Chairman
Eddy M. Regnier, PhD
Clinical and Forensic Psychologist
Assessment and Psychotherapy Services
Dr. Eddy Regnier was appointed to the Council in 2007 by former Florida Senate President Ken Pruitt. Currently, he is an associate professor of the Sarasota School of Professional Psychology and Behavioral Sciences for Argosy University at Sarasota. He is also in private practice at Assessment and Psychotherapy Services were he works as a Clinical and Forensic Psychologist. In addition, he serves on various community boards. Dr. Regnier is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts and received a Master's Degree and a Doctorate from Boston University.
Vice Chair
Albert Simpson, Jr., PhD
Reverend
Philemon Missionary Baptist Church
Reverend Albert Simpson, Jr., was appointed to the Council in 2007 by former Florida Senate President Ken Pruitt. Currently, Dr. Simpson is the pastor of Philemon Missionary Baptist Church and is also an advisor to Florida State Senator Stephen R. Wise. In addition, he is the founder of The Share, Care, and Dare Development Program, Inc., and the Philemon Evangelistic Outreach Ministries Bible Institute. Dr. Simpson is a graduate of Revelation Message Bible College and earned a Master’s Degree from Jacksonville Theological Seminary and Doctorates from Suffield University and Jacksonville Theological Seminary.
1st Vice Chair
Shila Ann Salem
Florida Department of Corrections
Assistant Regional Director – Re-Entry
Shila Ann Salem was appointed to the Council in 2011 by Florida Department of Corrections Secretary Edwin Buss. Presently, Mrs. Salem is the Assistant Regional Director – Re-Entry in the Northern Region. Her responsibilities include the management of re-entry initiatives and programs for 34 Correctional Institutions in the Northern Region. The goal is to ensure that every inmate who is released from the Department receives the opportunity to participate in evidence based re-entry programs, proven to reduce recidivism. Mrs. Salem holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Fayetteville State University in 1994 and a Master of Arts degree from Webster University in 1996. Mrs. Salem is credentialed by the Florida Certification Board as a Certified Criminal Justice Addictions Professional.
2nd Vice Chair
Ronald Henderson
Division of Disease Control
Statewide Minority AIDS Coordinator
Bureau of HIV/AIDS
Florida Department of Health
Mr. Ronald Henderson was appointed to the Council by State Surgeon General Ana Viamonte Ros and reappointed by current State Surgeon General H. Frank Farmer, Jr., MD, PhD, FACP. He currently serves as the Statewide Minority AIDS Coordinator for the Florida Department of Health. Mr. Henderson had the pleasure of facilitating and coordinating the activities of the Minority HIV/AIDS Task Force, which had the task of providing recommendations to the Governor, the Legislature and the Department of Health regarding strategies to strengthen HIV/AIDS prevention, early intervention and treatment efforts in Florida’s Minority communities and a member of the National African American Advisory Committee and the National Latino Advisory Committee. Since his appointment as the Statewide Minority AIDS Coordinator in 1999, there has been a forty-two percent decline in HIV cases among blacks. Mr. Henderson is a graduate of Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University, with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Business Economics.
Dennis Baxley
Representative
Florida State Representative, District 24
The Honorable Dennis Baxley was appointed to the Council in 2011 By Florida House Speaker Dean Cannon. He is currently a State Representative to District 24. Representative Baxley is Chairman of Health and Human Services Access Subcommittee. He is principal owner and Vice-President of Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services. Representative Baxley is the founding Chairman of First Avenue National Bank. He is a graduate of Florida State University and earned a BS, Sociology/Psychology.
Yata Caine
Instructor
Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University
Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice
Ms. Yata Caine was appointed to the Council in 2011 by House Speaker Dean Cannon. Currently, she is a full-time instructor in the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice at Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University. Prior to her current role, she served as a Research and Training Specialist/Grant Writer in the Bureau of Criminal Justice Programs in the Office of the Attorney General; Adjunct Instructor in the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice at Florida A & M Univ.; a Grants Specialist in the Florida Department of Legal Affairs. Ms. Caine earned a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Criminal Justice, Masters of Applied Social Sciences Degree and currently pursuing a Doctorate Degree in Criminology.
