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The Florida Grantor, Spring 2000

Governor Appoints New Board Members to Foundation

Members of The Able Trust Board of Directors completed their service to the Foundation in February 2000. These individuals dedicated their time, talent and expertise to helping further the Foundation's mission. Under their guidance, The Able Trust expanded its programs to include the Florida Governor's Alliance designation, operation of the Able Network toll-free helpline and Abilities On-Line job and resume bank. In addition, in 1999 The Able Trust surpassed the $7 million mark for total grant awards. The Able Trust extends its sincere appreciation to these directors for their leadership and contributions.

On February 24, Governor Bush announced new appointments to The Able Trust's Board of Directors. The new directors bring with them expertise in various fields from different regions throughout Florida. They include the following individuals:

Eladio Amores serves as Senior Manager for Marriott International Community Employment and Training Programs in Tampa. Amores is responsible for implementing "Pathways to Independence," Marriott's innovative, employer-based, customized job training, placement and retention program for the hospitality industry. Amores previously worked as the Director of Vocational Services for the Easter Seal Society of Dade County. He has been the volunteer chair for the Florida Business Leadership Network since 1999.

Florence Bonsuk is Manager for Cartier, Inc. in Palm Beach. Bonsuk serves on the board of directors for a number of nonprofit organizations serving the disability community, including Palm Beach Habilitation Center and the ARC of Palm Beach County. She has received numerous rewards for her volunteer service, including the ARC's Volunteer of the Year for Florida and Salvation Army's Heart of Gold Award. Bonsuk has also served as a member of the volunteer steering committee for The Able Trust Gala at Mar-a-Lago since 1998, serving as the Gala Co-Chair in 1999.

James Dolan, MBA, serves as Senior Vice President - Community Relations for Merrill Lynch Credit Corporation in Jacksonville. Dolan is responsible for implementing Merrill Lynch's Principle of Responsible Citizenship and Corporate Image in the Jacksonville Community, as well as the Meeting Services Department. Dolan also serves as Chairman of The Deerwood Club and the St. Vincent's Foundation and is a member of the 1998 Leadership Jacksonville Class. He serves on various boards including the Spina Bifida Association of Jacksonville and the Kristina Jonsson Foundation.

Sherra Greenspan Payne, M.S., is a homemaker, as well as bookkeeper and office assistant to Zebersky & Payne, LLP in Miami. She has a Masters of Science in Education from the University of Miami and has worked as both an instructor in psychology and as the Senior Assistant Director of Admissions for the University. She is a member of the Alexander Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and currently serves as the president of the state chapter. In addition she serves as president of the University of Miami Ear Dears, the fundraising organization for the University of Miami Ear Institute.

Dennis McNenney, M.A., serves as Senior Vice President/Senior Client Executive of Marsh, Inc. in Ft. Lauderdale. As Senior Client Executive, McNenney is responsible for several large and multinational accounts. McNenney serves as chair of the Insurance Committee for Goodwill Industries of South Florida and Chairperson of the annual Goodwill Celebrity Chefs' Event. Previously he served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Colombian-American Chamber of Commerce and President of the American Society of Bogot‡, a 60-year old nonprofit organization fostering good relations between Colombia and the United States.

Bridget R. Pallango is Vice President of Goodwill Industries South Florida. The human services program under her leadership is recognized as being one of the top vocational rehabilitation agencies in the United States. Known for her deep commitment to serving people with disabilities, Pallango was previously employed by the Miami-Dade Public School System where she taught Office Careers to people with disabilities after receiving specialized certification in education for the disabled. Pallango resides in North Miami and has seven children.

James Leif Smith is a Doctoral student for the University of Florida (UF) with an emphasis in Biomedical Research. He has worked as a Graduate Research Assistant in Neuroscience at the University since 1996, studying in the areas of infectious disease treatment and food preservation. He currently serves on the Gainesville's Citizens Advisory Committee for Community Development.

Wendy M. Spencer has served as the Campaign Director for the United Way of the Big Bend for almost ten years, helping to raise over $30 million for communities and human services. Prior to living in Tallahassee, she was the Director of Marketing and Promotions for the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce's Downtown Council and Urban Development Authority. She is a member of the Capitol Women's Network and a graduate of three Chamber of Commerce Leadership Programs.

The Able Trust welcomes each of its new directors and looks forward to another year of success under their leadership and direction.