2004 Who's Who of Prevention Leaders in Florida

The 2004 Who's Who of Prevention Leaders in Florida recognizes field leadership of 1) individuals who have shown particular initiative in their communities on behalf of substance abuse or violence prevention and 2) members of organizational boards and state advisory groups. Taken together, the entries in this directory just begin to reflect Florida's capacity for reaching local and state goals for substance abuse and violence prevention.

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Teresa Andrews Teresa Andrews
Prevention Director of Community Services
Epic Community Services, Inc.
Nominator: Patti Greenough

Teresa Andrews, CAPP, is a demonstrated leader in the prevention field. She was actively involved in the Northland and Success Evidence-Based Practice projects and is providing leadership to the EPIC Big Bend Brothers and Big Sisters Mentoring Program.

Colton Bell Colton Bell
Countywide Representative to Statewide Board of Directors
Students Working Against Tobacco
Nominator: Jennifer J. Harris

Colton's incredible passion for tobacco prevention and leadership skills has resulted in frequent media and legislative attention. Colton's leadership extends beyond his county, to the region, including six additional counties.

Photo Unavailable Regina Birrenkott
Director
Mendez Foundation
Nominator: Kay Doughty

Regina has been instrumental in developing and implementing evidence based AODA and Violence Prevention Programs in the Hillsborough County School District and is a key player in all Hillsborough County prevention planning efforts.

Marie Boswell Marie Boswell
Delinquency Prevention Specialist
Department of Juvenile Justice
Nominator: Rod Love

Marie has distinguished leadership capabilities in delinquency prevention. She provides grant writing workshops, technical assistance and is a strong voice for prevention. She also participates in the local Crime Watch, the local PTSA's, the Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church Board of Trustees as well as other community organizations.

Steven G. Brooks Steven G. Brooks
Project Manager
Florida Center for Prevention Research, FSU
Nominator: Michael P. Smith

Mr. Brooks has been involved in numerous projects associated with alcohol abuse prevention and statewide health issues. He assisted in developing an online model to track underage sales of alcohol and tobacco products in a four-state pilot project and managing the development of a statewide hospital disaster response plan. He also provides technical and evaluative assistance to prevention providers.

Bill Cameron Bill Cameron
Charlotte County Sheriff
Charlotte County Sheriff's Office
Nominator: Amity Chandler

Sheriff Cameron began regular checkpoints, the first in nearly four years; he assisted DBPR in stepping up the frequency of compliance checks and empowered his SRO's to conduct enforcement and prevention activities. He has also redirected thousands of dollars of his own budget and forfeiture funds towards the community coalition for prevention efforts.

Susan Carrigan Susan Carrigan
Substance Abuse Prevention Planner
Hillsborough County Criminal Justice Substance Abuse Unit
Nominator: Bob Holm

Susan Carrigan has taken a modest community event attended by a few hundred children and developed it into a far-reaching positive anti-drug event impacting thousands of children and families.

Amity Chandler Amity Chandler
Director
Charlotte Alliance for a Safe & Drug-Free Community
Nominator: Mary Booker

Amity Chandler initiated the formation of the Charlotte Alliance for a Safe and Drug-Free Community. As a result of her leadership, Charlotte County has an active and sustained community coalition. The Florida Office of Drug Control and the Community Anti-Drug Coalition of America have recognized the Charlotte Alliance and Ms. Chandler's leadership.

Danielle Damato Danielle Damato
Facilitator
Shared Services Alliance of Citrus County
Nominator: Dawna Boley

Danielle is one of the founding members and current facilitator of the Drug Coalition of Citrus County. She was instrumental in building the coalition and securing funds. Danielle has been actively involved in raising awareness about youth substance abuse as well as working on underage drinking initiatives.

Jennifer Edwards Jennifer Edwards
PAC Coordinator
Capital City Youth Services
Nominator: Rod Love

Jennifer provides drug, violence and crime prevention services to Franklin County through counseling youth ages 10-17 and their families. Her commitment, dedication, compassion, and genuine concern is evident and felt by everyone she meets.

Patricia A. English Patricia A. English
Health Curriculum Specialist/Title IV Coordinator
School Board of Broward County
Nominator: Amalio Nieves

Patricia English, a dynamic force and motivational leader in Drug & Violence Prevention, established multi-dimensional community collaborations in Broward County. Through her comprehensive ATOD/ Violence Prevention framework, she influenced SDFS policies and advanced prevention outcomes and objectives. Stellar performance!

