Ashley Chaney - President

Ashley Chaney is a native of Burlington Ontario, Canada but has called Tallahassee home since 2007. Ashley is a hospitality professional with over 15 years of experience in every aspect of restaurant, catering and hospitality management where she has planned and executed events large and small for her various clients. In the fall of 2019 Ashley joined For the Table Hospitality as the director of Business Development. Her wealth of knowledge in the hospitality industry has garnered her praise from her various clients.

Ashley Chaney is a native of Burlington Ontario, Canada but has called Tallahassee home since 2007. Ashley is a hospitality professional with over 15 years of experience in every aspect of restaurant, catering and hospitality management where she has planned and executed events large and small for her various clients. In the fall of 2019 Ashley joined For the Table Hospitality as the director of Business Development. Her wealth of knowledge in the hospitality industry has garnered her praise from her various clients.

Ashley is very active in the Tallahassee community serving on various boards and committees. She is currently on the board of Tree House Tallahassee, served as the Fast Cars and Mason Jars event chair in 2018, is a volunteer for the Tallahassee Chambers Total Resource Campaign (TRC), a member of Access Tallahassee, Florida Society of Association Executives (FSAE)  and Tallahassee Association of Wedding Professional (TAWP).

Ashley and her husband Chris Chaney are parents to their two little girls Penelope and Charlotte and dog mom to Watson.

Meredith Strange - Immediate Past President

Meredith is a Tallahassee native and Leon High School graduate. She earned degrees in history and classical studies from Furman University and a law degree from The University of Virginia School of Law. After graduating from law school, Meredith held a judicial clerkship at the Fifth District Court of Appeal in Daytona Beach before returning to Tallahassee to go into private practice.

Meredith is a Tallahassee native and Leon High School graduate. She earned degrees in history and classical studies from Furman University and a law degree from The University of Virginia School of Law. After graduating from law school, Meredith held a judicial clerkship at the Fifth District Court of Appeal in Daytona Beach before returning to Tallahassee to go into private practice.She is currently a shareholder at Williams Gautier law firm, where her practice focuses on providing regulatory and legal compliance assistance to the firm’s financial institution clients. Meredith is a member of the Tallahassee Bar Association, Tallahassee Women Lawyers, a Sustaining member of the Junior League of Tallahassee, and she and her husband, David, are active members of First Presbyterian Church.

Louis Poskey, President Elect

Louis Poskey currently serves as Chief Operating Officer for Aegis Business Technologies, a Managed Services Provider based in Tallahassee. Louis, a Tallahassee native, is a graduate of Lincoln High School and Tallahassee Community College. He received a Bachelor of Science in Commerce and Business Administration from the University of Alabama with a Management Information Systems major.

Louis Poskey currently serves as Chief Operating Officer for Aegis Business Technologies, a Managed IT Services provider based in Tallahassee. Louis, a Tallahassee native, is a graduate of Lincoln High School and Tallahassee Community College. He received a Bachelor of Science in Commerce and Business Administration from the University of Alabama with a Management Information Systems major. He and his wife, Meghan Poskey, have been active in coastal cleanups, and other community activities. Louis enjoys spending time with friends and family, biking, mountain climbing and spending time at the beach.

Melanie Black - Corresponding Secretary

Melanie is a third generation Floridian and has lived in Tallahassee for over ten years now. She has an undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education and a Masters in Reading and Language Arts from Florida State University.

Melanie is a third generation Floridian and has lived in Tallahassee for over ten years now. She has an undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education and a Masters in Reading and Language Arts from Florida State University.

Upon graduation, Melanie spent her years teaching children throughout our community. She and her husband, Greg, are now raising their two daughters, Elizabeth and Katherine. Melanie has thoroughly enjoyed her time spent working with the children in Tree House and spreading the mission of this wonderful organization since 2017.

Bethany McAlister - Recording Secretary

Bethany serves as the Deputy Chief of Staff for the Florida Department of Education, as well as the Executive Director for the Florida Education Foundation. As a third-generation military brat who has lived in 17 different communities from Pre-K to postsecondary, her family’s commitment to public service formed her professional ethos to produce high-quality work to improve both individuals and communities.

