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UNF Foundation Board Members

  • Charles (Chuck) Ged, Chair

    ged headshotChuck Ged '86 is the owner of Advanced Environmental Laboratories (AEL), which is headquartered in Jacksonville and has six additional locations in Florida. AEL is a state and federal certified environmental testing laboratory specializing in the analysis of drinking water, wastewater, groundwater, soil, and hazardous waste.

    Chuck is a graduate of the University of North Florida and received his B.S. degree in chemistry.

    Chuck’s background includes seven years with the Jacksonville Electric Authority (JEA) and five years with commercial labs in Jacksonville before starting AEL. At AEL, he is responsible for the overall operations and direction of the company.

    In 2007, Chuck and his wife Jennifer established the Ray Bowman endowment in honor of UNF Chemistry Professor Dr. Ray Bowman, who was also the founding director of the Institute of Environmental Research and Education (IERE). The endowment supports the IERE with funding for research, scholarships, curriculum development, etc. Chuck also supports chemistry majors through the Mr. and Mrs. Charles M. Ged Sciences Scholarship. Chuck is a big UNF basketball fan and has gone on several trips with UNF Athletics teams to attend away games.

  • Dwight Cooper, Vice Chair

    cooper headshotDwight Cooper is the founder and CEO of Hueman People Solutions in Jacksonville Beach, as well as the co-founder and former CEO of Professional Placement Resources (PPR) Talent Management Group. Hueman People Solutions is a recruitment company with two unique recruiting divisions: Hueman, Your RPO Partner and Hueman Risk Adjustment Staffing. Both divisions serve specific outsourced recruiting needs.

    Cooper’s previous firm, PPR, began as a permanent placement firm specializing in the placement of physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech language pathologists. In the beginning, PPR was envisioned as a small business, but today PPR has exceeded that vision, most recently (August 2016) identified as one of the fastest growing private companies in America. Over the past two decades, PPR has excelled at recruiting while focusing on the customer experience and culture-based hiring. The firm’s own culture and core values affords it a foundation for delivering the best customer experience. In 2016, PPR was ranked the #7 in Fortune’s Best Place to Work in America, and it was one of 35 companies in the world to receive the Gallup Great Workplace Award.

    From 1993 to 1996, Dwight was the assistant coach for UNF men’s basketball. He is also the past chair of the Brooks College of Health Dean’s Council. Dwight’s community involvement includes roles as chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and former board member of Hendricks Day School of Jacksonville.

    Dwight received his bachelor's of science in business from Florida State University's College of Business in 1988.

  • Jason Burnett, Past Chair

    burnett-headshotJason Burnett '85 is a shareholder at GrayRobinson Attorneys, specializing in the areas of commercial litigation and bankruptcy. He is also a frequent lecturer on bankruptcy issues. 

    Jason obtained his bachelor's degree from the University of North Florida in 1985 and law degree from Florida State University in 1988. Jason was awarded a Rotary International Foundation Scholarship and studied law in Exeter, England. After obtaining his law degree, Jason served as a law clerk to The Honorable George L. Proctor, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge, Middle District of Florida.

    Jason has served as the president of the Rotary Club of South Jacksonville and director of the Florida State University College of Law Alumni Board. He is a former member of UNF's Pre-Law Program Advisory Council. He is a COAS Dean's Leadership Council member and received an Outstanding Alumni Award in 2009.

  • Steve Bachand

    bachand headshotSteve Bachand serves on the board of the Loblaw Companies Ltd.; the retired president and CEO of Canadian Tire Corp, an $8.5 billion hard goods retailer; and has previously served on the boards of Bank of Montreal, George W. Weston, Ltd, Harris Financial Corp., Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Canadian Pacific Rail, Ltd. 

    Bachand received his B.A. from Williams College, Williamstown, Mass. and his M.B.A. from the University of Virginia, The Darden School. 

    Bachand served on the board for the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto and The Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. He and his wife Phyllis have three daughters and five granddaughters.

  • Tom Bryan
    bryan-tom.jpgTom Bryan is a lifelong resident of Jacksonville, active in the community and a graduate of Jacksonville University's Davis College of Business. He is a principal of Terra Capital Holdings.

    He has served as Chairman for Episcopal Children's Services Foundation, The Yates YMCA, The Florida Yacht Club and the Professional and Businessmen's Association. Other boards on which he has served and held office include; The Jacksonville Urban League, SAFE Harbor Boys Home, Big Brothers & Big Sisters and The Jacksonville Rotary. He is a member of the 1996 classes of the Jacksonville Business Journal's 40 under 40 and Leadership Jacksonville.

    He is the father of two teenagers and married for twenty-five years to his wife, Yvonne. He and his family attend Ortega United Methodist Church.

    He was appointed to Florida State College at Jacksonville Board of Trustees by Governor Rick Scott in 2012. Mr. Bryan was appointed to the University of North Florida Board of Trustees by Governor Scott on January 6, 2018, for a term ending January 6, 2023. He serves as Vice Chair of the Finance and Facilities Committee.
  • Margaret Gellatly

    gellatly headshotMargaret Gellatly is President of Stonehenge Equitas Partners, LLC, as well as a number of other investment entities. 

    She received her B.A. from Newcomb College, Tulane University and her J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law.

    Margaret is a past President of the University of North Florida Foundation Board; past Chairman of the MOCA Jacksonville Board of Trustees; former member of the Jacksonville International Airport Arts Commission; the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors; and the Youth Crisis Center, Inc. Board of Directors.

  • Alan Hartley

    Alan Hartley

    Alan Hartley is the Founder, Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Investment Officer of Black Cypress Capital Management. He has been in the investment field for over 20 years.

