Contact Us

To learn more about our Foundation and programs, please feel free to contact our staff by email:  info@volunteerusafund.org or by calling 850.562.5300.

 

 

Doro Bush Koch

Doro Bush Koch serves as co-chair of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy and is the founder of the Foundation’s Maryland Initiative.  Doro and her sister-in-law Tricia Reilly own and operate BB&R Consulting, a company dedicated to helping people reach optimal health by teaching them how to nourish their bodies, minds and souls. She is the author of the bookMy Father, My President: A Personal Account of the Life of George H.W. Bush, an intimate portrait of the life of her father, the 41st President of the U.S.

Michael Thompson

Public Policy Director and Special Projects

Michael is responsible for public policy and also coordinates special projects in support of strategic initiatives. He serves as primary contact for state and national public policy issues and assists in coordinating events, daily operations, communication initiatives and other strategic outreach projects. Michael has eight years experience as an education consultant and has been with Volunteer USA since 2005.

Samantha Taylor

Administrative Assistant/Shipping Coordinator

Samantha is the administrative assistant to the Director of Training and Programs and Teen Trendsetters Regional Managers. Additionally, as the Shipping Coordinator she is responsible for ensuring that the materials, curricula, and books end up in the hands of the families, teachers and mentors supported by Volunteer USA. She has a true passion for fine art and her love of design is an asset to our organization

Christine Small

eco-VolunteerUSA Program Director

“Whatever the task, all of my practices are influenced by my love for the environment and our natural resources.” Christine has 20+ years experience working to benefit people and our natural environment. For the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; she managed the creation and use of the state’s Wildlife Action Plan. For a national non-profit conservation organization, for many years she led the Florida Habitat for Bears Campaign to raise awareness and mobilize citizen actions to conserve the threatened Florida black bear. She is also a Master Gardener, and President of Pleasant Hill Farm, Inc., a Missouri property in her family’s stewardship for over a Century.

Marilyn Seay

Executive Assistant

Marilyn has been involved in education for over 20 years. Starting out in Martin County in the Superintendent’s office and eventually retiring from the Department of Education in Tallahassee as a program specialist. She is responsible for Updating and maintaining files and correspondence and provides support for special projects.

Gerri Palmer

Regional Manager

Gerri Palmer formerly taught high school history and loves managing the many data bases for VUSA at the Ocala office. As part of our incredible Teen Trendsetters team, she is always excited to work with the mentoring programs at participating schools and to expand this youth movement. Gerri supports many volunteer causes in her community.

Bob MCrae

Controller

Bob serves as the Foundation’s controller. He is a certified public accountant with over 30 years experience. Bob has served and Chief Financial Officer and Chief Technical Officer for both for profit and not for profit organizations.

Teecy Matthews

Director of Training

Teecy is our Director of Training and Programs at Volunteer USA Foundation. She has her hand in all facets of our programs from conception and design to implementation and realization. Teecy oversees our program staff and is known for her expertise in training, mentoring, leadership, volunteerism and education. She has co-written curricula and guides for mentoring, parent education and classroom enhancement that are being used nationwide. Originally a classroom teacher, Teecy left with the dream of impacting more children, classrooms and communities… and she is doing just that!

Jewell Hosaflook

Data Entry Clerk and Shipping Support

Jewell is the champion of data collection. She researches, compiles and provides facts and figures to the Director of Training and Programs for programs served by Volunteer USA Foundation. Jewell is the first mate of shipping fulfillment and stays on top of our inventory of materials, curricula and books. Jewell’s passion is seeing young children achieve educational goals and loves the opportunity to be a part of the excitement that is Volunteer USA Foundation.

Elizabeth E. Hirst

Senior Vice President

Liz is our senior vice-president at Volunteer USA Foundation. She’s the communications guru who oversees our public relations, media relations and marketing efforts. From facebook posts and tweets to press conferences and advertising, it’s her job to get the word out about the Foundation’s vision and successes. Liz began her career as a television reporter and anchor, and later served as press secretary to former Florida Governor Jeb Bush.