Bethany serves as the Deputy Chief of Staff for the Florida Department of Education, as well as the Executive Director for the Florida Education Foundation. As a third-generation military brat who has lived in 17 different communities from Pre-K to postsecondary, her family’s commitment to public service formed her professional ethos to produce high-quality work to improve both individuals and communities.

For the past 12 years she has been serving Florida’s communities in the private, nonprofit, and government sectors. Most recently she was a Director of Legislative Affairs for the Florida Department of Education. Previously, Bethany was Leadership Florida’s Member Services and Resource Development Manager, and before that, she was an Account Manager at a top-tier, public relations and advertising firm, The Zimmerman Agency, managing three global accounts.

Most importantly, however, she holds the titles of daughter, sister, aunt, friend, Guardian ad Litem, and Floridian.  Bethany is a graduate of the Florida State University where she received her Bachelors of Science in Public Relations and has a Masters in Nonprofit Management from the University of Tampa.

Chandler Russell - Treasurer

Chandler is a manager in the assurance services department with Thomas Howell Ferguson, P.A. a regional accounting firm headquartered in Tallahassee. She is a graduate of Maclay School and attended the University of Alabama where she earned a Bachelors and Masters degree in accounting before obtaining her CPA designation. Chandler has been with Thomas Howell Ferguson since 2015 where she has provided a range of services including financial statement audits, agreed-upon procedures, financial statement reviews and preparations, SOC audits and general consulting work for a wide array of industries including commercial, non for profit, and insurance.

Chandler is a manager in the assurance services department with Thomas Howell Ferguson, P.A. a regional accounting firm headquartered in Tallahassee. She is a graduate of Maclay School and attended the University of Alabama where she earned a Bachelors and Masters degree in accounting before obtaining her CPA designation. Chandler has been with Thomas Howell Ferguson since 2015 where she has provided a range of services including financial statement audits, agreed-upon procedures, financial statement reviews and preparations, SOC audits and general consulting work for a wide array of industries including commercial, non for profit, and insurance. She also has served as treasurer on the board of Infragard  North Florida Members Alliance and on the Supervisory Committee of Envision Credit Union. She has lived in Tallahassee for over 20 years and has enjoyed giving back to her community through the United Way of the Big Bend Loaned Executive program and involvement in the Tree House. In her free time, Chandler enjoys spending time on the water in Perdido Key, Florida, and watching Alabama football.

Carlecia Collins

Carlecia, a government consultant in GrayRobinson’s Tallahassee law firm office, has more than a decade of experience working in Florida politics. Her experience includes serving as a special assistant to the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives and in several leadership roles within the Florida Senate. In her most recent position, Carlecia served as a senior legislative assistant for Florida Senate President Bill Galvano, where she handled statewide appointments to boards, commissions, and taskforces for the Florida Senate.

Carlecia, a government consultant in GrayRobinson’s Tallahassee law firm office, has more than a decade of experience working in Florida politics. Her experience includes serving as a special assistant to the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives and in several leadership roles within the Florida Senate. In her most recent position, Carlecia served as a senior legislative assistant for Florida Senate President Bill Galvano, where she handled statewide appointments to boards, commissions, and taskforces for the Florida Senate.

Carlecia has an in-depth knowledge of Florida’s legislative process, which is invaluable to her clients in helping them achieve their legislative proprieties.

From 2011 through 2016, Carlecia severed as the “gate keeper” for House and Senate presiding officers to ensure their availability to legislators, lobbyists, and the public. Carlecia earned her associate of arts degree in 2015 from Tallahassee Community College, followed by a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Social Science from Florida State University in 2018. While attending Florida State University, she worked as a senior legislative assistant for Florida Senate District 16. In this role, during the 2016 Legislative Session, Carlecia coordinated budget priorities for the chair of the Senate Committee on Appropriations and served as the liaison between the chair, constituents, and lobbyists. She also worked with the chair to ensure senators’ priorities were represented in the final budget. She completed her master’s degree in Applied American Politics and Policy in 2020. In June of 2020, Carlecia was selected as a member of the 2021 Leadership Florida Connect 11 Class.

Bruce Foster

In Tallahassee and its surrounding areas, The Big Bend Group at Coldwell Banker Hartung is renowned among colleagues and clients alike for their integrity, professionalism, and results. In addition to being recognized as the #1 Coldwell Banker team in Florida, #48 in North America, The Big Bend Group is also ranked in the Top 1.5% of all real estate teams in the United States across all real estate brokerage brands by The Wall Street Journal.

