Leadership

Beth England was born and raised in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and has a Bachelor’s degree from St. Joseph’s University.  She worked in the Human Resources field for 30 plus years, for several companies including The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, QVC, Avon Products, and IBM.

In addition to being on the Board of Ruth Eckerd Hall, she is also on the Board of Academy Prep Center of St. Petersburg, a nationally accredited nonprofit middle school.  She previously has served on the Boards of SOAR - Sing Out And Read - with a mission to improve struggling young readers through the power of singing, and The Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg.  Some of her other favorite charities include Daystar Life Center and Tampa Bay Watch, where she serves on the gala committee.  In addition, she co-chairs an Annual Music Series at her church - Pass-A-Grille Beach Community Church, that raises funds for local charities.  

Beth and her husband John moved from Atlanta, Georgia to Tierra Verde in 2010.  She retired in 2012 to spend the majority of her time volunteering and fundraising.
 
When not volunteering, she likes to travel with her husband, play golf, and spend time with their 6 grandsons.

Born and Raised in Clearwater, Karen Seel has a MBA from the Thunderbird School of Global Management in Phoenix, Arizona and is a proud University of Florida BSBA graduate - Go Gators! With a distinguished career in public service, Karen held elected office as a Pinellas County Commissioner for 23 years and a Clearwater City Council member for 3 years. She has served on over 40 community Boards and committees, from fundraising to civic projects, and numerous volunteer opportunities, for which she has been recognized with many awards.

Karen and her husband, Ron, have been married for over 40 years, have two adult sons and three beautiful granddaughters in Tampa. They are bi-coastal residents, splitting the year between Belleair and Sonoma Valley, California.

Karen has a special connection to Ruth Eckerd Hall. Her father, architect Don Williams was one of the founders and funders of the facility. A long-time supporter, Karen writes, “I’m proud to continue his legacy.”

Joyce Cotton, Director of Marketing and Community Partnerships for WEDU/PBS, has worked in the broadcast television industry for more than 45 years, starting with WEWS, Cleveland and later, WFTS ABC, Tampa.

Joyce has volunteered time and resources to numerous non-profits including the American Red Cross, Champions for Children, Community Tampa Bay, The Glazer Children’s Museum, Meals on Wheels, and PACE Center for Girls (Pinellas and Hillsborough).

Currently, Secretary of the Ruth Eckerd Hall Board, she also serves on the Boards of Creative Pinellas, The Florida Orchestra, Empath Health - Hillsborough, University of Tampa/Sykes College of Business Advisory Council, Tampa Museum of Art, Friends of the Tampa Union Station, and is a member of the City of Tampa Mayor’s Autism Friendly Advisory Committee.

Joyce received recognition as ONYX Magazine “Women on the Move” Class of 2022 and Tampa Bay Business Journal’s Business Women of the Year - MEDIA in 2004 and 2009.

Support and advocacy for Cultural Arts is Joyce’s passion, with an aim to create awareness and ensure accessibility to all in our growing community.

Debbie White was raised in the New York college town of Geneseo.   Her mother, a college professor, passed on her love of theater, regularly taking Debbie to the University’s drama department productions.  Their annual trip to New York City to squeeze in 4 or 5 Broadway shows is a treasured memory. 

Debbie graduated from Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania and moved to Boston to work for Dun & Bradstreet.  She relocated to Florida in 1982 and became a Safety Harbor resident in 1984. After a two-decade sales career, Debbie sold her business and became vice president of Governmental Affairs and Economic Development for the Clearwater Chamber of Commerce before retiring.   A committed volunteer, her service includes Leadership Pinellas, Morton Plant Mease Foundation, Safety Harbor Chamber of Commerce, the YWCA of Tampa Bay, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Dunedin Fine Arts Center and the Safety Harbor Library Foundation.  In 2018, Debbie was named Ms. Clearwater.   She manages to squeeze in a lot of golf and enjoys traveling around the world.