Tracey Gallagher

Regional Manager

Tracey is a Regional Manager at Volunteer USA. She’s worked with the Teen Trendsetters program for several years. Whether providing support for program advisors, ensuring the highest quality within our programs, or training teens she is committed to young people and education. Tracey worked in the marketing and customer service industry prior to join our team…all while mentoring in an elementary school. When she decided it was time to reinvent her career, she decided to get involved with education on a daily basis to pursue her greatest passion.

Roxann R. Campbell

Chief Operations Director

Roxann is one of those versatile persons with the rare combination of leadership, technical and computational skills. She has developed and led a nationally recognized network of family literacy academies and has presented at state/national conferences as an expert in program operation, finance, grant writing, nonprofit accountancy and project evaluation. A valued member of the staff, she helped Liza launch the organization and she guides colleagues on a wide range of program, technical and computer tasks and challenges.

Heather Brinkworth

Regional Manager

Heather is a Regional Manager at Volunteer USA Foundation.  With several years of program experience, she is involved in all aspects of the program from technical support and training, to curriculum development and design.  From start up to completion each program year, it is her job to make certain programs are a positive experience for all participants. As a former classroom teacher, Heather’s commitment to education and creating opportunities for students to succeed, are at the heart of her work.

Roosevelt Alexander

Financial Officer

Roosevelt serves the Chief Financial Officer for Volunteer USA. He oversees the financial operations of the Foundation, including prompt payments to vendors, reimbursements to grantees, budget preparations, annual audits, as well as periodic reporting to Management and Board of Directors.

Liza McFadden

President and Founder

Liza leads the charge as president of Volunteer USA. She’s a hard-charging go-getter, with a knack for fundraising and creating programs and partnerships that make difference. Her passion is unmatched when it comes to getting people to give back by volunteering and donating to worthy causes in the communities, schools and states they call home. Prior to this leadership role, Liza was president/CEO of Volunteer Florida Foundation.

Art Smith

Celebrity Chef and Author

Art has brought back meaning and symbolism to the word “table” and has united families and friends through the sharing of a meal. A native of Jasper, Florida, Art once served as executive chef to Florida Governor Bob Graham, and later was personal chef to Oprah Winfrey. He’s a restaurant owner and best-selling cookbook author, receiving the James Beard Foundation Award for “Best Cookbook” for his first cookbook, Back to the Table: The Reunion of Food and Family. Art is also a humanitarian, using his fame and charm to get much of the food donated when he prepares meals for charitable causes, including his support of family literacy efforts.

Brad Meltzer

Best-Selling Author

Brad Meltzer is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of “The Book of Fate,” as well as the bestsellers “The Tenth Justice Dead Even,” “The First Counsel,” “The Millionaires” and “The Zero Game.” He is also one of the co-creators of the TV show, Jack & Bobby – and is the number one selling author of the critically acclaimed comic books. A true leader in literacy and supporter of our Celebration of Reading.

Jill Conner Browne

Author

Jill Conner Browne is “America’s #1 Humor Writer.” She burst onto the scene in 1999 with humorous material on the trials and tribulations of being a middle-aged woman. Next she turned her refreshingly candid advice about love, life, men and marriage into the bestseller, “The Sweet Potato Queens’ Book of Love.” Her other books include, “The Sweet Potato Queens’ Guide to Raising Children for Fun and Profit,” and “The Sweet Potato Queens’ Field Guide to Men.”

Romero Britto

International Pop Artist

Joyful themes and bold compositions are the fundamental elements that have led native Brazilian Romero Britto to become the premier Pop Artist of our time. Britto, who now lives in Miami, is also a literacy champion, creating a signature oil on canvas titled, “Celebrate Literacy,” especially for our Family Literacy Initiative. The painting was unveiled at the 2007 Celebration of Reading event hosted by former Governor Jeb Bush, along with Mrs. Columba Bush, President George H.W. Bush and Mrs. Barbara Bush.

Bill Simon

WalMart Stores U.S.

