015. She represents the City on the Broward County Metropolitan Planning Organization, which carries out transportation planning, and on the Solid Waste Working Group.

At the local City level, she serves on the SAC (School Advisory Council) Atlantic Technical High/College as Chair, Monarch High School, Dave Thomas Education Center, Coconut Creek High School, and Winston Park Elementary. In addition she is Co-Chair of the Atlantic Technical College Transition Into Employment Advisory Board. Sandra mentors students for Junior Achievement Fellows Program at Atlantic Technical high school earning Mentor of the Year in 2019.  Teen Political Forum, which allows high school students to raise questions to elected leaders, began in 2018 facilitated by Welch.  She chaired the Coconut Creek/Margate 2014 Relay for Life community fundraiser event, which was held for 10 years at Monarch High School. In relation to BOLD Justice (Broward Organized Leaders Doing Justice), Sandra has served as a team leader.

When Vice Mayor Welch was first elected in 2013, she took an early retirement from American Express after 18 years as an Executive Assistant in Customer Service, Billing and Payment Services, and Human Relations/Affirmative Action Plans.

About Jackie Railey

Jackie Railey is a native New Yorker and current Wynmoor Village resident - serving as the President of the Wynmoor Community Council, President and Council Representative for Martinique III Village Condominium Association, and Special Events Vice President of the Wynmoor Golf Association. She has served as Chairperson for the Coconut Creek Community Outreach Advisory Board, the Coconut Creek Redistricting Committee, a Poll Worker for the Broward County Supervisor of Elections, Worker for the U.S. Census Bureau, and Chairperson for Relay for Life (American Cancer Society). She is also a graduate of the Coconut Creek Citizen’s Academy.

Commissioner Railey enjoyed a long and successful professional career in real estate and property management. She was an Administrative Assistant to the President and Vice President of Seafarer’s International Union, as well as Executive Assistant to partner of Goldman Sachs.

About John Brodie

On April 28, 2022, John Brodie (JB) was appointed as Commissioner by the City Commission to represent District D. He was elected as City Commissioner on March 14, 2023. Commissioner Brodie has resided in the City of Coconut Creek for more than 18 years and has a passion for coaching youth sports. He’s coached soccer and flag football and he’s spearheaded two non-profit organizations: Coconut Creek Girls Softball and Coconut Creek Crush Softball. He has worked in the wireless industry for over 25 years and as a General Manager in the fitness industry.  He brands himself as a believer of keeping Coconut Creek thriving by hiring employees and vendors from the City. Commissioner Brodie volunteers at Tomorrow’s Rainbow, a Creek non-profit that provides free grief support groups for children and their caregivers, and works with mental awareness organizations. He’s supported cyber-bullying causes and would like to launch a cyber-bullying awareness program and a social media etiquette program.

Commissioner Brodie is a disabled combat veteran of the U.S. Army, comes from a law enforcement family and hosts an annual tribute event on 9-11 for police and fire departments. He’s been married to Kerry since 1992, and together they have 2 adult children who attended schools in Coconut Creek.