Zebbie D. Atkinson, IV is a graduate of the University of Maryland with Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification from Villanova University.   He began his career at Black Entertainment Television (BET) as Manager of Networking and Telecommunications, advancing to the Engineer in Charge for such productions as The Walk of Fame, Bobby Jones Gospel, BET Awards and President Obama’s Town Hall. Zeb relocated to Florida to work for ION Media as the Director of Post Production Operations before forming his own company, Boundless Consulting and Contracting LLC. 

Zeb is active in the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Omicron Beta Lambda Chapter as Treasurer, and serves on the Board of Directors for a number of community organizations including Youth Development Initiatives (YDI), Pinellas Technical College as Technical Advisory Chairman and the Clearwater Upper Pinellas Branch of the NAACP, where he recently served as president.   

To relax, Zeb enjoys golf, tennis, shooting and spending time with friends and family. 

Mike Barnett is a retired Navy Commander having served in the Armed Forces for 30 years.  He served aboard numerous ships and specialized in Navy Acquisition and Logistics.  He is a past Director of Business and Finance and Congressional Affairs for the $250B F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program based in Washington DC.  As a private business owner, Mike has experience in real estate, defense contracting and the restaurant industry, previously owning multiple Five Guys locations in the Seattle market. 

Having resided in a number of states, he continues to volunteer in his local community, lending his management and financial experience.  He holds an MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School and a Masters in National Resources Strategy from the National War College. 

A life-long music lover, Mike has been an active supporter of the arts, including Bremerton Community Concerts, Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts and Ruth Eckerd Hall.  

Phil has been a long-term supporter of Ruth Eckerd Hall, previously holding the Vice Chair and Treasurer positions in the past.  In addition to his return to the Ruth Eckerd Hall Board of Directors, he continues a lifelong commitment to community volunteerism as Board Vice Chair for the Homeless Empowerment Program, as well as holding a seat on the Clearwater Marine Center and the Church of the Good Shepherd governance bodies.  He is a former Chairman of the Tampa Bay Chapter of the American Red Cross, former Commodore for the Clearwater Yacht Club, and served on the Board of Directors for the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce. 

Phil’s business acumen stems from a forty-year career in health administration, having retired as President and Chief Executive Officer of Morton Plant Mease Health Care Inc. overseeing Morton Plant Hospital, Mease Hospitals and NorthBay Hospitals, and leading the merger with BayCare Health.  Leadership positions at Sarasota Memorial, Fort Hamilton-Hughes Memorial Hospital, Fairview General Hospital and Rhode Island Hospital followed his military service as a Captain in the Army Medical Service Corps, Institute of Surgical Research at Brooke Army Medical Center, Texas.  He graduated from the University of Rhode Island and earned a master’s degree in Hospital and Health Care Administration from the University of Minnesota.

A native of Fall River, Massachusetts, he and his wife Carol now reside in Belleair, enjoying visits with four married daughters and 14 grandchildren.

Adam is a Senior Vice President at Marsh McLennan Agency (MMA), an insurance agency providing business insurance, employee health & benefits, retirement, and private client insurance solutions to businesses and individuals.  Prior to merging with MMA in February 2019, he was a third generation member and part of the majority ownership group and Board of Directors of Bouchard Insurance. 

Adam’s role with the agency involves working directly with the clients and prospective clients of MMA to develop innovative risk management and insurance solutions.  Before joining Bouchard Insurance in 2006, he worked in the banking industry with AmSouth Bank in Jacksonville, Florida, where he specialized in consumer lending. 

Adam earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from the University of Florida in 2004, and has since earned the professional insurance designation of Accredited Advisor in Insurance (AAI).  He is currently working towards the completion of his Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation. 

Adam is a board member and strong supporter of The Homeless Empowerment Program (HEP) in Clearwater, and is a graduate of Leadership Pinellas.  He is active and involved in several trade associations that support the interest of our clients in both the PEO and the nonprofit industry.  A native of Pinellas County, Adam currently lives in Clearwater with his wife Amy and his two daughters.

