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 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.

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 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 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 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.

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.