Novette Green, DNP, ARNP, President

Novette Green currently serves as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and Research Coordinator, for the Pediatric Neurology and Epilepsy Center in Palm Beach, Florida. She also has hospital affiliations with Palms West Hospital and St Mary’s Medical Center. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Long Island University in New York, and her Master of Science degree in Nursing/Pediatric Nurse Practitioner from the State University of New York, Stony Brook. Dr. Green has previously served as the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner for the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, of the New York Weill Cornell Center at New York Presbyterian Hospital. She has also served in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit as Staff Nurse in a number of roles, including charge nurse, patient and nurse educator, and trained cardiac arrest team member. She has also served as Pediatric Home Care Nurse, managing the care of pediatric patients with a variety of disease processes, including those who are ventilator dependent. Dr. Green is a member of numerous professional societies and organizations, including Heart Care International, the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, the Association of Child Neurology Nurses, the Epilepsy Foundation of New York City and a member of the board of directors of the Epilepsy Foundation of Florida. Dr. Green participates in the conduct of research surrounding the care of pediatric patients with epilepsy and migraines. She has also presented her research at a number of national meetings and published this work in peer-reviewed journals.

Patricia Dean, MSN/ARNP, Immediate Past President

A.G. Newmyer, III, Vice-President

A. G. Newmyer III, known as "Terry," is a management consultant and private investor. Previously, he ran a Washington-based consulting firm, Newmyer Associates, before selling it during the 1990's to a group of investors headed by Hon. Frank Carlucci, former Secretary of Defense and chairman of The Carlyle Group. He then founded U. S. Fiduciary Advisors, a network of individuals serving as trustee in a variety of complex situations. A graduate of Andover and Yale, Terry is on the board of a half dozen for-profit and charitable organizations including the national board of the Epilepsy Foundation. He lives in the Palm Beach area.

Tarina Garcia-Concheso, Treasurer

Ms. Tarina Garcia-Concheso is passionate about improving health systems, making them more equitable, accessible and affordable. Ms. García-Concheso is a health economist. She has fifteen years experience in social sector policy development and program implementation, including experiences in health project planning, designing, monitoring and evaluation as an international consultant. Recently she was Public Relations and Communications Vice President at Fleishman-Hillard, part of OMNICOM Group, focusing on public health policy, pharmaceutical regulatory policy and pricing issues, and health policy influencing in over 30 countries worldwide. She has done volunteer work raising funds, advocacy and/or providing strategic advice for several organizations through the years, including the HIV/AIDS Clinic at Hospital Mexico (San Jose, Costa Rica), Women’s Health Clinics (Havana, Cuba), National Center for Therapeutic Riding (Washington, DC), The Terrence Higgins Trust (London), among others. She is mother to two children, Natalia, age 10, and Nicolas, age 8. As a parent of a child with special needs who has epilepsy, she has made learning and reading extensively about epilepsy and how it affects all aspects of life a priority.

Jonathan Anderson, Secretary

Jonathan Anderson is Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida’s vice president of local markets. In this role, Anderson is accountable for integrating BCBSFL’s mission based objectives while also leading, developing and executing the Florida local presence strategies and consistently grow the local sales segment and corporate sales divisions. Prior to joining BCBSF in 2002, Anderson was vice president of sales for Humana. Throughout his career, Anderson has been an active Board Member within the local and National community serving on various committees within organizations including the Ronald McDonald House, American Heart Association, Goodwill, American Lung Association, Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, Health Underwriters Associations, Jax Care, United Way and the Super Bowl Golf Host Committee. Anderson is an active member of the America’s Health Insurance Plan. Anderson holds a Bachelor of Science in Management from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a Master of Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University.

Sadiki Alexander, Esq.

Sadiki M. Alexander is the owner of The Litigation Group, P.A., in Miramar in which she serves as legal council to a diverse group of clients in civil litigation primarily in the areas of personal injury, bankruptcy and family law. She received her Juris Doctorate from University of Florida Frederick G. Levin College of Law. Sadiki received her BA in International Relations from Florida International University. She is also a recognized speaker with appearances on Good Morning America and My Life My Rights seminars, to name a few, and serves as a pro bono attorney for the U.S. Committee for Refugees & Immigrants.

