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Board Member Biographies

Mr. Sean Alveshire

Sean Alveshire, Vice-Chair is the Director of Corporate Affairs for Lewis, Longman & Walker, P.A., a statewide law firm with offices in West Palm Beach, Tallahassee, Jacksonville and Bradenton. He oversees the firm's corporate affairs and business development operations and engages the broader community on the firm's services and innovative solutions to environmental, regulatory, business and governmental challenges.

Prior to his current role, Alveshire founded and operated North Hills Productions, a television production and sports broadcasting company that produced sports programming for the Sunshine Network, Fox Network stations and local network affiliates. He also worked as a sports broadcaster for local and national radio and television outlets. In 2003, he was a part of the Miami Dolphins organization, serving as a salary cap and contract analyst.

Alveshire is involved in multiple community and civic organizations. In addition to being a Broward College trustee, he also serves as Chairman, Trustee Commission for the Association of Florida Colleges; is a member of the Public Policy and Nominating Committee for the Association of Community College Trustees; and served as Chairman, 2009, William T. Dwyer Award for Excellence in Education; and Chairman 2010, 2011, 2012 for the Broward College Alumni Hall of Distinction.

A resident of Plantation, Florida, Alveshire is a graduate of Ithaca College with a Bachelor of Science in Communications.

Dr. John Belohlavek

Dr. John Belohlavek is the Dean of History at the University of South Florida in Tampa. He is an established author with his three books, titled: George M. Dallas: Jacksonian Patrician, Let the Eagle Soar: Foreign Policy of Andrew Jackson, and Broken Glass: Caleb Cushing and the Shattering of the Union. His scholarly expertise is in Florida studies, Native American studies, political history, social history, Civil War, colonial studies, and U.S. Foreign Affairs.

He has participated in a variety of Florida Humanities Council-sponsored events, especially focusing on 19th century Florida. He has also served as a member of the Florida Humanities Council for the past two years with an emphasis on developing teacher skills/opportunities and statewide programs. He is a former member of the State Board of Community Colleges and served from June 1992 to September 2001.

Mr. Randy Berridge

Randy Berridge has held the position of president of the Florida High Tech Corridor Council since its formation in 1996. He also currently serves as president of the Berridge Consulting Group, Inc., and Advisory Board Member of SunTrust Bank, N.A. Previously, Berridge held several management positions with AT&T Corporation including chair of the Central Florida AT&T Management Council; District Manager of Public Relations for the Florida Division; Manager of Legal and Divestiture Planning; and, Coordinating Supervisor of Budgets, Forecasts, Planning, Human Resources, and Manufacturing. He also served as a member on the State Board of Community Colleges from October 2000 to September 2005.

In addition, Berridge is an alumnus of Leadership Orlando and Leadership Florida. He is also a past member of the Mayor of Orlando’s High Tech Task Force and the Advisory Board for Florida Community Colleges. He also served as a founding board member of the Astronaut’s Memorial Foundation.

Ms. Sally S. Bradshaw

Sally Bradshaw has an extensive career in federal and state government and the political arena.

Currently, Bradshaw serves as the Transition Director for House Speaker-Designate Will Weatherford of Tampa. She served as a senior advisor to the Republican Party of Florida during the 2010 general election cycle. Bradshaw served as Governor Jeb Bush's Chief of Staff from January of 1999 through January of 2001. She was also the director of the Bush transition effort.

She has also served as Executive Director of the Foundation for Florida's Future, a non-profit grassroots public policy institute.

Before moving to Florida, Bradshaw worked at the White House, where she was an Associate Director of Political Affairs for President George H.W. Bush from 1989-1991. She served as a regional field coordinator for the Bush for President Campaign in 1988.

She attended Vanderbilt University and obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree from George Washington University.

Bradshaw was recently appointed to the Florida State Board of Education by Governor Rick Scott and previously served on this board from 2003-2004 as an appointee of Governor Jeb Bush.

Ms. Rosanne Brandeburg

Rosanne Brandeburg is the Executive Director at Lake-Sumter Community College Foundation. She attended Daytona Beach Community College, received her Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Florida, and received her Master’s Degree at Nova University.

