Board Officers

Elizabeth Albert is President of the Volusia United Educators (VUE), the professional union representing teachers, guidance counselors, media specialists, social workers, speech clinicians, psychologists, and office specialists in Volusia County Public Schools.  VUE was established in 2016 as a result of a merger between the Volusia Teachers Organization and the Volusia Educational Support Association.  Ms. Albert has served as a public school educator in Volusia County for more than 16 years and holds a B.S. Exceptional Student Education from the University of Central Florida and a M.S. Ed. Mathematics K-6 from Walden University.

Greg Blosé has more than fifteen years of not-for-profit leadership experience. He served as the Director of the Board of Governors for the Florida Chamber of Commerce, responsible for building strategic partnerships with 200 of Florida’s largest businesses. Previous experience includes his position as the Executive Officer of the Volusia Home Builders Association and appointment by the Governor to the Florida State Emergency Response Commission. Mr. Blosé was a former news broadcaster for WNDB in Daytona Beach interviewing local, state, and federal officials and developing relationships with business and community leaders. He earned his MBA in 2013 and completed the Florida Society for Association Executives’ Qualified Association Specialist certification in 2020. He is completing his final year of the U.S. Chamber’s Institute for Organizational Management (IOM) certification and an Association Executive certification by the American Society of Association Executives´ (CAE).

Denise Breneman is the Development Manager for the Northeast Region for the Special Olympics Florida which provides year-round sports training and competition to children and adults eight years of age and older with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Ms. Breneman manages over four hundred volunteers, organizes all local events, and is responsible for operations within the two-county region. In addition, she contributes by sitting on the Disability Coalition, ESE Advisory Team, and the Volusia and Flagler County Transition Teams. She is highly active within the community and has served on the board for the Domestic Abuse Council, Volusia Literacy Council, VMA, United Way of Volusia and Flagler Counties, and March of Dimes. When asked about her work, Ms. Breneman stated, “When we as individuals, and as a society, choose inclusion over exclusion, we broaden ourselves, brighten the lives of others, and make the world a better place for all.”

Bob Davis is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Lodging & Hospitality Association of Volusia County; a position he has held for twenty years. He has been an unwavering advocate of the area’s visitor-based economy and hospitality workers for more than 50 years. Mr. Davis is a certified Hospitality Administrator and Hospitality Sales Professional. He serves on the Board of Counselors for Bethune Cookman University and the Board of Hospitality Management for Daytona State College and recently Governor Rick Scott reappointed Bob to the Daytona State College Board of Trustees. Mr. Davis is active in many community organizations; Volusia Literacy Council, United Way, Food Brings Hope and Adopt a School just to name a few.

Courtney Edgcomb is the President of United Way of Volusia and Flagler Counties. She was selected President of the organization in May 2019 after serving as Vice President of Community Impact for several years. Courtney began her career at United Way in 2012 as the Coordinator of Volunteers and from there continued to progress as she served the local community. She received her BA in Outreach Management from Stetson University and a master’s degree in Management from Troy University. In addition, Courtney has earned a Certificate of Volunteer Management from Rollins College. Courtney’s LinkedIn description begins with a quote, “Fighting for the health, education and financial stability of every person in every community”, and her extensive list of volunteer activities demonstrates her strong commitment to serve the people of Volusia and Flagler Counties.

The Honorable Barbara Girtman is the District 1 Representative and was elected to a four year term in November 2018.  Ms. Girtman serves on multiple boards and committees, including but not limited to, Greater Union Life Center, West Voluisa NAACP executive Committee, Rotary Club of DeLand and Fall Festival of the Arts.  Ms. Girtman received an A.A. Degree from Suffolk Community College, a B.A. Degree in business from SIU and a M.A.  Degree from St. Leo University in healthcare administration.  Ms. Girtman has been a licensed realtor since 2012 , receiving recognition for her service and performance.  She is a healthcare consultant and has a 30 year career in healthcare management roles.

Ms. Girtman was born in Long island, New York, although she has deep roots in DeLand.  She moved to DeLand in 1984 and has one son, two grandsons and a Yorkie.

Mark Lanham is the store Manager for Walgreens in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Mark has eighteen years’ experience managing and recruiting team members in the retail and pharmacy sector. He has a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Central Florida. Mr. Langham has implemented the REDI program in his store. REDI is the Retail Employees with Disabilities Initiative created by Walgreens to train people with disabilities to be qualified candidates for positions in their stores.

