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Ms. Diana Dias Ms. Dias has an extensive background and expertise in fundraising, community and media relations. Her ability to communicate in four languages fluently (English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish) has placed her among an elite group of future leaders. Currently, she is an active member of the Florida Association of Community Colleges and the Association for Fundraising Professionals among other local organizations. Ms. Dias is well-known and highly respected among her peers in the higher education community due to her passion for quality higher education. Ms. Dias received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English Professional and Technical Writing with a minor in Political Science from the University of South Florida. She is also pursuing a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship at Nova Southeastern University.
Mr. Gershom Faulkner Mr. Gershom Faulkner has served in various political leadership roles such as Deputy Political Director for a United States Senatorial campaign, Deputy Campaign Manager for a successful Congressional campaign as well as State-wide Outreach Director in a State of Florida gubernatorial race. Mr. Faulkner has also served in Tallahassee as Legislative Aide to current Juvenile Justice Secretary, Frank Peterman, Jr. and Outreach Director to Congresswoman Kathy Castor, serving Congressional District 11. Mr. Faulkner remains active in the community by serving on such boards and committees as the following: Pinellas County Urban League’s Crime Prevention Task Force; Leadership St. Petersburg Alumni Association; 5000 Role Models of Pinellas County and Vice Chair of the City of St. Petersburg’s Nuisance Abatement Board. The St. Petersburg Times endorsed Gershom Faulkner in the 2007 general election for St. Petersburg City Council, District 7, calling Mr. Faulkner a strong community leader. The Time wrote, “…Faulkner has shown the ability to connect individuals with their government.”
Mr. Glenton Gilzean, Jr. Mr. Glenton “Glen” Gilzean, Jr. previously served as Regional Field Director for the Florida Department of Education. Mr. Gilzean acted as the liaison between Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota, Hardree, DeSoto, Charlotte, Lee, Collier, Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe counties; which includes College Presidents, Superintendents, school board members, board of trustees, parent groups, local chamber of commerce’s, various community organizations and The Office of the Education Commissioner. He has an extensive background and expertise in education policy, economic development, legislative and political affairs. Mr. Gilzean served as Chairman for Hillsborough County Head Start/Early Head Start Policy Council. In that capacity, he was able to combine Florida’s Volunteer Pre-Kindergarten with each Head Start site in Hillsborough County. First of its kind, this connection of both Federal and State programs resulted in positive educational outcomes and improvements. Mr. Gilzean also served on additional boards, including the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship Florida Chapter, the Florida Attorney General’s Gang Reduction Task Force, and the Child Abuse Council of Hillsborough County, to name just a few. Earlier in his career, serving on the legislative staff for U.S. Senator Mel Martinez, Mr. Gilzean assisted in providing services to constituents within the Tampa Bay region. He served as district staff for Florida State Representative Ed Homan and worked specifically on health care regulation and higher education policy issues. Mr. Gilzean received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Sciences from the University of South Florida. He also has a Master’s Degree in Business Entrepreneurship from the University of South Florida’s Center of Entrepreneurship. |
