FIVE S.T.A.R. VETERANS CENTER, INC.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
We proudly present our Board of Directors.
These are the men and women who devote their time, energy and expertise Pro Bono to enable the Five STAR Veterans Center to meet its goal of getting Military Veterans back to work and enjoying the lives they deserve.
CHAIRMAN, BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MIKE HIGHTOWER
Board Member since 2014
MR. MICHAEL R. (MIKE) HIGHTOWER has almost 40 years of government and legislative relations experience. Until retiring in spring 2019, he served as JEA’s Chief Public and Stakeholder Affairs Officer for four years. Previously he served 16 years on JEA’s Board of Directors, including 2 two-year terms as Chair.
Prior to joining JEA, Mike had a successful three-decade career at Florida Blue, where he served in various leadership roles, most recently as Vice President of Government and Legislative Relations. During this time, Mike worked closely with key political leaders in the federal, state and local government. He also chaired numerous organizations and civic and trade associations, including the US Naval Academy, Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and the Florida Insurance Council, to name a few. In addition to his professional accomplishments, Mike dedicates his time, talent and leadership to numerous boards and commissions.
VICE CHAIRMAN, BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MIKE ATTER, ESQ.
Board Member since 2014
MR. MICHAEL A. ATTER represents clients in the North Florida area as a partner in Wood, Atter & Wolf, P.A. His areas of legal practice include Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice, Criminal Law and Family Law. As a former State Attorney and a civil trial lawyer, Mr. Atter continues the fine tradition of aggressive and compassionate representation of clients. The firm's managing partner has a sincere interest in making sure that each client gets the dedicated representation necessary to get the job done.
TREASURER, BOARD OF DIRECTORS, CAPT. DANIEL K. BEAN
Board Member since 2016
CAPT. DANIEL K. BEAN is a founding member of Abel Bean Law, P.A. Prior to starting this firm, he was the Executive Partner for the Jacksonville Office of Holland & Knight LLP. Prior to that he clerked for the Honorable J.H. Moore II, the Honorable Ralph W. Nimmons Jr. and the Honorable Harvey E. Schlesinger of the United States District Court. Mr. Bean previously served in the United States Navy as a surface warfare officer and as a judge advocate. He is a retired Navy Captain and received the Legion of Merit.
SECRETARY, BOARD OF DIRECTORS, MAJOR GENERAL. GARY BEARD, ESQ.
Board Member since 2020
MG (RET.) GARY BEARD served in the Army Reserve for 37 years, including two tours in Iraq. During that time, he advanced from Private, to Sergeant and eventually Major General. He retired as the Director of Professional Development for the Fourth Judicial Circuit Office of the Public Defender, tasked with leading attorney training and continuing education programs, in addition to providing seasoned representation and trial advocacy for clients. His lengthy career in public service has spanned both the military and public interest law sectors where he achieved leadership positions in each.
COL. DAVID ABRAMOWITZ
Board Member since 2020
COL (RET.) DAVID ABRAMOWITZ is presently the volunteer senior mentor coordinator for the Veterans Treatment Court. He previously served as the Regional Director for the Department of Children and Families. Prior to moving to Jacksonville, Dave was a 31-year active-duty Army military officer with 5 deployments. An Army Aviator whose positions included Brigade Commander, Inspector General of all Continental US Army Forces and the Commandant of the Sergeants Major Academy. He is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy. David is the father of three children, two of whom served, and 1 grandchild.
MR. DENO HICKS
Board Member since 2020
MR. DENO HICKS is President of River North Strategies. He has more than 20 years experience providing government affairs and business development support services throughout Florida. In 2004, he was elected Republican State Committeeman in Duval County and Chairman of Congressional District 4, where he served a four-year term. He continued offering his service to the State, being appointed by various Governors to the Florida Greenways and Trails Council and serving as…a member of the 4th Circuit Court Judicial Nominating Commission, one of the governor’s ten appointees to the Executive Board of the Republican Party of Florida, a nominee to the Electoral College, and a delegate to the 2008 Republican National Convention. Locally, he has served on the Mayor’s Transition Team, Sheriff’s Community Engagement Task Force, Planning Commission, the City of Jacksonville’s Charter Revision Commission, and other Committees. As he has throughout his career, Deno continues his commitment to giving back to his community through financial support and service to countless nonprofits in Northeast Florida. Deno is a graduate of the University of Florida and lives in Jacksonville with his wife and their three children.
