Leadership

Cara Perry, Chair

Cara Carlton Perry is the Vice President for Communications for Florida Atlantic University. She has enjoyed 23 years of service at Florida Atlantic in a variety of communications and public relations roles. She has transformed communications strategies across multiple campuses and led key initiatives supporting the university’s growth and visibility. She has worked closely with Florida Atlantic’s research enterprise to showcase how discoveries made on campus translate into solutions for Palm Beach County and beyond. Cara is a board member for the Alzheimer’s Association of Southeast Florida, Junior Achievement of the Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast and St. Lucie Economic Development Council. She is also a member of Leadership Florida and completed an appointed term on the Florida Commission on the Status of Women. She received her bachelor’s degree in communication from Florida State University and her master’s degree in university administration from the University of Central Florida. She is a proud fifth-generation Florida native.

Gregg Fields, Ph.D., Vice Chair and Treasurer

Gregg B. Fields, Ph.D., received his B.S. and Ph.D. degrees in chemistry from the University of Florida and Florida State University, respectively, and was a Postdoctoral Scholar with Professor Ken A. Dill at the University of California at San Francisco. Dr. Fields joined the faculty at the University of Minnesota in 1991 as an assistant professor. He was promoted to associate professor with tenure in 1995 and then achieved the rank of full professor of chemistry & biochemistry at Florida Atlantic University in 1997. In 2008, Dr. Fields became a Robert A. Welch Foundation Distinguished University Chair in Chemistry in the Department of Biochemistry at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Dr. Fields relocated to the Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies in 2011, where he was a Full Member, Vice President of Research, and Distinguished Chair of Metalloproteinase and Multiple Sclerosis Research. Dr. Fields joined FAU in 2014 as a Full Professor and the Chair in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry and the Director of the Center for Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (CMBB). In 2019 he was appointed as Executive Director of the Institute for Human Health & Disease Intervention (I-HEALTH) at FAU and in 2021 became the Co-Director of the Memorial Cancer Institute Florida Atlantic University (MCIFAU) Cancer Center of Excellence. Dr. Fields is an elected Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). He has authored or coauthored more than 300 scientific publications and has presented more than 190 invited lectures.

Jon Harrison

Jon Harrison is a member of the Board of Trustees of Florida Atlantic University. He was appointed by the Florida Board of Governors and confirmed by the Florida Senate to a five-year term ending January 6, 2030. Harrison is the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Department of the Navy. Prior to his current Federal appointment he was a principal shareholder and member of the board of directors of Albers Aerospace, an aviation and defense engineering group. He previously served as the 8th Chairman of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission, and in the U.S. Department of State.‍ Harrison received his B.S. from the University of Southampton. He is chair of the District Board of Trustees of Palm Beach State College.

J. Scott McCleneghen

J. Scott McCleneghen is The Executive Vice President for SE Florida Pro CRE at First Horizon Bank. Prior to joining Pro CRE in 2024, Scott was the team lead for the Southeast Regional Commercial Group at First Horizon Bank in Florida. In this role he successfully built a team of bankers that added significant revenue contributions to the bank and enhanced the banks brand awareness. He worked directly with the Regional President to develop new ways to cross sell between the various lines of business. Scott has over 20 years of banking experience in the South Florida market. Prior to Joining First Horizon (Previously Iberiabank), Scott was with City National Bank of Florida for 14 years as Managing Senior Vice President and Palm Beach County Market Executive. Outside of banking, Scott is a member of the board of directors for the James Hardie/Pro Football Hall of Fame PGA Championship tour event at Broken Sound Golf Club, chairperson of the finance committee of St. John Paul II High School in Boca Raton, and chairperson of In The Pines of Delray Beach. Scott is a past board member of Horses and the Handicapped of Broward County, the Local Advisory Committee for the Local Initiative Support Corporation, a member of the Professional Advisory Board for Boca Community Hospital and a past member of the Palm Beach Economic Council. Scott graduated from The University of Alabama with a BS degree in Business Administration. He is a native of South Florida and currently resides in Boca Raton with his wife of 30-years and their 2-children ages 22 and 19. He is very active in the community and enjoys playing golf and fishing in his free time.