Matthew Baxter

In 2006, at the prime age of 32, Officer Matt Baxter was enjoying a successful career as an 11-year veteran police officer, working for the Palm Beach School District Police, when he suffered his first seizure and was subsequently diagnosed with epilepsy. He has been seizure-free ever since and is able to serve his community without limitations. In early 2007, he began attending the support group meetings at the Palm Beach office and met others living with epilepsy. Hearing what they have been through - the fear, the embarrassment, the depression - all fortified his commitment to shatter the stigma people with epilepsy face. Hence, Officer Baxter has been very active giving presentations to students, in uniform, using materials provided by EFOF. He has represented EFOF as a volunteer at Boggy Creek camp, safety fairs, and he has met with legislators at the Florida State Capitol to discuss the importance of funding health services for people with epilepsy.

Paul R. Carney, M.D.

Dr. Paul Carney is a Pediatric and Adult Epileptogist Clinician, Director of the Comprehensive Epilepsy Program at the University of Florida (Gainesville, FL), Chief, Pediatric Neurology at University of Florida, Director, Center of Excellence for Epilepsy Research, at the University of Florida, and active with the Children’s Miracle Network. He holds the Wilder Chair for Research in Epilepsy focusing on the development of novel and diagnostic methods and more effective treatments for children and adults with epilepsy. He has authored more than 300 articles, abstracts, books and book chapters, and received 10 years of continuous funding support from the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation and Department of Defense for basic neuroscience and neuroengineering research in epilepsy.

Stephanie Davis

Stephanie Davis is an inspirational speaker, author, and Certified Professional Life Coach. Stephanie’s popular book Refusing To Lose, is a gripping, true story of moving from desperation to strength and learning how to never surrender to life’s challenging times. Stephanie has empowered and motivated her youngest daughter to find happiness and success while battling catastrophic Epilepsy and partial paralysis, following a right-sided hemispherectomy. Combining the family’s experience with her coaching skills, Stephanie speaks on and writes about the importance of humor, hope, and leadership through life’s challenging events. Additionally, Stephanie has a broad marketing background with a significant emphasis in sales copywriting and publication development. Stephanie has coordinated marketing efforts and revenue enhancement for a multitude of national chain operations. Stephanie earned a marketing degree from the University of Toledo and is a Certified Coach through the Institute of Professional Excellence in Coaching. An energetic volunteer in her community, Stephanie is an avid supporter of the Island schools and is an active Rotarian.

Warren Friedman, Esq.

Warren Friedman is a Litigation Associate with Peckar & Abramson, P.C. in Miami where he specializes in construction and real estate litigation. He received his Juris Doctorate from Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad Law Center, and consistently made the Dean’s List. Warren received his BA in International Relations from Emory University in Atlanta. He is also a licensed Florida real estate broker, receiving a Graduate Certificate in Real Estate with Honors from CUNY-Baruch College in New York.

Karem Hadjez, Esq

Karem Hadjez is a Partner at the Hadjez Law Firm/Law Center of South Florida, P.A., in Miami. She previously worked with Marilyn Colon, P.A., as an Associate in Family Law Practice, and with Lataif & Associates, P.A., as an Associate in Federal Immigration Practice. Karem also served as an Administrative Judge for the Agency for Workforce Innovation with the State of Florida. She received her Masters of Science in Criminal Justice from Florida International University, and her Juris Doctorate from St. Thomas University School of Law. Karem is a member of the Florida Bar and American Immigration Lawyers Association. She also sits on the Board of Directors in the South Miami/Kendall Bar Association.

Michael C. Hall

Michael C. Hall has been a Financial Adviser for 10 years. He is a dedicated father and husband and an active member of his community. Michael completed his Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance at the University of Alabama. He has sung in many distinguished performance halls including Carnegie Hall. Later, the Financial Adviser role, and the stock markets themselves, appealed strongly to Michael’s keen analytical skills and academic sense. He became a student of the markets and soon was hired by Morgan Stanley in the Birmingham, AL office in the spring of 2002, and the last 10 years has allowed him to serve in many roles of the investment industry. He has in depth knowledge regarding complex option strategies, equity markets, comprehensive financial planning, and risk management. Michael currently has a practice providing financial advice in the Pensacola area, focusing on money management and risk mitigation through portfolio design and insurance contracts.

