Southwest Florida Planned Giving Council-Board


Marilyn S. Howard - President A graduate of Indiana University, Marilyn was appointed Executive Director of the Manatee Community Foundation at its formation in 1998 and has served continuously in that role. Previous to her work at MCF, Marilyn was the Education Manager and then District Director for Junior Achievement for Manatee and Sarasota Counties. Her other work experiences include directing summer school at St. Stephen’s Episcopal School from 1991 through 1993, and 16 years as a supervisor with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. Marilyn continues as a sustaining member of the Junior League of Manatee County and serves on the Community Advisory Board. Marilyn and her husband John have two children.
John Berkley A graduate of University of South Florida, John Berkey has spent 20 years in the financial services industry in Southwest Florida. He is a Financial Advisor at Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC and concentrates his practice on customized investment planning, retirement planning, and estate investment planning. John has been actively involved in non-profit organizations for most of his career. He understands the needs of many in the community are dependent on charitable organizations. As such, he is passionate about matching potential donors with quality worthwhile organizations that would best meet the donor’s wishes. Aside from the Southwest Florida Planned Giving Council, John is also actively involved in the Sarasota Spinal Cord Injury Support Group, SCORE, and Cub Scouts. He and his family also actively supports the American Cancer Society, Easter Seals, Goodwill, and Future Farmers of America.
Ashley Canesse Ashley Canesse is the Vice President of Philanthropy at Easter Seals Southwest Florida. She has a lifelong passion and dedication to helping children and families triumph over challenges and adversity. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism from Arizona State University and more than 25 years of experience in all aspects of nonprofit development, marketing and management in Arizona and Florida. Her areas of service have included child abuse, domestic violence, juvenile gang prevention, homelessness, and youth substance abuse prevention in the US as well as orphans and vulnerable children in Uganda.
Russ J. Constantino Russ earned a Bachelors degree in Business from the University of Maine Orono, ME. with majors in marketing and psychology. Russ is an accredited Financial Planner with Prime Retirement Asset Management. His expertise, sincerity and genuine care for the well being of his clients drives him to perform extensive research and thorough preparation for everyone he counsels. Russ spearheaded the Venice Business club, a group that has grown to 30 members since 2003. He has taken his message of health and fitness to Boy Scouts of America youth groups. And as a YMCA Youth Basketball Coach, he coached his young team to an undefeated 2005 season. Russ was recently named to the YMCA Endowment Committee, comprised of the area’s leading estate planners, CPA’s and financial managers. The endowment committee works closely with the Foundation to assist in linking donors with charitable intent with the needs of the YMCA. Additionally Russ is on the Board of Directors of the Southwest Florida Planned Giving Council. The councils mission aligns with Russ’s own mission of promoting philanthropy through planned giving.
Jason DePaola Jason graduated from Florida State University in 1996, earning a B.S. degree with honors in Accounting, Real Estate and Finance and was elected to Beta Gamma Sigma. He earned his J.D. at Florida State in 1999. Since 2009 Jason has been a Principal at Porges, Hamlin, Knowles & Prouty, PA practicing in the areas of estate planning, wills, trusts and probate, taxation, corporate and business law as well as real estate. He is a member of The Florida Bar - Member, Tax Section, Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section, Manatee County Bar Association - Member, Young Lawyer's Division, Estate Planning Council of Manatee County - Member, Secretary (2006-2007 and 2007-2008), Vice President (2008-2009), President (2009-2010), Manatee Community Foundation, Legacy Society Committee – Member, Southwest Florida Planned Giving Council - Member, Director (2010, Partnership for Philanthropic Planning – Member. Since his youth, Jason’s roots run deep in Anna Maria Island, Florida. He is committed to enhancing the quality of the communities in both Sarasota and Manatee counties.
