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Gregory Kurth, M.A., CEO
Orlando, Florida (Orange County)
Gregory Kurth led the start-up and transition of services to Family Services of Metro Orlando in 2003. As the lead agency for Community-Based Care in Orange and Osceola counties, Family Services provides contractual, policy, practice and administrative leadership to a network of providers serving more than 3,200 children in protective services, foster care, adoption and various prevention programs. Previously, Kurth was the senior vice president of Family Services of Central Florida where he oversaw the privatization of adoption and in-home protective services in five central Florida counties. Prior to that, he worked as a policy analyst for the Child Care Association of Illinois. He currently serves on the National Advisory Board for the Quality Improvement Center on Privatization of Child Welfare. Kurth holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Illinois and a Master of Arts from the University of Chicago.
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Grant Lacerte Jr., Chair
Kissimmee, Florida (Osceola County)
Grant Lacerte Jr. is the vice president and general counsel for the Kissimmee Utility Authority. He has more than 16 years of experience in public utility, regulatory and legislative practice, including serving as an attorney advisor to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in Washington, D.C. Lacerte was recently appointed by the American Public Power Association (APPA) to a one-year term as vice chairman of the association’s legal section. Lacerte serves on the Grievance Committee for the Florida State Bar’s Ninth Judicial District. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Columbia University in New York, N.Y., and a juris doctor degree from the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Va. Lacerte joined the Family Services board in May 2006. |
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Valerie Pendergrass, Chair-Elect
Orlando, Florida (Orange County)
Valerie Pendergrass is the president/owner of The Next Step Coaching and Consulting, a career and entrepreneurial coaching company based in Orlando. She earned her master’s degree in mental heath counseling from Nova Southeastern University. She is also a trained and certified business coach with the Institute for Life Coach Training and a member of the International Coaching Federation and the National Black MBA Association. |
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Chirag Bhavsar, TreasurerOrlando, Florida (Orange County)
Chirag Bhavsar is the executive vice president/chief financial officer for CNLBancshares Inc. in Orlando. He is an active civic participant and is involved with the Central Florida FCA and Christian Service Center and is a member of the Downtown Baptist Church. He is also involved with the Florida Banker’s Association. Bhavsar has four children of his own and believes that every child deserves a good start in life. He joined the Family Services board in 2007. |
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Kim BaerOrlando, Florida (Orange County)
Kim Baer graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Science in hotel and restaurant management and has been a certified meeting planner since 2000. She is also affiliated with several professional organizations, including the National Association of Catering Executives, International Special Events Society, Meeting Planners International and the Greater Orlando Junior League. |
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Lauren CarmodyOrlando, Florida (Orange County)
Lauren Carmody joined the Family Services board of directors in May 2008. Ms. Carmody is an associate with Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell, P.A., where she practices insurance, product liability, employment, and labor litigation law. Carmody serves as the secretary for the Orlando Regional History Center’s Young Professional Advisory Council and is a member of the Junior League of Greater Orlando. |
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Bridget Healy
Bridget Healy is a native Floridian who grew up in Miami, FL, and now resides in Kissimmee, FL. She is a recent graduate of the Master of Public Administration and Master of Nonprofit Management programs at the University of Central Florida. She received her Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Florida in 2004. Currently, she works as a Government Operations Consultant II for the Orange County Health Department, and assists with federal grant writing and grant management. Ms. Healy volunteers with the United Nations Association of Greater Orlando, the Jobs Partnership of Florida, and Mercy Drive Ministries, Inc. |
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Randall KingOrlando, Florida (Orange County)
Randall Scott King is the Executive Director of The Athletic Preparatory Institute. Additionally, King serves as head coach and director of the Central Florida Sports Club, which develops high school athletes for the Division I track. He also provides mentoring and academic assistance to his athletes. He is a member of the National Association of Black Accountants, American Institute of Certified Accountants, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. and the Association of Retired Military Officers. He earned a Master of Business Administration from Villlanova University. |
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Sarah A. LinquistOrlando, FL (Orange County)
Sarah Lindquist graduated from the Florida State University College of Law and finished second in her class of 251. She is currently a commercial litigation associate at Zimmerman, Kiser, & Sutcliffe, P.A., and has acted as a guardian ad litem since 2006. She was named one of Florida’s Super Lawyers and was included on the Rising Star list in 2009. Prior to serving on Family Services of Metro Orlando’s Board of Directors, Ms. Lindquist was a member of the Board of Directors for Community Service Center. |
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Marta Moczó-SantiagoKissimmee, FL (Osceola County)
Marta Moczo-Santiago is a community activist in Osceola County. Previously, she served as a community liaison for the Osceola County Board of County Commissioners, where she was responsible for developing effective strategies to build a workforce and vendor list that reflected the county’s diversity. Moczo-Santiago is the founder and chairperson for Three Kings in Osceola, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring unity among all diverse groups in Osceola County. She participates on several boards, including the Adult Literacy League, the Black Business Council and the Hispanic Business Council. Moczo-Santiago holds a Master of Science in Education and a Bachelor of Arts from the State University of New York. She joined the Family Services board in 2006. |
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Jay PolachekSt. Cloud, FL (Osceola County)
Jay Polachek currently holds seat three of the St. Cloud city council. In addition to his civic duties as councilman, he is the President/Owner of S&L Nursery, Inc. of St. Cloud, and currently serves on several community and non-profit boards, including the Florida Faith-based and Community-based Advisory Council, the Education Foundation of Osceola County, the St. Cloud Main Street and Florida Municipal Power Agency Policymaker Liaison Committee. Polachek joined the Family Services board in 2009. |
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Xiomara “Cee” RivasKissimmee, FL (Osceola County)
Xiomara “Cee” Rivas is currently a licensed real estate agent with Ray A. Clarke Realty, Inc. in Kissimmee, Florida. A former business founder, owner and operator, she has also served as the public relations director for Wedding Professionals of Central Florida. Rivas is active in many community activities as the volunteer head of special events and fundraising for the Kissimmee Youth Football League as well as a supporter of the Heart Gallery, a program of Family Services of Metro Orlando, the Heritage Christian School and Susan G. Komen for the Cure.. Additionally, she currently serves as executive director for Women on a Mission to Earn Commission (WOAMTEC), a local networking organization for business women. |
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Erica Slater-ThomasOrlando, FL (Orange County)
Erica Slater-Thompson is currently a pharmacy director with South Lake Hospital. She holds a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Howard University and a master’s degree in Business and Administration from the University of Phoenix. Currently, Ms. Slater-Thompson is pursuing a master’s in Public Health from Emory University. Prior to joining Orlando Health, Thompson worked as a pharmacist with ACS State Healthcare in Atlanta, Georgia. Ms. Slater-Thomas joined the Family Services board in 2009 |
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Dan StockmanOcoee, FL (Orange County)
Dan Stockman is the Founder, Principal, Corporate Executive Leader and Director of i-Tech Support, Inc. in Maitland. Stockman brings to the Family Services Board of Directors over ten years experience in leadership roles in the fields of Finance, Operations, and Information Technology. Stockman holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, and a Master’s degree in Accounting, and is a certified CPA in the state of Florida. |
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Melinda TedderOcoee, FL (Orange County)
Melinda Tedder has worked with Darden Restaurants for 18 years. She was the senior financial analyst for Olive Garden finance before managing accounts payable. With her position, Ms. Tedder manages the day-to-day operations and monthly close of accounts with Darden. She received both her bachelor of education and M.B.A at the University of Central Florida. Ms. Tedder joined the Family Services board in 2009 and previously served on the Board of Directors at the Community Service Center. |