Carrie Garnett Carrie Garnett
Executive Director
One Voice for Volusia
Nominator: Senta Goudy

People turn to One Voice for Volusia for information, resources, and leadership. Thanks to Carrie's incredible skills she keeps us focused, energized and eager to make positive changes in our community.

Photo Unavailable Tavis J. Glassman
Position Coordinator
Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention
Student Health Care Center, University of Florida
Nominator: Michael P. Smith

Tavis was instrumental in having the American College Health Association endorse the Campaign for Alcohol-Free Sports TV, which works to reduce the alcohol advertising on televised sports events.

Betty Ann Good Betty Ann Good
Chairperson Emerita
Youth Crime Watch of America
Nominator: Terry Modglin

Founder, Volunteer Executive Director, and first contributor to the Endowment, Betty Ann Good has been Youth Crime Watch of America's pre-eminent leader for twenty years.

Senta Goody Senta Goudy
Executive Director
The House Next Door
Nominator: Mary Booker

Ms. Goudy has demonstrated strong and stable coalition and prevention provider leadership for Volusia County. She has been instrumental in bringing diverse community organizations together to function as one entity for substance abuse prevention. Ms. Goudy's skills in obtaining funding and other resources have contributed greatly to the success of prevention activities in the community.

Cindy Grant Cindy Grant
Resource Development & Community Outreach Coordinator
Nominator: Samuel P. Clark

Cindy Grant is an invaluable resource to Corner Drug Store and our community; leading community outreach events i.e. Spotlight on Youth and Regional Drug Summit. She co-founded the Alachua Co. Chapter of Families Against Drugs and is active with Partners In Prevention of Substance Abuse Coalition, Florida Prevention Partnership Planning Committee for Statewide Prevention Conference.

Craig Greusel Craig Greusel
Elementary School Related Arts Teacher
Collier County Public Schools
Nominator: Nina Ribinski

Craig Gruesel has used his teaching skills and musical talent to spread the drug-free message throughout our schools and community by providing tireless leadership in the production of drug-prevention events such as The Reality Journey and Red Ribbon Walk, which involves over 2,000 students annually.

Tom Hall Tom Hall
University of Central Florida
Nominator: Michael P. Smith

Tom Hall was prime mover in establishing the higher education statewide coalition to address reducing underage and high-risk drinking. He also contributed to the development of the Florida CAN whitepaper. And serves on the executive committee of FHEASAP.

Photo Unavailable Barbara Harvey
Founding Member
Educational Consultant Consortium
Nominator: Sheldon Times

A matriarch and cornerstone of our community, Mrs. Harvey serves so many so well. She is a School Board Member, Program Director, educator, Principle, Youth Watch Administrator, teacher, mentor and friend.

Photo Unavailable Richard L. Howell
Project Manager
Florida Center for Prevention Research, FSU
Nominator: Michael P. Smith

Since October 2000, Mr. Howell has successfully coordinated two social norms interventions to reduce high-risk drinking at FSU. Results indicate that there has been an overall reduction in high-risk drinking at FSU of 14% from 2002 to 2004. In addition, he has co-authored two peer-reviewed articles in the Journal of American College Health (JACH), related to harm reduction strategies involving alcohol use.

Dr. Gail Honea Dr. Gail Honea
Executive Director
Community Drug and Alcohol Council
Nominator: Susan B. Sweeney

Dr. Gail Honea--a qualified and exemplary prevention leader. Her knowledge, expertise, and willingness to serve on statewide prevention committees makes her an asset to Florida.

Terry Allen Jones Terry Allen Jones
President
Creating Alternative Thinking Through Theatre
Nominator: Anne Helliwell

Terry's multifaceted prevention approach has been used statewide for 20 years. He has developed workshops, youth groups, screen plays, music videos, skits, and delivered them in a variety of settings internationally.

Faye Johnson Faye Johnson
Coordinator of the Azalea Project
NorthEast Florida Healthy Start Coalition, Inc.
Nominator: Samuel P. Clark

Faye Johnson's determination to improve services for substance-involved families led to The Azalea Project, a collaborative model to address risk taking behavior, providing hope to forgotten women in Jacksonville.