    Alan has served on the University of North Florida Foundation board for over twelve years. He has chaired the Foundation’s Investment Committee since 2016, helping to oversee the $150 million endowment.

    Alan’s career started with a research associate position at Ergates Capital, a long/short hedge fund. Alan next joined Morningstar as a generalist/IPO equity analyst where he covered thirteen different industries. Alan then managed $50 million in assets on the behalf of six different investment advisers. Alan launched Black Cypress in the midst of the 2008 and 2009 recession, with an account of $400,000. The firm now manages over $220 million. Black Cypress was Emerging Manager Monthly’s 2022 Emerging Manager of the Year for United States Large-Cap Equity.

    Alan graduated from the UNF Coggin College of Business summa cum laude in 2005, receiving a B.B.A. in finance. Alan has also earned the right to display the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. The CFA credential is the most respected and recognized investment management designation in the world.

    Alan has been published in Morningstar, SumZero, Barrons.com, Seeking Alpha, and other syndicated publications. In addition to his UNF board involvement, Alan regularly serves as UNF’s industry mentor for the annual CFA Research Challenge.

    He lives with his wife Golden (alumna ’08), son, and two daughters in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.

  • Irene Lazzara

    lazzara headshotIrene Lazzara, named a UNF honorary alumna in 2001, is the president of the Gasper and Irene Lazzara Charitable Foundation and is an officer in the Ocai Company, Inc. with her husband, Gasper. She has been a UNF Foundation Board member since 2001.

    An arts enthusiast, Irene and her husband contributed to the completion of the UNF Fine Arts Center in 2000 and the naming of the Lazzara Performance Hall. In 2003, the couple established the Lazzara Family Scholarship Endowment in Performing Arts, assisting students with funds to further their education.

    Irene later established the Linda Carter Slade Endowed Scholarship, designated for students who receive services from Student Accessibility Services on the UNF campus. At the same time, she created the Susan Remmer Ryzewic Scholarship for undergraduate students enrolled in the Osprey Financial Group. 

    She has served as the past chairwoman of the Florida Theatre Board of Directors and an advisory board member for The Sanctuary on 8th Street. Additionally, Irene has been active on the boards for Jacksonville’s Museum of Science and History (MOSH) and the Bolles School as well as taken leadership roles in various nonprofit fundraising initiatives, including the American Cancer Society, the United Way of Northeast Florida, and Wolfson Children’s Hospital.

    Irene received a bachelor’s degree in education from Illinois State University and was recently selected as an honorary Redbird.

  • Anthony (Tony) Marinatos

    Marinatos-Tony.jpgTony Marinatos is a Managing Director at Chartwell Capital Management Co., Inc. He joined the firm in 1995. Prior to joining Chartwell Capital, Mr. Marinatos was an Executive Vice President and a Member of the Board of Directors of The Hamilton Collection, Inc. from 1984 to 1995. He was a Senior Vice President at Downe Communications, Inc., and Chartcom, Inc.

    Tony currently serves on the boards for Seven Bridges Radio and the Association for Corporate Growth. 

    He holds a B.S. in accounting and an M.B.A. in finance from St. John's University, New York.

  • Joseph (Chuck) Moorer
    moorer headshotChuck Moorer was a founding member of Schoolhouse Capital, LLC., a subsidiary of State Street Bank, which was the first multi-manager of 529 college savings plans. Chuck partnered with Joe Gano, the founder of National Education, in 1996. Together, they orchestrated the creation of National Education Servicing, LLC. Chuck serves as Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee for the UNF Foundation. He also serves on the Board for Financing Corp., one of the university’s four DSO’s. Chuck is a supporter of MOCA and has served on the MOCA Board since 2014. He has also supported two endowed scholarships in Arts and Design.

    Chuck graduated with honors from Emory University and served as a U.S. Army scout helicopter pilot in the Republic of Vietnam.
  • Susan Remmer Ryzewic

    ryzewic headshotSusan Remmer Ryzewic is the president and CEO of her family enterprise EHR Investments, Inc., and a director of The Remmer Family Foundation, Inc. She is responsible for the leadership and management of the investment and business operations for her family. Susan is an advisory faculty emeritus of the Institute of Private Investors, an educational organization that she has been involved with since May 1992. Prior to joining the family business in 1989, Susan was a vice president in The Private Bank, Bankers Trust Company. Earlier in her career, she spent more than a decade working in education.

    Susan is a past president of the University of North Florida Foundation Board. She has served as a member of the Investment Committee of The Community Foundation of Jacksonville; the Advocacy and Public Policy Committee of the Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida; and the Advisory Leadership Council to the Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center.


    Susan holds a Ph.D. in sociology of education from the University of Chicago and a B.A. degree in sociology from Wellesley College.

  • Conchita Robinson
    Conchita Robinson headshotConchita Robinson is a principal and co-founder of Turknett Robinson Group in Jacksonville, a consulting firm specializing in leadership and organization development. She is also president of C. Robinson Associates, a leadership development and business performance improvement services firm headquartered in Atlanta. Prior to this, Robinson had an 18-year career with IBM Corporation as vice president of sales initiatives.

    Robinson has served on the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta Community Impact Council; Cool Girls, Inc. Advisory Board; the Georgia Conservancy Board of Trustees; the National African American Women's Leadership Institute Board of Directors; the United Way of America's National Women's Leadership Council; and the AARP Foundation's Woman Leadership Council.