She has 16 years of experience in health care public relations & marketing, and worked as the Director of Community Relations for Leesburg Regional Medical Center for seven years. She has been involved with many community organizations such as:

Board Member, Educational Foundation of Lake County since 1999
State Director, Foundation for Florida’s Community Colleges
Past President, Florida Council for Resource Development & Current Director

Mr. Brian P. Buwalda

Brian P. Buwalda graduated from the University of Florida and became partner at Graham, Cottrill, Jackson & Hostetter, LLP with a focus on income tax, in 1989. He is now a CPA/Principal at Larson Allen and also serves as the Treasurer of the Florida College System Foundation.

Mr. Patrick E. Byrne

Patrick Byrne is currently the owner of Valparaiso Realty Company in Niceville, Florida. He is also a land developer. He was a Trustee at Okaloosa Walton Community College, and has also served on the State Board of Community Colleges from September of 1991 to September of 1998.

Mr. Richard W. D’Alemberte

Richard W. D’Alemberte is the Broker and Owner of D’Alemberte Realty, with over 40 years in the real estate business in Chattahoochee. He has served the community in many capacities but is best known for providing a full service Realty business including Sales, Property Management, Consultation, Appraisal and even insurance at one time. He is a former member of the State Board of Community Colleges and served on the board from September of 1991 to September of 2000.

Dr. G. Thomas Delaino

Dr. G. Thomas Delaino retired in 2008 as president of Pensacola Junior College, and served as interim president of Northwest Florida State College. Delaino's professional experience includes 32 years of increasingly responsible positions in the Florida community college system and six years as president of Pensacola Junior College.

His background also includes more than six years in the Air Force, with command experience at Lackland Air Force Base and four years on the faculty at the Air Force Academy. Delaino is a Florida native who grew up in Cedar Key, the son of a commercial fisherman and a high school English teacher.

Dr. Thomas E. Furlong, Jr.

Dr. Furlong served as Vice President for Educational Services at Tallahassee Community College from 1987 to 1995. From 1995 to 2001, he was the Deputy Executive Director for Educational Services for the State Board of Community Colleges. He served as Senior Vice President for Baccalaureate Programs and University Partnerships at St. Petersburg College from 2001 to 2009, where he directed the efforts of the University Partnership Center which provides baccalaureate and graduate programs at College locations by other universities in Florida and nationally. He also spent time as Interim President of St. Petersburg College in 2010.

Currently, Dr. Furlong serves as Chief Executive Officer for Bachelor Degree Access Strategies, LLC.

Dr. Furlong has also received his Ph.D. from Florida State University in Postsecondary Education Management.

Mr. Michael R. Hightower

Michael Hightower is Florida Blue's vice president, Governmental and Legislative Relations. In this role, Hightower works with leaders from state and local government, business and academic communities and volunteer organizations to effect positive changes that enhance Floridians' quality of life. Hightower was promoted to his present position in 1985.

Prior to joining Florida Blue in 1981, Hightower was appointed Florida State Director of the Farmers Home Administration U.S.D.A. by President Carter. At age 31, Hightower was the youngest director to date appointed to lead the federal agency. Hightower also served as the North Florida Region Director for Florida's State Comptroller as well as a congressional coordinator for the Carter-Mondale presidential campaign.

Throughout his career, Hightower has been active in several community and civic organizations. He serves as past board chairman U.S. Naval Academy; chairman of the Florida House Board of Trustees in Washington D.C.; chairman 2009 of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce; chairman, Jacksonville Political Leadership Institute; Florida Public Service Commission nominating council; JEA board of directors; board of advisors, Leadership Florida; as well as Florida Association of Professional Lobbyists' board of directors. Hightower is immediate past chair, Jacksonville Public Library Foundation. Hightower also serves as a member of the board of directors for the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and the Florida Ounce of Prevention. He also is a member of the Legislative Policy Council of the Florida Chamber of Commerce and a member of the board of directors for Florida Insurance Council and Children's Resource Fund.

Hightower is a third-term Graduate School Adjunct Instructor, University of Florida. He received a Bachelor of Science from Jacksonville University in 1972.

Ms. Catherine Kelly

Catherine A. Kelly assists not-for-profit organizations in building organizational capabilities, influencing health care policy, partnership formation and development. This consulting practice builds on 30 years experience in legislative relations, communication and business development, including over 20 years as an officer with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, Inc., one of the largest Blue plans nationwide.

