Foundation Staff

Executive Director
Nina Zanella comes to the Deering Estate Foundation with over 25 years in nonprofit management and a strong fund development and communications background. Nina attended the University of Rhode Island Read More
Nina ZanellaExecutive Director

Nina Zanella comes to the Deering Estate Foundation with over 25 years in nonprofit management and a strong fund development and communications background. Nina attended the University of Rhode Island and the Rhode Island School of Design. She began her journey into the nonprofit world in her home state of Rhode Island and has not looked back – continuing her personal and professional endeavor to ‘make a difference.’ Nina enjoys meeting and interacting with a variety of people on both a personal and professional level and she believes that the key to successful leadership lies in being a good listener and making, stewarding, and fostering relationships. Her successes include initiating and bringing capital campaigns and projects to completion, growing organizational endowments, and commencing successful planned giving programs. Throughout the years, Nina’s work has impacted several non-profit organizations including a private, experiential-learning school, a local SPCA, a home-visit child health organization for marginalized populations, an AIDS advocacy organization, a hospice organization, and other human services agencies.

Nina can often be found gardening, walking, reading or singing rock and roll quite loudly in her car. No matter what she does or where she is, Nina is a strong proponent of women’s rights, inclusivity and diversity, and advocating for the LGBTQ community. Nina recently relocated from the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia with her husband, her mother, and a few very special cats. She has been with the Deering Estate Foundation since August 2019 in the role of Director of Operations and Development.

Nina can be reached by phone at (305) 235-1668, Ext. 272.

Special Events Coordinator
Michelle Streit originally from Kansas has been with the Foundation for over 8 years now. She is the driving force behind the Deering Estate Foundation’s signature events including Wine on Read More
Michelle StreitSpecial Events Coordinator

Michelle Streit originally from Kansas has been with the Foundation for over 8 years now. She is the driving force behind the Deering Estate Foundation’s signature events including Wine on Harvest Moon and Deering Seafood Festival. Michelle can be reached by phone at (305) 235-1668, Ext. 253.

Membership Coordinator
Dee Diaz is originally from Michigan and is now a Floridian for life.  She has over 8 years of experience in Fundraising and Events in South Florida. She currently assists Read More
Dee DiazMembership Coordinator

Dee Diaz is originally from Michigan and is now a Floridian for life.  She has over 8 years of experience in Fundraising and Events in South Florida. She currently assists in all areas with the Deering Estate Foundation. Dee can be reached by phone at (305) 235-1668, Ext. 263.

Bookkeeper
Bob Ryan, CPA, joined the foundation in May 2017.  As part-time bookkeeper, he handles all  of  the  accounting  needs  of  the  Deering  Estate  Foundation.  Prior to joining the Foundation,  Bob Read More
Bob RyanBookkeeper

Bob Ryan, CPA, joined the foundation in May 2017.  As part-time bookkeeper, he handles all  of  the  accounting  needs  of  the  Deering  Estate  Foundation.  Prior to joining the Foundation,  Bob has served  many community organizations in different capacities, including as CFO of the Girl Scouts of Tropical Florida and  Controller of the Deering Bay Yacht and Country Club.

Board Members

Executive Board

President
Liede is a graduate from American University with a BA in international business. Originally from Pennsylvania she has made Miami her home for more than 20 years with her husband Read More
Liede DeValdivielsoPresident

Liede is a graduate from American University with a BA in international business. Originally from Pennsylvania she has made Miami her home for more than 20 years with her husband Frank and raising her three children Jonathan, Michael, and Jacqueline. Liede’s passion for real estate and unyielding determination to provide a sophisticated level of service keeps her at the top of her real-estate profession with the Keyes Company. Community involvement has always been a vital component to her.  She has been an active community leader serving as past president of the Palmetto Bay Business Association,chair of the Palmetto Bay Community Outreach and Parks and Recreation committee, past president of the Old Cutler South Association.  Currently she serves as President of the 100 Ladies of Deering and part of the executive board as  Secretary of the Deering Estate foundation.