    Robinson earned a B.A. degree in mathematics from Newberry College in Newberry, SC. She is a graduate of Leadership Atlanta.
  • Susan Schantz

    schantz headshotSusan Schantz is a full-time community volunteer who recently completed a two-year term as president of the Women’s Giving Alliance, an initiative of The Community Foundation of Jacksonville. She moved to the Jacksonville area in late 2004 and was a member of Leadership Jacksonville’s Class of 2009. Before moving to Jacksonville, Susan served on the faculty of the Antioch University's McGregor Graduate Program in Conflict Resolution, specializing in group decision-making and public processes. She has been a public policy facilitator in several states, helping communities address issues relating to natural resources, public safety, transportation and education. She has also worked as a researcher and program evaluator on projects for several national and international organizations and began her career in journalism, advertising and public relations. 

    Susan received her B. A. from Duke University and her Ph. D. in English (rhetoric and composition) from Ohio State University.

    She is a member of the Dean’s Council of the University of North Florida’s College of Arts and Sciences and served on the board of the Jacksonville Film Festival and on the steering committee of Learning to Finish, a public education reform initiative of The Community Foundation of Jacksonville. She is also an active member of Christ Episcopal Church in Ponte Vedra Beach, where she is on the outreach committee. From 2004-08, Susan was a Florida certified mediator, volunteering her services to the Jacksonville Human Rights Commission and the Fourth District County Court.

  • Doug Baer
    baer headshotDoug Baer is president/CEO of Brooks Rehabilitation, which includes an inpatient rehabilitation hospital, physician practice, and a 27-site outpatient division. A CPA, he received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida.

    From 1983 to 1991, Doug worked as an auditor at KPMG Peat Marwick, servicing various healthcare clients. He joined Brooks in May 1991 as vice president/corporate controller. He was promoted to chief financial officer in 1995, became executive vice president/chief operations officer in June 2001, and named president/CEO in October 2002.

    Doug is on the Board of Trustees of the American Medical Rehabilitation Providers Association (AMRPA) and is the board chairman for both the First Coast American Heart Association and the Northeast Florida Health Information Exchange. He’s also involved with Dreams Come True; St. Paul’s Parish; and several other civic and service organizations in the community.
  • Scott Baker

    baker headshotScott Baker is the former president and CEO of Paul Davis Restoration Inc. Prior to this role, Scott was with International Power Technology in Redwood City, CA, for nine years, where he held the position of president and CEO. He also spent several years in commercial banking as vice president and general manager of a wholesale bank in Taiwan.

    He is a member and former vice chairman of MOCA Jacksonville, and a member of the boards of the MaliVai Washington Kids Foundation, World Affairs Council Jacksonville, and The River Club.

    Scott graduated from Williams College in Williamstown, MA, and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School. He also has a J.D. degree from the University of Tennessee and is a member of the Florida Bar.

  • Martha Barrett

    barrett headshotMartha Barrett is the Senior Vice President and Northeast Florida Market Manager for Bank of America.   Martha is currently responsible for the strategic planning, coordinating, and leveraging of the bank’s local philanthropic contributions, managing events and sponsorships, and facilitating relationships with community and opinion leaders. In this role, she oversees the local foundation and sponsorship budgets as well as managing the local market delivery team.   Martha has been with Bank of America since September 2001.

    Martha served in the Jimmy Carter administration in Washington, D.C. and was an aide to Florida United States Senator Richard Stone in Washington, D.C. She returned to Jacksonville in late 1978 to work for the new mayor, Jake Godbold.  Martha was elected unopposed to the Duval County School Board in 2000 and 2004.  She chaired the board in 2004.  She was reelected to the School Board in a special election in September 2009 and served until November 2012. 

    She currently serves on the boards of the Sulzbacher Center for the Homeless, the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, Communities in Schools, the Florida State College Foundation and Florida House in Washington, D.C.  She is a graduate of Leadership Jacksonville and Leadership Florida. Recently, Martha was honored by the Jacksonville City Council with a Resolution recognizing her for her many noteworthy accomplishments as a civic leader in the Jacksonville community. In addition, Martha has received such accolades as a Silver Medallion award from OneJax and was an EVE award finalist in employment.

     

    Martha graduated from Maryville University in St. Louis, MO. with a B.A. in political science and holds a master’s degree in education from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio.

  • Chris Brady

    Brady-Chris

    Chris Brady works in the investment office at Howard Hughes Medical Institute, a science philanthropy whose mission is to advance basic biomedical research and science education for the benefit of humanity. Chris is a member of the private markets team, where he evaluates investment opportunities across venture capital, private equity, and real assets for the $24 billion endowment. He began his career as a generalist investor at the Alfred I. duPont Charitable Trust and is a CFA Charterholder.

    Chris graduated from UNF in 2015 with degrees in finance and economics. While at UNF, Chris was a member of the Osprey Financial Group, Student Government, and the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity.

  • David Brown

    brown headshotDavid Brown is the retired chairman, CEO, and president of Web.com, a publicly traded company headquartered in Jacksonville. Prior to his founding of Atlantic Teleservices, the predecessor company to Web.com, David spent many years in banking and finance and served in leadership positions of both Barnett Bank and Florida National Bank in Jacksonville, and Riggs National Bank in Washington, D.C. He was also the founder and managing director of Carlyle International, a private equity firm. 

    He received a bachelor’s degree in general studies from Harvard University. David’s son and daughter attended UNF.

    In addition to serving on the UNF Foundation board, David serves on the board of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta’s Jacksonville Branch and as the chairman of the American Heart Association’s First Coast Heart Walk. He was previously a board member and chairman of the Federal Reserve office.

