Governor Ron DeSantis announced on Friday the appointment of twelve individuals to the Florida Rehabilitation Council, a body dedicated to partnering with the Florida Department of Education’s Division of Vocational Rehabilitation to enhance employment opportunities and independence for Floridians with disabilities.
The appointees bring a range of experience from the non-profit sector, education, state government, and private industry.
The new members are Derek Arnold, Margaret “Peggy” Aune, Bonnie Barlow, Diane Cholcher, Farides Garcia, Richard Ippolito, Chris Leto, Paul Micklow, Nicole Reed, Kelly Rogers, Meredith Stanfield, and Alisa Stock.
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The Florida Rehabilitation Council plays a crucial role in reviewing, analyzing, and advising the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation on the performance of its responsibilities, including the effectiveness of services and the achievement of employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
The council also collaborates with the division to develop statewide goals and priorities and evaluate the effectiveness of the vocational rehabilitation program.
Derek Arnold: Director of Workforce Programs for Goodwill Industries-Suncoast, Inc., recognized for his work in employment programs. He holds a bachelor’s degree in human services from Springfield College.
Margaret “Peggy” Aune, EdD: Vice Chancellor for Strategic Improvement for the Florida Department of Education, with previous leadership roles in education in Collier County and Champions For Learning. She earned her degrees from Florida Gulf Coast University and the University of Florida.
Bonnie Barlow: President and CEO of Bridgeway Center, Inc., active in community organizations including the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce and the Okaloosa County Affordable Housing Advisory Committee. She attended Northwest Florida State College and was inducted into the Okaloosa County Commission on the Status of Women Hall of Fame in 2023.
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Diane Cholcher: Consultant for the Florida Department of Education’s Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, with prior experience as a Vocational Family Advocate for Children First, Inc., and a Certified Employment Support Professional for Compass Family. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Florida.
Farides Garcia: President and CEO of Parent To Parent of Miami, a recipient of the 2023 Unsung Hero Award from the University of Miami/Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities. She is also a member of the Miami Dade College School of Education Advisory Committee and earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Miami.
Richard Ippolito: Founder and President of Ippolito Foods, involved in community volunteering with Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity at Florida State University and Good Shepard Catholic Church. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business and managerial economics from Florida State University.
Chris Leto: Vice President of Sales and Business Development for Tampa Brass and Aluminum, bringing over 40 years of experience in the industry. He earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of South Florida.
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Paul Micklow: Founder and CEO of Amerikey Locksmith, serving as Chair of the Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce and a member of the CareerSource Pasco Hernando Board of Directors. He holds an associate degree in physical therapy from St. Petersburg College.
Nicole Reed: Executive Director of the Disability Achievement Center, with previous roles as Director of Program Services for the center and Director of Operations for the Disability Relations Group. She earned an associate degree in electronic and computer engineering technology from Tama Technical Institute.
Kelly Rogers: Director of Vocational Rehabilitation for the Florida Department of Education, having previously served in leadership roles at the Florida Department of Health. She is a member of the CareerSource Florida Board of Directors and The Able Trust. She attended Tallahassee State College.
Meredith Stanfield: Legislative Program Director for Florida Professional Firefighters and Paramedics, currently appointed to the CareerSource Florida Board of Directors and formerly served as Director of Legislative and Cabinet Affairs for the Florida Department of Financial Services. She earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Georgia.
Alisa Stock: An Exceptional Student Education Teacher at Sunlake High School with over 25 years of experience in education and is the parent of a young adult participating in the Vocational Rehabilitation Program. She earned her degrees from Florida State University.
These appointments are expected to contribute a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Florida Rehabilitation Council as it continues its mission to support and improve vocational rehabilitation services across the state.
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