Nick Drizos President, Portfolio Manager of Horizon Wealth Advisors Nick has more than 16 years of trust and financial management experience. He is responsible for management of portfolios and wealth accumulation as well as preservation for high-net worth individuals and families. Nick began his career on Wall Street in the early nineties working as a Municipal Bond market maker. His primary responsibilities were helping clients market and trade their positions in a trillion dollar market. Prior to forming Horizon Wealth Advisors, Nick served as Portfolio Manager and Team Leader for M&I Wealth Management and Comerica Bank. Nick is a graduate of Bentley College where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. Active in the community, he serves on the board of directors for the Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy (SMART) and is a founding member of Lakewood Ranch Elks Club #2855. He also supports the American Cancer Society and Boys and Girls Club of Sarasota.
Denise E. Ellison-Agudelo A graduate from Middle Tennessee State University, Denise has been a Development Officer of All Children's Hospital Foundation since March 2010. Previous to her work at ACH she worked as the Development Director for USF Health and as the Vice President of Community Development for the American Heart Association. Her career has focused on developing relationships with volunteers and donors in the Tampa Bay Area. Denise has also spearheaded creative opportunities for the community to engage in mission-based fundraising, board recruitment, and management of boards, committees, and staff. Denise is a member of Sarasota Chambers, USF Town and Gown, Exchange Club of Tampa, and Board member of SWFPGC. Denise and her husband Paul have a nine year old daughter Maria.
Richard R. Gans Richard Gans is a shareholder in the Sarasota, Florida, firm of Fergeson, Skipper, Shaw, Keyser, Baron & Tirabassi, P.A. He received his preparatory education at Cornell University (B.A. 1980) and the University of Michigan (M.A. 1985). Mr. Gans received his legal education at the University of Washington (J.D. 1988) and the University of Florida (LL.M. in Taxation 1992). He was the Associate Editor-in-Chief of The Washington Law Review. Mr. Gans was admitted to the Bar in 1988 in the State of Washington, and in 1994 in Florida. His Bar Association memberships include: The Florida Bar, Sarasota County Bar Association and Washington State Bar Association. Mr. Gans serves as the probate and trust column editor for The Florida Bar Journal. He is Chair of the RPPTL Section’s Estate and Trust Tax Planning Committee (where, as a committee member, he was primarily responsible for the drafting of Florida’s new disclaimer law, Chapter 739 of the Florida Statutes). Mr. Gans also serves on the RPPTL IRA and employee benefits, asset preservation, and charitable organizations and planning committees, and is a member of the Section’s Executive Council. Mr. Gans is a member and past President of the Southwest Florida Estate Planning Council, and currently serves as President of the Southwest Florida Planned Giving Council. He is Adjunct Professor at Manatee Community College, where he teaches the wills, trusts and estate course in MCC’s paralegal certification program. He speaks Mandarin Chinese. Mr. Gans is certified by The Florida Bar as a Board Certified Wills, Trusts and Estates Lawyer, and is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC). Mr. Gans is named in the June 2007 issue of Florida Super Lawyers, a distinction awarded only to the top 5% of attorneys in the State of Florida.
Anna Hayes Ann joined Mote Marine Laboratory in 2005 as Director of Major Gifts. She began her development career at the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, N.Y. As Major Gifts Development Officer, Ann was responsible for working with the top donors of the college during their $50 million capital campaign. Ann later became a co-owner of The Thompson Group, a high-end management consulting firm with blue chip clients throughout the United States.
Paul G. Hudson Paul G. Hudson is a Vice President at Northern Trust, NA. Paul is a part of the Wealth Strategies Group in the Sarasota office. He works with affluent families, corporations, endowments and nonprofit corporations on developing comprehensive, customized and innovative financial solutions to meet each client's unique goals and objectives in the areas of growth, preservation and the transfer of wealth. Paul joined Northern Trust in February 1996. Paul received his Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Florida State University. He currently holds the Series 7 and Series 66 licenses in the area of general securities. Paul is very active in the Community and currently serves as a member of the Southwest Florida Estate Planning Council; Asolo Repertory Theatre – Board Member; Rotary Club of Sarasota - Board Member; Education Foundation - Advisory Board; and Southwest Florida Planned Giving Council – Board Member and Past President.