  • Bennie Clark
    clark headshotBennie Clark Dentist and Owner of Today's Dentistry by Drs Polite and Clark, has dedicated his entire career to improving health and expanding access to healthcare for all. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy from Florida A and M University. He followed an inner desire to have a more direct impact on his community and continued his studies at Meharry Medical College and the University of Florida receiving his Doctor of Medical Dentistry. Having being selected as a United States Public Health Scholar, he served with the US Public Health Corps in Ruskin, Florida before relocating to Jacksonville. Dr. Clark earned Fellowships in the International Congress of Oral Implant Dentistry, as well as the American Dental Implant Association. Further, he is a member of the American Dental Association, National Dental Association and the Academy of General Dentistry. He has served on the Board of Trustees at Jacksonville Country Day School, Woodlawn Presbyterian Church and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. He is a member of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity and was recognized as a Distinguished Alumni by Florida A and M University.
  • Curt Cunkle

    cunkie headshotCurt Cunkle is the President of Florida Banking for TIAA Bank, where he has worked since 2005. Curt is an active member of the Jacksonville community, having previously served on various boards such as the ASL Foundation, Carey Bishop Foundation, St. Vincent’s Foundation, Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, Florida Bankers Association and Ronald McDonald House of Charities Jacksonville.  

    Curt currently serves on the boards of the Economic Roundtable of Jacksonville, Take Stock in Children Leadership Council and the UNF Coggin College of Business. 

    Curt is a native of Jacksonville where he attended the Bolles School. He received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Alabama. Curt has been married for 33 years to his wife, Julie, and they have three children; Austin, Will and Lindsey.  Austin graduated from UNF in 2018 and Will is a junior at UNF.  Lindsey attends Providence High School. 

  • Shantel Davis

    davis headshotA Jacksonville, FL native, Shantel Davis was recently named Vice President of Sales, Southeastern U.S. with The Greenbrier Companies. Prior to this role, Shantel worked for CSX Transportation for 20 years, serving in various leadership roles in Sales & Marketing and Real Estate. She is a proven leader who values diversity of thought, experience and culture in shaping strategy and vision for her teams. Shantel traveled the U.S. and Canada fostering relationships while growing profitable businesses in various commodities. She is active in various community and civic organizations. Shantel is a board member for The Sulzbacher Center, Goodwill Industries of North Florida, and the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce. In July 2019, Shantel was appointed to the Florida State College of Jacksonville Board of Trustees by Governor Ron DeSantis. 

    She earned her bachelor's degree in communications and criminal justice from the University of North Florida and her MBA from Jacksonville University. Shantel’s most rewarding and humbling position is being a mommy to her daughter, McKinley.

  • Elana Dietz

    dietz headshotElana Dietz is a retired human rights commissioner, teacher, real estate appraiser, and relocation counselor. She has been involved in the community through a variety of initiatives, including serving as the chairwoman for the MaliVai Washington Kids Foundation Golf Tournament and as a member of the Grant Committee for the Women's Giving Alliance. She also has served as a board member and education chairwoman for the World Affairs Council of Jacksonville. 

    While living in Virginia, she served as treasurer for a state senate candidate and was a founding board member of The Women’s Entrepreneurial Network.

    Elana graduated from Cedar Crest College in Allentown, PA.

  • Lory Doolittle

    doolittle headshotLory Doolittle is an active community philanthropist. Lory was a French teacher, then a school administrator for many years, before teaching English as a Second Language. She ultimately became the director of the ESL Program in Greenwich, CT. Lory has a love for languages. She is passionate about teaching at all levels and is committed to ensuring that colleges create excellent teachers. Lory is deeply involved in the Jacksonville community, serving as a docent at the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, as well as supporting the Jacksonville Symphony and the University of North Florida.

    Lory earned a bachelor’s degree from Wittenburg University.

  • Marilyn Gilman

    gilman headshotMarilyn Gilman ’17 has worked in the field of Nutrition and Fitness for more than 20 years. She spent several years owning and operating Health Management Resources, Inc. in Jacksonville Beach. She is currently a nutrition educator for Cathedral Arts Project.

    Marilyn earned her bachelor’s degree in nutrition and dietetics from the University of North Florida.

    She has spent much of her professional life in nutritional counseling and fitness training. She has been a patron of the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) for more than a decade.

  • Quinton Harris

    quinton headshotQuinton Harris is VP of NEFL Division, Bank of England, where he has specialized in mortgage lending since 2009, managing over 50 loan officers and guiding over $4 Billion in purchases and refinance loans. Quinton’s team has become the #1 branch for Bank of England organization for seven years in a row while gaining #1 market share in Northeast Florida according to both Corelogic and Zonda in 2020. 

    Quinton, his wife Erin, daughter Taylor, and son Carter are avid fans of UNF Athletics and a member of the Osprey Club Executive Council. Quinton earned his bachelor degree in Finance from the University of Tennessee.

  • John Hayt
    hayt headshotJohn Hayt is the retired chairman and CEO of EquiCredit Corp., a Jacksonville-based public company that was a pioneer in the home equity lending industry. He retired in 1997 after the company was acquired by Barnett Bank of Florida, having served 32 years in various positions.

    He has been a supporter of the University of North Florida since 1993, primarily its athletics and men’s golf program. He and his wife, Gerri, have supported UNF’s Golf Learning Center, now named the Hayt Golf Learning Center. His backing of the UNF golf team also prompted UNF to rename its annual golf tournament played at Sawgrass Country Club the "John Hayt Collegiate Invitational," one of the premier college tournaments in the country. Hayt has also served on the board of Community Hospice of Northeast Florida and the Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens, where he was a two-term chairman.
  • Ann Hicks

    hicks headshotAnn Hicks ’95, a Jacksonville native, has a longstanding involvement with UNF and the Jacksonville community. A former president of the UNF Foundation Board, Ann, along with her husband David, served as co-chair of UNF's “Access to Excellence” capital campaign. In addition to her years of service on the UNF Foundation Board, Ann was appointed to the UNF Board of Trustees by the then-Governor Jeb Bush in 2001. She was reappointed and served on the board until 2011.