Founder, Bruce Foster, who is from Tallahassee, is nationally and internationally recognized for his sales achievements and has a reputation as one of the most trusted and admired agents in Tallahassee’s real estate industry.

In Tallahassee and its surrounding areas, The Big Bend Group at Coldwell Banker Hartung is renowned among colleagues and clients alike for their integrity, professionalism, and results. In addition to being recognized as the #1 Coldwell Banker team in Florida, #48 in North America, The Big Bend Group is also ranked in the Top 1.5% of all real estate teams in the United States across all real estate brokerage brands by The Wall Street Journal.

Founder, Bruce Foster, who is from Tallahassee, is nationally and internationally recognized for his sales achievements and has a reputation as one of the most trusted and admired agents in Tallahassee’s real estate industry.

Bruce possesses a strong combination of local knowledge and established connections that produce results for his clients. Additionally, he is a full-service real estate agent and recognized as one of the Top 30 Agents Under 30 in the World for Coldwell Banker which is made up of over 3,000 offices, in 49 countries, with over 94,000 agents and is also ranked as the #1 individual agent by Area850.com.

With a background in high-end sales, marketing, and exceptional customer service, each client benefits from a hands-on, white-glove service, while also having access to the exclusive resources and cutting edge technology from one of the most respected firms in the world, Coldwell Banker.

He’s been on the other side of the transaction trying to find the perfect dream house for his high school sweetheart, two children, three pups, and one cat. Bruce takes his tagline, “Your Realtor ®  for Life” VERY seriously, and he thinks that it’s crucial for him to be there for his clients 24/7 during and after the transactions.

If someone were to ask Bruce what his favorite part of any transaction is, he would tell you once the deal has closed because he loves seeing how his clients put their touch on their new home. Those smiles are so rewarding, and that is why he loves what he does. Give him a call, shoot him an email or a text, and put your dreams in his hands, and he will happily be your Realtor® for life.

BillieAnne Gay

BillieAnne Gay serves as the Anheuser-Busch State Government Affairs Director for the southeast. Prior to AB, she lobbied in the healthcare and education space. HCA Healthcare after spending 15 years in public education. She is a Tallahassee native, former catcher for the FSU softball team, and holds her Master of Education leadership from UWF.

BillieAnne Gay serves as the Anheuser-Busch State Government Affairs Director for the southeast. Prior to AB, she lobbied in the healthcare and education space. HCA Healthcare after spending 15 years in public education. She is a Tallahassee native, former catcher for the FSU softball team, and holds her Master of Education leadership from UWF. She serves her community and state on the Leadership Florida NW Florida Council, FLAEYC Board of Directors, Tree House Tallahassee Board, and as a Founding Member of the local Babe Ruth Baseball Alumni Foundation. BillieAnne enjoys fishing and boating in Florida’s waterways, gardening, and cooking for family and friends. She is the proud mom of BulleitAnne Gay, the Downtown Coonhound.

Spencer Hinds

Spencer Hinds

Tracey Grant

Tracey Grant is an Account Executive for Cardinal Staffing Services of Tallahassee. She has a variety of experience in customer service, sales & marketing & business development. She graduated from Florida State University and majored in Sociology with a minor in Child Development. She also has a degree in Legal Assisting and holds a Personal Training Certification.

Tracey Grant is an Account Executive for Cardinal Staffing Services of Tallahassee. She has a variety of experience in customer service, sales & marketing & business development. She graduated from Florida State University and majored in Sociology with a minor in Child Development. She also has a degree in Legal Assisting and holds a Personal Training Certification. She is active in the Tallahassee community and has served on several committees and enjoys fundraising. She has been involved and has supported Treehouse since 2011. She is originally from New Smyrna Beach, FL and has been in Tallahassee for sixteen years. Tracey enjoys spending time with friends and family and especially her daughter Kyleigh. She loves college football, working out and relaxing at the beach and giving back to her community.

Nichole Moore

Nichole Moore

Christina Riccardi - Past President

Christina Riccardi was born and raised in Tallahassee. After graduating from Leon High School, she attended the University of Florida and received her Bachelors Degree in Psychology with an emphasis in neuroscience. Christina returned to Tallahassee and earned a PhD in Clinical Psychology from Florida State University.

