Board of Directors
David Currey
Chairman
Chief Currey started his law enforcement career in 1990 as a patrolman with the Vero Beach Police Department, where he has worked his way up through the ranks. Over the past 22 years, he has worked in the Patrol Division, Detective Division, and Administration. In September 2005, he was promoted to Deputy Chief of Police. On November 4, 2011, he was appointed Interim Chief of Police, and on March 25 2012 he was appointed Chief of Police. Chief Currey has a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Stockton State College in New Jersey, and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Florida Atlantic University. He is also a graduate of the Southern Police Institute Administrative Officers Course in Louisville, Kentucky.
He is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Florida Police Chiefs Association, FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association, and Pi Alpha Alpha, which is the National Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration.
Chief Currey is married to Melanie and they have three children: Kennedy, Karley, and Kyle.
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. Now an Assistant Vice President on the Commercial lending team with CenterState Bank, he has moved quickly through the ranks. He is also the Treasurer of St. Frances Manor, where he recently managed a $2 million expansion, increasing capacity by 30%. Theo is married to Helena Perry, who teaches 2nd grade at St. Helens School.
Dr. Liana Urfer
Liana Urfer, MD is a psychiatrist who has practiced in Vero Beach since 2004. She attended the University of Florida College of Medicine and completed her psychiatric residency training in Gainesville in 2002. Dr. Urfer previously provided inpatient psychiatric treatment at Lawnwood Regional Medical Center and Indian River Medical Center. Dr. Urfer currently provides outpatient psychiatric care in her private practice in Vero Beach where she resides with her husband and daughter. Dr. Urfer treats individuals with a wide range of psychiatric conditions. She has had significant experience in the diagnosis and treatment of substance use disorders. Dr. Urfer joined the Substance Awareness Center (SAC) Board of Directors in July 2012 and is committed to contributing her clinical knowledge and experience to the organizations mission.
Chief Acosta
Chief Daniel Acosta has been employed by the Sebastian Police Department for over 21 years. Prior to being appointed as the Chief of Police, he served as the Operations Captain, which included Road Patrol, the Criminal Investigations Division, the Communications Center, School Resource Officers, Community Policing Enforcement (COPE), the Special Response Team, and the Volunteer Program.
He obtained an Associate in Science degree for Criminal Justice from Brevard Community College (now Eastern Florida State College), a Bachelor of Science degree in Administration from Barry University, and earned a Master of Public Administration from Barry University. Chief Acosta is also a graduate of the University of Louisville’s Southern Police Institute Administrative Officers Course, class #140 among several other leadership courses.
Chief Acosta began his law enforcement career in 1995 when he attended the Police Academy in Brevard County and worked for the Fellsmere Police Department prior to being hired at Sebastian Police Department in 1999. His experience includes working as a Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, Detective, tactical member of the Special Response Team, Hostage Negotiator, Patrol Corporal, Patrol Sergeant, Detective Sergeant, Support Services Commander and Operations Captain. He has also served as the background investigator for all positions hired within the Police Department and as a Computerized Voice Stress Analyzer (CVSA) operator, for the purposes of truth verification, for both investigative and employment selection purposes.
He also currently serves on the board of executives for the Substance Abuse Council as well as the Executive Roundtable of Indian River County.
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 – 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
Bio Coming Soon!
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 signing.
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 Collector’s office, working seven years for then Tax Collector and former State House Representative Charlie Sembler. Brenda served fourteen years at the Tax Collector’s 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 Collector’s 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.