Lauren Rubenstein is a Shareholder at the law firm of Hill Ward Henderson.  Lauren focuses her practice on a wide range of land use matters, including zoning, annexations, development approvals, governmental relations and permitting.  She enjoys working on projects of all sizes and serving clients throughout Tampa Bay.  Prior to joining Hill Ward Henderson, she was a partner at the law firm of Denhardt and Rubenstein, where she served as City Attorney for the City of Pinellas Park.  She received her Bachelor's degree from the University of Florida (Go Gators!) and her Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law.

Born and raised in St. Petersburg, Lauren is passionate about serving her community, both personally and professionally.  She is an active member of the St. Petersburg Bar Association, where she served as its 97^th President from 2021-2022.  Lauren also enjoys volunteering with local non-profit and service organizations, spending time with her family, and taking part in the local arts scene. 

As Regional President of Tampa Bay for Hancock Whitney Bank, Tim Coop is responsible for all business lines across six counties.  A University of Florida graduate, Tim began as a Credit Analyst for NCNB and advanced to a Commercial Relationship Manager.  Hired by First Union/Wachovia, he was responsible for the Tampa Bay region for 14 years.  In 2007, Fifth Third Bank engaged him as a Commercial Banking Executive before joining Hancock Bank in 2011 as Area President for Pinellas and Pasco.  He has been their Tampa Bay Regional President since 2015.

In addition to Ruth Eckerd Hall, Tim is a Trustee and Treasurer for the Museum of Fine Arts of St Petersburg and sits on the Board of Governors of the St Petersburg Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Golden Triangle Association.

He and his wife Deann reside in St. Petersburg and have three sons who have left the nest. 

Constance (Connie) DeWeese brings over 30 years of nonprofit financial expertise to the Ruth Eckerd Hall Board of Directors. As a retired Certified Public Accountant, she specialized in nonprofit organization auditing, tax compliance and financial governance throughout her career. Serving as CPA Audit Manager at Wardlow & Cash, PA from 2002 to 2023 Connie managed audit engagements for numerous nonprofit organizations and worked directly with boards on financial reporting and compliance matters. Her experience includes financial statement preparation, internal controls assessment and IRS representation. 

An active community leader, Connie served as President of the Rotary Club of Clearwater East 2022 2023 and currently serves as the club's Treasurer. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Florida International University and has been a Florida CPA since 1991.

She and her husband Andy are avid concertgoers, have three grown children, and recently welcomed their first grandchild.

Lou Galdieri was appointed Co-Chief Operating officer for BayCare Health System on October 28, 2022. Prior to his promotion, Galdieri was president of Morton Plant Hospital and market leader for BayCare Health System’s West Region since November 2018. He had served as president of Mease Countryside and Mease Dunedin hospitals since 2009. Mr. Galdieri joined Morton Plant Mease in 2000 as a part-time nurse recruiter, advancing to director of planning and director of operations.

Mr. Galdieri began his career as a nurse more than 35 years ago.

Lou earned a Master of Science degree in Health Administration from Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia in 1999. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from LaSalle University in Philadelphia and a nursing diploma from the Community Medical Center School of Nursing in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Galdieri has previously served on multiple boards such as the Pinellas County EMS Advisory Board, the Clearwater Free Clinic, both the Safety Harbor and Dunedin Chambers of Commerce and Past Chair of the Amplify Clearwater Chamber Board. He currently serves as President of the Board of Directors for MPM Health Care, St. Anthony’s Hospital Board of Directors, Winter Haven Hospital Board of Directors, as well as a member of the Board of Directors for the Morton Plant Mease HealthCare Foundation. Most recently, Mr. Galdieri received the honor of being named to the 2022 City and State Florida Healthcare Power List and in 2024, received the Becker’s Healthcare Review’s “COOs to Know” designation.

Ken has been active in the community throughout his life, having taken leadership roles with the chamber of commerce, healthcare, social services and art organizations, including serving as Chairman of the Board of Ruth Eckerd Hall and serving as Chair of the Facilities Committee during two major renovations.   Ken is also an ardent supporter of the 70-plus year relationship between the City of Clearwater and the Phillies.   