BILL SIMON is president and CEO of Walmart U.S. He is responsible for the strategic direction and operational performance of the U.S. business, including more than 3,700 stores and 1.3 million associates. From 2007 to 2010, Bill was the chief operating officer for Walmart U.S. He is credited with transforming the customer experience through faster service, a friendlier shopping environment and cleaner stores.

Liza McFadden

Volunteer USA Foundation

LIZA MCFADDEN serves as president of the Volunteer USA Foundation – a foundation aimed at strengthening families through volunteerism and community service. Prior to her current position, Ms. McFadden was president/CEO of Volunteer Florida Foundation, a foundation whose mission was to strengthen Florida’s families through volunteerism and community service.

Alan Levine

Health Management Associates

ALAN LEVINE is the senior vice president of Health Management Associates, a Naples-based operator of 60 hospitals in 15 states. Over the past 20 years, Levine has served as CEO for hospitals/ health systems throughout Florida and was appointed by former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal as a chief health policy advisor. He’s a committed philanthropist involved in youth mentoring programs like Big Brothers-Big Sister’s, Boys Scouts and Guardian ad-Litem.

David Griffin, Esq.

David Griffin Consulting

DAVID GRIFFIN  is the executive director of a Medicaid specialty health plan. He also serves as president/CEO of David Griffin Consulting, a business and political consulting firm. From 1999-2003 he served as Florida Lottery Secretary under Governor Jeb Bush, and Executive Director of the Bush/Brogan second term Transition Office. During his tenure with the Bush administration, David was also Chair of the Governor’s Mentoring Initiative and Communications Liaison to all executive agencies for the Service First Initiative.

Timothy E. Gage, Esq.

Comcast Cable

TIMOTHY E. GAGE, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF GOVERNMENT AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS

Timothy E. Gage is an attorney and Senior VP of Government and Regulatory Affairs for Comcast. Tim is primarily responsible for government and regulatory affairs, political strategy, public affairs, franchising, community investment, philanthropy, external communication and public relations. He is Chairman of the South Carolina Cable and Telecommunications Association, President of the South Carolina Cable Television Foundation, Past Chairman and current member of the Board of Directors of The Cable Television Association of Georgia, Co-Chairman of Florida Mentoring Partnership, PAC Board Member of the Tennessee and Arkansas Cable Associations, Tower Club Member, Member of the Federal Communications Bar Association and serves on the Board of Directors of Volunteer USA Foundation, Piedmont Park Conservancy and COMPAC.

Prior to joining Comcast, Tim was VP of Law and Government Affairs for AT&T Broadband, Atlanta, and also served as Director of Legal and Government Affairs for AT&T Broadband and MediaOne in the Northeast Region. In addition, while in New England he served as the Governor’s appointee to the New Hampshire Telecommunications Planning Commission. Before joining the cable industry in 1998, Tim practiced law and was Assistant District Attorney for Norfolk County, Massachusetts in the office of District Attorney and former United States Congressman William Delahunt, where he was responsible for prosecution and trial of criminal matters.

 

Gwynn C. Virostek

TD Bank Board Vice-Chair

GWYNN C. VIROSTEK, Regional Market Manager North/Central Florida, TD Bank, a highly respected financial consultant. Gwynn previously managed retail banking and branch operations for approximately half of the financial centers across the country for Washington Mutual. Her area included the groups of South Florida, Mid-Atlantic, New York Liberty, New York/New Jersey Empire, Illinois, and Texas.

Barney Bishop

Barney Bishop Consulting, Board Chair

BARNEY BISHOP of Tallahassee, is the founder of Barney Bishop Consulting, a strategic public affairs firm with deep roots and experience in the state of Florida. Barney is the former president and CEO of Associated Industries of Florida (AIF), which is known as The Voice of Florida Business. AIF was founded in 1920 and is commonly referred to by the state press as “the most powerful business association in the state.”  Previously, he founded and became president and CEO of The Windsor Group – a full service, Tallahassee-based firm  – which provided public affairs, communications and government relations services to corporate, governmental and political clients.