King Michael Sharpe
King Michael Sharpe was born in Miami and arrived in DeLand at the tender age of three. A graduate of DeLand High School (Class of 1981) and Florida State University, Michael is Sales Director for AT&T Global Business. Prior to that, he spent 18 years as Technical Services Director in Management Information Services for Volusia County Schools.
Michael has been married to “the love of my life,” Dawn, for over 35 years. They have two grown children, David and Michelle. Daughter Michelle was a past Krewe debutante and son David is a Lieutenant this year.
He has been a member of St. Barnabas Church for more than 50 years, serving as Sunday School Teacher, Usher, Vestry Member, Senior Warden and currently leads the audio/visual team.
In his free time, Michael enjoys traveling, going to the beach, boating, paddle boarding and listening to music. His all-time favorite musical group is the Eagles and his favorite genre of music is’70s and ‘80s rock from artists like AC/DC, Boston, Foreigner, Journey, Styx, Van Halen and Queen.
DUKES
Bobby McCormick
A lifelong resident of DeLand, Bobby McCormick graduated from DeLand High School and the University of Central Florida. He is Principal Engineer at Florida Power & Light and also a certified building contractor.
Bobby has been married to Krewe Member Ginger McCormick for 23 years and they are parents to daughter Bryanne, and son Logan.
He enjoys hunting, fishing and building dirt-track race cars. He also is a former Lieutenant of the Krewe of Amalee and, in his free time, Bobby takes care of the dogs that his wife and kids rescue.
Dwight Lewis
Dwight Lewis spent the first 50 years of his life in Daytona Beach. He graduated from Seabreeze High School, followed by Florida State University. Currently retired, Dwight is the former President and CEO of Driver Oil Company.
He has been married to Krewe Member and Maid Lisa Lewis for 25 years and has three children – Dwight D. Lewis II, Krewe Member Kelly Degeller and Blaine Vanzo. Dwight was a member of the Rotary Club of DeLand. He also served on the County Council for eight years – two as its Chairman. In addition, Dwight is a former Board of Trustees Member of Daytona State college, serving as its Chairman for two years.
The Krewe of Amalee appreciates that Dwight previously served as a Lieutenant twice and also as a Duke.
Mark Higbee
Mark Higbee moved from New Haven, Vermont, to Daytona Beach in 1971. A Spruce Creek High School graduate, Mark worked for the Southland Company for 34 years. Today he is an Account Manager for Brightview Landscape Services and has been happily married to Maid Donna Higbee for 16 years. Mark has two daughters – Steffanie and Samantha – one son, Mark, and four grandchildren.
He has coached Little League baseball for eight years and served as Vice President of DeLand Little League for four years. In his spare time, Mark enjoys playing baseball with his son (and an occasional round of golf!) He likes most types of music, but is a big fan of The Beatles, Deep Purple and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Most of all, Mark says he loves spending time with his family and watching his son mature.
Ryan James
Born in DeLand, Ryan James graduated from DeLand High School and Florida State University. He is a member Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity and has been President and CEO of Surety Bank since 2009.
He is the son of Krewe Member Ellen James, and has been married to Krewe Member Amy Wommack James for fifteen years and has two children – daughter Alexandra, 14 and son Grayson, 7. Ryan serves as a Board Member of the DeLand Housing Authority and has devoted countless hours to building props at the Krewe Den.
In his free time, Ryan enjoys hiking and traveling with his family. He is a member of Stetson Baptist Church and is a past Lieutenant of the Krewe of Amalee.
LIEUTENANTS
Larry Lundy
Born in North Carolina, Larry Lundy moved to Florida in 1984. A graduate of DeLand High School and Daytona State College, Larry currently raises cattle in Crescent Ciry.
He has been married to Krewe Member Kimberly for 23 years and they have two sons – Zachary and Grady. Larry is a former Boy Scout troop leader who attends The Journey church.
In his free time, Larry enjoys working in the yard as well as boating and fishing. He loves listening to country music and considers Garth Brooks his favorite artist of all time!
David Sharpe
Lieutenant David Sharpe is the son of our King Mike Sharpe.
Born and raised in DeLand, David graduated from DeLand High School, the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance and Stetson University with a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. In addition, David received a Master’s Degree in Accounting from Seton Hall University.
