Allan joned City of Life in 2007 after 14 years at Central Florida Investments/Westgate Resorts. For the last seven of those years he was the founding Executive Director of the Westgate Resorts Foundations.

Joe Kilsheimer is a veteran strategist in public relations and public affairs message development, issue and exposure management, crisis communications planning and execution, media negotiations, media training and coaching, senior executive communications, press release preparation, case studies and ghost-writing. Kilsheimer represented some of Florida’s leading growth companies, including the nation’s largest operator of waste-to-energy facilities, the state’s fastest growing financial services company and one of Florida’s largest not-for-profit community-based hospitals.

Kilsheimer is a former journalist with more than 20 years of experience. At The Orlando Sentinel, Kilsheimer covered personal technology and the information technology industry, telecom, real estate and local government. In 1994, Kilsheimer created the Sentinel’s Internet beat, covering the rise of the Internet as a cultural phenomenon. He interviewed and covered leading IT industry figures, such as Microsoft’s Bill Gates, Sun Microsystem’s Scott McNealy and Netscape’s Jim Barksdale. His bylines appeared in publications ranging from the Chicago Tribune to the Washington Post to the Los Angeles Times.

Kilsheimer is based full-time in Central Florida where he has made his home for more than 40 years. He is a graduate of Leadership Orlando (Class 52) and Leadership Apopka (Class 1). He serves on the boards for the following organizations: the Sustainable Florida-Collins Center (2010-2011 chair); the City of Life Foundation, focusing on foster youth who “age out” of foster care and the Apopka Chamber of Commerce.

Joe Kilsheimer is a 1979 graduate of the University of Central Florida. He and his wife Cheryl reside in Apopka, Florida.

Virginia G. Goren

Virginia G. Goren was born in Brooklyn, N.Y and has been a Resident of Orlando since 1969.

Virginia has owned and operated The forget Me Not Gift Shop; the Associate Director of the Central Florida Leukemia Society; Development Director, Florida Symphony Orchestra – Fund Raising; Complete Meeting Concepts and Goren Associates a Marketing and Public Relations and Business Consultant firm.

In addition to a full professional career, Virginia has successfully raised three children and has provided leadership in these civic volunteer positions:

• Orange County Human Relations Advisory and Hearing Board
• Central Florida Commission of The Status of Women- a four- county regional board
• Served as Orange County Chair and Regional County Chair Women’s Educational Consortium
• Founding Member Princeton Hospital Foundation
• Princeton Hospital Chairman Board of Directors - Total 14 years served at Hospital.
• Founding Member - - Lakeside Behavioral Healthcare, Inc Foundation (formerly Lakeside Alternatives)  First Board Chair
• Founding Member and Past President Italian Cultural Society
• Founding Member City of Life Foundation- To assist children aging out of Foster Care

Responsibilities and activities with these organizations include find raising; management; public appearances; advertising; research and presentations to the county officers to request funds and support of specific positions needed.

Other professional memberships and civic activities include:

• International Association of business Communicators/Central Florida – Founding Board Member and Membership Chair.
• Florida Public Relations Association- first –Vice President, Orlando Area Chapter, 1985; Central Florida Golden Image Awards Program, Chair 1985.
• Florida Executive Women- founding board Member; Executive Board 1985.
• AMI Brookwood Community Hospital-first Woman Board of Director
• Newman House, Catholic Campus Ministry- Board of Directors.
• Morning Star Guild- Past President member, 30 years.
• Orlando Science Center – Board of Directors- Chairman Special Events.
• PESO – Organization raised money for Arts Organizations – Chairman Wyndham Hotel Grand Opening Weekend to benefit the Arts.
• Downtown Orlando, Inc Publicity Committee
• WEC Executive Council
• Women’s Resource Center in early 1980
• 1986 Women of the Year in Arts
• 1989 Women of the Year Special Achievement
• Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. Membership Development Council
• Greater Orlando Chamber of Commerce- Small Business Committee.
• NSFRE – National Society of Fund Raising Executives
• Town and Gown Council- University of Central Florida- Past President
• Instrumental in raising funding for the Dr. Neil Euliano Chair in Italian Studies.