Vice President
Carole WrightVice President
Past President
Becky Roper Matkov, a preservation consultant and writer, manages RG Heritage, LLC, overseeing land and historic property.  For 18 years, she served as CEO of Dade Heritage Trust, Miami’s largest Read More
Becky Roper MatkovPast President

Becky Roper Matkov, a preservation consultant and writer, manages RG Heritage, LLC, overseeing land and historic property.  For 18 years, she served as CEO of Dade Heritage Trust, Miami’s largest nonprofit historic preservation organization.  In 2015, she received the Florida Secretary of State’s Award, given to one “whose passion for historic preservation has forever changed the face of Florida.”

A graduate of Duke University, Becky has a master’s degree in journalism from the University of North Carolina.  She is the co-author of the book Florida’s Historic Restaurants and the editor of the coffee-table book, Miami’s Historic Neighborhoods.  She is a past president of the Junior League of Miami, a former chairman of the State of Florida’s Historic Preservation Advisory Council and the founding editor of Preservation Today magazine.  For 10 years she managed the Elizabeth Ordway Dunn Foundation, which funded environmental initiatives in Florida.  Becky serves on the board of the Deering Estate Foundation, the Stiltsville Trust and the Florida Trust and is a member of The Villagers and the International Women’s Forum.

She is married to attorney Tom Matkov and they have a son, daughter and granddaughter.  She loves to seek out historic places—around the world or down the street.

100 Ladies President
Nancy Eggland100 Ladies President
Treasurer
Matias PerezTreasurer
Secretary
Barry E. Johnson has been active in leadership in the south Florida community for over 30 years. In addition to the Deering Estate Foundation board, he is a member of Read More
Barry E. JohnsonSecretary

Barry E. Johnson has been active in leadership in the south Florida community for over 30 years. In addition to the Deering Estate Foundation board, he is a member of the Orange Bowl Committee, chairing the Press Conference and Media Day events, a trustee of HistoryMiami, and a lifetime member of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Board of Governors.

Previous leadership roles include chairman of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, chairman of the Economic Development Council of South Miami-Dade County and co-chairman with the Mayor of Miami-Dade County of the community’s original long-term economic development plan, One Community, One Goal.

He is the immediate past president and chief executive officer of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, South Florida’s first and the longest sustaining business organization and one of the largest chambers in the southeastern U.S.

Barry joined the chamber following 25 years in corporate communications leadership at AT&T.  As vice president-corporate affairs for AT&T’s Florida operations he established national benchmarks for local branding, public relations, media relations and community engagement initiatives. Today, Barry is principal of the consulting firm, Engage South Florida.

Among honors and recognition, Barry is the recipient of the Americanism Award of the Anti-Defamation League, Outstanding Alumni Award from Missouri State University, Royal Palm Award from the Miami Chapter of  the Public Relations Society of America and the Heart of Haiti Award from the Haitian Parliament.

Barry and his wife, Cathy, have two children and five grandchildren in Cutler Bay and Holly Springs, North Carolina.

Directors

Board Member
Andrew is a practicing attorney in Florida since 1996 with offices in Coral Gables.  He is committed to a high quality and very personalized civil litigation and business oriented practice Read More
Andrew S. YagodaBoard Member

Andrew is a practicing attorney in Florida since 1996 with offices in Coral Gables.  He is committed to a high quality and very personalized civil litigation and business oriented practice and devotes a significant part of his practice to general counsel responsibilities for regional businesses.  Andrew earned his B.S. in Management Information Systems (MIS) and worked as a computer programmer prior to obtaining his law degree.  He has served as a Deering Estate Foundation Director since 2014, is a member of the Foundation’s Governance Committee, and has been active in the South Florida community on various nonprofit boards and organizations over the years.  Most notably, Andrew is the Founder and Head Coach of the Miami-Dade High School Hockey Alliance, a high school Tier II ice hockey program, competing in the Florida Scholastic Hockey League.  A former New Englander, Andrew enjoys raising his two sons and leads an active life coaching and playing ice hockey, cooking, practicing martial arts, and being outdoors.

