City Commission
Mayor Freddie Foster
Freddie Foster was born and raised in Newark, Delaware, where he met and married his wife of 45 years, Cheryl. After years of working throughout the United States, Freddie and his wife moved to Miami and purchased their current home in Key Colony Beach. They have two sons, eight grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Freddie has a Bachelor of Science in Management and started his career in the construction and testing of nuclear submarines, later entering the commercial nuclear field. His work with nuclear power stations took him throughout the United States, Canada and Russia. He has strong project management skills and was responsible for multi-million-dollar construction projects. In addition, Freddie served as the Emergency Preparedness Group Operations Support Manager and Technical Support Center Maintenance Manager.
For over 45 years, Freddie has been involved with multiple volunteer and charity groups such as United Way, Red Cross, Masonic Lodge, and the Vietnam Veterans’ fundraising events for Desert Shield/Desert Storm. In Key Colony Beach, he recently served as the Utility Board Chairperson and as an alternate on the Code Board. Freddie can also be found assisting his neighbors, resolving issues or more importantly, offering a helping hand.
Freddie’s goal as City Commissioner is to ensure Key Colony Beach remains the same little slice of paradise he and his wife discovered years ago. As Freddie’s focus is full transparency and an open-door policy with city staff, please contact him with any questions or concerns. He looks forward to working with the Commission and the residents of KCB.
786-229-4313(c)
Vice-Mayor Doug Colonell
Doug was raised in Towson, MD attending college prep schools and attending Salisbury University for general business management studies as well as Towson University law classes. Doug worked summers framing custom homes to help fray the cost of college while lettering on the varsity lacrosse team.
Doug and his wife Lisa have been married for 41 years and first came to the Keys in 1980 under a grant funded study through the University of Miami to study lemon shark populations in the Blackwater Sound and Florida Bay. Doug and Lisa purchased several properties in Marathon beginning in 2006 and purchased their KCB residence in 2020. Doug can be found most mornings walking their dog “Rummy” or fishing.
Doug’s career spans 4 decades in building construction throughout the eastern seaboard. Doug has held many executive positions during that time before founding his own commercial construction firm. The firm has routinely been recognized by industry peers winning numerous awards for excellence. Doug also operated a commercial electrical contracting company employing hundreds of employees combined. The collective group built about $1B in contracted projects in a dozen or more states. In 2022, Doug sold the construction company and together with Lisa moved to Key Colony Beach. Doug and Lisa also own several commercial and residential rental properties here in Florida as well as in Maryland.
Doug and Lisa have 4 children and 8 grandchildren. My vision for KCB is to not disrupt the slice of paradise but improve the overall infrastructure while working to beautify and set in motion the future by proactive management.
Doug.Colonell@keycolonybeach.net 410-382-4444 (c)
Secretary/Treasurer Tom Harding
Tom Harding has been a Key Colony Beach homeowner for 17 years. He and his wife, Mary, have been married for 33 years and have 2 adult children. Recently, Tom retired from General Motors as an Engineering Manager after 35 years of service. Tom has two bachelor’s degrees in the field of engineering. For the past 4 years, he has been the Treasurer on the KCB Utility Board. Tom is also the President of Key Colony Beach’s local Condominium Association and has been in that role for the last 12 years.
Tom and Mary decided to purchase property in Key Colony Beach over 17 years ago, after vacationing here for 4-5 years. They enjoyed the small community, the teamwork within the City, and of course the beautiful weather and clear waters of the Florida Keys. Tom enjoys exercising, riding bicycle within the City and local areas, boating, and recently restoring vintage/antique items for preservation of old furniture. Tom also enjoys vintage cars and has two that he enjoys working on.
Tom looks forward to working with the City Commission, City Employees, and the residents on the challenges ahead and wanted to join the City Commission to further contribute on improvements the City is working through; like City Hall, rebuilding after Irma, contributing to working through the risk mitigation of sea level rise, and the safety for the residents.
tom.harding@keycolonybeach.net (734) 476-0531 (C)
Commissioner Tom DiFransico
Tom has been visiting the Keys since the 1950’s and has fond memories of fishing off the old seven mile bridge. He and Sandy bought their first home in Key Colony Beach in 2007 and moved here full time in 2013. Tom has been active on City Volunteer committees; serving on the Utility Board, the Code Enforcement Board and the Planning and Zoning Committee. Tom and Sandy are members of the KCB Fishing and Boating Club and are part owners of Inch Beach.
Tom enjoys fishing and snorkeling and can frequently be seen piloting his boat “Tomfoolery” through the canals. In good weather you can usually see Tom taking his morning walk around KCB.
A graduate of the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Tom served ten years as an officer in the Navy’s Nuclear Submarine Program including three years as Chief Engineer of the USS Ray (SSN653). After leaving the Navy, Tom had a career in the engineering and construction business. He was responsible for the design, construction and operation of power plants of various types. Tom was a registered professional engineer and holds a Master’s degree from George Washington University.
Tom’s vision for KCB is to maintain the friendly, easy-going atmosphere which drew him here initially.
Tom.DiFransico@keycolonybeach.net 908-432-1587 (c)
Commissioner Kirk Diehl
Kirk Diehl was born and raised in Maryland, where he met and married his wife of24 years, Irene. Together, they have 3 daughters and 7 grandchildren. While Kirk and Irene enjoyed visiting Florida, it only took one trip to the Florida Keys to know that was where they wanted to purchase a home and live. After 5 years of searching, they purchased their first home in Key Colony Beach in August of 2018.
While attending college, Kirk studied retail management and law enforcement, in addition to receiving his General Contractors Certification in 1983. Kirk started his main career with the Federal Government retiring after 32 years of service with the U.S. Postal Service. Additionally, during this period of time, he began to purchase properties that he renovated and turned into either rental properties or for resale. After retirement from the Federal Government, Kirk focused on his Real Estate Investor career where he continued to aggressively purchase, remodel and sell waterfront properties, as well as managing and maintaining the maintenance on his inventory of rental properties.
Kirk and his wife Irene, are active members of the Fleet Reserve Club, the Moose Club, and the American Legion. Additionally, they are members of the Key Colony Beach Fishing and Boating Club, and the Key Colony Beach Community Association. They also own a share of Inch Beach. Kirk is also on the Board of Directors for the Bahia Vista Community Association in Ocean City, Maryland.
Kirk's vision for KCB is to contribute to the completion of the City Hall project, as well as addressing other current issues to improve and continue to move the City in the right direction.He looks forward to working with the current Commissioners, city employees, and residents.
kirk.diehl@keycolonybeach.net 410-279-2813 (c)