Marsha Oliver

Marsha Oliver is an award-winning Canadian author who has published 20 books aimed at young readers. Her meticulously researched historical fiction and narrative nonfiction novels focus on war from an intimate young person’s viewpoint.

Sharing custody with her son Joel often means quick trips to the grocery store for Frosted Flakes or movie night at home – but she has learned to appreciate his visits.

Early Life and Education

Marsha Oliver hails from Davenport, Iowa and graduated from Drake University with honors. As editor-in-chief at her high school and serving on multiple non-profit and educational institution boards, she holds many accolades in both journalism and academia.

Marsha is dyslexic but she refuses to let that stop her from becoming an accomplished author and award winner. With over two dozen books written under her name and numerous honors won, she focuses on writing historically researched novels as well as narrative non-fiction that explore the experiences of young people during war or oppression.

She holds an intense passion for Jacksonville and was thrilled to join Mayor Lenny Curry’s administration. She currently sits on several boards of directors including Women’s Giving Alliance and Eartha M.M. White Legacy Board as well as being an active member of JAX Chamber and volunteering for numerous community programs.

Professional Career

Marsha Oliver founded Unplugged at the Grove music series in Texas during the 1980s. Offering free live Texas-themed country, rock, and pop music in family-friendly environments for free performances at venues, radio stations, and sponsors, its model benefits venues, radio stations, and sponsors alike.

Lenny Curry recently selected Marsha Oliver as his new spokesperson and public relations director, replacing Bill Spann who has moved over to Military Affairs at City Hall. Oliver held this position before moving over to Jacksonville City Hall. She previously worked at Duval County Schools public relations before accepting this new job at Jacksonville City Hall.

Oliver attributes her strong work ethic to being taught by her grandfather who sold fruits and vegetables from Wakulla County’s fertile land. Today she’s a multimillion-dollar producer at Ochlockonee Bay Realty as well as serving on nonprofit and civic boards.

Achievement and Honors

Marsha Oliver is an accomplished marketing communications professional, having advanced the strategic goals of numerous corporate, non-profit, educational and philanthropic organizations across various fields. Additionally, she has served as public relations firm leader, media personality/co-host as well as adjunct college professor.

She is deeply committed to her community and serves as Director of Public Affairs and Senior Director of Community Outreach for The Players Championship/PGA Tour for Jacksonville City Hall. Previously she worked as Director of Public Affairs under Mayor Lenny Curry as well as being assistant superintendent of communications in Duval County public schools.

She was honored with both the 2022 Alexander Quarles Holladay Medal for Excellence and Women’s Giving Alliance Leadership Jacksonville Class of 2001 awards. Additionally, she served on Eartha M.M. White Legacy Foundation Board and Jack & Jill of America Inc membership committees.

Personal Life

Marsha Oliver has resided in Jacksonville for many years and is an active member of both Kiwanis club and Episcopalian church. As well as enjoying traveling, reading and socializing with others she also finds time for family.

Her grandfather was an US Navy pilot and she and her military husband have traveled all over the world together. From 1999 to 2008 she served as spokesperson for Duval County Public Schools; later working at Hershey Foods in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Oliver was recently hired by Mayor Lenny Curry as the City of Orlando’s new spokesperson, becoming its first African-American woman in this role. She succeeds Bill Spann who is moving onto military affairs. Oliver will oversee communications strategies as well as events, correspondence and citizen/media relations efforts for Mayor Curry as well as citizen and media relations efforts for the City.

Net Worth

Roz Russell from Night Court was her most well-known role, though she also guest-starred on multiple other series like Clueless, Star Dates, Family Ties, Mad About You and Moesha.

She possesses a great sense of humor, delighting audiences with jokes and puns that will leave them laughing out loud. Additionally, she shares daily experiences on Instagram to keep followers entertained and up-to-date.

Marsha Oliver most recently appeared in the Fox series 9-1-1 as Henrietta Hen Wilson’s mother alongside Aisha Hinds and other cast members. Marsha lives with her longtime partner in Ringgold, Georgia and can be easily located using our “People Search” option on our homepage.