Stephen Miller
Chair: Stephen Miller has had a highly successful career in accounting and finance, having been named to Accounting Today’s list of “Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting”, and operating his own accounting practice for nearly 20 years. Throughout his 32-year career in the Tampa Bay area, Stephen has assisted numerous charitable and religious organizations in his capacity as CPA as well as a board member. Stephen is the husband of a person with aphasia. He has served on the Voices of Hope for Aphasia board since 2017.
John Valavanis
Vice-Chair: John Valavanis has over 25 years of services, operations and consulting expertise developed in high tech companies. Today, John is Vice President of Operations for AffluenceConnect, a social networking site for the accomplished. John was a founding board member of Voices of Hope for Aphasia in 2013.
MC Daughtry
Treasurer: MC Daughtry is Producing Branch Manager of Waterstone Mortgage and member of the President’s Club. In addition to serving with Voices of Hope for Aphasia, she has also volunteered for Meals on Wheels, Big Brother Big Sisters, & Beach Stewardship for Treasure Island City. Mary Catherine is the wife of a person with aphasia. She has served on the board of Voices of Hope for Aphasia since 2016.
Des Welch
Secretary: Des Welch is a retired Air Force pilot, NASA trainer and IT specialist. He was married to Danniella Muheim, who had aphasia and attended Voices of Hope for Aphasia sessions many times. Des and Dannie lived in Maryland, but made frequent trips to St. Petersburg for the resources available for people with aphasia. Des has served on the board of Voices of Hope for Aphasia since 2016.
Ken Bado
Ken Bado has been transforming IT companies for the last 30 years. In addition to being CEO of GMB Consulting LLC, he sits on boards of high growth software companies and various non-profits including current Chairman of Bethany College. Ken is based in Dallas, Texas, USA. Ken was a founding board member of Voices of Hope for Aphasia in 2013.
Steve Blum
Steve Blum has over 30 years of Engineering, Sales, Channel, and Consulting experience in worldwide markets for high tech companies. He is currently Chief Revenue Officer and Executive Vice President of Worldwide Field Operations at Autodesk, Inc where he has worked for the last 18 years. Steve is on the Advisory Boards of two high-tech companies as well as on the Board of the Autodesk Foundation, a non-profit. Steve is based in Plano, Texas. Steve has served on the board of Voices of Hope for Aphasia since 2015.
Gary Panaro
Gary Panaro has over 30 years of Sales, Financial and Business Operations experience with several established and start–up high-tech companies. He is currently Director of AEC Named Accounts Sales at Autodesk where he has worked for the past 16 years. Gary resides in Boston, MA. Gary has served on the board of Voices of Hope for Aphasia since 2016.
Jeff Renzulli
Jeff Renzulli is an attorney and entrepreneur based in Northern Virginia. He currently serves as a board member and general counsel for Buffalo Groupe, LLC, a golf lifestyle marketing agency. He has personal experience with aphasia, as his father had this condition for several years until passing in 2005. Jeff has served on the board of Voices of Hope for Aphasia since 2019.
Mike Caputo
Ex-Officio: Mike Caputo founded Voices of Hope for Aphasia in 2011 with his wife, Kathy, when they realized that nothing existed for people with aphasia once speech therapy services ran out. He understood that aphasia is a life-long condition that requires life-long supports to keep improving and participating in life. Mike is a person with aphasia and his voice on the Board of Directors is invaluable as we strive to serve people with aphasia. To read more about Mike, visit the Founders page or click here.
Dr. Arthur Guilford
Emeritus Board: Dr. Arthur Guilford was the Regional Chancellor Emeritus from the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee after retiring after 40 years of service to USF. Dr. Guilford is a Speech-Language Pathologist with an extensive publication history concerning individuals with neurological communication disorders.
Mike Profita
Emeritus Board: Michael J. Profita has over 30 years of financial, operating and international expertise developed in a broad range of experience as a senior executive with several high tech companies, as a small business owner and as an angel investor. Currently, Mr. Profita is a Managing Director at Momentum Capital, LLC a boutique private equity firm and is CEO, Affluence Connect, PLC (AFCT on London GXG).
Jackie Hinckley, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Emeritus Executive Director: Dr. Jackie Hinckley has over 25 years of experience directing clinical and research programs that specialize in the treatment of aphasia and related neurologic communication disorders. She is an associate professor at Nova Southeastern University and Associate Professor Emeritus at the University of South Florida.