    Over the years, Ann has also served on the boards of numerous Jacksonville organizations, including the Jacksonville Area Planning Board, Jacksonville Service League, Junior League of Jacksonville, HabiJax, Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens, and The Bolles School. She has also served on the boards of the Jacksonville Public Library, Jacksonville Public Library Foundation, Jacksonville Art Museum, and Daniel Memorial Home.

    As a trustee for the Hicks Charitable Foundation, Ann has supported many organizations in the region. UNF named the Hicks Honors College in honor of Ann and David Hicks on Oct. 15, 2015, after the couple generously donated $7 million to the university. In 2012, UNF named Building 53 as Hicks Hall, to honor the couple for their dynamic leadership and unselfish support. In 1996, the couple originated the idea of the Pathways to Success Scholarship program at the UNF. The program, which David and Ann funded, provides a way for students in HabiJax and public housing to attend UNF. The program began with a $10 million endowment to fund scholarships. Additionally, David and Ann have been involved in providing scholarship assistance to UNF students through the establishment of the Gray Scholars scholarship program.

    Ann received a bachelor's degree from Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA, in 1959, and a bachelor's degree in liberal studies with a concentration in religion at UNF in 1995.

  • Corinne (Cory) Hodak

    hodak headshotCory Hodak ‘86 is a Jacksonville lawyer specializing in civil litigation. She was previously a registered nurse specializing in intensive care nursing. In the past, she has lectured as an adjunct professor in the Brooks College of Health and served on the Dean’s Leadership Council. In 2011, Cory established the Julie Locquaio Memorial Nursing Scholarship in memory of her friend and fellow nurse.

    Hodak has served on numerous legal committees, including as chairwoman of The Florida Bar’s Civil Procedure Rules Committee and chairwoman of the Code of Rules of Evidence Committee. She chaired the Jacksonville Bar’s Professionalism Committee and served as governor of the New Lawyer’s division of the American Trial Lawyer Association. Hodak was also a member of The Florida Bar’s Rules of Judicial Administration Committee. She is also a master in the Chester Bedell Inn of Court, a member of UNF Brooks College of Nursing Dean’s Advisory Council, a steward of the Jacksonville Community Council, and trustee emeritus for the University of Florida College of Law.

    Hodak received a nursing degree from UNF (summa cum laude) and a law degree with honors from the University of Florida.

  • Jonathan Howe

    howe headshotJonathan Howe retired in May 2013 as president of the Arthur Vining Davis Foundation, after serving for nearly 19 years. Jonathan also completed a distinguished career of military and diplomatic service retiring from the U.S. Navy as an admiral in 1992.

    Howe graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and later earned M.A., M.A.L.D. and Ph.D. degrees from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.

    Howe is the past chairman of the World Affairs Council of Jacksonville; past president of Fleet Landing; and past president of the Rotary Club of Jacksonville. He has been married for more than 55 years to wife, Dr. Harriet M. Howe, who taught sociology at UNF. He has six adult children.

  • Kawanza Humphrey
    humphrey headshotKawanza Humphrey serves as Chief Human Resources Officer for VyStar Credit Union and has more than 20 years of experience in the banking industry. She is passionate about volunteerism and economic development. She has volunteered with several nonprofit organizations, including serving on the Board of Directors for the Sisters Hospital Foundation and the Ralph C Wilson Foundation’s Program Committee. Kawanza was named to Buffalo Business First’s “Power 200 Women” and has been recognized as a Woman of Influence, a 40 under 40 recipient and a Black Achiever in Industry. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English/African American Studies from the University of Buffalo and a master’s degree in Executive Leadership and Change from Daemen College.
  • Debbie Johnson
    johnson headshotDebbie Johnson ’85 and ’89 is a certified public accountant having practiced in both public and private accounting for more than 30 years. She received a B.B.A. in 1985 and an MBA in 1989, both from UNF’s Coggin College of Business.

    Johnson has served on the UNF Alumni Association board for more than 25 years in various positions, including president, board member, and chairwoman of the UNF Student Affairs Community Council. She is a former board member of the Coggin College of Business Alumni Chapter and was also instrumental in the establishment of the On Campus Transition (OCT) program on UNF’s campus.

    Johnson is a board member and former chairwoman of The Arc Jacksonville; member and former president of the Kiwanis Club of Jacksonville Beaches; and former member of the United Way of Northeast Florida Resource Management Cabinet and chairwoman of its health team. She is also a past member of Leadership Jacksonville, as well as Lifework Leadership Jacksonville; chairwoman of the Missions Committee at Switzerland Community Church; and member of two ministry boards: Grace for Glory Ministries and Compass-finances God's Way.
  • Anne Lufrano

    lufrano headshotAnne is a retired psychologist, community volunteer and philanthropist. She was an inaugural member of the Student Affairs Community Council and is a past chair. Anne is an active community volunteer and has also served on the board of directors of the United Way, the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, Jewish Family and Community Services and is the Treasurer for The Arc Jacksonville.

    Together with her husband Dr. Robert Lufrano, Anne endowed UNF’s Lufrano Intercultural Gallery and serves on the Student Affairs Council DRC and Scholarship Committees. She also served on the THRIVE Fundraiser Committee. 

    Anne graduated from Queens College, CUNY, with a B.A. in Psychology and earned her doctorate in Child and Family Psychopathology from Cornell.