He works as a Treasury Manager for Verizon and enjoys golfing, boating or a good game of basketball in his free time.
David has been married to Monica for four years. Spending time with their sons, Jase and Deegan, involves frequent trips to Walt Disney World. His favorite music is Country and he listens to a lot of Eric Church and Kenny Chesney.
Eric Sampson
Eric Sampson was born in Orlando and attended Umatilla High School. He earned his degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and currently is a utility engineer for the City of DeLand.
He has been married for 20 years to Krewe member Cara Sampson and they have two sons, Luke and Zach. Eric serves as Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 550 and also volunteers his time with Empty Bowls of West Volusia.
He enjoys scuba-diving, fishing and pottery. In addition, Eric holds several patents, ranging from medical devices to fishing. He listens to a variety of music, but has a particular weakness for Nirvana and The Stone Temple Pilots.
Jeff Agnew
Jeff Agnew spent his first two years in Omaha, Nebraska, before moving to Bartow, Florida, as a toddler. A graduate of Bartow High School and Polk State College, Jeff currently is a Compliance Inspector for the Florida Department of Transportation.
He has been married to Krewe Member Amanda Agnew for 13 years and they share two daughters, Rebecca and Lydia. When it comes to volunteer work, Jeff is quick to lend a hand to “Whatever my wife signs me up for.”
In his free time, Jeff enjoys shooting, hunting, fishing and tending the family vegetable garden.
Josh Forare
Born in Massachusetts, Josh Forare moved to DeLand when he was just two months old. A graduate of DeLand High School and Stetson University, Josh currently is a software developer for Weather Flow.
For the past 18 years, he’s been married to Krewe member Kristy Forare. They have two daughters - Emma and Lila – and one son, Aaron.
Josh coached Youth Soccer through the DeLand City Parks and Recreation. He also enjoys adult soccer and is a big supporter of the Orlando City Lions. In his free time, Josh likes to play golf and travel – especially spending time at the beach with his family.
His taste in music is pretty eclectic: pop, rock and country – definitely no rap. Josh listens to a lot of ‘80s and ‘90s pop music.
Mike Tyrrell
Born in St. Petersburg, Florida, Mike Tyrrell graduated from Bishop Barry High School and Pfeiffer College. He is currently a Project Manager with Black Knight Inc.
Mike has been married to Krewe Member Kristi Tyrrell for 29 years and they are the parents of two sons, Alec and Austin. He provides the sound system for Stetson’s Women’s Beach Volleyball team and we are grateful that Mike’s expertise keeps our Krewe of Amalee Mardi Gras on Mainstreet Dog Parade sounding wonderful, too. Mike is also a member of The Stetson 150 Club.
In his free time, Mike loves to collect and listen to vinyl records, particularly rock, blues and outlaw country music.
. He also enjoys Stetson football, Stetson beach volleyball and finding really good whiskey. But Mike insists his greatest legacy is his two sons.
Steve Anderson
Steve Anderson grew up in Indiana and graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Engineering.
He has been married to Krewe Member Carolyn Anderson for 28 years and currently serves as her butler, chef and driver. In addition, Steve owns AmeriCare Assisted Living Inc., a 48-bed facility in Deltona.
Steve and Carolyn are parents to three children - Jennifer, Matthew and Kaitlyn. In his free time, Steve loves to travel, go RV-ing, play a little poker or hit the bowling alley. He enjoys classic rock and is especially fond of Mark Knopfler (lead guitarist of Dire Straits) and Etic Clapton. A bit of trivia – Steve grew up two blocks from Axl Rose and two blocks from Izzy Straddlin, who are both members of Guns and roses.
Rick Hall
Born in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, Rick Hall graduated from Mount Everett Regional High School and Stetson University, where he played baseball. He is Director of Parks & Recreation for the City of DeLand.
For 18 years, Rick coached baseball for Stetson. Under his guidance, the DeLand American Legion baseball team won two State Championships. Rick also coached the DeLand Suns Summer Collegiate Team to two League Championships.
He’s been married to Fabiola Prahl Hall for 15 years and they have one daughter, Hannah. Rick has served in the Deland Rotary Club and in his free time, he enjoys golf, fishing and riding his Harley Davidson.