BROWARD COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Vice Chair of the Executive Committee
- Vice Chair, Advocacy & Awareness Committee
Alan Methelis, Advoacy Committee. Alan Methelis, presently retired, was a General Magistrate for 20-years in Broward County hearing mostly guardianship incapacity, substance abuse, and Baker Act cases. During this time he lectured on numerous occasions to attorneys and judges. His expertise in the Baker Act has been recognized statewide. He has served on several boards dealing with mental health issues and for several years was the chairperson of the Mental Health Board in Broward County. He has in the past served on the committee appointed by the Broward County Commission that determined funding from the County to not for profit organizations. Mr. Methelis was also an adjunct professor at the Nova Law School. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Massachusetts, his graduate degree from Harvard University and his law degree from Suffolk University. He has been a resident of Broward County Florida since 1973 and now spends part of the year in Skaneateles, NY.
Job Titles:
- Broward Housing Solutions in 2022 As the Chief Program Officer
Amanda MacCormack joined Broward Housing Solutions in 2022 as the Chief Program Officer. Prior to joining BHS, Amanda spent over 10 years working closely with victims of domestic violence in different capacities. Amanda has always had a passion to help individuals who are the most vulnerable and at-risk. She has spent her career advocating for system changes for victims of violence and identifying resources and housing options to provide safety and stability to this vulnerable population. Amanda received a Master of Science degree in Mental Health Counseling from Nova Southeastern University in 2009. Over her tenure, Amanda obtained her licensure in 2012 and became a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor and Licensed Mental Health Counselor Qualified Supervisor shortly after. Amanda has served on the Board of Broward County Domestic Violence Council and she has also been a member of the Child Abuse Death Review Team and the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team.
Amanda brings a wealth of knowledge and experience working in the social services industry to Broward Housing Solutions. In her years working with Domestic Violence Survivors, Amanda served in a variety of roles including: Domestic Violence Child Welfare Advocate, Child and Family Therapist, and was a member of the Executive Leadership Team. Amanda brings expertise in program management, leadership/staff development, community collaboration, budgeting, data analysis, and grant management.
Angelina M. Gonzalez is an attorney at Dickinson Wright PLLC in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida with more than ten years of legal experience. Mrs. Gonzalez's practice areas include commercial litigation, administrative law, and healthcare. Ms. Gonzalez's strong commitment to her community is what led her to get involved with Broward Housing Solution. Providing shelter and safety to the homeless population, with dignity and respect, is something Ms. Gonzalez feels passionately about; she believes that BHS works hard every day to meet this need in our community.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- ADVOCACY & AWARENESS & FINANCE & AUDIT COMMITTEES
- AVP Branch Manager of Iberiabank
Cecilia T Stagg, AVP Branch Manager of Iberiabank in Plantation, Florida. For the past 20+ years of banking experience, Cecilia successfully established long-term relationships and trust with clients, co-workers and management teams. Fiercely passionate about her city and giving back to those in need, Cecilia joined Broward Housing Solutions' board of directors and continues her civic engagement in helping those in need. Active in her community and professional organizations, Cecilia has partnered with the Plantation Chamber of Commerce.
With 20+ years of South Florida real estate experience, Chris has worked with large national REITs, Pension Funds, and Private Developers on a wide range of properties including retail, industrial, office, and residential. In addition to his real estate experience, Chris devotes his time to the Northwest Fort Lauderdale Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board of Directors, and to lecturing and mentoring within the Terry Stiles Master of Real Estate Program at Nova Southeastern University.
Having spent many years involved with the residents of Northwest Fort Lauderdale, Chris was able to witness the need for an organization like BHS to be at the core of the community to provide invaluable services to its residents that they simply cannot find elsewhere. Chris is excited to contribute to that effort through the BHS Board of Directors and to be able to contribute his time and experience to such a remarkable organization.
Job Titles:
- Broward Housing Solutions As an Administrative Analyst
Erika Bateman joined Broward Housing Solutions as an Administrative Analyst in March 2022. In a short time, Erika showed a passion for BHS and its mission statement and due to her good performance, she was promoted to Case Manager in September 2022. Erika has a bachelor's degree from Florida International University in Communications. She has spent several years in public health and brings her positivity to the Broward Housing Solutions team.
Job Titles:
- Banker and Senior Vice President for Valley Bank
Jordan Simler is a career banker and Senior Vice President for Valley Bank with 15 years working with organizations and individuals to provide commercial and personal banking needs. Jordan leads the Broward and Dade County commercial lending groups, composed of experienced lenders that have made more than $1 billion in loans to South Florida businesses and community members. "Joining BHS was a natural fit as I've long maintained that mental health does not receive the same level of support as physical wellbeing. BHS provides a crucial role in our community to assist individuals with mental health support and housing. I am honored to help provide support".
Broward Housing Solutions welcomed Lisa Vecchi as President and CEO in early 2008 where she has been addressing the root cause of homelessness with Affordable Housing.
Indefatigably passionate about eradicating Broward County's serious social issues surrounding homelessness, Vecchi's 27-years of business experience serving as a healthcare executive enabled her to work closely with low-income, homeless, and disabled clients with behavioral health disorders.
Since 2009, Vecchi has been serving as Board Member and former Vice Chair of the Broward Housing Council where she continues her efforts in abolishing homelessness by providing affordable housing; also in 2009, Vecchi was appointed by State of Florida Department of Children and Families' Secretary, George Sheldon, to serve as a member of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Advisory Council. Vecchi is a member of the Florida Supportive Housing Coalition and in 2010, she was honored by the National Alliance on Mental Illness's TIMES Awards (Targeting Individuals for Meritorious and Exemplary Service).