MR. CHIPPER KEENER
Board Member since 2023
MR. CHIPPER KEENER is a native Floridian and has lived in Jacksonville for over 25 years. He is the Director of Strategic Partnerships for Continuum Health, a consulting firm based in Ponte Vedra Beach and one of Inc. Magazine's fastest growing companies nationally. After completing studies at the University of Alabama, Chipper pursued his dream of playing professional golf. Ironically, every place he went, he came across a veteran that had a story to tell. That, coupled with his support for his own family members, who have a long history of service, has led him to pursue an opportunity to assist the men and women that serve our country.
MR. ANDREW KISZ
Board Member since 2017
MR. ANDREW KISZ works at Deloitte as a Senior Manager in the Risk and Regulatory Advisory practice, where he manages project teams and provides consulting services to financial institutions. He is also a distinguished military veteran, serving in the US Army infantry from 2001 to 2006. During this time, he served two tours of duty in Afghanistan and one tour in Iraq, where he went on frequent missions and patrols, trained Iraqi forces, and participated in capturing valuable Taliban and Al Qaeda targets. Andrew obtained the rank of Sergeant and was recognized with 12 awards and metals.
After the military, Andrew received his business degree from the University of Florida and Juris Doctor from Wake Forest University School of Law. He is an alumnus of Florida Blue Key and an inductee into the 2009 UF Hall of Fame. While at UF, Andrew was integral in erecting the first military memorial for Post 9/11 Veterans on the UF campus.
Andrew has served on the board of the Hightower Emerging Leaders Fellowship since its inaugural year in 2017. Prior, Andrew served as the 2016 Impact JAX Board Chair and served on the JAX Chamber 2015 Board of Governors and 2016 Board of Directors. As a result of his service to Jacksonville, Andrew was recognized by the Jacksonville Business Journal as one of its Top 40 Under 40.
In 2019, 2020, and 2021 Andrew served on Marco Rubio's Jacksonville Military Academy Board where he recommended local candidates for admission to United States Military Academy West Point.
Andrew is the father of three girls and is an active member of Southside United Methodist Church.
MR. MEDARDO MARTIN
Board Member since 2022
MR. MEDARDO MARTIN Florida born and raised. Mr. Martin is an attorney and Navy veteran.
The son of Cuban exiles, he worked his way through Harvard College and the University of Miami School of Law.
In 2010, he fulfilled a promise he made to himself on 9/11 by earning a commission in the United States Navy as a JAG Officer.
During his over twelve years of active-duty service, Medardo served as a prosecutor and staff attorney at Naval Station Norfolk, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Naval Station Mayport, and Naval Air Station Jacksonville.
He continues to serve in the U.S. Navy Reserve and is committed to helping veterans in need.
He lives in Jacksonville with his wife, Johanna, and his son, Theodore.
MS. PERET PASS
Board Member since 2019
MS. PERET PASS is the President of Pass Consulting Group, LLC – a political consulting firm based in Jacksonville with over 10 years of experience in the political arena. Because of her work, The News Service of Florida named Peret one of the “Top 25 under 30 Rising Political Stars 2010” in Florida. Florida Politics also named her one of their “30 under 30” Rising Political Stars. Peret served as State Chairman for the Florida Federation of Young Republicans for three consecutive terms. Nationally, she was elected as the Assistant Secretary, and later Vice Chairman At-Large of the Young Republican National Federation.
In 2013, Senator Marco Rubio appointed Peret to serve for one term on the Northeast Florida Service Academy Nomination Board. Her focus was on nominations to the Merchant Marines and West Point. In 2017, Mayor Lenny Curry appointed Peret to serve as a Commissioner on the Jacksonville Human Rights Commission. She is still presently serving on the JHRC.
