BCA Board of Directors |
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BCA BOARD OFFICERS 2013 |
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Michael LaFortune Chair |
Michael is a senior product manager at Ellucian serving Higher Education globally. He holds degrees in Physics and Mathematics from F.I.T and is proud to also be a product of Brevard Public Schools and BCC. Michael returned to family roots on the Space Coast after working across the US and internationally. His passions include fine and performing arts, outdoor activities, strategic planning, and business management. Honored as one of FLORIDA TODAY's Ten to Watch in 2012, Michael lives in Satellite Beach with his talented artist wife, Christina, and brilliant son, Alexander. |
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Jim Haworth |
Jim Haworth has a strong background in general management, finance and marketing. His rise in the lighting industry began when he served concurrently as the president and CEO of JJI Lighting Group, overseeing its general management, operations, finance and manufacturing. Jim is a CPA and holds a BBA from Loyola University of Chicago and a MBA from the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Business at Northwestern University. Jim was recently honored by the White House as a Champion of Change 2011. |
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Kim Agee Secretary Agee Consulting |
Kim has a background in non-profit economic development and management and has led teams to achieve expansive goals. Her experience solving complex issues and creating consensus among various opinions led Space Coast Business Magazine to name her one of the Most Powerful People in Brevard, one of the 100 Most Influential Business Leaders in Brevard and to receive LEAD Brevard's 4 under 40 award. She is a life long resident of Brevard and currently serves as a trusted advisor for a variety of clients in both the private for-profit and non-profit arenas. |
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Jill Reyes Treasurer McGladrey |
Reyes is an audit manager at McGladrey and is a CPA and Certified Internal Auditor. She holds an MBA from FIT and has lived in Brevard County for more than 10 years. She is a member of the Institute of Internal Auditors, the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Florida Government Finance Officers Association. | |||
BCA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
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Kathy Thomas-Beck Financial Counsel |
Kathy has been a practicing CPA in Brevard for 25 years. She is Partner with McGladrey, the fifth-largest accounting firm in the country. She serves on the executive committee for the State of Florida, and leads the state-wide consulting practice. She has received the McGladrey Employee of the Year honor, given to one of 8,000 employees who exemplify teamwork, integrity and excellence. | |||
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Bunny Finney Past Chair |
Bunny is an active community leader noted for her strengths as an organizer and motivator. A critical thinker and visionary, she understands the dynamics of change. Effective in planning and policy development, Bunny's leadership brings significant growth and participation to Brevard. Civic interests include uniting the community, promoting education, and youth - she serves on boards, committees and task forces at state, regional and local levels to further those interests. |
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Michelle Naberhaus Vice Chair Naberhaus Law |
Michelle has her own firm, Naberhaus Law, and practices in the areas of civil litigation, trust and estate administration and litigation, and guardianships. Michelle’s husband was born and raised in Brevard County, and together they decided to return to Brevard to raise their five children. Michelle serves on boards for various professional and charitable organizations at the local and State level. |
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Jim Ridenour Vice Chair |
Jim L. Ridenour is the Dual General Manager of Residence Inn by Marriott Melbourne and Courtyard by Marriott West Melbourne, and is a retired Colonel of the U.S. Air Force. Currently, Jim serves on the following Boards of Directors in addition to BCA: Melbourne Regional Chamber; MyRegion.org for East Central Florida; FL Restaurant and Lodging Assn.; Space Coast Office of Tourism; Economic Development Commission; Tiger Bay Club; Buena Vida Estates; and Melbourne Police Foundation, among others. Jim has a BS Degree from Ball State University and an MS Degree in Personnel Management from Central Michigan University. |
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J. Mason Williams Legal |
Mason is a life long resident of Florida and an attorney with GrayRobinson PA. He graduated from the University of Florida and the University Of Florida College Of Law. Mason has been twice named a Florida "Super Lawyer" in the field of construction law. Mason has served many years on the Boards of the Brevard Schools Foundation, Junior Achievement, the Brevard Cultural Alliance, and PREVENT! of Brevard. Mason also sings, over the years serving as a church music director, praise team leader and most recently as choir director for Satellite Beach United Methodist Church. He has also coached baseball for many years, including several years as Assistant Junior Varsity and Varsity Coach for Cocoa Beach Jr./Sr. High School. He loves to fish, surf, golf and read. |
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| BCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS | |||||
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Linda Brandt |
Linda is a communications consultant, writer, art director, design firm leader, and has 25 + years of experience in strategic marketing, program development and design/branding solution--from startups to rebranding or repositioning businesses and organizations at moments of challenge or for crucial milestones and future sustainability. Linda is the CEO of Brandt Ronat + Company, a national firm specializing in marketing, advertising and communications technology, headquartered in Merritt Island, Florida. |
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Marsha Cantrell |
