Board of Directors
Operating Board
Heidi Bosley is a native of Wisconsin and has lived in in many states including California, Virginia and Tennessee as well as 3 years in London, England. She brings Helping People Succeed over 40 years’ experience in marketing and public relations for clients such as McDonald’s and Nissan Motor Corporation. She has degrees in Economics and Speech Communications from Wake Forest University. She is also married and a mother of 2 sons aged 21 and 24.
Tom is a retired commercial realtor and business owner since 1971 currently licensed in Florida and New York. He is a former Stuart City Commissioner and 3-time Florida League of Cities “Hometown Hero” winner. Tom currently serves on a number of boards including United Way of Martin County, Martin County Taxpayers Association as well as the Editor of Friends and Neighbors newsletter. He a member of Helping People Succeed’s Facilities Committee and looks forward to the introduction of new opportunities for Helping People Succeed.
Marco Violante is an AVP Banking Center Manager at Seacoast Bank building relationships throughout the Treasure Coast supporting clients with their banking needs. Marco has over 15 years of Banking experience including 3 years of Commercial Lending having worked for Wells Fargo, Peoples United Bank and Union Savings Bank. He is a graduate of Southern New Hampshire University with a master’s degree in accounting. Previously, Marco was the Treasurer for the Portuguese Cultural Center in Danbury, CT for 4 years. Currently residing in Port St. Lucie, Marco, recently moved to Florida from Danbury, CT along with his wife and two children.
Rosie Portera is currently a Clinical Support Specialist for Florida Atlantic University. She provides autism resources and consultations for families who have a child diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Rosie served as a Speech Language Pathologist for the Martin County School District and prior to that was the Director of Children and Family Services for the Arc of Palm Beach County. She has held several positions and has many accomplishments in her field. Of note was her position of School Principal for Potentials Charter School – the first conferred Charter School in Palm Beach County in 1998 and was named a “Florida Model Charter School of Excellence” by The Florida Department of Education in 2003. Rosie has both a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology and a Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language from Florida State University. Rosie and her husband of 30 years, Doug, are the proud parents of two daughters.
Board Members
David currently serves as an emergency management and public safety consultant for local, county and state government agencies. He is also a Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator for all Circuit and County Courts. He is a successful consensus builder, driving cooperative relationships with community and industry leaders, and government officials. In addition to private mediations, David also conducts insurance dispute mediations involving homeowners and their insurance company. He is the principle of Dees Mediation and Consulting Services. Prior to becoming a court certified mediator, David provided claims oversight and settlement authority for claims including government auto liability, general liability, bodily injury, wrongful arrest, and death. David served the law enforcement, emergency and risk management community for over 35 years, and was appointed Chief Executive Officer of a statewide law enforcement agency. He also served as a college and university adjunct faculty member. David graduated Summa Cum Laude from Barry University with a degree in Public Administration, the FBI National Academy and the Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute.
Allen Herskowitz has been a full time resident of Martin County since he retired as an aerospace executive in 2000. He has been an active member of the Sailfish Point community as the long standing chair of the Beaches and Waterways committee. He served two terms as president of the Sailfish Point POA, ten years apart. He was also awarded the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award in January, 2019. Allen was just elected to his second two year term as chair of the Florida Oceanographic Board, serves on the Cleveland/Martin Health Systems Foundation Board and previously served on the Artists for a Cause board, Helping People Succeed Foundation board and the Hospice of Northern Virginia Foundation Board. Allen and Susan have two children and four grandchildren, one set in Brooklyn and the other in Austin.
Artie's personal mission statement is "to empower others and make a positive impact on all those he interacts with." As such, he has always had a desire to serve his local communities. Artie has served as the President of Community Uplift Partnership, the treasurer of Ringside sports, an elder for Harriman Chapel and on many other committees. Artie recently relocated to Jensen Beach, FL and is very excited to be working alongside many great people at Helping People Succeed. Professionally, Artie has always been an entrepreneur at heart. He has owned four different companies in four different fields and has also consulted other small business owners. He recently joined Edward Jones as a Financial Advisor and now serves by providing planning for financial wellness and stewarding wealth. Artie has a beautiful wife named Tracy and two amazing boys ages 12 and 10. In their spare time they love training Jiu Jitsu together and enjoying outdoor activities including boating, fishing, and just about every sport.
Jill Marasa is the Director of Development – Treasure Coast for Ashley Capital, one of the largest privately-held industrial real estate investment companies in the U.S. She oversees the development activity for the Florida land portfolio, comprised of over 2,000 acres in Martin County and St. Lucie Counties including Sunrise Grove Commerce Center, Martin Commerce Park and PCC2023. Jill started her career in the financial services industry in New York and New Jersey and held various economic development roles at the Business Development Board of Martin County. Prior to joining Ashley Capital, she served as the Vice President, Business Retention and Expansion at the Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County responsible for promoting economic development and leading business retention, expansion and attraction efforts, as well as recruitment for new industrial development activity.
