Board of Directors

Barney Bishop

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.

Gwynn C. Virostek

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.

Timothy E. Gage, Esq.

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.

 

David Griffin, Esq.

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.

Alan Levine

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.

Liza McFadden

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.

Bill Simon

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.

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.

Trustee Board Members

Romero Britto

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.

Jill Conner Browne

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.”

Brad Meltzer

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.

Art Smith

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.