The Health First Foundation Board of Trustees is committed to maintaining and enhancing the role of Health First as a not-for-profit healthcare system providing the highest quality care and medical services to families and individuals across Brevard County. We are honored by these individuals and their advocacy for Health First.
Chairperson - Barry Forbes
Barry Forbes is a banker with over 30 years of experience in commercial banking in Brevard County. Barry is with United Community Bank working to assist businesses and individuals throughout Brevard County. Barry's strengths include his ability to establish relationships with business owners built on trust and his delivery of expertise in the area of financial services. Barry also often serves as a connecting point between different clients to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and expertise between different business owners.
Barry was born in Brevard County and is highly involved in the community. He serves on several other community boards assisting with housing, education, and support of at-risk youth. He enjoys fishing, spending time with his family, and being a fan of UCF sports and supporter of the university.
Vice Chair - Kirk Kessel
Kirk Kessel is a Florida native and has been in the real estate business for over 42 years. Kirk is a member of the Space Coast Association of Realtors and holds three real estate designations; (CCIM) Certified Commercial Investment Manager, (GRI) Graduate of the Real Estate Institute, and (CRS) Certified Residential Specialist. Kirk is committed to giving back to our local communities.
Over the past 35 years, he and his team have participated on several boards and foundations to include, The American Cancer Society, The American Heart Association, Melbourne Area Association of Realtors Grievance Committee, Ad Astra Florida Tech, and the Board for the Maxx W. Kessel Foundation.
President - Michael Seeley
Michael Seeley joined the Health First Foundation as President in October 2016. He has more than 20 years of experience in building and strengthening comprehensive fund development strategies for both health systems and not-for-profit organizations. As Health First Foundation President, Michael serves as the Chief Development Officer of the Health First system and is responsible for the planning, implementation and coordination of all fundraising activities.
Michael previously served as the Vice President of Development for Florida Institute of Technology (FIT). While in this role, he was responsible for identifying and cultivating sources of philanthropic, investment and contract revenue. Michael also played a key role in developing and executing a $100 million university-wide capital campaign at FIT. In his former leadership roles at two large health systems, he worked closely with community physicians and a variety of health professionals. Michael led a team of fundraisers developing portfolios of individual, corporate and foundation prospects, cultivating major, planned and annual gifts. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration & Computer Science from the State University of New York at Albany.
Secretary - Kaye Cantrell
Kaye Cantrell earned a degree in Business Administration from Murray State University and completed post-undergraduate work in Education from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. She taught fifth and sixth grades in the St. Charles School District in Missouri for seven years before moving to Melbourne in 1975. She was employed by Harris Corporation GCSD for nineteen years as a financial analyst with increasing levels of challenges and responsibilities.
She is a charter member of the Guild of The Haven for Children, Inc. After leaving Harris she became more active and served two terms as President of the Haven Guild. She served on the Board of Directors of The Haven for ten years including terms as Vice President and Treasurer. During this time The Haven added a third house. She served on or lead committees for the annual Heavenly Affair fundraiser, the Downtown Melbourne 5k which benefitted The Haven, and the annual Haven Challenge Golf Tournament.
Treasurer - Becky Dukes
Becky Dukes taught for Brevard Public Schools for 27 years focusing on gifted education and alternative learning. She has also served on the Board of Directors for the Melbourne Science Center and the American Cancer Society. She is an avid paddler and chairs the fundraising committee for Space Coast Dragon Boat Breast Cancer Survivor Team. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland, her Master of Business Administration from Florida Institute of Technology, and a Specialist in Education from NOVA University.
Assistant Secretary - Nicholas Romanello, Esq.
Nicholas Romanello is responsible for handling and coordinating all legal matters for Health First, including all litigation, transactions, contracting, corporate, and regulatory matters, as well as risk management.
Prior to joining Health First in 2016, Romanello served as Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel for the Health Care District of Palm Beach County. He has experience with a wide range of legal and operational issues confronting hospitals and healthcare systems.
Romanello earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Florida State University and a Juris Doctor degree from St. Thomas University School of Law. Romanello also serves on the Florida Board of Medicine.
Gobivenkata Balaji, MD
Dr. Gobivenkata Balaji completed medical school at JJM Medical College of University of Mysore, India. He is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. He earned certification as a Clinical Hypertension Specialist by the American Society of Hypertension and is also a Certified Clinical Lipidologist. With over 25 years of local practice experience at Health First, Dr. Balaji’s passion for improving patient outcomes extends far beyond the walls of his clinic and his direct patient care duties. Accordingly, his foremost passion is to offer and ensure cutting-edge medical care through Health First facilities, making sure that patients lead happy and healthy lives. In addition to his clinical expertise, Dr. Balaji brings with him a business acumen informed by his MBA with a concentration in Healthcare Management. Dr. Balaji is married with two children.
Rebecca Burgman
Rebecca Burgman most recently served as the senior manager of public relations and communications at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. In this role she was responsible for managing and executing all communications strategies. She is a Space Coast “native,” born and raised in Titusville, FL and a graduate of Titusville High School. She earned a Bachelor's Degree in Mass Communications from the University of South Florida.