Board Member
Ashley SodemanBoard Member
Board Member
Baldwyn is an External Affairs Manager for Florida Power & Light in Miami-Dade County. His area of responsibility focuses on South Miami-Dade County from the City of South Miami down Read More
Baldwyn EnglishBoard Member

Baldwyn is an External Affairs Manager for Florida Power & Light in Miami-Dade County. His area of responsibility focuses on South Miami-Dade County from the City of South Miami down to Florida City. In this role, he represents FPL and is the primary contact for the company with local city and county elected officials, the business community and the nonprofit sector.

In this capacity, Baldwyn sits on the boards of the Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce, ChamberSOUTH, the South Dade Chamber of Commerce, the Economic Development Council of South Miami-Dade, the Deering Estate Foundation. In addition to these roles, Baldwyn is the Chairman of the Miami Union Adventist Academy School Board, a local parochial school in North Miami.

Prior to working with FPL, Baldwyn lived in Tallahassee, where he was the Chief Advisor to Commissioner Ronald Brisé at the Florida Public Service Commission. During his tenure at the PSC, he played a leadership role in the development of the Supplier Diversity Toolkit which provides aggregated data on supplier diversity spending among regulated utilities nationwide. He also helped to manage the development of resolutions and recommendations to the Federal Communications Commission through his work on the Telecommunications Act Modernization Task Force.

Before entering the public sector, Baldwyn worked as an attorney at a leading law firm in Houston, Texas. His practice focused on complex business litigation, toxic tort litigation and related oil and gas matters. While in Texas, Baldwyn was successful in both a prosecutorial role as well as defending his clients’ interests and aggressively pursuing judgment recovery. Further, he was able to co-author the legal article, “I’m All Verklempt!” that was presented at the Conference on State and Federal Appeals at The University of Texas School of Law.

Baldwyn earned his law degree from Texas Southern University where he graduated cum laude and was a member of law review, Chief Justice of the Board of Advocates and Chief Justice of the Honor Court. His undergraduate business degree was earned at Florida International University.

Baldwyn is married and has two wonderful children. He is happy to be back in South Florida where he grew up.

Board Member
Beth PersonBoard Member
Board Member
Beth Brockway-SerrateBoard Member
Board Member
Having lived in South Florida for over 45 years, Christine is virtually a native. Her parents honeymooned in Miami Beach and decided then that they would eventually leave Philadelphia, Christine’s Read More
Christine StiphanyBoard Member

Having lived in South Florida for over 45 years, Christine is virtually a native. Her parents honeymooned in Miami Beach and decided then that they would eventually leave Philadelphia, Christine’s birthplace, and relocate here.

Since 1997, Christine has applied her communications and analytical skills in the worlds of finance and real estate, a synergistic combination that has enabled her to play an integral role in the sale of South Florida real estate, collectively valued at well over several hundred million dollars. A firm commitment to providing unparalleled service to her clients is Christine’s number one priority in every transaction, beginning with the initial consultation and continuing through and after the closing.

Christine is celebrating a career of over 2 years at the premier real estate brokerage firm. EWM Realty International, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway company, where she is routinely listed in the prestigious Diamond Level of the Chairman’s Club. Christine has earned the designation of Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) as well as Certified Negotiation Expert (CNE). She is also a member of the National Association of Realtors, the Miami Association of Realtors, Luxury Home Council and the Worldwide Who’s Who.

Christine lives with her husband in Palmetto Bay and is active in the Palmetto Bay Business Association as well as The Deering Estate Foundation serving as a board member and a Member of the The 100 Ladies of Deering. She is extremely optimistic about the future of the South Florida real estate market and reflects a positive attitude that, no matter how complicated and daunting a real estate deal may seem, she has the ability and professional support to provide her clients with the best services a Realtor can offer.