Marsha is the liaison for the Brevard County Board of County Commissioners, and is the Parks Support Services Manager for the Brevard County Parks and Recreation Department. With her years of governmental experience and a B.A. in Public Administration, Marsha has participated in many boards and committees, including the Indian River Lagoon National Scenic Byway Coalition, Royal Order of Don Juan Ponce de Leon Historical V Centennial Celebration Committee, and the Brevard Marine Advisory Committee. Being born and raised in Brevard County, Marsha finds that her interests in music, reading, boating and nature, are all part of the reason she enjoys life on the Space Coast. |
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Karen Coleman |
Karen is an attorney with Johnson Law Center. She focuses her practice on assisting the injured throughout the State of Florida. She is active with the Junior League of South Brevard, March of Dimes of the Space Coast, and her home church- Lifepoint Church in Palm Bay. |
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Josh Field SCB Marketing |
Josh Field is the co-founder and president of SCB Marketing, the area's leading multimedia marketing firm and publisher of Brevard County's top publications including SpaceCoast Living and SpaceCoast Business magazines. In addition to the BCA, Field serves on numerous local boards, including the EDC of Florida's Space Coast; Founders Forum; Nathan M. Bisk College of Business at Florida Institute of Technology's Board of Overseers; and L.E.A.D Brevard. |
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Nancy Giangrisostomi |
Nancy Giangrisostomi is the Junior High Director of Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy, the premier independent school of Brevard County. She has diligently served in this administrative position for the past six years. During this time she has developed a collaborative work environment encouraging faculty and students to reach their full potential. Under her direction several programs have been added to the Junior High School which have enriched the educational experience of the students and provided academic, spiritual, social and athletic development. |
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Jimi Gonzalez ION Electric |
Jimi is a Project Manager for the Technologies Division of ION Electric, focusing on commercial projects in the Southeast. His career has been focused on the growth of the audio/video systems integration industry and he has written for local and national publication on the subject. Jimi is also a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Accredited Professional with a focus on Interior Design and Construction. He is also a musician with experience on guitar, piano and ukulele. |
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Debbie Goode |
A Partner with Carr, Riggs and Ingram, Debbie provides 25 years of accounting and auditing experience to clients in the Central Florida region. Debbie works primarily with government contractors, governmental entities, not-for-profit organizations, and commercial companies. Debbie oversees all of the Melbourne office’s audit and review engagements. She also consults in the area of government contract accounting with the goal of keeping companies in compliance with the FAR regulations and out of trouble with the DCAA. |
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Dicksy Hansen |
Dicksy serves as Chief of the Public Services Division for NASA at the Kennedy Space Center. She has a Business Management degree from UCF and has lived in Brevard County for 23 years. She started her career with NASA in 1990 and has served various functions in the Chief Financial Office, Human Resources, and the Education and External Relations Office. In her current position she is responsible for launch guest operations, outreach event planning, and VIP tours at the KSC. She is passionate about partnering the KSC with the local community and ensuring that Brevard County is kept a vibrant and an attractive community for families to reside. In addition to her career with NASA she serves as the LFCC Chair for the Space Coast Combined Federal Campaign and is an active member with the Space Coast Freewheelers and East Coast Christian Center. |
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Gina Kaiser FLORIDA TODAY |
Gina Kaiser is the Director of Marketing and Community Affairs for FLORIDA TODAY. She serves as chief marketing executive for FLORIDA TODAY Communications. Working across departments, develops strategic plans to increase aggregate audience and revenue for our product portfolio in a competitive marketplace. Manages key partnerships and community relations efforts to strengthen our position in the community we serve. Gina received her B.A in Graphic Design/ Fine Arts from Kansas State University. Gina has received numerous awards in creative excellence and is a member of the American Advertising Federation. |
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Darcia Jones Francey |
Darcia Jones Francey is the Chairman and Director at Prevent! of Brevard, Inc. She is also involved with the Space Coast Science Center, Inc. Darcia also donates most of her time to the community as an avid volunteer. |
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Dr. Michael Krupp |
Dr. Krupp has served Brevard Public Schools in numerous capacities including the following: science teacher for DeLaura Jr. H.S.; Adult/Community Center Ed. Coordinator for Cocoa Beach High School (now known as Cocoa Beach Jr./Sr. High); an Assistant Principal for Merritt Island, Titusville, and Cocoa High Schools; and prior to his retirement from BPS in 2004, he served as principal of Edgewood and Astronaut High Schools. Dr. Krupp served Brevard Community College as their Ombudsman for the Educator Preparation Institute/Alternative Certification Program from 2006-2010. |
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Fred Maxik |
Fredric “Fred” S. Maxik has been Chief Technology Officer of Lighting Science Group Corporation since 2010. He founded Lighting Science, Inc., a subsidiary of Phoenix Group Corp., in 2004. He began his career in Sansui Electronics in Japan where he served as Vice President of Product Development. In 1990, he was recruited by Onkyo Electronics as Vice President of Product Development. In 1993, he formed a product development consulting firm and in 2002 formed an environmental products company. Dr. Maxik received an honorary Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Hong Kong and graduated from Bard College with Bachelors degree in physics and philosophy.
