Equality Florida

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Lisa Coons-Andersen

Lisa lives in the Orlando area and is President & CEO of L.C. Sales & Marketing, Inc., a manufacturer’s agency she has successfully operated and managed for over 16 years. Lisa has developed a large clientele over her 23 years in the furniture manufacturing industry.

Lisa’s LGBT activism includes leading the effort to obtain legal parental rights for non-biological LGBT parents. She has developed "We 2 Have Parental Rights" - to support, guide and assist individuals through the painful battle of obtaining legal parental rights.

Lisa lives on a four-acre ranch in Apopka in an equestrian community, with her horse Tigger, and her dog Parker.

De Palazzo

De is a conflict resolution specialist with an interest in opening up dialogue between people with diverse backgrounds, interests and needs. She has designed and facilitated courses in diversity and intercultural awareness skill building and the constructive engagement of conflict, especially in the areas of conflict with both youth and adults.

De has worked in schools as an educator, curriculum specialist and project manager. She was program director for the National Conference for Community and Justice and chaired GLSEN Greater Ft. Lauderdale, having recently retired from GLSEN’s National Board of Directors. De lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Bill Peters

Bill has a long history of activism in the LGBT community. He is currently Co-Chair for the Rainbow Endowment, a national foundation providing support to LGBT organizations throughout the country. Bill most recently served as executive director of Ft. Lauderdale’s Gay and Lesbian Community Center.

Previously based in New York City, Bill had served as executive director for Gay Men of African Descent, development director for Lambda Legal and director of the Greater New York Campaign for the United Negro College Fund.

Bill lives in Ft. Lauderdale with his partner of nearly 20 years, Warren Davidson.

Tom Runyan

Tom lives in Fort Lauderdale where he is successful attorney practicing in the areas of creative arts, business transactions and litigation, as well as copyright and trademark law.

Tom has established a long history of activism on behalf of the LGBT community in Ft. Lauderdale and has a keen understanding of the political process. He has campaigned on behalf of a variety of candidates running for offices throughout Florida.

Amy Mandel

Amy Mandel came from New York to Tampa, Florida in 1974, and graduated form the University of South Florida with a degree in business management in 1978.

Since 1979, Amy has owned and operated FEET FIRST, a successful chain of sporting goods stores throughout the Tampa Bay area.

Amy has been a volunteer and board member of Equality Florida since 1992 (then called the Human Rights Task Force) in the capacity of treasurer and/or co- chair.

Pat Padilla

Pat lives in Orlando and has over 14 years of experience in software sales. She currently works as a sales trainer for Symantec Corporation. While previously living in Venezuela for ten years, Pat had the opportunity to work with Mother Teresa and the Sisters of Charity as their translator.

Pat is a longtime activist for LGBT equality. She is a leader in the Orlando PFLAG chapter and local human rights ordinance groups. Pat is also involved with various organizations concerning LGBT youth in schools. She became a passionate straight ally after seeing the discrimination her LGBT friends experienced.

Pat’s three grown children support her in all her endeavors.

Jim VanRiper

Jim VanRiper, is a North Florida advocate, who has been involved in equal rights activism for the past 10 years. Originally from Colorado Springs Colorado, he was involved in fighting the first anti-gay state constitutional amendment later to become known as the Supreme Court case Romer vs. Evans. Jim served on the board of directors for the Pikes Peak Gay and Lesbian Community Center in Colorado Springs Colorado. During this time he also worked to help pass a domestic partner benefits program City employees in Colorado Springs. Jim is currently the Board Chair for The Family Tree LGBT Community Center in Tallahassee Florida. He is also involved with Equality Florida working on Adoption and Safe Schools lobbying and the campaign against Florida’s amendment to ban gay marriage. Jim also hosts the Tallahassee Florida Meet-up group. He involved with the Capitol City GLBT Democratic Caucus and is on the Leon County Democratic Executive Committee and works closely with area political candidates and officials on GLBT issues.

“In these times, when we face increasing legislative intrusion into our lives. Building and developing a support base for Equality Florida could never be more important. Focusing and coordinating with the many GLBT organizations around the state will be critical to helping protect our families. ”

Professionally Jim has 15 years experience working in the Information Technology business. Jim is an Information Systems Project Manager with focus on Geographic Information System and database integration. Jim’s project management expertise and knowledge about the application of computer technology will bring valuable experience to the table at Equality Florida.

Jim VanRiper lives in Tallahassee with his Partner, Myles, of 6 years and has two adult children living in Colorado.

Neil S. Kohrn
Neil lives in Jacksonville, Florida where he is President of Business and Litigation Services for the law firm of Gordon T. Nicol, P.A. Neil has been assisting in the successful operation of numerous public, private and not-for-profit companies for more than 2 decades. As an advocate within the GLBT community, Neil has been involved in the development of many fundraising events and the operation of various programs.

Actively involved in the GLBT community throughout the country for more than 20 years, he has been aggressively working to ensure that everyone is treated fairly and openly and that rights are not threatened or removed but rather developed and supported.

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