Education:

Attended St. Joseph’s College for Women

Patrick Buffa

Graduate of West Virginia University in 1967, Major in Business and Accounting

US Army 1967 – 1970
US Army Reserves 1970 – 1990 - Retired Colonel

Started with Smith Barney in Charleston WV in 1973

1980 – 1985: Branch Manager for Smith Barney in Durham NC.
Focus on the business market with a primary focus on the pension and profit sharing market.
1986 – Present: Smith Barney Orlando.

Focus on the local business market including investment-banking and foundations.

Active in the following organizations

• Past President of the Orlando Rotary Breakfast Club
• Past President of the Sales Marketing Executives of Orlando
• Board member of: Junior Achievement.
• Emerging Business Network of Central Florida Innovation Association.
• Valencia Foundation
• Diocese of Orlando Pension Board
• City of Life

Family: Wife, Deborah, Sons, Alex and Chris

Jim Cross

Jim Cross joined Cross, Fernandez and Riley, LLP (C/F/R) in 2005. Immediately upon his arrival, he fulfilled the roles of co-owner andManaging Partner of the firm. Under Jim’s leadership, C/F/R has grown to be one of Central Florida’s premier accounting and business advisory firms. He has been instrumental in positioning the firm for growth through various business development initiatives. Jim focuses on staff development and continuous improvement of C/F/R’s services, helping the firm to bettermeet clients’ diverse needs.

In addition to Jim’s management activities, he serves as a trusted advisor to his clients. With over 35 years of experience, his expertise is an invaluable asset to individuals and growing businesses. Jim specializes in working with manufacturing, distribution, and software development companies, as well as not-for-profit organizations. Jim concentrates on maximizing value for his clients and is skilled in assisting with mergers and acquisitions, establishing public companies, and helping public companies go private. He particularly enjoys working with progressive businesses who are in active pursuit of growth opportunities.

Prior to joining C/F/R, Jim served as the Managing Partner of two BDO Seidman offices, Orlando and Memphis. He was a partner with BDO Seidman for close to 25 years. He also worked with the international accounting firm KPMG for 10 years. Jim’s experience in a national firm setting combined with hands-on knowledge from owning and managing a local firm allows him to offer a well-rounded blend of expertise and business perspective to the firm’s clients. Committed to providing outstanding client service, he was taught early in his career to “stay close to clients,” and act in their best interest at all times.

Before settling in Orlando, Jim lived in Indiana, Texas, Tennessee and Michigan. His family plays a significant role in his life, and he devotes much of his free time to his wife, children and grandchildren. Jim also enjoys staying active outdoors, playing golf and spending time on the beach.

Mary Perez

Mary Perez has worked for OUC – The Reliable One for 26 years. She is Manager of Office Services, she is responsible for Document and Graphic Design, including: Typesetting, Web Design, the Print Shop, and Mail Room.

Mary's background encompasses over thirty years experience in the Office Automation Profession, which includes the supervision and implementation of software development, in the following areas: Word Processing (DW4, WordPerfect 5.1 and 6.1, Office 2003), Desktop Publishing software (Corel Ventura, Corel Draw, Photopaint, Adobe Illustrator, Hijaak). Has instructed at Orlando Utilities Commission on a monthly basis: all Microsoft office applications - beginning, intermediate and advanced including Microsoft Project and Outlook. I had other experience in other office systems areas, i.e., facsimile equipment, local area networks, PBX Operations, working with the print shop (layout and design, color separations, etc.) database design, software support and software training.

Mary has been an adjunct instructor since 1998 at Valencia Community College, where she teaches many software applications including: Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, FrontPage, Outlook, Dreamweaver, Windows, and Adobe Acrobat. She also has experience in local area networks, commercial printing, database entry and design, software support and software training.

Audrey J. Brown, Ed.D.

Dr. Brown has worked for the Orlando Utilities Commission for over 25 years. Her current role as a Senior Human Resources Consultant is to serve as a liaison between the human resources division and all internal business units to ensure that the organization’s training and development needs are met.

She holds a Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) Rating, Bachelor of Science degree in Management from National Louis University, a Master of Business Administration from Webster University, and a Doctorate in Education Degree from Nova Southeastern University (NSU) in Organizational Leadership with a specialization in Human Resources Development. She is affiliated with over ten professional organizations. Dr. Brown is also an adjunct professor at Columbia College where she teaches business and management courses.