John F. Davis
External Affairs Officer
Department of Children and Families
Mr. John F. Davis was appointed to the Council in 2011 by Secretary David E. Wilkins. Currently, he is the Director of External Affairs for the Florida Department of Children and Families. Mr. Davis many responsibilities include coordinating grassroots outreach efforts, and building and expanding critical relationships with community partners and organizations. Prior to joining DCF’s leadership team, he was president of the JFD Consulting Group where he worked closely with community leaders and organizations as an advocate for their issues. Mr. Davis played football for Florida State University and graduated in 1994 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Political Science and a minor in Criminology.
Gypsy Gallardo
Publisher
Power Broker Magazine
Ms. Gypsy Gallardo was appointed to the Council in 2009 by Governor Charlie Crist. She is the publisher of the Power Broker magazine and e-zine, as well as being Director of Development for Urban Development Solutions, Inc., VP of Development of International Enterprise Development, and the Chief Strategy Officer for Concerned African Women and affiliated companies. Ms. Gallardo earned a Bachelor degree from the Whitney Young College of Leadership at Kentucky State University and a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.
Argatha Rigby-Gilmore
Chief
Lake City Police Department
Mrs. Argatha Rigby-Gilmore was appointed to the Council by the Attorney General Bill McCollum. She currently serves as Chief of Police with the Lake City Police Department. Prior to this, she was hired by the Tallahassee Police Department on August 31, 1984. Argatha retired from Tallahassee Police Department after 25 years of service. She is the recipient of numerous accolades and memberships which include: a Florida State University certified Public Manager, a graduate of the FBI National Academy, Session #214, a graduate of Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government State & Local Executive Program, and a recipient of the 2002 Black Achiever Award from the NAACP. She also was appointed by the Tallahassee Mayor as a member of the Community Improvement Advisory Council. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology from Florida State University and a Master’s Degree in Social Science and Public Administration from Florida A & M University.
Matthew Gregory
Human Resource Consultant
Department of Management Services
Mr. Matthew Gregory was appointed to the Council in 2010 by Secretary Linda South, Florida Department of Management Services. He currently serves as a Human Resource Consultant, helping to develop programs governing recruitment and selection, performance management, attendance and leave, employee fringe benefits and professional development for the State Personnel System, the largest of the state government employers. Mr. Gregory earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from Florida State University and his Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Florida Gulf Coast University.
William Hardin
Program Administrator
Behavioral Health Unit
Bureau of Medicaid Services
Mr. William “Bill” Hardin was appointed to the Council in 2011 by Roberta K. Bradford, Deputy Secretary for Medicaid at the Agency for Health Care Administration. He currently serves as the Program Administrator for the Behavioral Health Unit, in the Bureau of Medicaid Services at the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. Prior to his role as Program Administrator, he gained extensive experience working in the field of behavioral health that includes policy development, direct practice, supervision, and program administration. Mr. Hardin earned a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, a Master's Degree in Counseling, and a Juris Doctorate.
Eugene Morris
Operations and Management Consultant
Florida Department of Juvenile Justice
Mr. Eugene Morris was appointed to the Council in 2012 by Wansley Walters, Secretary for the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ). Currently, he serves as an Operations & Management Consultant where his responsibilities include working on programs to prevent youth from entering the juvenile justice system, working to improve vocational and educational options for youth under the care of DJJ and establishing the agency’s first re-entry program to assist juveniles with professional development skills. Prior to joining DJJ, Mr. Morris served as the Bureau Chief for Inmate Programs and Public Information Officer with the Alachua County Jail, Communications Director with the Florida Department of Corrections and as a dedicated public servant for a variety of other state agencies. Mr. Morris earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from Florida A&M University.