Board Member
President/CEO Community Health of South Florida, Inc. For more than 30 years, Brodes H. Hartley, Jr. has provided leadership toward the accomplishment of the mission of Community Health of South Read More
Col Brodes Hartley, Jr.Board Member

President/CEO
Community Health of South Florida, Inc.

For more than 30 years, Brodes H. Hartley, Jr. has provided leadership toward the accomplishment of the mission of Community Health of South Florida, Inc. (CHI), a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). Under his direction, the non-profit health care company has grown from two health centers into now 11 state of the art community health centers and 34 school based programs providing integrated primary and behavioral health care services to the residents of South Miami-Dade and the Florida Keys, including the uninsured and underinsured. In addition, CHI was recently awarded the coveted Governor’s Sterling Award.

Hartley is a Founding member of Health Choice Network and previously served as Chairman of the Boards of Health Choice Network, Inc. (HCN), and Health Choice Network of Florida (HCNFL). HCN is a national model of successful collaboration among health center controlled networks, community health centers and other health partners.  Through its cutting-edge health information technology and business services, HCN participants increase efficiencies, decrease costs and provide better and more accessible patient care.

He received his bachelor’s degree from Florida A&M University (FAMU). He received a Masters of Hospital Administration degree from Baylor University in 1968 and was recognized with an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Florida A & M University in 2001.

He served 26 years in the Army Medical Services Corps, including assignment as Executive Officer, 93rd Evacuation Hospital, Republic Vietnam; U. S.  Army Hospital, Camp Zama, Japan; U. S. Army Hospital, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland; and Nuernberg Army Hospital, West Germany. Hartley retired from the Army on January 1, 1983 with the rank of Colonel.

He is a Rotarian, Chairman Emeritus, FAMU Foundation; President, President Emeritus Alpha Rho Boule Foundation; Deering Estate Foundation; Vice Chair; Trustee and Past Chair, Chamber South; Member, Palmetto Bay Business Association; and Member Christ Fellowship Church.

He has received numerous awards including FAMU Distinguished Alumni Award, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, the “Hero in the Fight” award from the South Florida Mental Health Association, the Luis Garcia Migrant/Community Health Award from the National Association of Community Health Centers, and the Distinguished Citizen Award from the Dade County Medical Association.

In 2012, Mr. Hartley was widowed after 55 years of marriage to the former Jacquelyn Thomas of Madison, Florida. He has a son Brodes III; a daughter Jacquelyn Kha; six grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Board Member
Courtney Reeder was born, raised, and is currently a Palmetto Bay resident along with her husband and three children. She graduated from Florida International University in 2004 with a degree Read More
Courtney ReederBoard Member

Courtney Reeder was born, raised, and is currently a Palmetto Bay resident along with her husband and three children. She graduated from Florida International University in 2004 with a degree in Marketing & Hospitality.

She served as PBBA Chairwoman from 2015-2016.

Courtney is the Operations Director for Golden Rule Seafood, a family owned & operated seafood market, with a longstanding reputation for having the finest quality and greatest selection of seafood in South Florida. She has also been very instrumental in the creation of the newest family business, a family friendly, local seafood restaurant in Palmetto Bay

Board Member
Born and raised in Miami Florida, Eric Haas received his BA in History, and Broadcast Communications. He was initiated into the Kappa Alpha Order, and served as the president, at Read More
Eric HaasBoard Member

Born and raised in Miami Florida, Eric Haas received his BA in History, and Broadcast Communications. He was initiated into the Kappa Alpha Order, and served as the president, at Mercer University, Macon Georgia.

Working construction in a restaurant, over a summer break, he became interested in the restaurant business.

While based full time, in Miami, as a Flight Attendance for Eastern Airlines, Eric worked various second jobs in different restaurants. During this time he met his wife Lori, and together they opened the original Sports Frill on Sunset Dr. in 1987.