Nathan Cook

As the former Chief of Staff to two of Florida’s most well-known legislators, Nathan has had a hand in crafting many of the past decade’s largest pieces of legislation.  He has a penchant for policies that solve community problems, with special expertise in environmental issues and economic development.  Over his tenure with the legislature, Nathan worked as a key policy advisor for his members on projects such as Scripps, SunRail, Florida’s Recycling Program, Growth Management Legislation and consumer protection programs such as the Mover’s Regulation & Protection Act.  As a citizen of Central Florida since the late 1980’s, Nathan has been around to watch the community he lives in blossom into a major commercial and industrial player within our region, state and nation.   His sphere of influence includes both local and statewide policy makers and community leaders.  And with 10 years working in the capital, he knows how to navigate the halls and open the right doors at both local and state levels.
Cook’s exemplary 10 years in Tallahassee, serving as chief of staff for Sen. Lee Constantine and Rep. Randy Johnson, allowed him to serve residents and businesses in Orange, Osceola, Lake and Seminole counties. Cook helped craft many of the decade’s largest pieces of legislation including the Florida Movers Regulation Act –  a law designed to protect all citizens in Florida from unscrupulous movers, the Stephanie Saboor Grieving Parents Act, a law protecting the rights of parents who have lost a child due to miscarriage and HB 7243 Recycling Bill, a law that was passed last year to implement the statewide policy and move Florida toward the goal of 75% recycling. Cook is the current director of public affairs at Thompson Wesley Wolfe, a downtown Orlando-based public relations and marketing firm. Cook helps clients develop and execute strategic goals. This year, he organized and led a contingency of citizens, business leaders and chambers of commerce members to Tallahassee for Lake County Days, at which time the group was able to meet with key legislators.
Outside the office, Cook, a father of a baby girl and two foster children, volunteers his time to advocate for the rights of foster children and improvement in the system. In addition to serving on the City of Life Foundation, he was honored as the 2010 recipient of the “Ripple of Hope” Award for the National Mentor Network.

*Business accomplishments  
At his current position, Cook organized a contingency of business leaders from Lake County to travel to Tallahassee during the 2011 legislative session. Cook arranged for the business leaders and various staff and members of chambers of commerce to meet one-on-one with key legislators. Cook has led other initiatives while at TW2 that include economic development projects, mitigation of regulatory problems, strategic planning for a variety of metro Orlando businesses and public affairs assistance for businesses seeking to grow in Central Florida. Cook was recently named one of Central Florida’s 40 under 40 in 2011 by the Orlando Business Journal.

In his role as a legislative aide, Cook helped write numerous laws to assist Florida businesses, including the Property Tax relief for Hoteliers in the post 9/11 economic downturn and he also helped to secure more than $20 million for the tourism industry to help advertise to the drive market during that period of time.

*Community involvement  
Nathan Cook is an active member of the Seminole Chamber of Commerce, the Seminole County Foster Parents Association and board member of The City of Life Foundation.

*Personal accomplishments
Nathan Cook graduated from Seminole State College and got his BA in political science at the University of Central Florida before he entered the world of public affairs and politics. He is an avid golfer and enjoys spending time with his wife and children. He and his wife were honored as the 2010 recipient of the Ripple of Hope Award for their work with Florida MENOR and for opening their home to a teenager in need and two foster children. Cook has been a tireless advocate for making sure all children in Florida have a safe, loving home.

Cook was recently featured in a Father’s Day story in several Florida newspapers. As Nathan noted in that article, "It is much more challenging to foster parent than to parent because of all the responsibilities, visitations (with the biological mother), staffings and court," he continued. "You can't just put your toe in the water and see what it's like, you have to be totally committed. You get the reward by watching the children blossom and grow."

Derrick Stephens

Derrick Stephens is an account executive and social worker with Mederi Caretenders Home Health Care. Mederi specializes in senior advocacy, providing in home medical services for seniors throughout Florida. Prior to Mederi Derrick worked as a social worker with Florida Hospital.