Ronald E. Koepsel Ron, his wife, Betsy, and their family live in Sarasota. Ron is a Principal with Sabal Trust Company having joined the firm in 2007 when Sabal opened its newest office in the Sarasota market to provide Wealth and Investment Management services. Ron is a graduate of Indiana University, received his Law Degree from Northern Illinois University College of Law and is a licensed to practice law in both Illinois and Florida. During his 30 years in the Wealth Management, Estate Planning and Trust Administration areas, Ron has served in a variety of roles providing counsel and expertise to individuals and organizations. He is a member of the Sarasota County Bar Association, the Southwest Florida Estate Planning Council and is a Certified Trust and Financial Advisor. He has served on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County and currently serves on the Board of Trustees of All Children’s Hospital Foundation and the Advisory Board of The Nonprofit Resource Center.
Fran Levinson A graduate of Brock University, Frances is Vice President of Marketing & Development for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County, where she has served in this role since 2008. Previous to her position with the BGCSC, Frances was Associate Publisher of Sarasota Magazine’s Biz 941 business to business publication and enjoyed a 15 year tenure in sales and marketing within the radio industry, while residing in Buffalo, New York. Active in her new community, Frances serves as Vice President of her neighborhood association and has served on a wide variety of boards and committees for the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, Venice Chamber of Commerce, Designing Women Boutique and Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance.
John Lineweaver Vice President, Senior Financial Advisor, CLU, CFM John has more than 40 years of experience providing financial and wealth management advice and services. A graduate of Virginia Tech, John joined Merrill Lynch in 1989. He specializes in financial planning, estate planning issues, money management. John also focuses on life insurance and annuities.
Melodie Rich Melodie is a tax manager with CPA Associates and has over 17 years of experience in providing a wide range of both individual and business tax services. She specializes in Estate Planning, including income tax planning for trusts and estates. Melodie received her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Central Florida. She received her CPA license from the State of Florida in 1994. Melodie is a strong supporter of the community, she serves many organizations, past President and current member of the Estate Planning Council of Manatee County, Inc, past Treasurer of Children’s Guardian Fund and the Literacy Council of Sarasota. Additionally Melodie serves on the Board of the Southwest Florida Planned Giving Council. She is also a member of the Southwest Florida Estate Planning Council, FICPA, and the AICPA. Melodie is graduate of Leadership Sarasota and she is a native of Manatee County, where she resides with her husband and two children.
Sue Seiter Suzanne Seiter, CFRE, has more than 22 years of experience in creating integrated development and marketing programs for new organizations and for established organizations moving in new directions. She has served in senior advancement positions since 1998 and led multi-million dollar capital campaigns, annual giving and membership programs, major gift fundraising, foundation and corporate initiatives for the National Constitution Center, the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation, Crozer Chester Medical Center, and Penn State’s Great Valley Campus. In 2006, Sue joined Schultz & Williams, consultants to the non-profit community, in 2006, and has served clients around the country. Recent clients include The Nature Conservancy – Florida Chapter, Girls Inc. Sarasota, SCOPE, the Friends of Moccasin Bend in Chattanooga, Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, and the Southern Good Faith Fund in Little Rock. Sue currently works half time as Director of Development for Girls Incorporated of Sarasota County, a former client. She also continues to represent Schultz & Williams outside Florida and is currently working with the Foundation of the American Board of Trial Advocates in Dallas. Sue is a frequent volunteer presenter for the Non-Profit Resource Center in Sarasota, Manatee Community Foundation, and WEDU’s Be More Effective^™ workshop series. A graduate of The George Washington University, Sue has been a Certified Fund Raising Executive since 1994. She currently serves as Treasurer of the Association of Fundraising Professionals of Southwest Florida and on the boards of Giving Matters and the Southwest Florida Planned Giving Council.