Sports Grill had become known locally, for their “famous, Special Grilled Wings”, and their family friendly atmosphere. There are now six locations in Miami-Dade County, and in 2014 they opened their first store in Broward County.

Sports Grill participated in the “Make-A-Wish” foundation for the first time in 2015, and were able to grant four “wishes”. Sports Grill has also catered and participated in many community events over the past 29 years!

Eric has been on the Diaconate at Old Cutler Presbyterian Church since 1992. He was elected to the board of directors of the Deering Estate Foundation in 1998, and serves as the president 2011-2013.

Eric and Lori have two daughters and reside in Miami, Florida.

Board Member
Evelyn is a biologist and professor at Florida International University. She has been studying the Everglades for over 20 years and is now the Executive Director of FIU’s School of Read More
Evelyn E. GaiserBoard Member

Evelyn is a biologist and professor at Florida International University. She has been studying the Everglades for over 20 years and is now the Executive Director of FIU’s School of Environment, Arts and Society.  She received her B.S. from Kent State University, M.S. from Iowa State University and Ph.D. from University of Georgia. Her research on algae has helped scientists predict the fate of lakes and wetlands under pressure from climate and land use changes. She also works with policy-makers to ensure decisions that affect our natural resources are informed by science. Evelyn’s career has been shaped by experiences at biological stations, so she is excited to work with the Deering Estate Foundation to ensure that the Cultural and Ecological Field Station has an enduring impact on students, researchers and the public. Evelyn is a singer, musician and woodworker and enjoys helping others experience the natural world through the fine arts.

Board Member
Gerry MoraleBoard Member
Board Member
Howard J. Tendrich is a native Miamian and graduated from Miami Senior High in 1958 and the University of Miami in 1962 with BBA in Accounting. He has owned the Read More
Howard J. TendrichBoard Member

Howard J. Tendrich is a native Miamian and graduated from Miami Senior High in 1958 and the University of Miami in 1962 with BBA in Accounting. He has owned the clothing store Heritage House for over 49 years. He was on the Board of the Zoological Society of Florida, the Board of the Palmetto Business Association as well on the Village Council of Palmetto Bay. He and his wife Marilyn a daughter, a son and 3 grandchildren.

Board Member
Jamie L. Thomas is Development Vice President Baptist Health Foundation, Assistant Vice President Baptist Health and administrator of the Founders Society; Baptist Health’s prestigious donor recognition program consisting of grateful Read More
Jamie L. ThomasBoard Member

Jamie L. Thomas is Development Vice President Baptist Health Foundation, Assistant Vice President Baptist Health and administrator of the Founders Society; Baptist Health’s prestigious donor recognition program consisting of grateful patients and families who have given major philanthropic gifts to support the health and well-being of our community.  She is responsible for the Physician Philanthropic Advisory Council and system-wide Grateful Patient Program and ongoing development and oversight of all aspects of a comprehensive cultivation and stewardship program including major donor relations communications, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship events, recognition systems and awards for the seven hospital based programs. Under her leadership the Founders Society has grown to nearly 1200 families.

Ms. Thomas received a Master of Arts, Organizational Management and a Bachelor of Arts, Business Administration  and has extensive cultural, language and development experience gained while living and working in Central and South America including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Venezuela, México, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras.

Jaime resides in Palmetto Bay  and is the proud mother of two beautiful daughters Lauren and Jessica.  She has served on the Deering Estate Foundation’s Board of Directors since 2015 and is an active member of the 100 Ladies of Deering.

Board Member
Originally from Illinois, Jerrod now lives in Palmetto Bay with his husband, Geoff, and their son, Josh. As a high school student in the Midwest farm belt, Jerrod first learned Read More
Jerrod SharpeBoard Member

Originally from Illinois, Jerrod now lives in Palmetto Bay with his husband, Geoff, and their son, Josh. As a high school student in the Midwest farm belt, Jerrod first learned of the Deering family and their invaluable contributions to agriculture and its industrialization. Over the years his interests in historical properties and conservation have led him around the world, only to return full-circle to the amalgamation of his Illinois roots with his Florida life by settling just across the street from The Deering Estate.