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Dr. Dwayne McCay |
Dwayne McCay (PhD, Auburn University, 1974) became Provost and Chief Academic Officer at the Florida Institute of Technology in July 2003. He became the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) in January 2011. As COO, Dr. McCay is responsible for all operating units of the university and reports directly to the president as the number two executive in the university. He also holds a joint appointment as Professor in Physics and Space Sciences and Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Prior to Dr. McCay’s position at Florida Tech, he served as Vice President for Research and Information Technology for The University of Tennessee System where he was responsible for oversight of statewide UT research and information technology (IT) and the UT-Battelle management contract for the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. |
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Jim Platman |
Jim Platman is the Sr. Community Relation/Program Manager at Bright House Networks. Jim received his B.A in Telecommunications from Kent State Univeristy. Jim is also a member of the Brevard Schools Foundation Board of Directors and the Community Credit Union Board of Directors, Jim has a strong commitment to education of our youth in Brevard. |
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Drew Rector
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As the Chief Strategy & Growth Officer for Health First, located in Brevard County, Florida, Drew is responsible for the overall strategic direction of the integrated Health System. Drew also leads Health First’s Outpatient & Wellness Division, Marketing & Communications, Health Services Sales, Matrix Service Lines, and Community Health Partnerships. Raised in the Tampa Bay area, Drew relocated to the space coast from St. Louis, Missouri, where he served as a Hospital President and Orthopedic Service Line Executive at SSM Healthcare. Drew also worked as a Division Vice President of Cardiovascular Services for HCA, and Chief Operating Officer of OrthoCarolina, an eight-five physician musculoskeletal group practice. After earning an undergraduate degree in Accounting, Drew attended the University of South Florida where he earned his Masters of Business Administration. |
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Tony Sasso Cocoa Beach Surf Museum |
Tony Sasso is Executive Director of the Cocoa Beach Surf Museum and also Keep Brevard Beautiful. He is a former Cocoa Beach City Commissioner and State Legislator who remains active as a citizen advocate. Tony was recognized for outstanding leadership and service by the Florida Association of Counties, Florida Education Association, Florida League of Conservation Voters and Marine Resources Council. In 2011 he was awarded the Champion of Change designation by the White House. Tony is committeed to local community projects and improvements through Boy Scouts of America and the arts, cultural and educational service endeavors. |
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Linda South Pagosa Solutions |
Linda is the owner of Pagosa Solutions. An entrepreneurial operations executive, Linda works to increase the valuation of companies through enhanced operations and financial efficiencies. Linda served as Secretary of the Florida Department of Management Services and Executive Director of the state's Agency for Workforce Innovation, as well as 10 years as Executive Director of Brevard Workforce. A native of Florida, she is deeply invested in building and supporting a vibrant community in East Central Florida and the state. She is Vice Chairman of the Space Coast Energy Consortium and Vice President of The Haven. Linda has an MBA from Rollins College and is an avid outdoors enthusiast and patron of the arts. |
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Delores Spearman |
Delores Spearman dedicates most of her time giving back to the community she grew up in. Her interests include history and environmental issues. She is very involved with the Brevard Historical Society focusing on the Rossetter House and other historical places throughout Brevard County. She has also been a member of the Art in Public Places program for the past two years. Delores also sits on the Florida State University's National Alumni Asscociation Board, the Historic Rossetter House Museum Board, The Cocoa Village Playhouse Board, & Project Hunger. She was most recently awarded the Citizen of the Year Award for 2011. |
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Susie Wasdin Wasdin Associates |
Susie graduated from U.F. with a B.A. in Education, and attended B.C.C and Cocoa Beach High. Wasdin Associates initially constructed custom homes, and her company has been known as an Award Winning Builder. Susie and husband Tom are active on several boards and committees including the University of Florida's College of Health and Human Performance under the direction of the Dean, Dr. Steve Dorman. Susie is a talented pianist, interior designer, and avid volunteer in the community. |
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