Don Stahl Donald Stahl serves as Partner for Client Services for Jerold Panas, Linzy & Partners— one of the nation’s most highly esteemed firms in the field of campaign services and financial resource development. JPL&P is regarded as a premier consultancy to philanthropy. It has offices in Chicago, and Boston. Since its founding in 1968, the firm has served 2400 client-institutions. Don carries a special responsibility for nurturing the early phase of our work and service with clients. His direct involvement ensures an optimum relationship with the organizations we partner. He has been actively involved with nonprofit institutions since 1986. During that time he has ably fulfilled a wide range of management and consulting roles throughout the United States. He first became associated with the firm in 1991. He played a key role in over a dozen capital campaigns with institutions ranging from those with modest budgets to one over $500 million. They include a number of colleges, a charitable foundation for healthcare, a YMCA, several seminaries, and divisions of a large international Christian organization. There is a particular skill to the campaign design, strategy, and management of all his programs. The campaigns he has been involved with have raised over $200 million. His work is characterized by unbounded energy and enthusiasm. Clients speak of his passion for exploring and finding creative solutions to significant challenges and opportunities. He takes particular delight in working closely with clients to discover opportunities often overlooked. He has helped secure a number of multi-million dollar gifts. No matter what project Don engages, he brings an unusual degree of commitment, integrity, and creativity. His breadth of experience, innate desire to help others, and boundless enthusiasm allows him to serve a wide range of clients.
Tom Waters Vice President of Charitable Planning Community Foundation of Sarasota County Prior to his current position of eight years with the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, he was Planned Giving Officer and Senior Manager at Easter Seals/MARC and PorterCare Adventist Health Systems. He was instrumental in developing the Planned Giving programs in each of these organizations. Tom has over twelve years of Planned Giving experience and over 26 years in fund development in three different communities. He holds a BS in Business Management from the American International College in Massachusetts (1978). He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Southwest Florida Planned Giving Council and the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce. He is active in Leadership Sarasota County and its extension program, Youth Leadership of Sarasota County.
Vaughn Yeager Vaughn L. Yeager is Senior Vice President, Director of Trust & Fiduciary Services for Sabadell United Bank (formerly Lydian Private Bank) for the Sarasota and Tampa offices. With over 23 years of experience, Mr. Yeager is responsible for developing and managing personal and charitable trust relationships for the Sarasota and Tampa Bay regions. Prior to joining Sabadell, Mr. Yeager served as President of Citicorp Trust, N.A. in Palm Beach, where he managed a team of trust service professionals serving both personal and charitable clients. Mr. Yeager has also served as an adjunct professor for the Birmingham School of Law, where he taught classes on trusts, wills and estates. Mr. Yeager received his B.S. Degree from Samford University and a J.D. degree, with honors, from Birmingham School of Law. Mr. Yeager has conducted seminars and classes on the subjects of trusts, wills and estate planning. He is also a graduate of the Southern Trust School. Mr. Yeager has remained active in his communities, serving on numerous boards and actively volunteering for local non-profit organizations, such as the YMCA READS! program at Emma E. Booker Elementary School, as well as at the Crowley Museum and Nature Center.
Suellen Field, CFRE - Board Emeritus Suellen Field is the Senior Director of Development at The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. Involved in fundraising since 1986, she received her certification in 1991. She has been active in volunteer organizations such as Junior League of Sarasota and Zonta, and was the first female president of the Rotary Club of Sarasota. Florida State University selected her as fundraiser of the year in 2003 and she was nominated by the Southwest Florida Council of AFP (Association of Fundraising Professionals) as national fundraiser of the year, the first time this organization presented a nomination. She has been at Ringling Museum since 1997 and feels fortunate to be able to call Sarasota home. She is a really sweet lady with a wonderful smile. A true southern lady!
Jim Harman - Board Emeritus Jim Harman is the recently-retired executive vice president of New College Foundation of Sarasota, Florida. He had held that position since 1995, serving briefly as interim president in 2003. Jim has been involved with the non-profit world most of his working life. He served as the chief development officer for five organizations, including Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the National Trust for Historical Preservation, and the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. In addition, he has served as a management consultant to about 40 associations, educational institutions, and other non-profit organizations. Jim is a former adjunct instructor in Fund Raising Management at George Washington University and former lecturer on fund raising for the American Society of Association Executives Foundation and other professional organizations. He has been a board member of several local organizations, including the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Southwest Florida Planned Giving Council and Art Center Sarasota. Jim is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and pursued graduate work there and at the Hague Academy of International Law in Holland. He served with the Army Corps of Engineers as a staff sergeant during the Korean War. Jim is the father of two sons and two daughters. His wife, Carollee, died in 2005.