As a former foster child that aged out of the foster care system, Derrick brings a unique view point to the City of Life Foundation. Derrick entered the Georgia foster care system at age 5 and aged out of the Florida foster care system at age 18.
Professional Experience

Mederi Caretenders - Account Executive
Florida Hospital - Social Worker
Great Oaks Village - Family Teacher Assistant
Orange Regional Detention Center - Senior Correctional Officer
Princeton House Charter School- Teacher Assistant

Current Volunteer Activities

Mid Florida Pop Warner Football - Assistant Coach
City of Life Foundation - Executive Committee Board Member

Education

Master of Social Work - University of Central Florida 2010

Personal

Derrick was born in Atlanta, Ga. Derrick moved to Florida as a teenager and graduated from Sebring High School in Sebring, Fl. Derrick enjoys spending time with his fiance and two children. In his free time he enjoys recreational sports and outdoor activities.

Advisory Board

Gerry Glynn

Gerry Glynn has represented children for fifteen years while teaching law students about child advocacy in law school clinical programs. Mr. Glynn is an associate Professor and Director of In-House Clinics at Barry University School of Law, formerly Director of Clinical Programs at University of Arkansas at Little Rock and Clinical Instructor at Florida State University School of Law Children’s Advocacy Center. Mr. Glynn took an eighteen month leave of absence from his position as Professor at Barry in 2003-2004 to be the founding Executive Director of Florida’s Children First, a statewide child advocacy organization. He serves on numerous bar committees including the Board of National Association of Council for Children, ABA Juvenile Justice Committee, Florida Bar Standing Committee on the Legal Needs of Children, Florida Bar Juvenile Rules Committee and the Executive Council of the Florida Bar Public Interest Law Section.

Professor Glynn has published several articles and chapters of books. His most recent publications include: The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act – Promoting the Unauthorized Practice of Law 9 J. Law and Fam. Studies 53 (2007); The Child’s Representation under CAPTA: It is Time for Enforcement, 6 Nev. L. J. 1250 (2006); Rights, Disabilities and Property of Minors, in the Adoption, Paternity & Other Florida Family Law Practice ( 7th Edition 2007); Disposition in Dependency Cases, in the Florida Juvenile Law and Practice (9th Edition 2005); Commentary on Community Resources – Model Children’s Law Office Guidebook, National Association of Counsel for Children (2005).

Professor Glynn received his undergraduate degree in 1985 from St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO and his law degree in 1989 from American University, Washington College of Law, Washington, D.C. where he graduated cum laude. In 1991, Mr. Glynn received his Masters in Justice also from American University, and in 1993 he received his LLM, Masters in Legal Advocacy, from Georgetown University Law Center. Mr. Glynn is admitted to practice law in Florida, District of Columbia, Maryland and Arkansas.

He loves representing children as a lawyer. Like his three children at home, his clients teach him something new every day.

Kyle Miller

Kyle Miller brings her non-profit professional and volunteer experience to the Board of the City of Life. These experiences enhance her understanding of the needs of at risk youth. After two decades of advancing the causes of younger foster children, Kyle is committed to helping provide a community safety net for youth aging out of the state child welfare system.

Professional Experience:

• Children's Home Society of Florida - Director of Community Development and Board Relations
• Community Service Center of South Orange County - Program Director
• United Arts of Central Florida - Fundraising Director
• Coachlight Travel Agency - Entrepreneur and Co-Owner

Current Volunteer Activities:

• 100 Women Strong - Chair of Central Florida Philanthropic Group
• City of Life - Executive Committee Board Member

Past Volunteer Activities:

• Junior League of Greater Orlando - Past President
• Orange County Citizens' Commission for Children - Board Member
• Children's Home Society - Chairman, Central Florida Division and Board Member, State Board of Directors
• Crisis Nursery - Founding President
• City of Orlando Nominating Board - Chairman and Board Member
• City of Orlando Citizen's Review Panel - Task Force Member
• Harbor House, Inc. - Board President

Education

BA Communications, University of Central Florida

Current employment status: retired

Lucas Boyce

Lucas Boyce is in his second season as director of multicultural insights, cause marketing and government affairs for the NBAs Orlando the Magic, joining the organization in July 2008. Prior to joining the Magic, Boyce served at the White House in the Office of Political Affairs where he monitored political activity and tracked key races across the Plains-Southwest region of the United States. Boyce also coordinated pro-active communication, public relations and education outreach across diverse communities, constituencies and issues on behalf of the President.During his tenure at the White House, Boyce also served in the Office of Public Liaison. In this role, he directed African-American and Professional Sports Outreach in addition to event related work in the fields of healthcare and economic policy. Prior to this, Boyce worked for a public affairs firm in Alexandria, Virginia, Direct Impact, and served in the Vice President's Political and Communications Office. Boyce received his bachelor's degree in political science and speech communication from the University of Central Missouri.