At BCBSFL, Kelly managed and led human resources, public and community relations, and alliance development for this not-for-profit health plan. During her tenure, she grew an initial corporate community investment of $1M into a public/private partnership that increased to over $40 M in 4 years and addresses the critical Florida workforce shortage of nurses. The initiative, branded as Generation RN, creates a lasting legacy for BCBSFL that is estimated by the state to fully fund the education of an additional 200 new nurses annually, many from underrepresented ethnic groups. In addition to attracting a diverse group of public and private funders, national recognition garnered by the program prompted other Blue Plans across the country to become involved in the workforce initiative and further broadened its impact and funding base.

Ms. Kelly has been a significant presence and active voice in state and national discussions of the important role that nurses play in advancing health care in our communities. Kelly was instrumental in bringing together Florida nurse funders and northeast Florida clinical and academic healthcare leaders to discuss the recommendations of the Institute of Medicine’s Report on the Future of Nursing, and consider steps that can be undertaken to implement them in our communities. Kelly also was a catalyst in the formation of a regional nurse collaborative comprised of academic nursing deans and chief nurse officers. The group is active today in collaborating on nurse recruitment and retention strategies and promoting community wide quality and safety practices. Kelly is one of the initial members of the National Nurse Funders’ Collaborative, convened by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and currently serves as a trustee and advisory board member on several foundations that fund nursing initiatives, including the Gertrude Skelly Charitable Foundation and the Florida College System Foundation. She has served as a development consultant to The University of North Florida Brooks College of Health and The University of Florida College of Nursing and is a former board member of The University of West Florida.

Ms. Kelly holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism from the University of Kansas and a Master’s degree in organizational communication from Michigan State University. She has completed executive education programs in human resources, health care and board development from the University of Michigan and Northwestern University.

Mr. Joseph H. Lang

Joseph H. Lang, is the managing partner at Baynard, McLeod, and Lang, PA, a law firm in Saint Petersburg, FL. He practices in the areas of estate planning, administration, real property, taxation, and general civil practice. He attended Duke University for his undergrad and the University of Florida for Law School. He is a former member of the State Board of Community Colleges from January of 1997 to September of 2002.

His community involvement includes:

Phi Delta Phi - Member
St. Petersburg Junior College District Board of Trustees, 1977-1997; Chairman, 1983-1989, 1993-1996
Florida Association of Community Colleges Trustee Commission, 1977—; Chairman, 1986-1987.
Florida Association of Community Colleges Foundation Founding Board Member, 1995.

Dr. Ann McGee

E. Ann McGee was appointed President of Seminole Community College in 1996. She is a graduate of St. Petersburg College, Florida State University and Nova Southeastern University. She was “Most Outstanding Graduate” at SPC; Phi Beta Kappa at FSU; and “Practitioner’s Hall of Fame” at Nova. She recently completed an eight-year term as a charter trustee for Florida State University. Prior to SCC, she was Vice President for Development and Executive Director of the BCC Foundation at Broward Community College in Fort Lauderdale, raising more than $21 million in 10 years. She was also a Provost for BCC; and Dean of Students and a faculty member at Florida Keys Community College.

She serves on the American Association of Community Colleges Presidents Academy Executive Committee; the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education Board; the Steering Committee for Florida’s Community College Presidents’ Council; and the Higher Education Research Development Institute. She is also active on regional Chamber and civic boards throughout Central Florida. McGee has been recognized by the Association of Community College Trustees as the top community college CEO in the nation (2006); by Phi Theta Kappa with the Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction (2005); and by the Seminole Chamber of Commerce with the “Lifetime Achievement Award” (2004) for making a difference in the quality of life in Seminole County.

The past few years have been ones of phenomenal growth for Seminole Community College (SCC). Construction of two new campuses, a law enforcement training facility, and an economic development center, plus renovation of the College’s original campus, have enabled SCC to enjoy one of the best student participation rates in the state. With more than $100 million dedicated to either renovation or new construction, SCC has just broken ground for a University Partnership Center, in conjunction with the University of Central Florida, which will open in spring 2010 and house more than 20 baccalaureate degrees available at SCC. The SCC Foundation Board is a “destination board” for the area whose efforts have built two classroom buildings and increased the endowment from $1M to over $14M. SCC’s Honors Institute has graduated three Jack Kent Cooke Scholars in the past three years.