Jerrod pursued an interest in linguistics which eventually led him to work in the field of interpreting – serving the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community as an American Sign Language interpreter in the greater Washington D.C. area, North Dakota, and northern Florida. He’s now a stay-at-home parent, spending lots of quality time with his family at Deering. Jerrod also enjoys traveling, collecting artwork, playing the piano, fishing and reading.

Charles Deering’s estate exhibits virtues which demand protection and preservation as hallmarks of south Florida heritage and our nation, as well as promotion to the general public as an historical and ecological gem not to be missed. Jerrod couldn’t be prouder to serve on the Board of Directors dedicated to this purpose.

Board Member
JoAnn has been an outdoor lover her entire life. She was born and raised on a tobacco farm in Southeastern Kentucky. She loved playing in the creek bed and the Read More
Jo Ann SzaroBoard Member

JoAnn has been an outdoor lover her entire life. She was born and raised on a tobacco farm in Southeastern Kentucky. She loved playing in the creek bed and the woods surrounding her family home, and returns there as often as possible. After moving to Florida when she was 10, she discovered the open water and the beauty that it holds. JoAnn lives in Palmetto Bay, and her neighborhood almost touches the Deering Estate property lines. Her late husband, Donn Szaro was an active member and frequent visitor at the Deering Estate. The two of them held private events at the estate and shared their love for it with family and friends. JoAnn has worked in the accounting industry for most of her life and has participated on many non-profit boards in addition to the Deering Estate. She served on the Royal Harbor Home Owners Association, Pine Bay Estates Home Owners Association, Paradise Point Marina Association, South Florida Women’s Tennis, and the USTA. She enjoys tennis, boating, scuba diving, traveling, FSU Football and spending time with her children and grandchildren. JoAnn has served on the board since January 2014.

Board Member
Jocelyn TennilleBoard Member
Board Member
John AnzivinoBoard Member
Board Member
Margarita B. Tonkinson is the Executive Director of the Tonkinson Foundation and a Senior Financial Advisor at Tonkinson Financial. Margarita has been a member of the Rotary Club of Miami, Read More
Margarita B. TonkinsonBoard Member

Margarita B. Tonkinson is the Executive Director of the Tonkinson Foundation and a Senior Financial Advisor at Tonkinson Financial. Margarita has been a member of the Rotary Club of Miami, served on the Rotary’s Board of Directors, and chaired several Rotary committees. She was a presidential appointment to the Fulbright Scholarship Program in Washington, DC, from 1992-1995. Margarita is currently a member of the Scholarship Committee of the Coral Gables Rotary Club and the University of Miami Richter Library Special Collections Advisory Board

Treasurer
Matias PerezTreasurer
Board Member
Mr. England is a 30+ year resident of Palmetto Bay, and has been totally involved in the life of his community. Previously, he was elected to two terms on the Read More
Peter A. EnglandBoard Member

Mr. England is a 30+ year resident of Palmetto Bay, and has been totally involved in the life of his community. Previously, he was elected to two terms on the St. Petersburg, FL City Council, including a term as Vice-Mayor.

He currently serves as Chairman of the Fundraising and Development Committee of the Deering Estate Foundation Board; and as Chairman of the Palmetto Bay Partnership, a Committee of the Palmetto Bay Council tasked with maximizing the economic potential of the Village. Peter is also a former National Board Member of Bread for the World, a Christian based grass roots advocacy organization which lobbies Congress on behalf of the poor and hungry, here and abroad. Mr. England is a member of the Palmetto Bay Business Association.

Mr. England has been the chief marketing officer with both Florida Federal Savings, and FPL. He concluded his professional career as Director of Government Relations with Camillus House. Retired, he is working for the community he loves. Peter believes in Economic Development for South Miami-Dade, and particularly in Palmetto Bay. He considers the Deering Estate his backyard on the Bay, and is committed to its future development for generations to come.