Leah is the founder and chief executive officer of Our Village Okeechobee, Inc. that provides families a hand up, not a hand out by providing comprehensive spiritual, cultural, social, health and education experience in the community. Helping People Succeed’s Healthy Families program works closely with Our Village. Recently Our Village sponsored a luncheon recognizing outstanding mental health organizations—Carolyn Moses, Healthy Families Manager was recognized. Leah serves in many capacities in Okeechobee and through her position as CEO of Our Village.
Honorary Board Members
Carolyn Timmann, a long-time Martin County resident with an extensive background in state public service, has served on the operating board of Helping People Succeed since January of 2012.
Carolyn is also the Martin County Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller, taking office in January of 2013.
Carolyn started her career in the state court system working for a judge in the old Martin County Courthouse. She then worked in a local law firm before serving as a legislative assistant in the Florida House of Representatives, based in Stuart. Following that role, Carolyn and her family moved to Tallahassee where she served in the Attorney General’s Office as Special Assistant to Florida's Solicitor General.
In 2006, Carolyn transferred to the Office of the Governor as Executive Deputy Chief of Staff overseeing military and veterans’ affairs, gubernatorial councils and commissions, and statewide consumer and technology projects. Included among her responsibilities were the organization and oversight of the Governor’s Commission on Disabilities and the Governor's Task Force on Autism Spectrum Disorders. In January 2011, the Governor appointed Carolyn as his Division Director managing public records and projects to provide statewide electronic information. She resigned from that role in 2012 to return home to Martin County and seek the Office of Clerk & Comptroller.
Clerk Timmann attended the University of Georgia, Indian River State College and Florida State University earning B.A. and A.A. degrees, as well as Certificates in Public Administration, Legal Assistant Technology, and Public Records Management.
Clerk Timmann has also completed the professional development certification program for Court Clerks, which was developed by the Florida Supreme Court in conjunction with the Florida Association of Court Clerks & Comptrollers. Recently, she was appointed by the Governor to represent the statewide Clerks of Court as a member of the Criminal and Juvenile Justice Information Systems Council for 2014-2016.
Helping People Succeed Foundation Board
Claire Nash is a Professor of Accounting at Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA). Before joining PBA she held academic positions as an Assistant Professor of Accounting at Florida Atlantic University, and as an Associate Professor of Accountancy at Christian Brothers University, Memphis, Tennessee where she held the Morrie Moss Chair in Accounting and served as Chair of the Accounting, Finance, and Business Law Department. Prior to joining academia, her professional career spanned more than twenty years during which she held positions as Vice President, Tax Director for Union Planters Corporation, (merged with Regions Bank) and, as a Manager for the professional services team of Ernst & Young, LLP (formally Ernst & Whinney), an international professional services firm. Dr. Nash’s primary research interest is U.S. tax Policy affection the taxation of capital and labor as it related to pass-through entities and wealth accumulation by individuals. Her research is published in leading tax and accounting journals. She is the recipient of several academic awards, honors, and grants.
Claire has a long history of giving back to the community and the accounting profession. She serves, and has served on numerous boards and committees: Trustees of the Educational Foundation of the Florida Institute of Public Accounts; Corporate Board of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Martin County; Board of the United Methodist Foundation of the Tennessee and Memphis Conferences; Board of the United Methodist Church (UMC) Insurance Company; Board of the General Council on Finance and Administration of the UMC; City of Memphis, Division of Housing & Community Development – CDC Grant Evaluation Committee; City of Memphis, Divisi9on of Housing & Community Development – Micro Loan Committee; and Editorial Adviser for The Tax Adviser.
Claire earned her Doctorate of Philosophy in Accounting and Master of Accountancy with a tax emphasis from the University of Mississippi, and her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Eastern Illinois University. She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensed in the states of Illinois and Tennessee.
Jessica is a mother of six and her youngest is going to college in the fall. She has many years of volunteering experience in the Martin County School System. Jessica’s volunteer activities have included supporting the Jensen Beach High School Band Boosters, helping on Field Trips for Art Club and Jubilate All State, along with being a volunteer for Project Graduation. Jessica has also served in multiple leadership roles in PTSA positions – PTSA President in 2022 – and on the Florida State PTA Cultural Arts Committee prior to that. Jessica was recognized with the Jensen Beach High School’s Outstanding Volunteer Award in 2021 for her service to the students. Jessica is the business owner of Skyline Tribe Yoga and Tai Chi. She has been teaching mindful movement for 17 years and teaches private and group lessons. Jessica understands the need to raise awareness for Helping People Succeed – specifically in the mental health arena.
Dale Forbes worked for Liberty Mutual (Boston Home Office) for almost 38 years and is now retired. He served in a variety of mostly operational accounting managerial positions. The last 10 years were spent as a manager focused on enhancing Liberty Mutual’s global reinsurance credit risk management, which was a significant part of the Company’s overall enterprise risk management (ERM) effort. This role included: financial analysis, working with management in multiple internal disciplines (finance, legal, actuarial), and consultation with numerous external partners (brokers, reinsurance companies). Dale and his wife moved to Jensen Beach in mid-2014. He currently serves as Treasurer of Trinity United Methodist Church (Jensen Beach), and President of the Art Associates of Martin County. He enjoys investing, abstract acrylic painting, and the atmosphere of our local community.
