Bios  |  Meeting Schedule  |  Approved Minutes  |  Meeting Material  |  Board Contact Information CCEP Board Bios: Barbara F. Foster, Ph.D. Governor's Representative Deputy Chief Child Advocate Executive Office of the Governor Tallahassee Barbara.Foster@myflorida.com Dr. Barbara Foster serves as Florida’s Deputy Chief Child Advocate in the Executive office of the governor. Previously she served as the Executive Director of the Commission on Marriage and Family Support Initiatives, the Executive Director of The Policy Group for Florida’s Families and Children and as the Program Director for the Community Enhancement and Educational Development Program in the Lawton and Rhea Chiles Center at the University of South Florida. Dr. Foster earned a Ph.D. in Evaluation and Measurement and a Certificate in Business Management from Florida State University. She is the past President of the Southeast Evaluation Association and the Tallahassee Club of Zonta International. She has served in leadership positions in the FSU Learning Systems Institute, the southeastern regional education laboratory, the Executive Office of the Governor, the Florida Department of Education and in the private sector. Dr. Foster brings expertise in organizational management, measurement, evaluation, research, policy analysis, networking and information management, automated and web-based systems, and strength-based community building and collaboration Linda Carmona-Sánchez Owner/Executive Director A+ Early Learning Center Miami linda@myaece.org Linda Carmona-Sánchez is the owner and executive director of A+ Early Learning Center in Miami, FL. She has a distinguished history as a leading child advocate in her community. Ms. Carmona-Sánchez served on the State Advisory Council for Exceptional Student Education (3 years) and the Superintendent’s Advisory Council for Exceptional Student Education (12 years). Prior to her work in early childhood education, she was Director of Development with The ARC, Director of Youth Services with Centro Campesino and the State Coordinator for the Annie E. Casey Mental Health Initiative with the Department of Children and Families. In 2007, Ms. Carmona-Sánchez was awarded a grant from The Children’s Trust to create The Alliance for Early Care & Education as a vehicle to improve the quality of early childhood education in Miami-Dade. The organization has succeeded in gaining the support of the American Federation of Teachers, Florida Education Association and United Teachers of Dade as a new model for collaborative governance among providers of early childhood services. Veronica W. Valentine Ed. D. President/CEO Child Guidance Center, Inc. Jacksonville veronica@childguidancecenter.org Veronica W Valentine, Ed. D. is the President/CEO of Child Guidance Center, Inc., a community mental health agency serving annually over 4,300 children, adolescents and their families in Northeast Florida. Dr. Valentine is actively involved in the Jacksonville community and has over 35 years experience in the development and organizational management of children’s programs and services. Prior to her appointment at Child Guidance Center, Dr. Valentine was General Director, Exceptional Student Education for Duval County Public Schools. She has held various leadership positions within the school system since 1968, serving as a principal of four public schools at the elementary, middle and high school level. Throughout her career, she has focused on special needs children with an emphasis on early childhood education. Dr. Valentine holds a Doctoral Degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from the University of Florida, a Masters of Education/Emotionally Handicapped from the University of Florida, and a Bachelor of Science from Florida State University. She is currently the state chair of The Florida Council for Community Mental Health and a member of the National Council for Community Mental Health, the Florida Association of Infant Mental Health, a Paul Harris Fellow with Rotary, Leadership Jacksonville, the Jacksonville Women’s Network and Jacksonville Community Council, Inc. Allen J.Hall Assistant General Counsel Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Jacksonville allen.hall@bcbsfl.com Allen J. Hall is an Assistant General Counsel for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, Inc. in Jacksonville. Prior to joining Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, Inc., he was a Partner in the law firm of Hinman, Howard & Kattell, LLP in Binghamton, New York. He is a graduate of the University of Rochester and Albany Law School of Union University. He has been practicing law since 1990 and is admitted in Florida, New York and Pennsylvania. He lives in St. Augustine with his wife, Dorri, and their two sons. Patricia D. Persson President Hobby Hall, LLC. Manatee patriciap@hobbyhallprotocol.com Patricia D. Persson is an executive etiquette consultant and president of Hobby Hall, LLC. She consults with business executives and families concerning interpersonal relationship skills including social etiquette, communication codes of behavior, table manners, interviewing, and protocol. She provides extracurricular programs for both public and private schools and institutions. She is certified by the International School of Protocol. Mrs. Persson is a graduate of Sophie Newcomb College, Tulane University. She and her husband of 22 years have three children. Mrs. Persson served on the Board of Trustees