A graduate of Leadership Broward Class Thirty (XXX) and Senior Executive Orientation (SEO) Vecchi also participated in Women Leading Broward's "Up Close & Personal with Leading Women" and was nominated for South Florida Business Journal's 2014 Influential Businesswomen Awards.
An Advisory Council member for Gulf Coast Jewish Family & Community Services, and a member of the Broward County Mental Health Task Force - Criminal Justice, Vecchi also served as Board Secretary for Broward Alliance for Neighborhood Development (BAND). In 2012, Vecchi became an Advisory Council member of the Supportive Housing for Mission United (United Way of Broward County). A member since 2008, Vecchi served on the Mental Health Coalition of Broward County, a member of the Broward Housing & Community Development Task Force, Broward Woman's Alliance (BWA) and The Florida Alliance of Community Development Corporations (FLACDC).
Awarded an Executive Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Florida International University, Vecchi also studied Global Business Innovation-International MBA at The University of Stellenbosch in South Africa and graduated with her Bachelor of Science (BA) in Marketing Communications from the State University of New York's F.I.T. Vecchi also studied Public Relations and Communications at The Middlesex Polytechnic College in England and, Le Maison De Sorbonne in Paris, France. In May 2018, Vecchi graduated from The Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship-Florida State University's College of Business.
Vecchi is trilingual in English, Italian and Spanish. Personally, Vecchi is a mother of one, practices meditation, enjoys working out, collecting art, and traveling; she is fulfilled by her civic engagement of advocating for vulnerable populations.
Lloyd Plummer has worked in the banking sector for over 17 years in the SE Florida Market. He currently serves as Assistant Vice President and the CRA officer for IBERIABANK a division of FIRST Horizon in the Palm Beach market. As a CRA officer Lloyd uses his passion to encourage his fellow bankers to get involved and give back to the community they serve. After learning about the mission of Broward housing solution, he found a place where his talent and passion can be utilized to help others.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Nurse
Maria Felisa De Kler, Advocacy Committee. Originally from Paraguay and US citizen since 1970, Maria "Felisa" De Kler is an associate nurse graduate from Medical Center of Delaware and a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) since 1977. "I Love my job and volunteering" states Felisa. Currently she serves as a Director, President of Fundacion Panambi Inc., helping within the medical area in Paraguay. Additionally, Felisa has been volunteering in the community as one of the Director of Women's Journey Inc. since 2009. She joined the Lions Club International (LCI) in 2012, serving as Director, President and Treasurer at Lions Club of Delray Beach. Felisa's passion serving the community is contagious and she says that she's exited to have the opportunity to serve as a Board member of Broward Housing Solutions®.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
Nataki Cooper joined Broward Housing Solutions in August 2022. Nataki has over 6 years of experience in the affordable housing industry, specifically Section 8. She aims to aid in the success of each resident by adding a clinical perspective to our safe and affordable housing model of service. She describes herself as determined, reliable and responsive and she is passionate about helping others.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Board
- Chairman of the Executive Committee
Pam Kane, Governance & Legal Committee, Advocacy Committee. Pamela M. Kane practices in the areas of local, state and federal administrative and regulatory law. Her practice areas include health care, land use and property rights and regulation, procurement and environmental law. Ms. Kane grew up in South Florida and graduated from the University of Florida in 1981 and Nova Southeastern School of Law in 1985. Pam's extensive experience in local government makes her a perfect fit as BROWARD HOUSING SOLUTIONS®' board member and as a Legal and Governance Committee Member, Advocacy Committee. Her unyielding passion for our community's low-income and mentally ill continues to make a significant difference for Broward Housing Solutions®' residents.
Job Titles:
- Finance
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Audit Director
- FINANCE & AUDIT & STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEES
Steven Holtz, Finance & Audit Committee; Advocacy Committee. Steven Holtz is an Audit Director with over 25 years of experience providing audit and accounting service, including financial statement audits of publicly-traded and closely held companies, mergers and acquisitions, registration of stock and public offerings and internal control assessment. Steven's specialties are in Audit and Financial Reporting, Health Care, Manufacturing and Distribution and Financial Service. Joining Broward Housing Solutions®' board and making a difference in the lives of our community's most in need. Steven said: "It is now time for me to give back".
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Executive Committee, Treasurer, Finance
- Treasurer / Finance & Audit Committee
Thomas Bluth, Executive Committee, Treasurer, Finance and Audit Committee, Governance and Legal Committee. Tom, an attorney and accountant with extensive experience in legal, tax, accounting, construction and investment disciplines, currently holds the position of president for SFO Management, LLC, in Fort Lauderdale. He previously held positions as CFO and General for Counsel Reliance Housing Foundation, Inc., and EVP, CFO and General Counsel for Ellis Diversified, Inc., both in Fort Lauderdale. He is a member of the Florida Bar Association and American Bar Association and is a board member for the United States Bowling Congress. Bluth, a Davie resident, received his Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and his Juris Doctor (J.D.) and Legum Magistri (LL.M.-Taxation) from Washington University in St. Louis.
Willie Boynton is a Case Manager on team Broward Housing Solutions®. Willie is driven by a deep commitment to serve others and has over 20 years' experience working in the field of human services. Starting as a Child Protective Investigator with the Department of Children & Families, Willie later moved into Forensic Case Management working closely with individuals living with mental illness and involved in the judicial system.
Throughout his professional career Willie has gained valuable experience and recognition working collaboratively with community providers and clients. Wille worked with clients in the forensic state hospitals, throughout the state of Florida and provided care coordination with patients in the jails and in the mental health courts.
Willie earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Florida Atlantic University and has gained certification in Targeted case management.