Jillian Hasner

Jillian Hasner has made her mark in business, politics, advocacy, and government. Politically, Jillian has worked at every major campaign level including campaigns for President, Governor, U.S. Senate, and U.S. Congress. She also focused on electing California’s first female Governor by serving as Campaign Manager for former eBay CEO Meg Whitman. Jillian also personally led the development of the nation’s largest active political women’s coalition with over 100,000 members. She helped Secretary of State Colin Powell launch the U.S. Global Development Alliance, a landmark, award-winning, public-private initiative. Jillian subsequently served under former Florida U.S. Senator and former Republican National Committee Chairman Mel Martinez during his time as U.S. Secretary of Housing & Urban Development. Jillian’s long list of community and charitable work includes Guardian Ad-Litem, The Debbie Rand Memorial Service League at Boca Raton Community Hospital, The Junior League of Boca Raton, Kids-In-Distress, and numerous others. Jillian also founded and launched the National Women’s Committee of the RJC where she served as Executive Director. She is also honored to have been appointed by Florida’s U.S. Senators to serve two consecutive terms on Florida’s Federal Judicial Nominating Commission. Jillian is a graduate of New York’s Nyack College and is married to Adam Hasner, former Florida House Majority Leader and candidate for US House (CD-22).

Charles Jones

Charles Jones is a Board Member serving a 3 year term. He has 24 years of Information Technology (IT) experience, having worked for Bank of America, 5 years as an Area Manager for IT services at SunTrust Banks, Inc., 4 years as a Systems Manager for Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, and 4 years as a Communications Analyst for MANDEX, Inc., installing and supporting networks for the Navy. Among other pursuits, he is an accomplished IT consultant. Previously, he was a Contracting Technical Representative for CTI Resource Management Services in Jacksonville, FL supporting Commander, Naval Installations Command sites nationwide. Prior to that he was an activate Coast Guard Reserve Officer, serving 2-1/2 years in support of the Homeland Security mission. He retired after 27 years of service. Charles holds a M.B.A. degree from Webster University and a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Talladega College. He is also a graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Officer Candidate School. His involvement with the Epilepsy Foundation began in 1984, when he was asked by a friend with epilepsy to get involved in the Jacksonville Chapter.

Ian Lloyd, Esq.

Ian Lloyd is a Partner at Hoskins, Turco, Lloyd & Lloyd, P.C. in Ft. Pierce. The firm specializes in Social Security Disability and Veteran’s Disability. He received his Juris Doctorate from Stetson University College of Law in St. Petersburg. Ian received his BA in Psychology from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Commissioner Joe A. Martinez

Miami-Dade County Commissioner Joe A. Martinez was first elected to in October 2000 and was re-elected by a wide margin for his third term in August 2008. In 2010, the Board of County Commissioners selected Martinez to serve as Chairman for a two-year term. As Chairman, Martinez will preside over County Commission meetings. He has served as the Chair and Vice Chair of the Budget, Planning, and Sustainability Committee. He was appointed as the Chair of the Public Safety Committee and has served as a member of other committees, including Government Operations, Housing and Community Development, Airport and Tourism and Recreation, Cultural Affairs, and the Unincorporated Municipal Services Area Committee. Commissioner Martinez' previous 17-year career with the Miami-Dade Police Department was exemplary. He received more than 70 awards and commendations. The Department also honored him with the Officer of the Year Award in 1992 and he was twice recognized as "Officer of the Year" by the Hispanic Police Officers Association. Additionally, the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners honored Martinez by proclaiming July 27, 1993, "Detective Jose Martinez Day" for bravery. A native of Miami, Commissioner Martinez holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Professional Studies in Public Administration from Barry University in Miami Shores.

