ABOVE VIDEO: Mike LaFortune, Past Chairman of the Brevard Cultural Alliance, announces results of the 2014 study on economic contributions of arts and culture on Florida’s Space Coast.
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – The Brevard Cultural Alliance has announced five new members to its Board of Directors. The Board provides oversight of the organization and advocacy for the arts and cultural sector in the community.
Neil Levine
“We are incredibly pleased with the caliber of community leaders that continue to join our family and Ms. Crisafulli, Mr. Mayer, Mr. Protze, Mr. Tipton and Ms. Valdengo are already making real, meaningful contributions to the Board,” said BCA Executive Director Neil Levine.
“There is no shortage of community leaders with a passion for a thriving arts and cultural sector and we are blessed to have them as part of the BCA family.”
NEW BREVARD CULTURAL ALLIANCE BOARD MEMBERS INCLUDE:
• Joseph Mayer – Lockheed Martin’s Director for Government Relations in Florida. He has 36 years experience in government and community relations, national security affairs and U.S. space exploration policy.
Joseph Mayer
He has worked previously for The Boeing Company, Rockwell International, the Senate Intelligence Committee and U.S. Senator Jake Garn (R-UT).
He is the National Chairman of Citizens for Space Exploration and also serves on the Board of the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast, Cocoa Beach Regional Chamber of Commerce and the American Red Cross – Brevard.
• Therrin Protze – Chief Operating Officer of Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, operated by Delaware North Companies. He was named COO of the Visitor Complex in 2014.
Therrin Protze
Since joining Delaware North originally in 2006, Protze helped oversee the company’s successful and growing gaming and entertainment division.
Prior to that, he spent eight years in the U.S. Marine Corps. Today, Protze is active in the local community and serves on several community Boards of Directors.
• Howard Tipton – former County Manager for Brevard and boasts a 32-year career in Brevard and Orange County Government executive positions.
Howard Tipton
Not for profit contributions include serving as Board Chair of both the Mental Health Association of Central Florida and United Way of Brevard County.
Tipton is a graduate of both James Madison University and the University of Central Florida where he was honored with the outstanding alumni award for both the School of Public Administration (2011) and the College of Health and Public Affairs (1994).
• Venetta Valdengo – Assistant County Manager for Brevard and holds more than 24 years’ experience in local government.
Venetta Valdengo
Prior to working in Brevard, she served in a variety of roles for Orange County Government, including as Director of Parks and Recreation and Deputy Director of Community and Environmental Services.
Valdengo holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the University of Central Florida and a B.A. in International Relations.
• Rebecca Crisafulli – Crisafulli is the Director of Communications at Florida Air Academy, a co-ed boarding and day school located in Melbourne.
Rebecca Crisafulli
She brings more than 25 years of marketing, communications, public relations, design and sales experience to the BCA – having worked for private and public companies, agencies, and as an independent consultant.
Crisafulli earned an M.B.A. from Webster University at Patrick AFB, and a B.S. in pre-law from Rivier College in New Hampshire.
She currently serves on the Board of the Space Coast Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA), and served for three years as Marketing VP/Chair of the M.I.T. Enterprise Forum of South Florida.
The Brevard Cultural Alliance is the professional organization representing the arts and cultural sector on Florida’s Space Coast.
“Our vision is to promote Brevard County as a cultural destination in Florida,where communities are strengthened through embracing art and culture,” said Levine.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE BREVARD CULTURAL ALLIANCE