Other honors and awards recently bestowed upon Dr. E. Ann McGee include:

2005 Presidential Phi Theta Kappa Ambassador for the All-Florida Academic Team
2004 Top 100 Most Influential People In Central Florida, Orlando Business Journal
2002 U.S. Air Force National Security Forum at the Air War College in Montgomery, AL
2002 Top 100 Most Influential People In Central Florida, Orlando Business Journal
2001 “Women Who Mean Business” Award, Orlando Business Journal
2001 Top 100 Most Influential People In Central Florida, Orlando Business Journal
2000 Summit Award (for community involvement), Central Florida Women’s Resource Center
2000 Florida Phi Theta Kappa “Distinguished Service” Award
2000 Florida Phi Theta Kappa “Distinguished Alumna” Award

Mr. George I. Platt III

George I. Platt III is known for his considerable experience in Government Law and lobbying. With more than 30 years in practice, he counsels clients on regulatory law, government relations, land use, environmental law and related corporate issues. He currently works for LSN Government Affairs, LLC, a lobbying and government relations firm as the head of their Broward office. He was the managing partner of the Fort Lauderdale office and was an “AV” or top-rated attorney in his field. He has represented some of South Florida’s major projects including the Broward County Convention Center, Dolphins Stadium, development of the Coral Springs and Parkland communities, the Bank Atlantic Center, and the 450-acre Pembroke Pines Mitigation Bank.

Mr. Platt is also well versed in matters involving Port Everglades and the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, which he also served as a former Broward County Commissioner. As a Board member of the Port Everglades Association and as Chair of the Broward Workshop Transportation Committee, he helps represent the interests of companies doing business at the port and the airport. As a former Broward County Commissioner, Mr. Platt chaired the Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Value Adjustment Board. He also served on the South Florida Regional Planning Council. More recently, he was a Commissioner on the Broward County Charter Review Commission. He currently serves as a Board member of the Broward Performing Arts Center Authority.

A supporter of local and state organizations, Mr. Platt served as Chairman for the State Board of Community Colleges from January of 1992 to September of 2001 and the Florida Atlantic University Foundation and Fort Lauderdale’s Downtown Council. He currently serves on the Board of Governors of the Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale, Trustee and Chairman of the Broward Public Library Foundation, the Board of Trustees Nova Southeastern University and Chairman of the Advisory Board for NSU's College of Arts and Sciences. Mr. Platt also serves on the Board of the Global Education Advisory Board of UNC, Chapel Hill.

Mr. Platt began his legal career in 1972 at the Harvard Center for Law and Education. After law school, he was awarded an International Legal Center Overseas Teaching Fellowship at the Catholic University Law School in Santiago, Chile, where he taught and advised. Fluent in Spanish, Mr. Platt also served two years as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Republic of Panama.

Ms. Violeta Salud

Violeta Salud is a Financial Advisor with Salud and Associates. She has more than 25 years of experience in the Financial Services. Her main areas of work include: Wealth Management, Retirement Income Planning, Registered Financial Advisor, Long-Term Care, Life Insurance, Investments, Financial Planning, and Estate Planning.

She has served on many community boards including: Bank of Central Florida, American Bank and Trust of Polk County, El Bosque Nuevo, Costa Rica, City of Lake Wales, Vanguard School, Webber International, Lake Wales YMCA, Imperial Symphony Guild of Lake Wales, Florida State Board of Community Colleges, and more. In 2008 she was chosen to represent the US with People to People as a delegation member to Russia for the Financial Planning Association. She also is the Chamber Of Commerce Or Economic Development Council Appointed Member of Polk County School Readiness Coalition, Inc. She also was a former member of the State Board of Community Colleges from June 1999 to September 2003.

She currently lives in Lake Wales with her husband John, who is an Ophthalmologist. Violeta and John have raised four children and are the proud grandparents of two grandchildren. She serves on the Polk State College Foundation Board of Directors.

Ms. Lyn Stanfield

Lyn Stanfield leads Apple's Strategic Initiatives Group's efforts in the Southeastern US, addressing a broad range of issues with a special focus on innovation and education.

Apple's Strategic Initiatives Group builds bi-partisan coalitions in support of expanded education and technology funding, emphasizing greater equity of access for underserved student populations, higher levels of academic achievement, and 21st century digital learning environments that prepare students for college and the workforce.