Burton Miller

Burt Miller is CEO of Pelican Outdoor Inc., an outdoor advertising company that focuses on billboards for small businesses. Pelican Outdoor also assists with local events and charitable fund-raisers to assist with advertising campaigns. He is also owner and president of Ocean Reef Tile Inc., in Ft. Lauderdale since 1993. Burt additionally works part-time as a property insurance field inspector with JMI Reports. Burt is a member of the Florida Outdoor Advertising Association, and sits on the Board of Directors or Keep Indian River Beautiful in Indian River County. He lives in northern Broward County, but his works takes him from Ft. Lauderdale to Vero Beach.

Lloyd Pusey

Lloyd Pusey is a top executive with over fifteen years experience in general management, sales and marketing, and operations management. Some of Lloyd’s posts include Vice President of Palm Beach Clinical Research Network, Case Manager of MRB Acquisition/Open-aire in Fort Lauderdale, Business Accounts Executive at NRS-AT&T in Miramar. He is also current CEO of LNP Communications. Lloyd is studying at Broward College (Physician Assistant perquisites), received a Diploma in Home Health Aide, and a BS in Marketing (Summa Cum Laude) at University of Connecticut. Lloyd is also Past-chairman of the Jamaican Institute of Management.

J. Ben Refroe, M. D.

Dr. Renfroe is a native Pensacolian, who attended the University of Alabama, University of South Alabama College of Medicine, University of Minnesota, and Baylor College of Medicine. He was then honored with the E.L. "Pete" Wehner Fellowship in Epilepsy at Baylor. In 1993 he was awarded the highly competitive Victor Horsley Research Fellowship from the Epilepsy Foundation of America. He seized an opportunity to bring his skills home to northwest Florida in 1994 to begin his practice of child neurology. Since that time, the practice has grown to include four physicians and four nurse practitioners. His practice specializes in epilepsy, cerebral palsy, spasticity, and dystonia in both adults and children.

Terry Sengelmann-Padilla

Terry Sengelmann-Padilla has 16 years of experience in the Pharmaceutical/Biotech and Medical Device Industry, most recently with Cyberonics. Ms. Sengelmann-Padilla was previously a clinical business manager with Cubist pharmaceuticals, a start-up biotech company that successfully launched Cubicin, a new class of IV antibiotics to hospitals in Miami and Puerto Rico. Mrs. Sengelmann-Padilla earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Advertising with a minor in business administration from the University of Florida. She has won various awards for setting sales records including the honor of traveling to many different countries as recognition of her achievements and is the owner of Mann Corp. Terry is a hard-working, goal-oriented leader with profound experience working with a diverse realm of individuals.

Sandy Sosa-Guerrero, RN, BSN, MBA-HA, CNAA

Mrs. Sosa-Guerrero comes to EFOF with a long and distinguished career in the health care industry. She currently serves as CEO of Larkin Community Hospital in Miami. Prior running Larkin, she held numerous positions at Metropolitan Hospital of Miami, including CNO, COO, and culminating as the CEO. Ms. Sosa-Guerrero also worked with Baptist Hospital of Miami and Coral Gables Hospital. She serves on the Nursing Advisory Council of FIU and Keiser College, and has numerous publications and certifications. She was awarded the Advance for Nurses Magazine Best Manager Award and the Outstanding Alumni Award from Florida International Organization, among other awards.

Susan D. Young

Susan D Young resides in New Smyrna Beach with her husband, Charles. They have three grown children and three grandsons. Their daughter, Alison, suffered a stroke in 1995 at the age of eleven and, as a result of two surgeries on her right frontal lobe, has been diagnosed with epilepsy caused by scarring. Her seizures are manageable with medication.  Susan thanks the Epilepsy Foundation of Florida for their assistance and support. After receiving a B.S. in Psychology with a Minor in Aging Studies, Susan worked as a Health Educator with seniors in a long term care facility as well as The Center for Drug Free Living in Orlando. Presently she writes a weekly column in The Observer, New Smyrna Beach, and occasionally fills in as a News Clerk and Copy Editor for The Hometown News in South Daytona. Susan is passionate about volunteering with the Epilepsy Foundation of Florida and is committed to returning the support they have offered her family over the years.