Board of Trustees

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 - Stephen Lacey

Stephen Lacey is a partner at Lacey Lyons Rezanka, Attorneys at Law. Mr. Lacey focuses his practice in the areas of Wealth Preservation, Tax and Estate Planning, Medicaid Planning, and Elder Law. Actively involved in his community, Stephen has been a member of the Health First Foundation Annual Benefit Ball Underwriting Committee since 2012, serving as Chairman in 2013. He has served as a Board Member of the Children's Hunger Project, Brevard Zoo, the Trinity Towers Foundation, and the 18th Circuit Grievance Committee of the Florida Bar. He is a member of several professional associations including the Indian River County and Brevard County Bar Associations, the Florida Bar, the American Bar Association, and Lawyers with Purpose. Stephen earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia, his Juris Doctor from Mercer University, and his Master of Laws in Taxation from the University of Florida.

Vice Chair/Secretary - Patricia Pruitt

Patricia Pruitt is a South Carolina native who has called Brevard County home for more than four decades. She is an active member of the Hospice of Health First Board of Directors — a post she’s held since 1989 — currently serving as the Vice Chair on the Hospice Board of Directors. She enjoys visiting her five grandsons in Seattle.

Immediate Past Chair - Jessica Andre

Jessica André was born and raised in Melbourne, FL. She graduated from Melbourne High School and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in History from Auburn University. She is co-owner of FrogBones Family Shooting Center and Double Tapp Grill in Melbourne.

Jessica has worked with the Cancer Care Centers Foundation to help organize the annual Caring Hearts Benefit and she volunteers with Friends for Animals Sanctuary fostering dogs. She serves as a board member for the Space Coast Field of Dreams, the Bridges Foundation and is a Director of the André Family Foundation.

President - Michael Seeley

Michael Seeley joined the Health First Foundation as President in October 2016. He has more than 12 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 most recently 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 previous 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.

Treasurer - Christina Goins

Tina Goins was born in Munich, Germany and moved to Brevard County in 1989 after earning her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland. She is currently serving as the Business Development Manager at Fairway Management. Active in the community, she also enjoys kayaking, reading and fostering animals.

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. Dr. Balaji’s passion is to offer cutting edge medical care locally through Health First facilities to our patients. Dr. Balaji is married with two children.

Stephanie Brown

Stephanie Filippi Brown has a special passion for heart care and neonatal services. She earned her degree in nursing from Pennsylvania State University and practiced as a compassionate Intensive Care Unit nurse for many years before relocating to Brevard County in 2012 where she continues to be active in caring for her community.

Rebecca Burgman

Rebecca Shireman-Burgman was born and raised in Titusville, FL. She graduated from Titusville High School and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Mass Communications from the University of South Florida. She is the public relations and communications manager at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

She currently serves on the Board of Directors of weVENTURE, is a member of the The Haven for Children Guild 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 and the ABWA' s Making a Difference award.

Shelly Cooper

Rochelle L. Cooper ("Shelly") is Corporate Counsel at Northrop Grumman. Shelly previously served on the Board of Directors for the East Coast Zoological Association (Brevard Zoo); Florida Space Research Institute; Brevard Community College Foundation; and Association of Corporate Counsel's ("ACC") Central Florida Chapter. Shelly is admitted to the Florida and Connecticut State Bar Associations, is a graduate of Emory University School of Law, and received a BA in Rhetoric and Communications Studies from the University of Virginia.

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.

Barry Forbes

Barry Forbes is a banker with over 30 years of experience in commercial banking. For most of his career he has been Market President with BB&T (now Truist) coordinating all of the different lines of business of the bank. His strengths include mission based leadership, client selection, developing a "trusted advisor" relationship with clients, strong decision making skills, and the maintenance and development of a referral network.

Barry was born and still resides in Brevard County with his family. He is highly involved in the community on several different boards. Barry enjoys the outdoors, spending time with my family and friends and being a fan of different sports teams.

Steven Johnson, PhD
President & CEO

Steven Johnson is responsible for providing overall direction and leadership for Health First’s Integrated Delivery Network, which includes Health First Health Plans and its 130,000 covered lives, four hospitals—Health First’s Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne (514 beds), Health First’s Palm Bay Hospital in Palm Bay (152 beds), Health First’s Cape Canaveral Hospital in Cocoa Beach (150 beds) and Health First’s Viera Hospital in Melbourne (84 beds) — as well as many outpatient, diagnostic and treatment centers, a multi-specialty physician practice, a network of fitness and wellness services and the only Heart Center and Level II Trauma Center in Brevard County.

