Lesa Darnell
Vice Chair
Lesa is a resident of Indian River County since 1975. A graduate of VBHS class of 82 and attended college at Indian River State College. She has three children aged 30, 26, and 20. Over the years, Lesa has been involved in the community through volunteering at the local schools serving on PTA Boards and Advisory Committees and the Community Church teaching Sunday School and serving on the Children’s Ministry Board. She has been a co-owner of a land survey company and is a licensed Realtor since 2004. She is also very active on various committees with the local board of Realtors. Lesa’s favorite part about her job is meeting new people, learning new things, and helping folks realize their dream of homeownership. Presently, she serves on the Exchange Club of Vero Beach Board and is passionate about the Substance Awareness Center and what it offers to the community.
Nicole P. Menz, Esq.
Secretary
Nicole P. Menz, Esq., is originally from Minnesota and graduated with honors from Gustavus Adolphus College in 1990. Nicole received her law degree in 1994 from Valparaiso University School of Law. Nicole is Board-Certified in Criminal Trial Law and is a past President of the Indian River County Chapter of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (FACDL). She is also a member of The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) and the American Trial Lawyers Association (ATLA). Nicole has also been elected twice as a Director at Large of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (FACDL).
Theo Perry
Treasurer
Theo Perry joined our board in August of 2019. Theo has lived in Vero Beach his whole life and is very active in the community. He attended St. Edwards School, kindergarten through 12th grade, graduating in 2009. He graduated from the University of Central Florida in Orlando with a degree in Finance in 2013. In 2017, he moved back to Vero Beach to work for the National Bank of Commerce, where is quickly moved through the ranks to Assistant Vice President on the Commercial Lending team. Now he is the Vice President Portfolio Manager for Cypress Bank and Trust. He is also the Treasurer of St. Frances Manor, where he managed a $2 million expansion, increasing capacity by 30%. Theo is married to Helena Perry and is the father of two young children.
Brian Gallagher
Brian Gallagher attended St. John’s University in New York City, and entered the telecommunications industry, eventually holding management positions. Upon his arrival in Vero in 1991, he worked in real estate, but more importantly, he got involved in the community. He became a board member of several nonprofits, including the Department of Children and Families. Additionally, he and a friend opened the first drop-in center in Indian River named Our House. The mission of this organization was to advocate for and provide a safe haven for those suffering from mental health issues. This program is still operating. More recently, in 2013 and again in 2018, he was voted on to the Board of the New Port Club, an organization that advocates for and provides meeting rooms and gathering places for events for AA and Alanon. With over 30 years in recovery and 20 years in business, he looks forward to bringing his experience to the Substance Awareness Center as a board member, voted on in September 2018.
Thomas Raulen
Thomas Raulen has been a member of the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office since 1998 and previously served as a probation officer for the Florida Department of Corrections. He is a twice graduate of the University of Central Florida, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Science in criminal justice. His assignments at the sheriff’s office have included filed training officer, detective, detective sergeant, public information officer, and lieutenant of Homeland Security. His previous experience includes working with juveniles in an inpatient mental health and addiction treatment center as well as serving on a multi-disciplinary team in an adult psychiatric hospital. Thomas is also an instructor at Indian River State College where he teaches courses in criminal justice.
Anne W. Posey, LMHC, NCC
Director of the Behavioral Health Center at Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital;
Anne Posey has been with the Behavioral Health Center at Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital since November 2017. Ms. Posey is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the State of Florida and a Nationally Certified Counselor. She has over twenty years experience in behavioral health care, having worked in inpatient, residential and outpatient settings. She has a passion for ensuring that those consumers with mental illness in the get the best possible care available.
Ms. Posey has been part of the executive leadership in several agencies that impact the adults and youth with behavioral health needs, including psychiatric hospitals, community mental health and child welfare and juvenile justice systems.
Since coming to the Behavioral Health Center, Ms. Posey has brought that same level of commitment to change to ensure that the services being provided are the best available. The Behavioral Health Center is a thriving program, offering acute care services to both children and adults in Indian River County.
