About BAYS

Heather holds a Ph.D. in Communication, and has over a decade of experience working with community-university collaborations centered on community and family health and well-being. Having left her prior life in the world of academia, she now works for Hillsborough County in the Department of Homeless Services, as the Coordinator of Special Projects. As an educator, her interest has been largely in how communities self-organize around families, however they are uniquely defined, in order to promote growth and thriving. As a scholar, her interest was in social policy and the structure and function of community, both conceptually and pragmatically, a theme that runs through her efforts with the County. She focuses on strengths-based and systems-oriented approaches to community work, and brings cross-disciplinary perspectives in order to work alongside our care workers and community members as they bridge the gaps and strengthen the connections across systems of care.

‍Christopher is an assistant public defender for Julianne M. Holt, the Public Defender for Hillsborough County. Mr. Watson supervises attorneys in the Juvenile and Misdemeanor divisions of Ms. Holt's office. He has been employed as an assistant public defender for over 14 years. Mr. Watson was in private practice and served as an assistant state attorney for approximately 18 years before becoming an assistant public defender. He was board certified in Criminal Trial Law in 2000. Mr. Watson received his bachelor's egree in social studies education from the University of Virginia in 1980 and his juris doctorate from Stetson University College of Law in 1983. He is also licensed to practice law in the state of Virginia.

Josh is a seasoned communications expert with a passion for helping those in need, serving the underserved and using his journalistic skills to give a voice to those who often feel unheard.

As a former journalist and business owner, Josh’s experience includes leading multi-cultural communications efforts across the country for large, multi-state organizations, nonprofit groups and minority-owned businesses focusing on underserved populations. He leads a large team of communications, marketing and consulting professionals at Vistra.

A graduate of Eastern Illinois University, Josh spent the first 15 years of his career working in television and radio. He has been a news reporter, anchor and radio host throughout the Tampa, Las Vegas, Nashville and Jacksonville media markets covering some of the biggest stories in the country including the 9/11 terrorist attacks, presidential elections and numerous hurricanes. He also helped launch video production companies, SnapShot Interactive in Nashville, Tennessee and Blue Dog Video in Daytona Beach, Florida.

In 2012, with a desire to make a positive impact on underprivileged youth, Josh began working as an after-school program director and youth and college minister in Georgia. He served in that role for four years before moving back to Tampa to effect change and manage external relations with a national nonprofit involved in child welfare, juvenile justice and workforce development.

Josh can be found regularly teaching public relations workshops and networking throughout the Tampa Bay area. He is also passionate about mentoring disadvantaged youth.

Angel Williams is the President of The Shine Firm, a philanthropic consulting and management firm that specializes in building bridges between business owners, community-based organizations, professional athletes and corporations through events and outreach. As a Philanthropy Agent®, she spends countless hours mastering plans to strengthen nonprofit organizations and impact communities. Angel is a legacy builder, engaging, energizing and empowering Executives, community leaders and partners worldwide. Her relentless work ethic, selflessness and loyalty continues to “shine” through her life and her work. Born and raised in Hollywood, Florida, Angel’s ability to adapt and excel in any environment is exemplified in her proven track record of success guiding clients to discover, plan and execute their philanthropic visions. Angel currently resides in Tampa, FL and enjoys reading, traveling, mentoring and vows to continue to allow her passion to drive her.

Charleen Ramus Jaffe was formerly on the BAYS Board of Directors in the 1990’s before she moved to Naples, FL and then rejoined the Board in 2014, after returning to the Tampa Bay area. She graduated from Kenyon College with a B.A. and from Stetson University College of Law with a J.D. She practices employment law with Mandelbaum, Fitzsimmons, Hewitt & Cain, P.A., representing employers & employees in both litigation and non-litigation matters. Ms. Jaffe is also a private pilot, holds a Florida real estate broker’s license and is a graduate of Leadership Lee County.