Mr. England and his wife, June, have three adult sons. They enjoy traveling, especially to visit their grandson in Atlanta. June is a member of the 100 Ladies of Deering.

Board Member
Sandy McCarthyBoard Member
Board Member
Suzanne Gottlieb Calleja is the Associate Head of School for Communications and Strategic Partnerships at Palmer Trinity School, an independent college preparatory school in Miami. She began at Palmer Trinity Read More
Suzanne Gottlieb CallejaBoard Member

Suzanne Gottlieb Calleja is the Associate Head of School for Communications and Strategic Partnerships at Palmer Trinity School, an independent college preparatory school in Miami. She began at Palmer Trinity in 2005 as the School’s director of communications and community relations, where she initiated strategic brand building and strengthened relationships within the community as well as with the media.

Prior to moving to Miami and joining Palmer Trinity in 2005, Gottlieb Calleja worked in the entertainment industry for more almost two decades. She began as an assistant producer and later producer for Walter Cronkite’s independent documentary company, Cronkite Ward & Company (CWC), located in Washington, D.C. and New York City. CWC produced international documentaries for the Discovery Channel, The Learning Channel, A&E and PBS. In 1995, Suzanne worked with producer Lou Arkoff on the Disney film Gone Fishin’ starring Joe Pesci and Danny Glover.

Gottlieb Calleja also worked on a number of films and documentaries for Fox, Paramount Pictures, Miramax, MGM Studios and the Hallmark Channel.  She later became the executive director for a digital animation/live action entertainment company formed in Los Angeles, Moon Crescent Studios. Before transitioning to the education sector, Gottlieb Calleja produced special edition DVD documentaries with the entertainment marketing company Blue Collar Productions for films including The Stepford Wives, Network, Deep Impact, Raging Bull and Clueless.

Active in the community, Gottlieb Calleja is an amateur cellist and has played with the Alhambra Orchestra, a local chamber group. She is a board member of the Palmetto Bay Business Association; was a steering committee member of the 100 Ladies of Deering; is a member of Smith College Club of Miami; and was a board member at Temple Beth Am Religious School. She has also been a commissioner on the Council of Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Marketing Commission.

Gottlieb Calleja holds a bachelor’s degree from Smith College and a Master’s Degree in Strategic Communications.  She is fluent in French and Spanish.  She and her husband, Jose, have one son.

 

Board Member
Timothy KlaudaBoard Member
Board Member
Tom Cromer is a native of Miami and was the captain of the Miami Beach High basketball team. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Read More
Tom CromerBoard Member

Tom Cromer is a native of Miami and was the captain of the Miami Beach High basketball team. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His business career began in Miami at The Cromer Company, his family’s 100-year-old apparel manufacturing and international distribution business, where he was responsible for sales, marketing and management. After 20 years in the family business, Tom decided to branch out on his own and began a career as a self-motivated entrepreneur. He and his wife, Lynn, opened the first Assist 2 Sell real estate franchise in Miami, which they successfully operated for over a decade. Tom then owned and operated the Miami office of Interim Healthcare. He is presently the CEO and co-owner of Divorce Without War USA. His wife of 32 years, Lynn, passed away in 2014. He has two sons, a civil engineer in Miami and an entrepreneur in New York City. Tom is an active member of Temple Beth Am and enjoys snow skiing, fly fishing, gardening and riding his motorcycle.

Trustees

Trustee
Audrey RossTrustee
Trustee
Betty NoeTrustee
Trustee
Daniel Yglesias is a past president of The Deering Estate Foundation and is Vice President/Dealer Principal of Palmetto Ford Truck Sales, Inc., a second generation family-owned Ford dealership serving South Read More
Daniel YglesiasTrustee

Daniel Yglesias is a past president of The Deering Estate Foundation and is Vice President/Dealer Principal of Palmetto Ford Truck Sales, Inc., a second generation family-owned Ford dealership serving South Florida since 1966. He is a graduate of Barry University with a Bachelor of Science in Professional Administration. A native of Miami, Daniel lives in Palmetto Bay with his wife and children.