Holly Mantle
Holly A. Mantle, Esq. joined our board in August 2021. Holly graduated with honors from the School of Nursing at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2002 and received her law degree in 2005 from Whittier Law School. Holly has resided in Vero Beach since 2006 and serves our community as a local family lawyer at her firm the Law Office of Holly A. Mantle. Holly is the Mother of a young daughter enjoys traveling and doing volunteer work to help disadvantaged and vulnerable members of her community.
Wilfred Hart
Mr. Hart is resident of Indian River County, Florida for over 40 years. He is married to Dorothy A. Hart and have four (4) children. Mr. Hart received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Bethune Cookman, Daytona Beach, Florida. Retired from K-Mart, Mr. Hart has over 35 years in retail management. He received the Outstanding Customer Care “ Chairman’s Award and Assistant Manager of the Year Southeast Regional, Central District during his tenure with K-Mart.
Mr. Hart is a Deacon of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, Gifford Florida. He also volunteers and sit on the board of the following organizations:
- Mental Health Association of Indian River County
- Treasure Coast Community Health
- Indian River Foundation for the Elderly
- Hart and Soul Foundation
Mr. Hart previously served in the following organizations:
- Vice-President, Dr. M. L. King Birthday Committee and Member for over 10 years
- Member of the Local NAACP.
- Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity, Inc.
- Founder of The Woman in Red With Pink, which recognizes those with cancer and promotes awareness of cancer.
Mr. Hart has demonstrated his ability in strategic and effective fund raising. He is actively engaged in volunteering within the community. In his leisure time, Mr. Hart enjoys traveling, sports and singing.
Brenda Bradley
Originally from Kentucky, Brenda has lived in Indian River County since 1974 and is a Vero Beach High School graduate (1982 – the only 4-A State Champs!). She worked for 22 years in banking, specializing in internal audit, operations, and customer service. In 2002, Brenda left the private sector to pursue a career in local government. She accepted the Bankruptcy & Collections Supervisor position with the Indian River County Tax Collectors office, working seven years for then Tax Collector and former State House Representative Charlie Sembler. Brenda served fourteen years at the Tax Collectors office, moving up the ranks to the position of Chief of Staff/Director of Operations for the last five years before leaving in November 2016.
Brenda is a Rotarian and believes in living daily by the Rotary 4-way test: Is it the TRUTH, is it FAIR to all concerned, will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS, will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned? She is a fundraising volunteer for Camp Haven (men’s homeless transition shelter) & The Women’s Refuge. She is a current member of F.A.C.T. (Fellsmere Action Community Team) & Wabasso Progressive Civic Club. Brenda previously served on the Live Like Cole board and volunteered with ARC of Indian River. Brenda strongly believes that giving back to our community with her time and talent is just as important as her professional career. Brenda currently serves on the boards of TCCH and Roseland Women’s Club. She also serves as officer/secretary of The Rotary Club of Vero Beach and the 2nd Vice President of RWIR (Republican Women Indian River) boards.
Brenda’s professional achievements and community awards include:
- 2010 – Certified as a Florida Collector Assistant (CFCA)
- 2015 – Florida Tax Collectors Association Distinguished Service of Excellence Award
- 2016 – Executive Leadership Academy Certification, Valencia College
- 2018 – Recipient of the Jeanette Becker-Riel Award for Outstanding Dedication and
Volunteer of the Year, Republican Women Indian River (RWIR) - 2019 – Outstanding Professional Award, Wabasso Civic Club
- 2019 – Woman of the Year Nominee, Junior League of Indian River
- 2020 – Rotarian of the Year – Rotary Club of Vero Beach
- 2022 – Partnership and Support Certificate of Appreciation – School District Indian River County
Brenda enjoys the outdoors and interior design. She loves being involved in the community and greatly appreciates those who give their time, talent, and treasures in doing their part to keep it a wonderful place to live.