Under Johnson’s leadership, Health First has become an Integrated Delivery Network (IDN) focused on wellness and prevention.

Johnson serves on the Board of Trustees for the Florida Hospital Association.

Prior to joining Health First, Johnson served as the President of Hospital Operations for SSM Health Care — St. Louis (SSMHC), a seven-hospital system based in Missouri. Johnson began his career as a Clinical Psychologist and then served as administrator for a state-run residential rehabilitation center. He later served as a regional vice president for a rehabilitative services company that provides healthcare services in sub-acute and post-acute settings. He also served as the executive director of a behavioral health managed-care organization.

With more than 30 years of clinical and management experience, a proven track record of successfully bringing together a diverse healthcare system and a commitment to improving the health of the entire community, Johnson served in several capacities with SSMHC after he was selected as the Vice President of SSM Behavioral Health Services in 1997. Six years later, Johnson was promoted to president of both the rehabilitation and behavioral health services in the region. In 2007, he was asked to serve as president of DePaul Health Center, a 460-bed hospital within the SSMHC system. He was subsequently appointed as President of Hospital Operations for the regional system with revenues of $1.5 billion.

After earning his undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Puget Sound (Wash.), Johnson earned his Master of Science degree in Human Development and a doctoral degree in Psychology from the University of Kansas. He is also a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Kirk Kessel

Kirk Kessel has been in the real estate business for over 30 years. Kirk is a member of the Melbourne Area Board 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.

Christine Lance

Christine Lance has more than 20 years of experience in Human Resource Management with Honeywell, Inc. and NCR Corporation. She was named the Florida Today “Volunteer of the Year” in 2009 and received the 2010 award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Space Coast Chapter for her work with organizations like the Women’s Center Guild, Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts, Holy Trinity Academy, United Way of Brevard, PREVENT! of Brevard, Health First Foundation, Brevard Neighborhood Development Coalition, The Haven, and Florida Tech Athletics. Christine is a graduate of the Krannert School of Management at Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management and a Master of Science in Management.

Polly Molnar

Polly Molnar is a former marketing and development director of the Brevard Arts Council (now the Brevard Cultural Alliance) and is a past board member of the Brevard Symphony Orchestra, the Brevard Art Museum, and the King Center for the Performing Arts. She has served on the Health First Annual Hospital Ball committee for several years and a committee member and supporter of the Health First Grape Escape. She and her husband of more than 50 years, Tom Molnar, live in Cocoa Beach.

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 Captial 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).

Rob Perers

Robert Perers is a long-time Melbourne Beach local and President of Operations at American Business Interiors. He is involved with many professional groups locally and within his industry. He has served on many boards of local charities including United Way, Brevard Cultural Alliance, the Boys and Girls Club — and currently serves on the Hospice of Health First Board of Directors. He is a past chair of the Health First Foundation Ball underwriting committee. He graduated from Melbourne High School and Flagler College. Robert enjoys surfing, golfing, exercise and living a healthy lifestyle with his three sons.

Barry Richardson

Barry Richardson is a Brevard County native and is the founder of River Tree Builders. His business has been twice named the Home Builders & Contractors Association of Brevard’s Remodeler of the Year. In addition to the Health First Foundation Board, Barry volunteers his time with Suntree United Methodist Church. He earned his Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Rollins College.

Nancy Taylor

Nancy Taylor has been instrumental in the charitable efforts for Health First since recovering in the care of Health First doctors and nurses from an auto accident where she was hit by a drunk driver in 1995. A dedicated volunteer and donor, Nancy helped to raise funds to bring a trauma center and First Flight air ambulance to Health First’s Holmes Regional Medical Center. Nancy has served as past Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Health First Foundation. Active in Brevard County real estate sales for almost 40 years, Nancy lives in the Lake Washington neighborhood of Melbourne with her husband, Ralph.

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.

Bill Troner

William A. Troner is a patent licensing attorney at Andre-Troner LC. He received his Bachelors 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. 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.