Trustee
David A. Marley is President of Creative Financial Solutions, Inc. and a Corporate Registered Investments Advisor specializing in full service financial planning. Originally from Rhode Island, he is married to Read More
David A. MarleyTrustee

David A. Marley is President of Creative Financial Solutions, Inc. and a Corporate Registered Investments Advisor specializing in full service financial planning. Originally from Rhode Island, he is married to Beth Ann Guthrie and has two children, Ashley and Nicholas. He is a past Trustee of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, Founder and Ambassador of the Mercy Foundation and an active member of St. Louis Catholic Church where he is a Eucharistic Minister and guest speaker at the Engagement Encounter Weekends.

Trustee
David M. TurnerTrustee
Trustee
Edward RosascoTrustee
Trustee
Heather Bell O’BrienTrustee
Trustee
James HarrisTrustee
Trustee
Lynn FrenchTrustee
Trustee
Paul is close to being a Miami native, having moved here from Ohio at the age of six.  He was in the first graduating class of Coral Gables High School, Read More
Paul NeidhartTrustee

Paul is close to being a Miami native, having moved here from Ohio at the age of six.  He was in the first graduating class of Coral Gables High School, then attended the University of Florida.

Paul was employed at Pan American World Airways, then with wife Lois and son Paul Jr., owned and operated Curbside Florist from 1968 to 2010.  He is currently semi-retired and also affiliated with Sunstate Bank.

Paul served as Perrine-Cutler Ridge Rotary Club President 1988-89, Chairman of the South Dade Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee 1989-90.  He was the recipient of the Russ Norton Community Service Award in 2001, and the Steven Cranman Professional Public Service Award in 2008.  Paul was a founding member of the Perrine-Cutler Ridge Council after Hurricane Andrew in 1992, and served as Chairman, then Executive Director of the Economic Development Council 2010-2011.

Paul was the first elected official of the Village of Palmetto Bay, serving as Councilman for District Two from 2002-2008.  He has been a member of the Deering Estate Foundation since 2000, and has been on the Board of Directors from 2008 to present.  Wife Lois is employed at Baptist Health South Florida in their Corporate Offices in Coral Gables, and is a member of the 100 Ladies of Deering.

Paul and Lois have lived in Palmetto Bay in their home built in 1921, since 1968, and their children Linda (and Ed Santos) and son Paul, Jr. (PJ) live close by.  Their grandson Eddie Santos has just graduated with his Masters of Accounting degree from UNC at Chapel Hill, and will be employed at Ernst & Young in Washington, DC.  Granddaughter Meghan and husband Daniel Ribiero live in Boca Raton, and we are blessed with our great granddaughter Tiffany Ribiero.

Trustee
Richard CohenTrustee
Trustee
Sallye JudeTrustee
Trustee
Scott A. SilverTrustee
Trustee
Walter has lived in the Palmetto Bay area for almost 50 years. Walter has a strong passion for preserving and enhancing the Deering Estate, and has worked as a volunteer Read More
Walter FloresTrustee

Walter has lived in the Palmetto Bay area for almost 50 years. Walter has a strong passion for preserving and enhancing the Deering Estate, and has worked as a volunteer of the Deering Estate Foundation since 2005. Over the years he has served as Chairman of the board as well as a participant on various fundraising committees. Walter and his wife Pamela Mullins own Golden Rule Seafood Market & Restaurant. Their three grown children, Courtney Reeder, Jordan Mullins-Flores and Taylor Mullins-Flores work in the family business as well. Golden Rule Seafood has been a major contributor to the Deering Estate Foundation. It has been the sponsor of the annual Deering Seafood Festival for over a decade, including being the title sponsor for several years. Golden Rule Seafood provides 80 – 100 volunteers for this event each year to help raise funds for, and awareness of the Deering Estate.

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