Dr. Tom LoBasso has served as the President of Daytona State College (DSC) for the past three years, following six months as Interim President and fourteen years in progressive roles at DSC. He is the college’s seventh president. Dr. LoBasso has initiated numerous technology enhancements at the college, including overseeing the implementation of a new $12 million enterprise resource management system (ERP) that will enhance all institutional business, human resources, and student services applications. Dr. LoBasso is active in the community and serves on the boards for Team Volusia, Daytona Regional Chamber, the Collaboration Council with the Volusia and Flagler County school systems. Dr. LoBasso has also served twenty-one years in the Pennsylvania and Florida National Guards, retiring in 2007 with the rank of Sergeant First Class.

Following his four-year service as President of the local chapter of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) #756, Mr. Nelson was elected to the position of Business Manager.  He is a Journeyman electrician with a strong construction industry background.  Mr. Nelson brings his desire and commitment of community involvement to the Board.

Elected in November 2016, The Honorable Donald O’Brien represents District 5, an area that includes the northern area of Palm Coast and mostly to the west of Interstate 95. Mr. O’Brien is Chief Financial Officer and Account Executive with Hayward Brown-Flagler, a full-service independent insurance agency.  He is currently a board member and past Chairman of the Flagler County Chamber of Commerce, as well as a member of the Florida Hospital Flagler Foundation Board and the Early Learning Coalition of Volusia and Flagler Counties.

Dr. Kent Sharples is the President of the CEO Business Alliance, a private, non-profit organization with a focus on expanding the local economy by assisting companies with expansion and relocation efforts through strategic business partnerships. He has won Citizen of the Year for both Daytona Beach, Florida and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Dr. Sharples’ previous work includes President for Daytona State College and President for Horry-Georgetown Technical College Continuing Education.

Carlos Valderrama has been a managing partner with Valderrama Partners, LLC since 2003.  He is a Small Business Consultant, Accountant, Corporate Tax Preparer and Non-Profit Consultant with extensive experience in engaging with clients to maximize ease of operations, organization and strategic planning.

Mr. Valderrama has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and a B.A. in Entertainment Management from Columbia College Chicago.

Mr. Valderrama is a founding member of the Volusia Hispanic Chamber and the West Volusia Regional Chamber.

A recognized leader in economic development and redevelopment in Florida and New Jersey, Helga van Eckert has been a driver of strategic public/private and public/public partnerships for over two decades. Currently serving as the Economic Development Director for Volusia County, Ms. van Eckert has been selected for such leadership roles as the Governor’s appointee to the Northeast Florida Regional Planning Council and as regional representative to the Florida Economic Development Council.

Tyrone Walker is the Director of Human Resources at AO Precision Manufacturing, LLC; overseeing HR systems, handling employee relations, ensuring compliance with regulations, managing benefits programs, assessing staffing needs, hiring employees, designing training programs, and developing and administering compensation plans. Mr. Walker holds a bachelor’s degree in economics with a minor in Finance from the University of Florida and is a member of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity. He has more than 25 years of experience in management and human resources with a proven track record of growth in operations, sales, and marketing throughout his career. Additionally, Mr. Walker is a District Leader with Primerica.

John Wanamaker is a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM), commercial real estate broker, member of the International Council of Shopping Centers and a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP). Mr. Wanamaker owns the Coldwell Banker Commercial AI Group in Orange City, Florida and joined CareerSource Flagler Volusia in 2008, where he served as Chair from 2012 to 2014. During this time, he also served as Chair of the Florida Workforce Chairs Alliance; an alliance of the chairs of all 24 workforce boards across the state. Mr. Wanamaker dedicates a great deal of time to community organizations; he has served as the past chair of Team Volusia EDC, a member of the Board of Trustees for Florida Hospital Fish Memorial and the Board of Directors for the DeLand Area Chamber of Commerce.

Angie White is an Area Director at the Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation; a division of the Florida Department of Education, based in Jacksonville. Vocational Rehabilitation is a federal-state program that assists people with physical or mental disabilities get or keep a job. VR is committed to helping people with disabilities find meaningful careers to enhance their independence.