Christina Riccardi was born and raised in Tallahassee. After graduating from Leon High School, she attended the University of Florida and received her Bachelors Degree in Psychology with an emphasis in neuroscience. Christina returned to Tallahassee and earned a PhD in Clinical Psychology from Florida State University. Following graduation she completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship with an emphasis in the treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) at the Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina. She then joined the staff of the medical center as the OEF/OIF/OND Psychologist working with returning veterans and their families. Christina and husband, Carter (also a Tallahassee native), moved back to the area in 2014 and are the proud parents of one daughter, Katherine. Christina is a Staff Psychologist at the Tallahassee Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic and Clerkship Faculty at the FSU College of Medicine.

Julian Smith

A fourth generation Tallahassee native, Julian was raised in a family that understands the importance of giving back to the community you call home. Julian graduated from Leon High School and Florida State University. While at FSU, he became a member of the Kappa Alpha Order Fraternity and helped raise funds for numerous philanthropies and local non-profit organizations. Upon graduation, Julian worked for Capital City Bank and Copy Fax, where he gained valuable experiences in marketing, sales and customer service. He currently works for Alpha Foundations as a System Design Specialist and is helping redefine the foundation repair industry and working to change customer perceptions of working with contractors.

A fourth generation Tallahassee native, Julian was raised in a family that understands the importance of giving back to the community you call home. Julian graduated from Leon High School and Florida State University. While at FSU, he became a member of the Kappa Alpha Order Fraternity and helped raise funds for numerous philanthropies and local non-profit organizations. Upon graduation, Julian worked for Capital City Bank and Copy Fax, where he gained valuable experiences in marketing, sales and customer service. He currently works for Alpha Foundations as a System Design Specialist and is helping redefine the foundation repair industry and working to change customer perceptions of working with contractors.

 

Julian is also involved with Ducks Unlimited, Trinity United Methodist Church, and is a member of Access Tallahassee and the Tallahassee Board of Realtors. In his free time, Julian enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, watching college football (FSU) and fishing at St. Teresa Beach.

Screven Watson

Screven Watson is a native of Shreveport, Louisiana who has been involved in Florida Government and Politics, at the local, legislative, executive levels for over two decades.   After graduation from SMU in Dallas, Screven worked on Capitol Hill for several years before moving to Florida as a Political Director for a United States Senate Race.  In between running campaigns, Screven received his law degree from Nova Southeastern University in Broward County, Florida.

Screven Watson is a native of Shreveport, Louisiana who has been involved in Florida Government and Politics, at the local, legislative, executive levels for over two decades.   After graduation from SMU in Dallas, Screven worked on Capitol Hill for several years before moving to Florida as a Political Director for a United States Senate Race.  In between running campaigns, Screven received his law degree from Nova Southeastern University in Broward County, Florida.

Screven Watson is President of Screven Watson and Associates whose client list has included State of Florida based associations, corporations and governmental entities.

Screven was the Executive Director of the Florida Democratic Party in 1999-2000.  He therefore had the historic distinction of being in charge of the Democratic Party’s activities during the famous 2000 Presidential Election Re-Count between George W Bush and Al Gore.

Screven is also has been a regular guest on several Statewide Television Shows as a Democratic Strategist including Facing Florida with Mike Vasilinda, The Pundits with Steve Wilkerson and currently is a re-occurring guest on The Usual Suspects with Gary Yordon.

Screven is married to Sabrena Feagle Watson , a native Floridian from Holmes County and they have one daughter, Shelby Watson currently a Junior at Maclay School.  They reside in Tallahassee Florida.

Mark Yealdhall - Past President

Mark was born and raised on Kent Island in Maryland. He graduated from Queen Anne’s County High School and after a short time in south Florida, moved to Tallahassee in 1994. Mark is the Director of Client Relations at Fasig Brooks Law Offices.

Mark was born and raised on Kent Island in Maryland. He graduated from Queen Anne’s County High School and after a short time in south Florida, moved to Tallahassee in 1994. Mark is the Director of Client Relations at Fasig Brooks Law Offices.

Community involvement is important to Mark and his wife, Maria, and they support many worthy non-profits in our area each year. An avid outdoorsman, Mark loves boating, spearfishing and spending time with his family and friends at Alligator Point.