  • Michael Mayo
    mayo headshotMichael Mayo, DHA, FACHE, is President and Chief Executive Officer of Baptist Health and has more than 32 years of health executive experience. Mayo earned his Doctor of Health Administration from the Medical University of South Carolina, Master of Science in Health Care Administration from Texas Woman’s University and Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management from the University of Alabama. He is board certified in Health Care Management and a fellow with the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE). He was elected to the Board of Governors of the ACHE Class of 2022. Mayo has served as the ACHE Regent for Florida – Northern and Western; on the Healthcare Executive Editorial Board and on the Regents Advisory Council. He serves in various community leadership positions, including chairman of the University of North Florida Healthcare Administration Advisory Board and adjunct professor and Master of Health Administration program at UNF Brooks College of Health.
  • Scott McCaleb

    mccaleb headshotScott McCaleb is a principal at Heritage Capital Group in Jacksonville. His focus is advising clients on mergers and acquisitions as well as financial and strategic advisory services. Scott previously served as the vice president of Vulcan Lands, Inc., a subsidiary of Vulcan Materials Company. He was vice president of the south region for Vulcan Materials Company and vice president of corporate development for Florida Rock Industries. He is also principal of McCaleb Investments Inc., a real estate development company.

    Scott is a trustee of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority Board of Directors and a trustee and past president of the Gator Bowl Association. He previously served as vice chairman of the Jacksonville Sports Development Authority and serves on the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce Board of Governors. McCaleb has volunteered for more than 10 years with THE PLAYERS Championship Golf Tournament and served as charter president and honorary member of the Rotary Club of Deerwood. He is also active in Leadership Jacksonville.

    McCaleb has a bachelor’s degree in finance and real estate from Florida State University. He also holds a Florida Real Estate Broker’s license.

  • Vince McCormack

    mccormack-headshotVince McCormack is President and Co-Owner of Perdue Office Interiors. McCormack has been with the company since 1986 and has worked in every area of the company. In 2001, after many years in Sales and Sales Management, McCormack was named President. In 2007, he and an investment partner purchased the company.

    McCormack is active in the business community having served or currently serving on the Jacksonville Regional Chamber Board of Governors and Board of Directors. He is also a Trustee with the Chamber and serves on the Advisory Council for Jax USA Partnership. McCormack is on the Executive Committee of the Gator Bowl Association as well as several non-profit boards including Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Florida, Downtown Vision Inc., and the Florida Theatre.

  • Doug Moffitt

    moffitt headshotDoug Moffitt serves as the Managing Director of Harbor View Investment Banking and has more than 35 years of experience in the investment industry.

    Doug received a Bachelor of Science and an MBA with a focus on Marketing and Finance from Kellogg Graduate School of Management, both from Northwestern University. He currently holds his Series 65 license. In addition to his professional accomplishments, Doug previously served as Chairman of the Board and as the Strategic Planning Chairman for the Stanwich School in Greenwich, CT. Outside of Harbor View, he enjoys visiting his three sons with his wife, playing golf, and rooting for the Northwestern Wildcats! He is also a UNF parent.

  • Almeta Monroe-Turner

    monroe headshotAlmeta Monroe-Turner is a State Farm insurance agent in Fleming Island.

    An entrepreneur focusing on mobile technology, Monroe-Turner is also a member of the National Association of Insurance & Financial Advisors and the Executive Women’s Golf Association. She is a former member of the executive board of Operation New Hope, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Florida, and Ready for Work.

    Monroe-Turner graduated from the University of Central Florida with a B.A. in criminal justice.

  • Jorge Morales
    morales headshotJorge Morales is the chairman of RF-SMART, a division of Information & Computing Services, Inc. (ICS), based in Jacksonville. Founded by Morales in 1982, ICS is a technology firm specializing in wireless, mobile and enterprise software for supply chain management and construction. Morales' vision, leadership and customer-focused approach to the market have enabled him to build ICS into an organization with more than 600 customers worldwide.

    He is a member of the South Jacksonville Rotary Club; past chairman and board member of The Blood Alliance; and board member of The Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance Foundation. Jorge serves as Chair of the Foundation Board Development Committee and is on the College of Computing, Engineering and Construction Dean’s Leadership Council. ICS has provided scholarship support for students in the School of Computing since 2007. In 2015, the company established the ICS Scholarship Endowment. ICS has made it a priority to hire UNF alums, many of whom have been previous recipients of the company’s scholarship.
  • Russell (Rusty) Newton III
    newton headshotRusty Newton III is chairman and CEO of Timucuan Asset Management Inc., a financial advisory service company he formed in 1988 that specializes in equity portfolio management. He also serves as the general partner of the Timucuan Fund, L.P., which he formed in 1990, and the Timucuan Opportunity Fund, L.P. which was launched in October 2001. Prior to 1981, Newton was employed as a public accountant by Peat Marwick Mitchell & Company in New York City.

    Newton co-chaired the highly successful $130 million The Power of Transformation capital campaign. He has also been a past president of the UNF Foundation Board and past chairman of the UNF Foundation’s Advancement and Investment committees. Newton also serves as a board trustee for the First Coast YMCA of Florida.

    Newton attended the graduate school of business administration, New York University, and received a B.A. in government and economics from Bowdoin College.
  • Damon Olinto

    olinto headshotDamon Olinto is the Market Executive of the Northeast Florida Division of Synovus Bank.  He has been in the banking industry for 30 years. He began his banking career in 1987 with Florida National Bank and over the years has worked for both large regional and small community banks.  Bill Hammel, Jerry Dean and Damon began Synovus Bank of Jacksonville in 2004 as the first DeNovo Bank for Synovus since 1887.  The bank has grown over the years to over $700 million in assets.