Tom Mersch

Tom Mersch serves as General Counsel in Kelley Kronenberg’s Fort Lauderdale Office. Tom has extensive experience in providing advice and guidance on business transactions and data privacy and security matters. Tom has over 30 years of experience as an attorney, corporate counsel, entrepreneur and businessman in multiple sectors including information technology, e-Commerce, finance, travel and government. Hired as the general counsel for a large internet retailer in need of restructure, Tom navigated their business both legally and operationally from near collapse to solid growth. In 2002 Tom founded and funded an online asset recovery services firm that he sold in 2008. Tom has held influential legal leadership positions with a number of firms, formerly serving as attorney for the Delta Airlines Dream Vacations Program, General Counsel and Vice President of Business Development for UCS, Inc. (a software company that was eventually acquired by SunGard Data Systems) and as President and founder of an internet-based business services outsourcing company with over 300 employees worldwide. For the five years immediately prior to joining Kelley Kronenberg, Tom was General Counsel for Channel IQ a rapidly growing Chicago based “Big Data” software provider for over 300 of the Worlds’ largest manufacturers. Tom was also the managing director of Channel IQ’s Spanish subsidiary. Tom is a licensed attorney in Florida and Mississippi, earning his JD from the University of Mississippi and his BA from Southern Methodist University. Tom contributes his time and talents as a co-founder of The Venture Mentoring Team, (www.thevmt.org) a nonprofit educational 501(c)(3) dedicated to fostering the startup community by training and credentialing mentors and then connecting them with the best and brightest entrepreneurs to help startups reach their full potential. Additionally, he serves as an entrepreneur in residence at Florida Atlantic University’s (FAU) School of Business and FAU’s Adams Center for Entrepreneurship. He has advised start-ups and rapidly growing businesses including the past winner of both the FAU and Enterprise Florida Business Plan Competitions. He is also a judge for The Cade Innovation Prize competition. Tom is also a member of the Federal Judicial Nominating Commission for the Southern District of Florida, having been appointed for the duration of the 115th US Congressional Term by Senator Marco Rubio.

Samantha Stilley

Samantha Stilley is a lifelong resident of Jupiter, Florida, with deep family and community ties across Palm Beach County. A proud graduate of Florida Atlantic University, she earned both her Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from FAU and completed her Bachelor of Science and her Master of Business Administration at the University of Florida. Education, public service, and community engagement have long guided her academic and professional path. Stilley currently serves as Vice President of Operations and Strategy at HeartCare Imaging, a national healthcare services company headquartered in Tequesta. In this role, she oversees imaging operations in hospitals and clinics across the country, working closely with healthcare executives, clinical teams, and community hospitals to expand access to advanced imaging. She has led efforts to grow the company’s footprint. Her work focuses on improving operational efficiency, supporting healthcare professionals, and ensuring patient-centered access to diagnostic imaging. Prior to her leadership role in healthcare administration, she completed her graduate studies at FAU, where she contributed to scientific initiatives and participated in community STEM outreach. Stilley is actively involved in service and civic engagement throughout Palm Beach County. She serves as a Finance Council Advisor at Saint Jude’s Catholic Church and is engaged in professional organizations in the state. She is committed to supporting education, fostering opportunities for students in STEM and healthcare, and strengthening the region’s growing biotechnology, innovation, and business ecosystem.

Linda Stoch

Linda Stoch has resided in Palm Beach County since 1981 and is a retired small business owner of Innovative Interiors by Linda. As an American by choice for 43 years, Linda has always felt blessed with what this great country has allowed herself and her family to achieve, thus giving back to her community and country has always been the highest priority. Linda is a compassionate and dedicated volunteer and philanthropist which has led to a number of leadership roles in her community including a variety of Jewish philanthropic causes and institutions, animal welfare, and women focused philanthropies. Linda is a Co-Founder of The Palm Beach County Chapter of the Carson Scholars Fund The Chapter has placed “Reading Rooms” in 29 Palm Beach County Public and Charter Schools creating a literacy enriched environment for children to develop their passion & skills for reading. Linda served on the Board of HECA the Haitian Evangelical Community Association which educates, guides and encourages the Haitian Community to participate in religious, social, economic, intellectual, and professional life. Linda was a recipient of “The Volunteer of the Year Award” given by Inner City Youth Golfers and a recipient of “The Reading Advocate Award” from Inlet Grove High School. She was also appointed by Governor DeSantis to the Governors Mansion Commission. Linda is a wife, mother and grandmother.

