Board & Staff

Board of Directors

Kirk Zeppi

Kirk Zeppi

President

Christine Harrison

Christine Harrison

Vice President

Patty Benson

Patty Benson

Secretary/Treasurer

Dr. Carla McGill

Dr. Carla McGill

Director

Betty Ann Haley

Betty Ann Haley

Director

Our Staff

Fred Leonard

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.

fleonard@hsmanatee.com

Direct Line: 941-304-3551

Lauren Blenker

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.

lauren@hsmanatee.com

Direct Line: 941-304-3036

Amie Arrington

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.

amie@hsmanatee.com

Direct Line: 941-304-3033

Jennifer Hernandez

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.

jennifer@hsmanatee.com

Direct Line: 941-304-3037

Alicia Ordonez

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.

aordonez@hsmanatee.com

Direct Line: 941-304-3042

Erika Villarreal

Erika Villarreal

Administrative Assistant

Lukas Shipp

Lukas Shipp

Fatherhood Coach

Ricardo Polanco

Ricardo Polanco

Fatherhood Coach