She currently serves on the Board of Directors of weVENTURE, Health First Foundation Board of Trustees, and volunteers with various organizations throughout the community. She is the recipient of Lead Brevard's 4 Under 40 award, Junior League's Spirit of the League award, the ABWA' s Making a Difference award and the Kolcum Communications Award from the National Space Club Florida Committee.
Rochelle Cooper
Rochelle L. Cooper (“Shelly”) is Corporate Director and Division Counsel at Northrop Grumman. Prior to joining Northrop Grumman, Shelly was Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary at IAP Worldwide Services, Inc., and previously she served as Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary at United Space Alliance where she worked on the Space Shuttle and International Space Station programs. Prior to USA, she worked at United Technologies Corporation. Shelly is a graduate of Emory University School of Law and received a BA with Distinction in Rhetoric and Communications Studies from the University of Virginia.
Shelly is a long-time resident of Brevard County and is actively involved in the community. She previously served on the Board of Directors for the Brevard Zoo; Florida Space Research Institute; Brevard Community College Foundation; and Association of Corporate Counsel’s (“ACC”) Central Florida Chapter.
In her free time, Shelly enjoys spending time with family and friends, kayaking, snorkeling, and wildlife/nature photography (above and underwater!).
Elaina Friesel Garvin
Elaina Friesel Garvin grew up in Brevard County and attended Brevard County public schools, then went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree from the University of Central Florida. Elaina is currently a Senior Vice President/Investments with Stifel. During her career, Elaina has also held roles at Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC. and A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. She holds the FINRA Series 7, 63, and 66, as well as life, health, and variable (including annuities) insurance licenses. She serves investors in Florida and 20 additional States.
Elaina is passionate about supporting the Compassionate Care Fund that helps eligible patients bridge the financial gap that can be a barrier to wellness and health. Elaina has served on the boards of Brevard Zoo and has been involved with other organizations, such as South Brevard Women’s Center and Junior Achievement.
Jane Carey Gleason
Carey Gleason is a fifth-generation native of Brevard. She received her undergraduate degree from Duke University and MBA from Florida Tech. During her successful professional career, she has held senior positions in political campaigns, real estate development and various non-profit organizations. Selected highlights of her leadership roles on boards and committees include: Florida Tech Board of Trustees, Leadership Florida, Eau Gallie Yacht Club Board of Governors, Junior Achievement of East Central Florida, Scott Center for Autism Advisory Board, Florida Tech Women’s Business Center/WeVenture, LEAD Brevard, Economic Development of Florida’s Space Coast, Suntree Country Club and Melbourne Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Carey has been a long-time member of Health First Foundation’s Good Samaritan Society, Chairman of 1992 Holmes Regional/Health First Foundation Annual Benefit Ball, served on subsequent underwriting and ball event committees, Grape Escape founder and committee member.
Robyn Hattaway
Robyn Hattaway is an attorney with Lacey Lyons Rezanka, Rockledge, where she focuses on Business and Transactional Law. Ms. Hattaway is a former Commissioner at the Canaveral Port Authority, elected in November 2018. During her tenure, Ms. Hattaway founded a Junior Port Ambassador Program to provide area youth with job opportunity education and workforce development. Ms. Hattaway also serves as a member of the Board of Directors for LEAD Brevard and Family Promise of Brevard.
Ms. Hattaway received her Bachelor's in Government and Sociology from the University of Texas at Austin and her Juris Doctorate from Emory University School of Law.
Sandra Henry
Sandra Henry has been a resident of Brevard County since 1960. Her first volunteer position was with Holmes Regional Hospital as a candy striper while attending Eau Gallie High School. After 32 years, she retired from Harris Corporation in 1999 as a Contracts Manager for Government Programs.
Currently she is an individual contributor for Family Promise of Brevard and is Vice President/Secretary for the Henry Family Foundation. She previously served on the Board of Directors for The Women's Center, The Women's Center Guild, and South Brevard Sharing Center.
Rita Moreno
Rita Moreno has served as an active volunteer in the community since moving to the area in 1988. She is a sustaining member of the Junior League of South Brevard & she has been involved with several organizations and boards throughout the years. Friends of Sally’s House, (Circles of Care) Council of 100, the The Foosaner Art Museum’s fundraising arm, FIT Evening of Elegance to support Autism awareness, The Brevard Symphony Orchestra, and The Women’s Center. Rita’s board involvement includes The King Center for the Arts, Habitat for Humanity and Health First Foundation. She is an actor, performs and supports Brevard County Community Theatre’s. The Cocoa Village Playhouse since 1998, and assisted with raising funds for their Capital Campaign, Melbourne Civic Theatre, & The Henegar Center for the Arts. Additionally, Rita has donated time to chairing the Health First Foundation Ball and the Grape Escape to benefit Health First Heart & Vascular Services. Her efforts also helped to develop The Health First Center for Family Caregivers (formerly Leeza’s Place).