Deborah Jallad

Deborah Jallad is the President of Accredited Surety and Casualty Company, Inc., which is a national property and casualty insurance company specializing in the underwriting of surety Bail Bonds, Child Custody bonds, Notary bonds and Notary Errors and Omissions. Her career in the bail industry started when she was a teenager and worked for her father, Hardy M. Snow Jr., in his bail bonding agency during the summers. In 1971, she was working full-time and attending college when her father founded the insurance company, Accredited Surety and Casualty, which Deborah later became President and Chairman of in 1995. At present, Deborah is an officer or director of the four Accredited companies – Accredited Holding Corporation, Accredited Surety and Casualty Co. Inc, Accredited Group Agency, Inc. and Accredited Bond Agencies, Inc.  Because of her extensive knowledge of the bonding industry, she is often called upon to address legislative issues affecting the industry nationally.  Deborah has worked with others in the industry to establish higher licensing standards and more effective bail statutes to enhance public safety.

 Positions Held on Business or Community Related Boards or Commissions:

• Member – Domestic Violence/Child Abuse Commission (2004 to present)
• Member - Orange County Jail Oversight Commission (2001-2002)
• Member – Florida Department of Insurance Blue Ribbon Panel (2001)
• Member – Orange County Sexual Assault Treatment Center Advisory Board
• Former Member – Harbor House, Orange County Center Against Domestic Violence Board of Directors
• Former Member – Dean’s Advisory Council, College of Health and Public Affairs, University of Central Florida
• Member – Florida Commission on the Status of Women (appointed by Attorney General Bill McCollum)

Business Awards:

• “Bail Individual of the Year” (1999) by PBUS for outstanding national legislative leadership
• Honored as a “Trailblazer”, a coveted award given by the National Association of Women Business Owners and Wells Fargo
• Finalist for the Orlando Business Journal’s “Women Who Mean Business” award
• Recipient of WMFE’s “Speaking of Women” award
• Enterprising Women Magazine’s “Woman of the Year” Award - 2009

Personal:
Deborah was born and raised in Orlando, Florida. She graduated from Boone High School and completed course work at the University of Central Florida. She is married and has a 20-year old son named Edouard. One of Deborah’s most rewarding personal accomplishments has been the home schooling of Edouard for eight years.

She has lent her support to local charities such as Harbor House, Children’s Home Society, A Gift For Teaching, the Mental Health Association of Central Florida and the Winter Park Memorial Hospital Foundation Fund.  Deborah and her husband Johnny are members of the Winter Park Memorial Hospital Foundation Family Board of Directors.

Lola Narvaez

Lola Narvaez was born in Ecuador and moved to US in 1964 and became a US Citizen in 1969.
She has been President and Founder of OMC (Orlando Mortgage Company Inc.) since 1988. OMC is a Government Approved Correspondent Lender. Lola has always been involved in the Community since she relocated from Ormond Beach to Central Florida in 1983.
She served as President of the Central Florida Women Resource Center “WRC” in 2002.
In 2003 Lola was nominated by the Business of Professional Women Orlando to Woman of the Year.
She was honored to work with Mayor Glenda Hood in the program” Diverse Discussions”, she was invited to chair the program in February 2003. It was a very successful event with over 400 in attendance.
Lola also traveled to South America with Mayor Hood on several occasions visiting various cities promoting the City Beautiful.
She served for many years on the Board of Directors of the Brazilian American Chamber of Commerce. She organized events that included the Past President of Brazil as guest of Honor and hosted a luncheon at the Citrus Club in his honor as well.
Lola Served for over five years at VSC (Victims Service Center) as well as SATC (Sexual Assault Treatment Center), chairing its first Gala in 2007 at the Orlando Science Center.
Lola presently serves in the Board of Governors of the Citrus Club in Orlando.
Lola Narvaez’s Business success in continued involvement in both Civic and Professional Organizations has made her a Role Model for Women, Minorities and young entrepreneurs in the Orlando area.