Peret lives with her fiancé, John Scott, on the Southside with their cats. They worship regularly at Celebration Church.
MS. HELLENA PUGH
Board Member since 2021
Ms. Hellena Pugh, a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and founder of Zahara Veterans Network, Inc. – an organization established for women military veterans – has built a professional network of a few thousand veterans nationwide. Hellena is dedicated to the advancement of women veterans through the reformation of current programs and services geared towards veterans. Perseverance, tenacity, and faith are attributes that have guided her life and they lead the charge on her mission to empower women veterans.
Hellena leverages more than thirty years of volunteer service to develop innovative plans to assist veterans and underserved communities. She has been an active member of a nondenominational church since 2004, and as a licensed minister, uses her teaching gifts for domestic and international relations. She has enjoyed collaborative efforts with Five Star Veterans Center over the past five years and looks forward to her role as a board member to continue to garner support for the veteran community.
CHIEF PETTY OFFICER (RET.) JAIME QUIÑONES
Board Member Since 2022
CPO JAIME QUIÑONES is the founder of Eccentriq Development Solutions LLC (DBA: Defined Branding Co. & Command Emblematic Sales) - a group of businesses established to assist businesses and organizations (big and small) as well as military organizations around the world with their graphic arts, branding, web & product development, and digital marketing needs. Jaime is a passionate team builder, motivator, and resource manager who is all about helping others and providing (through his vast network) the essential resources to help others and their organizations succeed. He brings a network of talent, business resources and fundraising expertise that is of great value to Five Star Veterans Center.
Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, Jaime grew up in NE Florida as a military child at NAS Cecil Field among his three siblings and is a distinguished 24-year military veteran, having served from 1993 to 2017. Some of his local area duty stations include the USS Saratoga CV 60 (plankowner), NAS Jacksonville, USS Gettysburg, and ATG Mayport among the many around the world. During his service he deployed 8 times, served in 5 campaigns, and obtained the rank of Chief Petty Officer while also being highly recognized earning over 18 awards and various other campaign medals.
As a family man and veteran community leader, Jaime continues his commitment to service by providing his resources, financial support and talent to many organizations and veterans in the Northeast Florida area and beyond. He is a graduate of Saint Leo University and lives in Fleming Island with his wife and son Sebastián. He has three adult children, Daniel, Angelita & Mayra as well as three grandchildren, Kaleb, Greyson, and Braden. Chief Quinones is humbled and honored to be serving on the board at Five Star and looks forward to improving the future of our program.
COL. (RET.) SPENCER SMITH
Board Member since 2022
(RET.) SPENCER SMITH currently serves as the Director of Government Procurement for the Small Business Administration (SBA) award-winning Gilchrist Law Firm, P.A. (Miami, FL) and Gilchrist Global Strategies (Jacksonville, FL), where he provides strategic vision and leadership.
He is responsible for directing all activities within the federal, state and local contracting environment.
Both companies currently provide professional legal, staffing and critical professional support services throughout the country.
Prior to joining Team Gilchrist, Spencer served 28 years of honorable service in the U.S. Army as a highly decorated Combat Veteran.
Spencer served at the highest levels during his extensive military career, including as the Military Assistant and Travel Coordinator to two Secretary of Defenses.
Spencer is from Sterling, VA, and is married with three children.
MR. JACK WEBB, ESQ.
Board Member since 2015
MR. JACK WEBB is a partner with Kelley Kronenberg Attorneys at Law. Previously he was a partner in the Jacksonville, Florida law office of Brennan, Manna & Diamond, and practices commercial litigation, construction law and general business practice in a variety of areas, including labor and employment law. He has more than 18 years experience counseling and advising clients on a variety of matters.
Jack also participates in a multitude of civic matters such as assisting to build public-private relationships, serving on several local non-profit boards, and providing his time and expertise to JCCI, Inc., Jacksonville’s local think tank organization. Jack recently concluded his appointment by the Jacksonville City Council to serve as a commissioner on the Northeast Florida Regional Transportation Study Commission.
Rev. 03.02.24