Marian grew up in a creative household in Staten Island, New York. She was the first person in her family to receive a college degree and graduated with honors from the prestigious Hunter College in Manhattan. She went on to receive a master’s degree in Counseling from the City University of New York. Marian has been a guidance counselor, teacher, actress and real estate broker. Her varied professional career took her from education to arts and entertainment. She studied painting at the Art Students League in Manhattan, Snug Harbor Cultural Center, the Elliott Museum and Alizarin Crimson Gallery in Stuart. She is now retired and spends her time doting on her three grown children and their families, all of whom reside nearby in Stuart. She is a proud grandparent of eight and she hopes there will be more to come. Musical and artistic talent runs deep in this family and has been often recognized in the community. Marian has already been a volunteer and a supporting artist of Helping People Succeed for many years.
Mary Rose Bressman is a native of Stuart, FL and has lived here her entire childhood and the majority of her adult life. She and her husband own All Creatures Animal Hospital in Stuart. She enjoys practicing small animal veterinary medicine, raising three wonderful children, planning social events for her neighborhood, boating, and spending time with her dogs and cats.
Tom is a retired commercial realtor and business owner since 1971 currently licensed in Florida and New York. He is a former Stuart City Commissioner and 3-time Florida League of Cities “Hometown Hero” winner. Tom currently serves on a number of boards including United Way of Martin County, Martin County Taxpayers Association as well as the Editor of Friends and Neighbors newsletter. He a member of Helping People Succeed’s Facilities Committee and looks forward to the introduction of new opportunities for Helping People Succeed.
Bonney Johnson is a Senior Trust Officer for Bank of America Private Bank and has been in the banking industry for over thirty three years. She works with clients on basic trust structures to innovative wealth strategies, and helps meet their individual, family and charitable objectives. Her primary responsibilities are associated with administering trusts and carrying out client’s instructions. Bonney has been a board member of Alzheimer’s Community Care since 2013 and was most recently appointed as Chair of their Development Standing Committee. She is a current member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach and Martin Counties. Bonney is also a member of the Martin Health System’s Professional and General Advisory Boards. Bonney has served on many other nonprofit boards throughout the Treasure Coast. She was named as Outstanding Volunteer by the Association of Fundraising Professionals in 2019 for National Philanthropy Day. Bonney lives in St Lucie County and enjoys spending time with her animals, RV traveling, biking and gardening.
Beth Prinz Lowy, an attorney with Spraker and Prinz, Stuart, Florida has been affiliated with Helping People Succeed for more than 9 years. She received a Bachelor of Business Administration from USF and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Stetson University College of Law. Beth’s practice is concentrated in the areas of Estate Planning , Probate and Guardianship law and she is a member of the Florida and Martin County Bar Associations.
Stacy Weller Ranieri is the founder, president and Chief Illuminator of The Firefly Group, a full-service marketing and public relations firm founded in 2003 and based in Palm City, Florida. Stacy has more than thirty years of experience in marketing, public relations, community outreach and strategic planning. Her firm serves a diverse client base including businesses of all sizes and industries, government agencies and non-profit organizations throughout Florida. In addition to her firm providing pro-bono and reduced fee services to many area non-profits, her devotion to her community is expressed through her service on the boards of many non-profit, civic and business organizations over the years including: current board member and former Chair of the Board for the Martin County Library Foundation; more than a decade serving on the United Way of Martin County’s Board of Directors including Chair and Annual Campaign Chair; past member of the board of directors of the Stuart and Palm City Chambers of Commerce. Stacy is a founding member of Impact 100 Martin County. She is a graduate of Leadership Martin Class 10 and Leadership Florida Class 28. Stacy has a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and International Business from New York University’s Stern School of Business and a Master of Science in Environmental Resource Management from the Florida Institute of Technology. In her spare time, she enjoys oil painting and has been a featured artist in Helping People Succeed’s Art for Living calendar.
Kathryn moved to Stuart in 1976 when her dad became the pastor at Redeemer Lutheran Church. During her father’s time there they built and started the school which is now the Redeemer Lutheran Church and School. Kathryn graduated from Martin County High School and studied Elementary Education at Valparaiso University in Indiana. She left Florida in 1991 and raised three children and became a teacher. Moving back to Martin County ten years ago – Kathryn married her high school sweetheart in 2018. She worked at JD Parker and at Crystal Lake Elementary as a literacy coach until 2016. Now Kathryn is a stay at home mom of one kitten and looks forward to volunteering with Helping People Succeed, especially with children and families.
Robert Whitlach and his wife have lived in Jensen Beach since 2013, on the Treasure Coast since 2003 and in Florida since 1996. Rob has degrees from the University of Idaho and Indian River State University. Rob and Amy have 3 sons two of whom have diverse interests including soccer, music and flying. Rob has been a Financial Advisor since 2007 and had a 20 year career in Global Human Resources prior. Rob and Amy are active with several local charities, scouts, and attend TC3 church. Rob's and Amy also own the Pineapple Chalet a local executive suites business serving small businesses. Rob's interests include soccer coaching, boating, fishing, golf, and gardening.