Ms. Stanfield has been involved with several innovative efforts at Apple, and has been involved in education policy for more than 15 years. She has served as a member of the Tallahassee Community College District Board of Trustees, serving as Board Chair in 2006-2007; Florida's Digital Divide Council, Jobs for Florida's Graduates Foundation Board, the Holy Comforter Episcopal School Board, Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce Executive Board, Dr. Khiran Patel Charter School Board, Florida Tax Watch Board of Trustees, and the Florida Education Foundation Board. Ms. Stanfield also served on Governor Rick Scott's (R-FL) education transition team.

In addition to her professional affiliations, Ms. Stanfield is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Jack and Jill of America, and is an active member of Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church. Lyn is deeply involved in her community. She and her husband, Kevin, are the proud parents of two school-aged children. In her spare time, Lyn enjoys reading, cooking, traveling for leisure, and being a sports mom.

Mr. Larry Stewart

Mr. Larry Stewart retired from SunTrust Bank after thirty years of service, where he began as a Cost Accountant and ended as EVP, Central Florida Region Retail LOB Manager, where he was responsible for a 150 branch network. Mr. Larry Stewart currently serves as a Client Advisor at Seaside National Bank & Trust where he manages a portfolio of clients delivering commercial, private baking and wealth management services to individuals and private business owners.

Mr. Stewart attended St. Johns River State College, where he received his Associate of Arts Degree. He later received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Florida and an M.B.A. from the University of Central Florida.

Ms. Marjorie Turnbull

From 1994-2000, Marjorie represented Leon County, District 9, in the Florida House of Representatives where she served on the Fiscal Responsibility Council, the Committees on Rules, Education Appropriations, Business Regulation and Consumer Services and Community Affairs. As a legislator she focused on the funding needs of education, benefits for public employees, the funding for the Challenger Learning Center, and the creation of a Florida World War II Memorial. Prior to her service in the House, she was a member of the Leon County Commission from 1988-1994, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health Planning for the State of Florida, and a member of the staff of the Florida House of Representatives.

Representative Turnbull served as the Executive Director of the Tallahassee Community College Foundation. During her tenure, its assets increased from $250,000 to $9 million, including over 70 endowed scholarships and more than 500 Challenge and Take Stock in Children Scholarships for middle school children who will be first generation college students. Under her leadership, the TCC Foundation will successfully complete its first Major Gifts Campaign totaling $10 million.

Ms. Turnbull is actively involved in community service in Leon County. She co-chaired a committee which developed a cultural plan for Tallahassee and Leon County. She currently serves as President of the Board for the Challenger Learning Center and has served in the past as President of the Council of Neighborhood Associations, the Tallahassee Symphony and the Children’s Home Society. In addition, she serves or has served on the boards of numerous local advisory and civic groups, including the Girl Scouts, the Civic Center, The Florida Association of Voluntary Agencies for Caribbean Action, Seven Days of Opening Nights, the Legislative Historic Preservation Commission and the United Way. She is a member of the Rotary Club of Tallahassee and Zonta International.

Ms. Stacey Webb

Stacey Webb is a partner at Southern Strategy Group. She formerly served as Assistant Chancellor for the Division of Community Colleges and Workforce Education at the Florida Department of Education. Stacey led the Division’s legislative efforts and played a key role in the Department’s communications, personnel, and budgeting – gaining the deep, substantive policy knowledge, especially in education, with which to work at the high staff level throughout state government.

Ms. Webb also served as the Executive Director for the Foundation for Florida’s Community Colleges. Prior to working for the Division of Community Colleges and Workforce Education, Stacey served as staff director and Majority Office senior analyst with the Florida House of Representatives. There, Stacey covered legislative issues relating to higher education, criminal justice, state administration, local government, and education appropriations. Stacey attended Brevard Community College and received a Bachelors of Arts from Stetson University and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Central Florida.

Mr. Wendell W. Williams

Wendell W. Williams, President of Williams Citrus Nursery is a citrus grower from south Florida. He is a former member of the State Board of Community Colleges and co-founder along with Dr. Philip Benjamin, of the Florida College System Foundation. He served on the State Board of Community Colleges from October of 1983 to September of 2000.