    Damon has been active volunteering for not-for-profit organizations in Jacksonville.  He holds many of these charities in high regard. He has actively participated on the boards of The Otis Smith Foundation and the Clara White Mission. Damon is a past chairman of the board for the University of North Florida College of Education and Human Services; was president of the Bishop Kenny Booster Club; is past president of the San Jose Country Club; board member of the Diocese of St. Augustine School Board (DABE); trustee of the Diocese of St Augustine S&L; and a member of The Rotary Club of Deerwood.

    The organization he is most proud to be part of as a volunteer is THE PLAYERS. In 2018, Damon was the chairman of THE PLAYERS and was responsible for the oversight of over 2,000 volunteers. THE PLAYERS generated $9 million for local charities.  By the end of 2018, THE PLAYERS had raised and contributed over $100 million to local organizations in Northeast Florida.

    Damon received a bachelor’s degree in banking and finance from the University of North Florida. He has been blessed to be married to his wife, Janet, for almost 35 years.  They have three children and two grandchildren.

  • Malinda (Lindy) Prudencio

    prudencio lindyLindy Prudencio is The Energy Authority's vice president of risk control and chief risk officer. She is responsible for monitoring all commercial business risk and managing the Credit and Risk Control, Compliance, Analytics, and Power Supply Planning Departments. She and her team oversee the administration of TEA's compliance procedures and perform ongoing maintenance of TEA's Risk Management Policy. Lindy has been featured as an industry speaker on risk control best practices, enterprise risk management, and has spoken at several Women in Energy forums.  In 2011, she received an award as one of the top 40 rising stars of Public Power.

    Lindy earned her MBA from the University of North Florida and a bachelor of science degree in business administration from the University of Florida.  

    Lindy is actively engaged in her local community, serving on the Health Facilities Authority of the City of Jacksonville, FL; the board of directors of Community First Credit Union of Florida; and as the president of the University of North Florida Alumni Association.

  • Henry Puente

    puente headshotHenry Puente is the CEO of The Ware Group, Inc., a wholesaler of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration products throughout Florida and South Carolina. Puente previously served as CEO for Tree of Life Inc., a $1.6  billion wholesaler of natural and specialty foods throughout the United States and Canada. He currently serves as a board member for Johnstone Supply, Inc. and RS&H, Inc.

    Puente graduated from the University of Florida before completing his MBA at the University of North Florida.

  • Amy Rice

    rice headshotAmy Rice has served on the board of directors for three transportation entities: Consolidated Rail Corporation (Conrail), the Indiana Harbor Belt, and CSX Intermodal Terminals. She served as president of the CSX Intermodal Terminals Board and led the business on a day-to-day basis.  During her tenure, all three of these entities achieved record margin and/or cost performance.

    Professionally, Amy was most recently Vice President of Intermodal and Coal Operations at CSX, where she oversaw a 24/7 operation, comprised of more than 40 terminals, 180 management and 650 union employees, and 600 contractors.  She managed a $500M expense budget and $100M capital program annually and implemented industry-leading terminal automation technology to drive efficiency. Amy has shown cross-functional versatility, with roles as Vice President of Strategic Planning and Vice President of Finance, following positions of increasing financial responsibility. Amy was also Director of Marketing for Intermodal, where she launched digital marketing efforts. Prior to CSX, she worked at Deloitte, National City Bank (now PNC) and Citibank.

    Amy recently completed a three-year term on the board of directors of Hubbard House, which aids victims of domestic violence. Amy also serves on the Business Advisory Council for the Coggin School of Business at the University of North Florida and is a member of the Women’s Giving Alliance.  She was previously on the board of Junior Achievement of North Florida.

    Amy holds a Bachelor of business administration degree from the Emory University Goizueta School of Business and an MBA from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. Originally from Pittsburgh, Amy lives in Jacksonville, FL, with her husband Jason, and their sons, Brody (10) and Trevor (9).   Amy was recognized as one of Progressive Railroading’s Rising Stars in 2018 and Jacksonville Business Journal’s 40 under 40 in 2016.

  • Elana Schrader

    schrader headshotElana Schrader, M.D., is Florida Blue’s chief medical officer, responsible for the development of the organization’s overarching clinical strategy and leading clinical activities, including care management, health promotions and wellness, pharmacy, quality, and clinical retail health initiatives.

    Since joining Florida Blue, Dr. Schrader has served in a number of innovative and transformational leadership roles. Most recently, she served as vice president of product, where she was accountable for the design and development of health solutions and management of the product portfolio for all commercial business. She served as medical director for the care and quality program for retail health care, and as vice president of provider services with accountability for overseeing the company’s relationship with physicians and hospitals across the state of Florida. She also served as vice president of enterprise planning and performance management, accountable for business and operational planning, business process management, cost management and procurement.

    Prior to joining Florida Blue, Dr. Schrader served as the medical director for Columbia/HCA Memorial Hospital and also had a private practice in internal medicine in Ponte Vedra Beach. Dr. Schrader is active in civic and community organizations. She is a member of the Dean’s Council of the University of North Florida Brooks College of Health and a member of the Tocqueville Society for the United Way of Northeast Florida. She was named an honoree for the Jacksonville Business Journal’s 2016 Women of Influence, and is a graduate of the 2007 class of Leadership Jacksonville. She has served as chairwoman of Speaking of Women’s Health, as well as Florida Blue’s executive leader of the Women’s Initiative Network. She is a past member of the board for the DePaul School of Northeast Florida and served as board chairwoman for many years. She was the 2015 and 2016 chairwoman for the American Cancer Society’s Jacksonville Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event, and served as a committee member for the 2016 St. Vincent’s Foundation Corks and Forks event.