Gwen Love Gwen Love
Prevention Coordinator
Corner Drug Store
Nominator: Samuel P. Clark

Gwen Chairs the Partners In Prevention of Substance Abuse Coalition and takes lead on all drug-free events including Project Graduation and Regional Drug Summit. Gwen is a CAPP awarded FADAA Professional of the Year, active with North Central FL AIDS Network, Planned Parenthood, Alachua County Tobacco Free Partnership, Alachua/Bradford Work Force Development Board, and Youth Build.

Rebecca Linn Rebecca "Becky" Linn
Delinquency Prevention Specialist
Department of Juvenile Justice
Nominator: Rod Love

Becky is very involved in the Faith Community Network and several other community based organizations. She is a vital piece of the success of the delinquency prevention efforts in Circuits 5 & 7 and is well respected by law enforcement, the judiciary and the community. She also provides grant writing workshops and technical assistance for communities.

Jimmy L. Macon Jimmy L. Macon
SRO/YCW Advisor
Walton County Sheriff's Office/Walton County School District
Nominator: Capri Bludworth

Officer Macon is the SRO for Walton High School and in addition to his regular duties, he makes time to give presentations to all ninth grade students concerning the dangers of alcohol and other drugs. As a result of his presentations many students have chosen to join the Youth Crime Watch Program to help assist with the ongoing battle against drugs.

Patrick Mahoney Patrick Mahoney
Program Manager-Community Corrections Program
Department of Corrections
Nominator: Pam Denmark

Patrick Mahoney has over ten years' experience with offenders and offender treatment programs. As Program Manager-Community Programs, he works closely with community providers in implementing offender substance abuse programs.

Photo Unavailable E. Maureen Miller
Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist
Student Health Care Center, University of Florida
Nominator: Michael P. Smith

Maureen serves on the executive committee of the Florida Higher Education Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention. She introduced alternative activities at the University of Florida leading to safer 21st birthday celebrations.

Suzanne Miller Suzanne Miller
Prevention Center Consultant
The School District of Palm Beach County
Nominator: Jennifer J. Harris

Suzanne Miller graciously accepted leadership for maintaining the nationally recognized Students Working Against Tobacco program in Palm Beach County and has been successful in recruiting over 44 schools to participate.

Wendy Morgan Wendy Morgan
CASE Coalition Coordinator
Teen Court Director/Business Manager
Nominator: Dr. Gail E. Honea

Wendy Morgan is a founding member of the CASE Coalition in Holmes County. Her people, planning and writing skills led to funding of CASE by Federal Drug-Free Communities Support program.

James E. Miles James E. Myles
Executive Director
Bethel Community Foundation, Inc.
Nominator: Rod Love

James Myles serves the community through the Bethel Community Christian School, Juvenile Justice Neighborhood Accountability Boards, Civil Citation Projects, and the Pinellas Healthy Start Federal Project. Mr. Myles works with youth in underserved communities and provides well needed delinquency prevention programs to youth & communities in juvenile justice, high referral areas.

Brandon Nelson Brandon Nelson
State Representative to the Board of Directors
Students Working Against Tobacco
Nominator: Laura Corbin

Brandon has lead Osceola County youth in all of their educational, awareness and advocacy activities. Because of his efforts, his peers have become enraged at the tobacco industry and empowered to join him in the fight to create a generation that rejects tobacco.

Amalio Nieves Amalio Nieves
Project B.L.A.S.T. Coordinator; Title IV Program
Broward County Broward County Public Schools
Nominator: Patricia English

Under the fabulous leadership of Amalio Nieves, a successful family counseling program called Project B.L.A.S.T. has been serving over 4000 students and their families in substance abuse and violence prevention.

Photo Unavailable Kim Orr
Executive Director
Lawton Chiles Foundation
Nominator: Laura Corbin

Kim led the Lawton Chiles Foundation's efforts to assist SWAT in developing the SWAT website, raising funds to sustain regional advocacy initiatives, training SWAT youth at their annual summit and implementing their spring initiative.

Aggie Pappas Aggie Pappas
Executive Director
PACE Center for Girls-Broward
Nominator: Donna Gallagher

In her role as Executive Director for PACE Broward, Aggie has developed and implemented effective and innovative strategies for gender responsive prevention intervention with preteen at risk girls.

William Patten William Patten
Prevention Coordinator
Marion County Community Council Against Substance Abuse
Nominator: Daniel Geer

Thanks to the leadership of Mr. Bill Patten and the Community Council Against Substance Abuse, families feel safer because of the reduction of drug use and abuse in Marion County.

