Board
Dan Jaworski (Chairman)
Dan is a very successful former Wall Street investment banker who now calls Central Florida home. He continues to consult and pursue his passion of coaching high school basketball. Dan also has a special passion for the most at-risk children of our community and loves the vision of Elevate Orlando. He and wife, Julie have two children.
Jack McGill
Jack McGill serves as the president of Elevate Orlando. Previously, he was the national director of Priority Associates, a non-profit that seeks to develop the personal, professional and spiritual life of business and professional men and women in the marketplace. Jack is a coach-director, strategic planner and motivator, dedicated to improving the quality of life available to our inner city teens.
Jack graduated from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, where he played basketball. He also has a Masters degree from Dallas Theological Seminary. He and his wife Sheri have been married for 27 years and have 3 children.
W. Michael Mikkelson
Wm. Michael (Mike) Mikkelson, CCIM (Liberty Investment Properties – President & CEO) has over 30 years of executive experience in commercial real estate and development/operation of income-producing property. A native of Oregon with a business degree in Business Administration from Linfield College (McMillville, OR), Mike is a member of the Self Storage Association and served as president of its Southeast District in 1995. Prior to forming Liberty, he served as an apartment/investment specialist with Caldwell Banker Real Estate Services (Now CB Richard Ellis) in Orlando, Florida and operated a mortgage company in Portland, Oregon. Mike is married to his high school sweetheart, Melissa. They have four children and one grandchild.
Stan Pietkiewicz
Principal of Titan Properties, a real estate, development company, Stan served as director of the Century National Bank from November 1999 until its’ merger into Seacoast National Bank in August 2006. He currently serves as Chairman for New Traditions National Bank, is a speaker for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Co-Founder of the Pietkiewicz-Clark basketball clinic. Stan is a former NBA player and a member of the Winter Park, Florida community for 38 years.
John Rivers
John Rivers’ diverse career experience spans two decades and ranges from managing a billion dollar pharmaceutical distribution operation to opening the fastest growing new restaurant in the South East in his Texas-inspired 4 Rivers Smokehouse in Winter Park, Florida.
Betsey Bell
Betsey Bell is the Assistant Director of Philanthropy for the Orlando Magic and the Executive Director of the Orlando Magic Youth Fund. She holds a bachelor’s degree from North Carolina State University and a master’s degree from the University of Central Florida. She is an active board member of Orange County Healthy Start Coalition and the Foundation for Orange County Schools; and serves on the United Arts of Central Florida Development Committee.
Steve Cosler
Steve Cosler is an operating partner with Water Street Healthcare Partners, a leading private equity firm focused exclusively on health care. Prior to joining Water Street, he was the President and CEO of Priority Healthcare Corporation, held senior management positions with Core Source, a third party healthcare administrator, and had an extensive management career at IBM. Steve serves on numerous corporate boards, including Access MediQuip, CareCentrix, CCS Medical, CyDex, Inc., Claymore Securities, HealthPlan Holdings Inc. and SXC Health Solutions. Among his civic contributions, Steve serves on the Board of Opportunity International, one of the world’s largest microfinance organizations dedicated to creating jobs, stimulating small business and strengthening communities among the working poor
Gregg Nelsen
President Spectra Contract Flooring, Gregg is a long time resident of Longwood. He attended Wheaton College and graduated with a degree in Economics. Before joining the work force Gregg had the opportunity to go on a year long mission trip to Central and South America , playing basketball and sharing his faith with Sports Ambassadors . Once back in the states, he married his college sweet heart, Leslie, settled back in Longwood and began his career in the commercial floorcovering business. He and Leslie have four Children .
Matt Certo
Matt Certo is CEO & Principal of WebSolvers, a marketing and communications firm in Orlando. As a writer and speaker, he is considered an industry expert in the field of Internet marketing, Web development, and social media marketing. Matt serves as a Trustee and Investment Committee Chairman of the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation and Board President of The First Tee of Central Florida. Matt is also a past Chairman of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida and the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce. He was also a founding member of both the Rollins College Center for Entrepreneurship and the Rollins College President’s Leadership Council. A graduate of Rollins College, Matt and his wife Elizabeth reside in Orlando.
Valerie Gilchrist
Valerie is currently Community Relations Representative for Gilchrist Enterprises, Inc. d/b/a/ McDonald’s for 11 stores within the Orlando community. Founder and President of DeSoto County Homeless Coalition, Inc., a non-profit organization with the vision “To see homeless and potentially homeless individuals becoming productive citizens.” Valerie has a heart with a strong commitment to serve the needs of the disadvantaged including homeless, emancipated youth and special-needs populations. She is skilled in building community cohesive support, key coalitions and strategic interagency partnerships, established by solid credentials (Certified Public Manager) with training and experience in Total Quality Management. Prior to Valerie embarking the non-profit arena, she was employed by the State of Florida for over 22 years where she excelled in organizational strategic planning and process management.