Learning Gate
Community School
Nature Is Our Best Teacher
MEET THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Stanley Kroh
Stanley Kroh is the Senior Manager of Land and Stewardship Programs in the Environmental Services Department at
Tampa Electric Company. He has been in his current position for 24 years. As part of his duties, he manages the Manatee Viewing Center and the Florida Conservation and Technology Center. He is active in the local environmental community and serves as President of the Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful Board of Trustees and is on the board of the Florida Birding and Nature Festival. Professional affiliations include the National Registry of Environmental Professionals (NREP) and the International Society of Technical and Environmental Professionals (INSTEP). He is the Vice Chair of the Water Subcommittee of the Florida Electric Power Coordinating Group. He has a BS from UF and an MPH in Environmental and Occupational Health from USF. He is a Registered Environmental Manager (REM), a Certified Environmental and Safety Compliance Officer (CESCO), and a Certified Waste Management Professional (CWMP).ults and drive(s) success for our clients.
President
Christina Price
Christina Price is a Business Development Executive in the National Accounts Division of Jones Sign. She was elected to the Carrollwood Recreation District Board of Trustees, where she held the Community Development chair. She has earned a B.A.S. degree in Sustainability Management and certification in project management from the International Sign Association. She has held leadership roles in consulting, project management, permitting, and operations. Christina has a vast knowledge of commercial contracting, contract negotiations, and manufacturing. She developed and received FDOT approval for an ISO9001 quality standards program. As a native Floridian, she enjoys boating, snorkeling, and traveling with her family.
Vice President
Denelle Miller
Denelle Miller is the President and CEO of FiCare Federal Credit Union. With over 16 years of experience in the financial services industry, Denelle holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Accounting and an MBA from Saint Leo University. She serves on the Board of the League of Southeastern Credit Unions and collaborates with them to provide financial counseling and literacy to the community. Denelle is dedicated to empowering individuals without formal financial education with the tools and knowledge necessary to achieve and maintain financial freedom. A native Floridian, she enjoys spending time outdoors camping with her husband and two children.
Treasurer
Ezra Johnson
Ezra Johnson is an Associate Professor of Painting and Drawing at the University of South Florida. He earned his MFA from Hunter College in New York and his BFA from California College of the Arts in San Francisco. His artistic practice extends painting into the realms of sculpture and stop-motion animation. Ezra's work has been showcased at prestigious venues such as the Tampa Museum of Art, the Museum of Fine Arts St. Petersburg, the Nerman Museum of Art, the Hammer Museum, the Site Santa Fe Biennial, and the Institute of Contemporary Art in Philadelphia, alongside numerous national and international gallery exhibitions.
Secretary
John Zdanowicz
John Zdanowicz Jr. is the Chief Operating Officer, co-founder, and board member of ClearGage Inc, a company specializing in technology and patient financing solutions for the healthcare sector. With over 20 years of executive leadership experience in technology and financial services, John previously served as Executive Vice President of Operations at Motivano Inc and held multiple roles at WildCard Systems. He earned a BS in Finance and an MBA in Decision Information Systems from the University of Florida. John enjoys organic gardening, obstacle course running, and volunteering for marine mammal rescue with his wife Sarah and their two children.
Member
Michelle Earley
Michelle Earley is President of MLE Designs Inc and a licensed Interior Designer in the State of Florida. She graduated from Florida State University, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Interior Design. She is NCIDQ Certified and due to her commitment to sustainable design, she became a LEED AP. Her expertise is in healthcare design and she is EDAC Certified, but she has experience in additional commercial disciplines. She brings knowledge in contract negotiations, space planning, the specification of materials, furniture, and equipment, budgeting, construction documents, and construction administration. She is a native Floridian and comes from a lineage of educators and was previously an adjunct college instructor with a deep concern for the well-being of all students.
Member
Steven McCarty
Steven McCarty is an HR executive with nearly three decades of experience. He currently leads Human Resources for Apex Service Partners, a Tampa-based group specializing in HVAC, plumbing, and electrical services. Previously, Steven held various regional and global roles in Talent and Human Resources and owned his consultancy. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Monmouth University and an MBA from the University of Florida. Steven actively supports various non-profits and enjoys outdoor activities with his family.
Member
Trina Halfhide
Dr Trina Halfhide has 18 years of combined experience in research, water quality treatment and permitting. She earned her MS and PhD from the University of South Florida. In her previous international academic role, she developed environmental science curriculum, and mentored research teams. She is currently a principal scientist in the water industry. She provides tangible and tailored solutions to water quality and land-use challenges. She enjoys finding opportunities in creating value-added products from wastewater and solid waste. In her free time, she enjoys going to the beach and gardening.
Member
Board of Director’s Meetings
Attendees that wish to provide public input should follow the process below:
To sign up to speak during the public input segment of the Board of Director’s Meeting you must sign up online 4 hours prior to the meeting.
Addressing Concerns at a Board Meeting
Please take some time to read our rules before making comments at a board meeting. Our board meetings are open to the public. You can submit via email, or state your concerns in person or over zoom.
In-Person or Zoom
You may participate in public comment either virtually and or in person when meetings are in person or through submitting your online comments, but must choose one.
To sign up to speak during the public input segment of the Board of Director’s Meeting you must sign up online 2 hours prior to the meeting.
When called upon, if remote the attendee will be unmuted and should state their first and last name for appropriate record keeping in the meeting minutes.
All attendees will be muted until they are called on by the board president. In person and remote speakers will be granted three minutes to address the board.
When 10 or more speakers wish to speak during public comment, the board may reduce the time per speaker.
The Board reserves the right to modify the speaking time based on the circumstances of any individual Board meeting.
The Board respects the public’s right to speak to the board, but we cannot tolerate behavior intended to interrupt the orderly conduct of this meeting.
Our civility policy is in effect.
By Email
If you would like to submit public input to the board to be read at a future meeting, please email the board [email protected].
You may participate in public comment either virtually and or in person when meetings are in person or through submitting your online comments, but must choose one.
Submissions must be 1000 words or less, so they may be read with in the time limits of public comment.
Submissions that are deemed inappropriate will not be read in a public forum.
The Civility Policy does apply.
Emails must be received 2 hours before the start of a meeting.
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