Angela Neal
Angela Neal leverages her experience in successfully developing programs across the U.S. and overseas by connecting the community, understanding the unique needs of constituents, and leveraging marketing and technology with her work at Combined Arms, a SaaS company that connects the military community to vetted nonprofit resources through technology and as a project management consultant via Project Solvers. She served as the project manager for the first of its kind unified brand for Brevard County, Florida’s Space Coast: Tomorrow Launches Here.
Angela, her husband, and children happily welcomed the Space Coast as their home for a second time following military orders in Okinawa, Japan. In 2024 her husband, Shon, will retire from the Air Force and they will make Florida’s Space Coast their forever home.
David Pelzman
David Pelzman is a long-term resident of Brevard County. He moved here with his family in 1978 after completing a culinary apprenticeship in Baden-Baden West Germany. He was recruited into Hospitality Management by Marriott Corporation, traveling and opening many resort properties in the US and abroad.
David made a seamless transition into Country Club Management and served as COO and General Manager of several nationally well-known and high-profile country clubs both with the TPC Network of the PGA Tour and privately held member owned clubs, overseeing and managing several celebrity tournaments.
He was the longest serving President of Temple Beth Sholom, Brevard County's largest Conservative Synagogue. He has been honored to also serve as the Florida Regional President of the Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs where he was awarded the Keeper of the Flame award as Man of the Year. David has also been President of his community's HOA board and been involved as a member on several other boards.
He has a passion for Health First as a result of having received a lifesaving diagnosis from a Cardiac MRI, which was made possible by donations to the Health First Foundation.
Monica Shah
Monica Shah is Vice President and Treasurer of Southeast Petro Distributors, Inc. A seasoned philanthropist with an international foundation, and strong local foothold, the Brevard County native, nurtured her passion for volunteerism as a teenager doing work with disabled children.
Fast forward to present day, the doting mother remains dedicated to appropriating invaluable time to children-centric Boards in and around the community. Presently, Ms. Shah sits on the Junior Achievement Board, and is active in Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy fundraising events, with past posts held at Bridges, Crosswinds and Children’s Home Society.
A 2003 alumna of Georgia Institute of Technology, Monica secured her Business Management degree with a concentration on pre-law and persists in developing opportunities to lend her exceptional care for civic growth and provide guidance and outreach with likeminded charitable groups.
A 2017 Lead Brevard Graduate, education stays close to her heart. Thus, Ms. Shah also serves with organizations attentive to fostering essential skills in young professionals, namely Junior Achievement and CareerSource Brevard.
The established community support and generosity demonstrated by Health First Foundation Board align strongly with Monica’s own philanthropic backbone; she is looking forward to giving back and growing through her service in the role.
Monica enjoys cheering on the Yellow Jackets and Atlanta Falcons, spending time with her daughter and traveling.
Autumn Shrum
Autumn Shrum was born and raised in Satellite Beach, FL. She currently serves as Communications and Engagement Manager for Leidos, where she oversees all internal and external communications for Military and Family Life Counseling, a Department of Defense program that provides counseling services to military service members and their families across the globe. Prior to joining Leidos, she served as Executive and Internal Communications Lead at L3Harris Technologies, and previously as Director of Marketing and Public Relations for the Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts.
Autumn is a member of the Space Coast Florida Public Relations Association and served as chapter president in 2020-2021. She holds a bachelor's degree in Advertising and Public Relations and a master's degree in English from the University of Central Florida. She is also accredited in public relations by the Public Relations Society of America.
Kenneth Tieu, MD
Dr. Kenneth Tieu is a physician with Health First Medical Group and is board-certified in General Surgery and Fellowship-trained in minimally invasive surgery. Dr. Tieu focuses on colon, gastrointestinal cancers, hernia repairs, gallbladder, appendix and robotics-assisted general surgery and bariatric (weight-loss) surgery. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of California, San Diego, and went on to study at the Medical School at Pennsylvania State University in Hershey.
William Troner
William A. Troner (“Bill”) is a patent licensing attorney at Andre-Troner LC. He received his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) with High Honors in 1980 and Juris Doctor (JD) with Honors in 1984, both from the University of Florida. Along with his wife, Lisa, he is a member of the Health First Foundation’s Good Samaritan Society and supports a wide range of Brevard County organizations. Bill served as Chairman of the Foundation Board of Trustees in 2016. The Troners have one son and live in Indialantic.
Barbara Wall-Scanlon
Barbara is a Miami native, moving to the Brevard County coast more than 30 years ago. A graduate of Florida Atlantic University and Rollins College, she co-owned Prudential Sterling Properties for 34 years. She also worked as a real estate appraiser and a teacher for 10 years. Barbara is currently a Broker Associate at Berkshire Hathaway Florida Realty. She has given of her time, serving on Florida Association of Realtors Board, Space Coast Association of Realtors Board, Wachovia Bank Board, Junior League and others. Barbara is active and involved with many community organizations and currently serves on the Brevard Zoo Board. Barbara's late husband, Major General Charles "Chuck" Scanlon, also served on the Foundation Board. Barbara enjoys family, her dogs and traveling.