Geraldine Pipitone Gerldine Pipitone, MBA, CAP
Chief Executive Officer
House of Hope, Inc.
Nominator: Patrick R. Mahoney

Geraldine Pipitone has twenty years' experience in the field of substance abuse treatment and mental health prevention, and has been recognized in her community for her dedication and tireless advocacy. The House of Hope, Inc., provides a Residential Substance Abuse 'Nonsecure' Program for offenders on community supervision.

David Powell David Powell
Chairman
St. Johns County Tobacco Free Partnership
Nominator: Nancy C. Birchall

As Chairman of the Tobacco Free Partnership, David has been the backbone of the adult volunteer effort to support, encourage, and promote the mission the SWAT in St. Johns County.

Debra D. Riley Debra D. Riley
Special Agent
Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco
Nominator: Patrick M. Roberts

Special Agent Debra Riley participates in the Governor's Mentoring Program assisting children ages 10-17 as well as volunteering for Career Days at local schools, and because of her influence and popularity, she is requested year after year. Agent Riley is also very committed to keeping alcohol and tobacco out of the hands of underage people.

Kim Riley Kim Riley
Assistant Bureau Chief
Department of Corrections
Nominator: Pam Denmark

Kim Riley has over twenty years' experience in addiction treatment and the development and successful implementation of treatment programs for inmates to break the cycle of addiction and crime.

Terrance D. Roberts Terrance "Terry" D. Roberts
Coordinator
The Center for Drug-Free Living, Inc.
Nominator: Carol Burkett

Terry's extremely knowledgeable and engaging drug prevention messages reach over 80,000 youth and adults annually. He has contributed significantly to statewide improvements in provider qualifications and implementation of evidence-based practices.

Lillie Marie Rogers Lillie Marie Rogers
Middle Grades Drug and Violence Prevention Coordinator
Nassau County School District
Nominator: Andreu Powell

Rogers coordinated and/or became a trainer in seven new programs. A NEFEC survey showed a significant decline in "Past Thirty Day Use" in 19 of 22 categories.

Robert (Bob) Ruday Robert (Bob) Ruday
Dean of Students
University of Tampa
Nominator: Michael P. Smith

Bob is devoted to peer education, alcohol, and other drug prevention and enforcement. His involvement spans outside of the University; involved in the BACCHUS & GAMMA Peer Education Network, he Chairs the FHE-ASAP, the Hillsborough County Alcohol Taskforce, and the US Department of Education's Network Addressing Collegiate Alcohol and Other Drug Issues.

Steven Lee Schneitman Steven Lee Schneitman, Jr.
Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT)
Coordinator
Department of Health
Nominator: Orma J. Jeppson

Since 1998, Steven has been actively involved in tobacco prevention, first as a youth and now as a leader. He continues to inspire youth to fight against the tobacco industry's manipulative tactics.

Megan Scott Deep Impact Troupe/Megan Scott
Peer Leader
Substance Abuse Council of Indian River County
Nominator: District 15, SAMH Office

The Deep Impact Troupe consisting of teenagers, perform skits relaying a positive drug-free prevention message. Performing before their peers and family, traveling to different states, has resulted in positive accolades and testimonial that has lent to a reduction in youth consumption of drugs. Eureka!!!

Becky Sharpe Becky Sharpe
Middle School Coordinator
Lafayette Middle School
Nominator: Derek Hembree

Our program was non-existent before Becky took over. She has developed a school-wide/county partnership to combat ATODs. The community now works cooperatively against ATODs due to Mrs. Sharpe's awareness campaigns.

Juanita Sparks Juanita Sparks
Program Mangager
Operation PAR, Inc.
Nominator: Diane Clarke, Daphne Miller

Juanita demonstrates commitment to middle school students and their families through revised programming to better meet their needs, increase the number of clients served, and increased networking with other providers.

Karen Stofcheck Karen Stofcheck
Grant Writer
Citrus County School Board
Nominator: Dawna Bowley

Karen has been instrumental in helping secure funds for the Drug Coalition of Citrus County. The Coalition was awarded the Drug Free Community Support Grant because of her leadership role in the grant writing process.

Erin Sylvester Erin Sylvester
Bay County Students Working Against Tobacco Chair and
Vice Chair of State Department of Health
Nominator: Ron Davis

Erin has led Bay County SWAT for several years and was instrumental in the passage of a county tobacco product placement ordinance. She also spoke to the legislature last year to help secure funding for the SWAT program.