    Dr. Schrader holds a B.A. degree from Barnard College of Columbia University, received her medical training at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and trained in internal medicine at The New York Hospital of Cornell Medical College and the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. She completed a post-doctoral research fellowship at Columbia Presbyterian College of Medicine and is a graduate of the Advanced Management Program at the University of Chicago, Booth School of Business, class of 2011.

  • Ryan Schwartz

    schwartz headshotRyan Schwartz has held board positions in multiple organizations, including chairing the boards of the Community Foundation for Northeast Florida; the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Jacksonville; the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens; and the Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida. Additionally, Schwartz chaired the $13 million capital campaign for the Ronald McDonald House expansion. Most recently, Ryan spent 21 years with US Assure, a national insurance organization, where he was Chief Operating Officer, Executive Vice President and a member of the company’s board of directors. Schwartz currently serves as Managing Director of a professional advisory firm focused on privately held businesses. 

    Schwartz graduated from the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia.

  • Neera Shetty

    shetty headshotNeera Shetty is the Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel for the PGA Tour, where she is responsible for advising on all legal matters including international, employment, litigation, and immigration issues for the PGA TOUR and Tournament Players Clubs throughout the TPC Network. In 2018, Shetty was named one of 35 female “Game Changers” in the sports industry by the Sports Business Journal. Prior to joining the PGA Tour in 2008, Shetty spent five years as a partner with McGuireWoods LLP and four years at Sabre Corporation as vice president of Employee Relations. 

    Shetty graduated from Duke University before completing her J.D. at the University of Texas School of Law.  

  • Travis Shore

    shore headshotTravis Shore ‘99 serves as a managing director for the public investments team at Vanderbilt University. He joined Vanderbilt University in 2014 after serving as an investment director at the Alfred Sloan Foundation. Prior to that, he served as a director of investments at New York University.

    Shore earned a bachelor’s degree in banking and finance at the University of North Florida, and also holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.

  • Xiao-Yu Song
    song headshotXiao-Yu Song, M.D., Ph.D., is the Global Head, Research & Development, at Johnson & Johnson Vision. In this role, she has overall responsibility for leading innovation efforts including new product innovation and life cycle management support as well as portfolio management including external innovation and innovation governance for Johnson & Johnson Vision. She leads a global team focused on combining internal and external innovation approaches to discover and develop new products/solutions for patients with various vision correction and other unmet medical needs in Eye Health.

    An experienced R & D leader, Xiao-Yu has held positions of increasing responsibility across Pharmaceutical/biotechnology, Medical Device, and Consumer Medical Device sectors of Johnson & Johnson. She joined Centocor R&D, a biotechnology division of Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical sector, in 2000 and contributed to the successes of Remicade development effort, led a number of new product discovery and development efforts in the immunology therapeutic area, and built the Biomarker Discovery Research group. In 2006, Xiao-Yu joined Ethicon Biosurgery, a business franchise of J & J Medical Device & Diagnostic sector, leading to her assuming the Vice President role, heading up the R & D team for Ethicon Biosurgery. During this time, her team built and developed a diverse pipeline of new products that are unmet customer needs driven including polymer, biologics, delivery device, biologics/device combination product resulting in multiple new product launches in US, Europe and Rest Of World.

    Xiao-Yu earned her Ph.D. in Biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, her M.S. in Biochemistry and M.D. at China Medical University, and completed postdoctoral training in autoimmunity and immunology at the U.S. National Institutes of Health. She has published over 40 scientific articles and is inventor on more than 10 patents.
  • Dean Sunas

    Dean Sunas HeadshotDean Sunas is the President of the South Division of Vulcan Materials Company, where he has worked since 1998 holding various positions across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic Dean, Lesley - his wife of 27 years, and their three children have lived in the Jacksonville area for nine years. Dean is active in industry and philanthropic associations and is the current President of the Georgia Construction Aggregates Association and a member of the Parish Council of St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church in Jacksonville. Dean and Lesley are active supporters of the Jacksonville Symphony and regular volunteers at the Jacksonville City Rescue Mission. 

    Sunas earned his Bachelor of Science in Building Construction degree from Auburn University and received his MBA from the University of Alabama - Birmingham. 

  • Fiscal Year 2024

    Dr. Moez Limayem, UNF President
    John Gol, Board of Trustee Designee
    Dr. Mike Binder, Faculty Association President
    John Grosso, Student Government President​
    Patrice Abner, Alumni Association President
    Robert Talley, Osprey Club President 

  • Historical Leadership

    William B. Bond
    Brandon N. Choy
    James P. Citrano
    James E. Cobb
    Charles E. Commander III
    Daniel W. Connell Jr.
    Thomas P. Coonley
    L. Earl Crittenden *
    W. Patrick Cusick *
    John J."Jack" Diamond
    Margaret B. Gellatly
    Ann C. Hicks, '95
    William A. Hightower
    Jonathan T. Howe
    Homer H. Humphries Jr. *
    Arthur I. Jacobs
    W. Radford Lovett II
    Vince McCormack
    Thaddeus M. Moseley *
    Russell B. "Rusty" Newton III
    Pamela Y. Paul
    Robert H. Paul III *
    Susan R. Ryzewic
    Howard C. Serkin
    Alford C. Sinclair
    Bruce A. Smathers
    John S. Walters *

    * Deceased

  • Full List of Honorees

    Chester A. Aikens *
    Charles A. Clarkson
    Francis I. duPont III
    William E. Flaherty *
    E. K. Fretwell *
    J. Michael Hughes
    Hugh H. Jones Jr.
    Delores Kesler
    Hy W. Kliman *
    Daniel A. Martinez
    James W. Milligan
    Thomas F. Petway III
    Gert H. W. Schmidt, '79 *
    Nancy R. Schultz, '00
    Mary Virginia Terry

    * Deceased