William J. Stewart, Esq. Secretary, Legal Counsel (Ex-Officio)

Bill Stewart is a practicing attorney with the firm Rossway Swan Tierney Barry Lacey & Oliver in Vero Beach, FL. His practice includes representation of nonprofit entities, real estate law, and trust and estate administration. Bill is a long-standing ex-officio member of the Board at Harbor Branch and has been the Secretary of HBOI Foundation board since 2008. In the early 1970s, Bill led the legal effort to convert this private operating foundation to a tax exempt public charity and ultimately the transfer of assets to FAU. These steps facilitated public and private donations to Harbor Branch for continued oceanographic engineering and research. Today, Bill works directly with the board to manage the Harbor Branch Foundation’s endowment and grant making process. Bill serves as Chair of the Governance Committee and as such, is a representative to the Nominating Committee. In addition to his service to Harbor Branch, Bill is or has served the Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice Foundation, the Environmental Learning Center, and the Indian River Real Property Council. He was a member of the board of the Indian River County Library, worked with his partner, Rebecca Emmons, to create the United Way Foundation of Indian River County (his firm was nominated for the United Way Spirit of Indian River County Award for outstanding contributions to the United Way several years in a row), and the Boys and Girls Club Foundation. He launched the Riverside Racquet Tennis Complex with a family who raised funds following their son’s unfortunate death, expanded the services of the local American Cancer Society to Sebastian, and assisted in the establishment of The Mardy Fish Foundation. He has been of invaluable assistance to the Indian River Medical Center and the Indian River Medical Center Foundation. And just recently, Bill helped to structure the Float Hope Scholarship™ with Jeffrey Powers who initiated funding and an ongoing pledge to perpetuate a program through Treasure Coast Swimming allowing disadvantaged youth the opportunity to swim and participate at potentially the highest level. Bill received the Pinnacle Award in 2013 by the Indian River Estate Planning Council and the Planned Giving Council of Indian River. He also received the VNA & Hospice Foundation’s Chairman’s Award in 2016. Bill earned his AB from The College of William & Mary, and graduated from the University of Florida with a JD with Honors. He is also a Member of Order of the Coif, the honor society for United States law school graduates.

Joseph Z. Duke, III (Ex-Officio)

Joe Duke is a member of the founding family of Harbor Branch as he is married to Seward Johnson’s daughter, Jennifer. Currently, he is the President of Off Road Holdings, based in Jacksonville. Duke is an industrial designer and entrepreneur whose business life has involved various manufacturing activities as well as a partnership in an advertising agency. He is a third-generation Floridian and resides in Ponte Vedra Beach and Hobe Sound, FL as well as Oldwick, New Jersey. He is also a member of the board of directors of the Everglades Foundation and has been deeply involved in environmental issues for many years.

Staci Barney Rosalia, Executive Director

Staci began her nonprofit career 14 years ago serving as the Donor Relations Manager at United Against Poverty. In February 2020, she transitioned to the HBOI Foundation as the Grants Manager. Staci holds a degree in Public Administration from the great University of Central Florida (Go Knights!). A second-generation native of Indian River County, Staci is an avid outdoor enthusiast, with a love for the beach, National Parks, hiking, and camping. She is deeply committed to environmental conservation and educating others on the importance of protecting our oceans and marine life. In November 2023, Staci was appointed Executive Director of the HBOI Foundation.

Cyndi Permenter, Director of Operations

Cyndi Permenter is an experienced operations and finance professional with a strong background in organizational management, board relations, and financial oversight. She has been with HBOI Foundation since 2014 and serves as Director of Operations. In this role, she oversees the Foundation’s operational functions, financial administration, and governance support. Working closely with the Board of Directors, Cyndi helps ensure the organization operates with strong internal systems, sound financial stewardship, and effective implementation of board initiatives. With more than a decade of service to the Foundation, she brings valuable institutional knowledge and operational continuity that support the organization’s stability and its mission to advance marine science research and education.