Board & Staff
Board of Directors
Kirk Zeppi
President
Christine Harrison
Vice President
Patty Benson
Secretary/Treasurer
Dr. Carla McGill
Director
Betty Ann Haley
Director
Our Staff
Fred Leonard
Executive Director
Fred has been the Executive Director since March of 1993. He served as President of the Florida Association of Healthy Start Coalitions in 2000 and held several leadership roles at the state level. He believes that one of the most important things we can do for families in Florida is to carry on the vision launched by Governor Lawton Chiles in 1991. Fred’s management style follows the belief that when faced with difficult situations, if you decide to do what is best for moms, babies, and their families then you will make the right choices.
Direct Line: 941-304-3551
Lauren Blenker
Director of Operations
Lauren has a B.S. in Political Science and Religion from Florida State University. Lauren has deep roots in the local community and brings more than twelve years of experience in marketing, special events and community outreach. A graduate of Leadership Manatee, Lauren is also actively involved with the Manatee Chamber of Commerce and Manatee Young Professionals.
Direct Line: 941-304-3036
Amie Arrington
Financial Director
Amie has a B.A. in Accounting from Tarleton State University, a branch of the Texas A&M University System. She brings 20 years of financial and healthcare experience, and spent four of those years working as a Family Readiness Support Assistant with a non-profit organization supporting United States Armed Forces soldiers and their families.
Direct Line: 941-304-3033
Jennifer Hernandez
Intake Coordinator
Jennifer is a 2016 graduate from The University of South Florida. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health. Since then, she has been gaining valuable experience working in the maternal and child health field. Prior to joining Healthy Start Manatee, she worked at MCR Health. She has worked closely with patients and their families as a Care Coordinator in OB/GYN clinics, Pediatrician sites, and through home visiting. She is Bilingual, fluent in both Spanish and English.
Direct Line: 941-304-3037
Alicia Ordonez
Intake Coordinator
Alicia joined the Healthy Start Coalition of Manatee in May 2005 and since then has been connecting pregnant women with local resources, home visiting programs and providing brief education to new clients, as well as answering any questions they may have on their pregnancy or new baby. Alicia is bilingual in English and Spanish and assists the Healthy Start Coalition at community functions and meetings.
Direct Line: 941-304-3042
Erika Villarreal
Administrative Assistant
Lukas Shipp
Fatherhood Coach
Ricardo Polanco
Fatherhood Coach