as education liaison for the Longboat Island Chapel and the Longboat Key Community Center. She served on the Board of Directors for the Manatee Players and continues her volunteer work in development of the new Manatee Players Performing Arts Center. She has been a member, leader, and neighborhood manager for the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida for over a decade. Active professional memberships include the American Society for Training and Development. Jackie L. Featherson Principle Ida Stewart Elementary School Bradenton featherj@manateeschools.net Jackie L. Featherston is the principal of Ida Stewart Elementary School in Bradenton, Florida serving 475 kindergarten through fifth grade students. Mrs. Featherston has been a successful principal for the past 15 years at Ida Stewart Elementary and has been a teacher and administrator for a total of 29 years in Manatee County. Her experience has been primarily in elementary education and exceptional child education. She is a graduate of the University of South Florida with a Masters Degree in Education. Her areas of certification are as a School Principal (K-12), Elementary Education (grades 1-6), and Emotionally Handicapped(grades K-12). Mrs. Featherston has been an active leader in her community throughout her career and most recently served on the Board of Directors for HOPE Family Services in Manatee County. She brings expertise in analyzing and interpreting data, communication skills, decision-making strategies, effective people skills and working relationships, instructional organization and development, and problem solving while dealing with a variety of variables. Active professional memberships include the Florida Association of School Administrators, National Association of Elementary School Principals, and American Association of University Women. Sanora L. Thomas President The Ex-Change Communications, Inc. Tallahassee sanorathomas@aol.com Sanora L. Thomas is the President of The Ex-Change Communications, Inc. which is a non-profit organization formed to enhance and establish a network of services for low-income disadvantaged families and youth in Tallahassee and the surrounding counties. She is also the Owner/Director of Thomas Family Childcare Home. Ms. Thomas has an interest in humanitarian services, commitment to women, children and education, as well as leadership experience. Sanora is enrolled at Flagler College of North Florida seeking to attain her Bachelors of Arts Degree in Elementary Education. Currently, she holds The Nurturing Parenting Certification, Department of Children and Families “Train the Trainer” Certification, and Grant-writing Certification. Since 2007 she has been an active member of the American Business Women Association, Infant Mental Health Association, City of Tallahassee Human Service Advisory Council, Ambassador for United Way African-American Leadership Outreach Committee, and FASS AmeriCorp Vista Initiative. She has been a resident of Tallahassee for 10 years and a proud mother of a very energetic 9 year old. Ms. Thomas follows her personal philosophy of respecting the past by reflecting on it to learn from it so that she can be a better person today. When you combine her business expertise with a genuine care for people, it’s not hard to see why she is a dedicated individual. Jan von Hahmann Business and Industry Service Specialist Manatee County School District Bradenton jvonhahm@verizon.net Jane von Hahmann is a native born Floridian. She has lived in Manatee County for 32 years. Married to Rocky for 34 years, they have three sons. Jane has been self employed in partnership with her husband for 34 years in retail sales and commercial property management. She is presently serving as the liaison between Business and Industry in Manatee County and the Manatee County School District Adult Career & Technical Education. Prior to this position she was elected to Manatee County Board of County Commissioners District #3 in 2000 serving two terms till Nov. 2008, elected Chairman of the Board 2004 & 2008. She served on Manatee County Port Authority 2000 - 2008: Authority Chairman 2002 & 2005. Served as the Manatee County representative to the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council 2001-2008: Chairman TBRPC 2006 . Member Florida Association of Counties Board of Directors and served on numerous sub-committees in this organization including the Growth, Environmental Planning and Agricultural subcommittee, Chairman 2006; Working Water Group 2002-2008, committee Co-Chair 2007-2008; FAC Budget and Taxation Reform subcommittee 2006-2008. Served as representative for Florida Association of Counties on the Board Directors of Florida Local Government Investment Trust elected Chairman in 2006 & 2007. Actively involved in Manatee County Whole Child Project's development and implementation serving on the Board of directors 2001-2008. Served as United Way Board Member 2001-2008. Member Manatee Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors 2004 & 2008. Manatee County Representative on Peace River/Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority Member 2006 -2008. Member MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization) 2001-2004 2005-2006 and MPO Transit Task Force 2005-2006. Jane brings a broad and diverse skill set to the board, expertise in business, government , budgeting, policy development and analysis, organizational management as well as a passion to serve.