Lois A. Scott
Program Manager
Office of One Stop and Program Support
Agency for Workforce Innovation
Ms. Lois A. Scott was appointed to the Council in 2009 by Agency for Workforce Innovation Director Cynthia Lorenzo. She currently serves as Program Manager in the Office of One Stop and Program Support. She administers training, technical assistance, programmatic oversight and performance reporting for Florida's Workforce Development System. Ms. Scott also serves as a member of the Department of Corrections Re-Entry Advisory Council. She is a graduate of Bethune Cookman University.
Gary Siplin
Senator
Florida Senate, District 19
The Honorable Gary Siplin was appointed in 2011 to the Council by Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos. He currently serves as a State Senator for District 19 and as the Chair of the Florida Legislative Black Caucus. Prior to serving in the Florida Legislature, he was a Managing Partner, Attorney for a private firm, Assistant County Attorney and a Law Clerk in the state of Florida including other experiences, accomplishments, honors and awards. Senator Siplin graduated from Johnson C. Smith University and earned a BA degree in Political Science, a M.A. from the University of Pittsburg, a Juris Doctorate from the Duquesne (Du-Kane) University and a Honorary Doctorate from City College.
Ben F. Shirley, Jr.
Regional Operations Manager
Department of Children and Families
Mr. Ben Shirley was appointed to the Council by Secretary David E. Wilkins. He currently serves as the Regional Operations Manager for the Department of Children and Families. Prior to this, he worked in several Florida counties in different areas of Administration. He has seventeen years of progressive responsible state agency experience in operations management, policy, design and deployment of strategic planning, performance based budgeting and Sterling Quality Management based quality improvement systems. Mr. Shirley earned a Bachelor’s of Science Degree from Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University, and earned his certificate as a Certified Public Manager from Florida State University.
Andre Smith
Director
Florida PK20 Education Data Warehouse
Mr. Andre Smith was appointed to the Council in 2009 by Florida Commissioner of Education Eric J. Smith. Currently, he is the Director of Florida’s PK20 Education Data Warehouse. In addition, he is an Oracle Certified Professional Database Administrator. Mr. Smith earned a Bachelor’s in Management Information System and a Master’s in Educational Leadership & Administration from Florida State University.
Alan B. Williams
Representative
Florida State Representative, District 8
The Honorable Alan B. Williams was appointed to the Council in 2011 by Florida House Speaker Dean Cannon. He is currently a State Representative to District 8. Representative Williams is a Marketing Business Consultant and Business owner. Additionally, he serves on various committees. His focus is to educate the community at large on ways to empower themselves by encouraging accountability, integrity, and service to mankind. Representative Williams is a graduate of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and earned a BS and MBA in Business.
Stephen R. Wise
Senator
Florida Senate, District 5
The Honorable Stephen R. Wise was appointed in 2007 to the Council by former Florida Senate President Ken Pruitt. He currently serves as a State Senator for District 5 and as the Chair of the Education Pre-K -12 Appropriations Committee. Prior to serving in the Florida Legislature, he was a consultant and a retired educator. Senator Wise graduated from Florida Southern College and earned a Master’s degree from Middle Tennessee State University and a Doctorate from the University of Alabama.
Arto Woodley, Jr.
President
Frontline Outreach
Mr. Arto Woodley, Jr. was appointed to the Council in 2011 by Florida House Speaker Dean Cannon. Presently, he is the President of Frontline Outreach which is an urban ministry that serves urban youth and their families. Mr. Woodley is an ordained minister with emphasis on living a life that inspires others to fulfill their God-given Potential. He is involved in a variety of civic and community activities, to name a few, African American Community Fund, Early Learning Coalition and Bowling Green State University Alumni Board. Mr. Woodley’s degrees were earned at Bowling Green State University in Ohio.