Ken is president of the Palm Pavilion, a restaurant and Clearwater Beach landmark built in 1926 and owned by the Hamilton family since 1964.    In 2016, he was named Mr. Clearwater for his commitment and service to the City.   Ken has two children, including a former member of Eckerd Theater Company, and two grandchildren.  He and his wife Lisa reside in Clearwater.   

Charlie Hart is a fifth generation Floridian and as the grandson of Jack and Ruth Eckerd, is a third generation supporter and Board Member of Ruth Eckerd Hall.   He has a BA degree from the University of Missouri and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.  He is currently the Director of Development for the Clearwater Free Clinic. 

Charlie feels passionately about invigorating his generation to be philanthropic; believes it’s never too early to get involved.  His volunteer service includes sitting on the Board of Morton Plant Mease Foundation and the Finance Committee for St. Paul’s Independent School. 

In his free time Charlie enjoys watching his two young sons grow up in the same place he did. Born at Morton Plant Hospital and raised attending summer camp at Ruth Eckerd Hall, he's proud of the growth in this community and hopes to positively impact it for the generations that follow.

As senior vice president, Tampa Bay Complex Manager, Michelle Lynch Zebra leads 17 Raymond James branches.  Her career has included marketing, public relations, impact coaching and strategic business development.  She served as vice president of the Network of Women Advisors.  Previously, she held positions with AAA Auto Club South, Busch Gardens Entertainment and United Landmark advertising agency.

Michelle is a USF cum laude graduate with a BA in mass communications and an MBA with honors from Emory University. She serves on the USF Foundation Board and the Lawrence Martucci Benefit Corp Board, and previously, the Raymond James Charitable Endowment Fund board, the Raymond James Diversity Council and as a member of USF’s Personal Financial Planning Program’s Advisory Council and FSI’s Marketing, Growth and Development Council.

Michelle was honored as Tampa Bay Business Journal’s Businesswoman of the Year 2023 and was recognized in Investment News 40 Under 40.  A Tampa native and mother of two sons, Connor and Ryan, Michelle resides with her husband Scott in Westchase.

Laura, originally from Michigan, moved to the Sunshine State right out of high school. While at UF, Laura earned a degree in Marketing with a concentration in Advertising and Branding.

After working in advertising in Miami and New York City, Laura moved to New Orleans where she earned a Master’s Degree at Tulane University.  She had a HOT time traveling the world for McIlhenny Co. positioning their Tabasco brand.   Upon returning to Florida, Laura helped Transitions Optical re-brand itself globally.

These days Laura is constantly on the go.   She advises many organizations on branding and marketing efforts, while operating Simple Access, which provides private lending for real estate investments.  She has served on numerous community boards over the past 20 years and is currently the Philanthropy Chair of the YMCA of the Suncoast.

Laura is blissfully married to Brian and they have two kids in their 20s.

Mark has over 35 years of experience managing investment portfolios for high net worth individuals, their families, corporations and foundations.  Prior to joining PNC Private Bank, he was a managing director and portfolio manager for Evercore Wealth Management, LLC in Tampa.  Before joining Evercore, Mark was a managing director for SunTrust Bank.  During his 27-year career at SunTrust, he worked as an investment strategist and held several management positions including regional managing director of the West Florida region of the Personal Asset Management division.

Mark graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Florida State University and holds the Chartered Financial Anlyst® (CFA) designation.  He is a member of the CFA Institute, CFA Society Tampa Bay, Pinellas County Estate Planning Council, and the Team Selection Committee for the Reliaquest Bowl.  Previously he was a member of the Suncoast Estate Planning Council and served as chairman of the Investment Committee for the City of Dunedin’s Board of Finance.  As a Ruth Eckerd Board member, Mark serves on the Finance Committee and chairs the Investment Committee. 

