Board Members

People Who Put Kids First

The board members of Kids Central, Inc. are professionals with a proven record of compassion and community dedication who lead Kids Central in its mission of caring.  

 

 

Chairman
Stephen Spivey, Esq., Stephen Spivey Mediation Services 

Stephen Spivey served two years on the bench in the 5th Circuit Court, hearing Family Court and Dependency cases, before retiring in December, 2006. Read More …  

 

Vice Chairman
Gail Burry, Retired Educator, Lake County

Gail Burry is retired from the Lake County School system in 1997 having served the last 17 years as President/Business Agent for the Lake County Education Association.  She is married Read More …

Secretary
Russell Rasco, Retired President & CEO, The Centers

Russell Rasco is the CEO of The Centers, Inc., a comprehensive community mental health center and psychiatric hospital in Ocala, Florida.  He is a graduate of Stetson University in  Read More …

Treasurer
Dyer Michell, Retired Hospital CEO  

Dyer Michell is a retired healthcare professional, having served as an executive in the hospital industry for 40 years, the last 28 as the CEO of Read More …

 

  

Citrus County Community Member
Brad Thorpe, County Administrator 

Brad Thorpe grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida in the 1950’s.  He attended Florida State University and was a scholarship athlete in track and field.  Read More …

Lake County Community Member
Steven Yates, The Father’s House Christian Center  

Steven G. Yates is an honors graduate from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and holds a BA degree in public management with a minor in history education. Steven is a pastor at  Read More … 

Marion County Community Member 

Mike Jordan, M.D., Coordinator, Marion County Children’s Alliance  

Mike Jordan graduated from Cornell University and completed his residency at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.  He was a radiologist in Read More …   

 

Marion County Community Member 
Rebecca Schatt, Schatt Realty   

Becky Schatt is a real estate broker.   She worked as a volunteer in the foster care system for 25 years, and several of those years as Guardian Ad Litem.   She assisted Read More …

 

Marion County Community Member 
Bobby James, Marion County School Board   

Bobby James holds a Master’s Degree in Supervision and Administration and a Bachelor of Science in History, Health and Physical education.  He is a retired educator Read More … 

Marion County Community Member
Kurt Kelly, 3-D Background Screening

Kurt Kelly is a businessman, and a native of Ocala, Florida.  He is the founding partner of Acclaim Strategies, Inc., a consulting firm   Read more … 

Marion County Community Member
John Lege, City of Ocala   

John Lege joined the City of Ocala, Florida and assumed the position of Chief Financial Officer in June 2010.  He oversees the Office of Budget and Finance and is responsible for Read More …

 

Sumter County Community Member 
Laura Lynch

Laura joined the Kids Central board in June 2011 and brings extensive background in promotional marketing and communications, with emphasis on strategic planning, program development, and  Read More …

 

Not Pictured:
Sumter County Community Member 
Rodney Rocker, Sr., Sumter County School Principal 

Rodney Rocker Sr. was voted in as our newest board member on March 24, 2011.  Rodney is the Principal of West Street School in Bushnell, Florida, and has devoted his adult life to working with young people.  He graduated from Florida A&M University with a B.S. in Education and Nova Southeastern with an M.S. in Administration and Supervision.  He also possesses an A.S. in Mortuary Science.  He is a member of the Wildwood Kiwanis, President of the North Sumter Male Chorus, and 1stVice State Representative Omega Psi Phi  Fraternity in Florida.  He is a resident of Sumter County where he resides with his wife, Darlene.