Joe Nell Thomas Joe Nell Thomas
Executive Director
Visions of Manhood, Inc.
Nominator: Al Dennis

Joe Thomas has been an activist in the community for 25+ years. Serving on multiple boards, supporting youth health issues, hosting gang violence forums, and soliciting grant monies to help prevent youth drug and alcohol abuse in the community.

Robert Wayne Tillotson Deputy Robert Wayne Tillotson
Corporal/DARE Insructor
Lee County Sheriff's Office
Nominator: Jan E. Klein

Bob Tillotson - Always there for students and adults. Willing to always be involved. Extremely caring with unique insight into people's needs. Superior leadership in alcohol, drug, violence, and criminal prevention.

Diana R. Travis Diana R. Travis, Captain
Community Coalition Officer
Florida National Guard
Nominator: Mary Booker

As the Community Coalition Officer of the Florida Counterdrug Training Academy and a presenter at regional coalition workshops, Captain Diana Travis has been instrumental in developing and implementing training for Florida's community coalition and prevention leaders. Her efforts have been critical in the start-up and sustainability of Florida's community coalitions.

Photo Unavailable Sherry Truex
Summer Program Coordinator & Volunteer
Ft. Pierce Police Athletic League
Nominator: Paul Pearson

Past President of the State of Florida PAL; Volunteer for Ft. Fierce PAL since 1998; former Volunteer of the Year for the City of Cocoa - Sherry voluntarily drove 13 youth in a van so that they could participate in a youth festival.

Lisa van Seelon Lisa van Seelon
Executive Director
PACE Center for Girls- Treasure Coast
Nominator: Donna Gallagher

In her role as Executive Director for PACE Treasure Coast, Lisa has led the expansion of services to girls through effectively collaborating with community partners to ensure that at risk girls' needs are addressed in her community. She serves as Vice Chaof the Juvenile Justice Council and is a Circuit Board Rep.

Mae Waters Mae Waters, Ph.D, CHES
Researcher/Consultant
Florida State University
Nominator: Michael P. Smith

Mae Waters has dedicated her professional life to promoting health education, which allows children the skills necessary to making positive life-long decisions. Her leadership has provided training for students, teachers, nurses, administrators and prevention specialists throughout Florida.

Jane Watson Jane Watson
Coordinator, Prevention Services
Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, Inc.
Nominator: Cynthia Tyson

Jane created focused, productive, prevention programs for several hundred students at schools in rural Dixie and Levy counties that improved protective factors and helped build partnerships in the communities.

Sharon T. Wilburn Sharon T. Wilburn, Ph.D.
Associate Professor;
Director, Undergraduate Community Health & Graduate Public Health Programs
University of North Florida
Nominator: Kathleen M. Bowles

For over twenty years, Dr. Wilburn has provided technical assistance in needs assessment, program design, research, evaluation, clinical supervision, health promotion, and leadership in prevention and intervention throughout Northeast Florida

Mable Wimberly Mable Wimberly
Statewide D.A.R.E. Liason
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Nominator: Jeffrey C. Fortier

For 6+ years, DARE Liaison Mable Wimberly has successfully overseen the training of every single officer in Florida who delivers the DARE curriculum, tracking applications, conducting background checks, and compiling training packets for several hundred officers.

Linda Wright Linda Wright
Teacher
Lake County Schools
Nominator: Patricia Popovic

Through membership on the district At-Risk Council since its inception, Linda Wright proves herself by spreading the prevention message to countless students, staff, and community members. Her tireless efforts with the council, SWAT, Start Something, and Red Ribbon Week are worthy of recognition.

Gregory Wynn Gregory Wynn
School Resource Deputy
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office
Nominator: S. Jonann Wild

Gregory Wynn has motivated volunteers for Tampa's "Youth In Action," served as an advisor for NCCJ's "Anytown," and brought together youth and adults from Hillsborough schools where they developed site specific prevention plans.

Sally Zeh Sally Zeh
Executive Director
PACE Center for Girls - Pinellas
Nominator: Donna Gallagher

In her role as Executive Director for PACE Pinellas, Sally has provided leadership to her community through effectively collaborating with health organizations in her county to link girls to health interventions that successfully prevent illness, treat disease, and elevate the overall health of at risk girls served.