Casey Phillips is in her eleventh season as the Buccaneers Team Reporter, which includes hosting two weekly TV shows, two weekly radio shows and podcasts, emceeing events, and providing video content for the Buccaneers website and social media channels. Prior to her time with the Buccaneers, she worked for Walt Disney World, the Washington Wizards and Mystics, and the St. Louis Rams. This past spring, she created and taught a University of South Florida class about on-camera sports reporting.

Casey is a native of Dallas, Texas, and received her Bachelor's and Master's degrees from the University of Missouri in Radio Television Journalism and Broadcast Management.   She was named to “Tampa’s 40 Under 40” Class of 2025 and currently serves on the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation Gala Board and the Metropolitan Ministries Ambassador Board.

Casey is married to Leon Battle, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at One More Child.   They recently welcomed Birdie, a golden retriever puppy, to their family.

Chuck, is a lifelong resident of Pinellas County, attending St. Paul’s School, Clearwater High School, USF, and Stetson College of Law.

He served as a Pinellas County State Attorney from 1988 to 1992. Thereafter, he pursued his career in litigation with an Insurance Defense firm in St. Petersburg, representing insurance companies and their insured’s.

For the last 31 years, he has represented Plaintiffs in cases against insurance companies and their insured’s.  He currently has his own law firm, Philips and Raaymakers with his law partner, Sarah Raaymakers.

Chuck has served on the Development Council for Johns Hopkins All Childrens Hospital, the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Charitable Board, and is currently serving as Chairman of the Board for the Bay Area Pregnancy Center in Clearwater. He is also an active member of Trinity Rotary, and the West Pasco Business Association.

Chuck has two daughters, Lindsay, 31 and Savannah, 27, as well as a son-in-law, Chase.

A Williams College English major, Paul graduated from University of Virginia Medical School in 1977. He completed training in Internal Medicine and Cardiology at the New York Hospital- Cornell Medical Center in 1982 and moved to Clearwater to join Clearwater Cardiovascular Consultants. He joined as the third physician in what has become a 23 doctor practice covering the Morton Plant and Mease Hospitals.  Completing 8 years as the groups managing partner, he continues to practice Cardiology.

Having served on the Morton Plant Mease Foundation Board for 20 years, Paul completed a term as the Foundation Chairman and remains an Emeritus member. He is a former recipient of the Teaching Award for the Morton Plant Family Practice program, the Excellence in Medical Award at Morton Plant and along with wife Liz was honored with the Golden Flame Award Philanthropy Award by the Morton Plant Mease Foundation Board in 2018.  

Charlie Rutz relocated to Florida from West Redding, Connecticut.  He was Vice-President of Union Carbide and a principal of Lincare, Inc, a nationwide home medical equipment company located in Clearwater before retiring.   

A lifelong supporter of arts and education, Charlie began retirement by establishing a television production facility and program at Palm Harbor’s Carwise Middle School in 1994.  He served on the Board of Directors of The Florida Orchestra for six years.  This is Charlie’s third appointment to the Ruth Eckerd Hall Board of Directors having served as Board Secretary and Membership Committee Chair previously.   In 2007,  he established the Jan Chase Rutz Family Foundation providing cash grants to classroom teachers in Florida and throughout the U.S.  

Charlie received The Society of Arts & Letters award in 2009 for contributions to the field of arts education.  The same year he was selected as Mr. Countryside.   In 2010, he received the Marcia P. Hoffman Education Award for his advocacy. 

Doug Wycoff has specialized in the information technology field for over forty years.  He began his career with Telecredit / Equifax, working in the credit card and check processing business.  After almost two decades, Doug became a technology innovative contractor before moving to Tampa International Airport for the past sixteen years.  He currently serves as the Senior Manager of Passenger Processing, AV and Innovation.  His team has been instrumental in excelling technology innovation, not only for the Tampa facility, but within the airline industry.  TIA is the first airport in the nation to use LiDAR, for building efficiencies throughout the facility to enhance the customer experience.

Doug and his wife, Dia, are long-time supporters of the performing arts, enjoying a wide range of genres.  Doug served on the Development committee prior to joining the Board of Directors, where he continues to bring his experience as frequent concert-goer, donor, and management professional to promote the mission.