Charles E. Klug is the Chief Legal Officer of the Tampa Port Authority; Florida’s largest and most cargo-diverse seaport. Mr. Klug is currently responsible for the oversight of the legal, procurement, environmental, government relations and human resources departments of the Port Authority. He has served as General Counsel for the Tampa Port Authority since 2004 and served as Deputy Port Director for Administration, responsible for the legal, procurement, environmental, real estate and marketing departments of the Port Authority, from 2008 to 2013. Mr. Klug was a partner with the law firm of Gray Robinson, P.A., before his appointment as General Counsel, where he concentrated his practice in the areas of commercial real estate, local government, land use and environmental law. Mr. Klug received a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Florida, College of Business in 1983 (with Honors) and a J.D. from the University of Florida, College of Law in 1986. He was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1986 and has been certified by the Florida Bar as specialist in Real Estate Law since 1993 and as a specialist in City, County and Local Government Law since 1998.

Major Willie Parker started with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in 1980, as a detention deputy. Then in 1982, he was assigned to the Malcolm E. Beard Sheriff’s Operations Center in Ybor City as a patrol deputy. Throughout his career Major Parker was also assigned to Patrol, working in Districts I, II, III & IV, and eventually transferred to the Street Crimes Unit in DIV. In 1985, he was promoted to detective where he was assigned to investigate property crimes. Major Parker moved on from there to the Special Investigations Division where he worked as a narcotics detective. He was subsequently assigned as a deputy in the Selective Enforcement Unit. Upon promotion to corporal, Major Parker was assigned supervisory roles in District I, III & IV, as well as the Child Protective Investigations Division. Major Parker is recently retired as the Commander of the Community Outreach Division, which is responsible for various community projects, the school resource deputies, elementary school presentations/programs, the crossing guards, and coordination of the Volunteer Citizen Patrol Program. This division also interacts with businesses and neighborhoods to teach crime prevention programs as well as to support the citizens in the community. Major Parker attended Hillsborough Community College where he earned his Associate in Arts Degree. From there, he attended the University of South Florida, earning his Bachelor of Arts Degree. He is also a graduate of the Southern Police Institute’s 112th Administrative Officers’ Course and is currently pursuing his Master’s Degree at Saint Leo University.

Dr. Micah E. Johnson is a sociologist trained in criminology and substance misuse epidemiology. He serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mental Health Law and Policy at the University of South Florida. Dr. Johnson’s research centers around childhood trauma, behavioral health, and juvenile justice. His research is funded by the National Institutes of Health and has been cited by the New York Times, Senator Bernie Sanders and others. He has been an advocate for social justice for the past 14 years. Dr. Johnson trains, speaks, and teaches internationally on topics related to trauma, poverty, antiracism, and sustainable peace. He serves in the state and federal court system as an expert witness and facilitator where he leverages the science of trauma, disadvantage and substance misuse to empower the justice system to make more informed decisions. Dr. Johnson recently published a children’s book entitled “Never Had a Friend.” It describes his experiences with living in homeless shelters as a child. The book debuted at #1 New Release on Amazon in the Poverty category. Dr. Johnson also leverages his artistry, as a poet, monologist, and speaker, to share his peacebuilding efforts with a broader audience.

Siglinde Mendez is the Assistant Vice President and Financial Center Manager of Fifth Third Bank in Osceola County. Siglinde brings over 25 years of financial service experience to the board of BAYS. In addition to working with small businesses and residents in the community with their financial goals, Siglinde is a volunteer with Osceola County Council on Aging, delivering Meals to the Elderly and Hope Helps, Inc in Seminole County working in the food pantry.

She is originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico where she moved to Virginia and ultimately moved to Florida in 1995. After studying Elementary Education at Old Dominion University, she found her passion in banking and has been helping customers ever since. From training tellers to financial center managers to helping customers buy their first home or small businesses open their first location, she is passionate about helping improve the lives within our community through her job as a financial center manager or through her time volunteering in the community.

(Excerpted from Ashley T. Gallagher | Johnson Jackson PLLC)

Ashley T. Gallagher is Partner at Johnson Jackson PLLC, where she practices management-side labor and employment law in both the private and public sectors.  Ashley received her undergraduate degree from the University of South Carolina and law degree from Florida State University College of Law.  While in law school, Ashley served as an Article Editor for the Florida State University Law Review and was a member of the Florida State College of Law Moot Court Team.  Additionally, she served as a judicial extern for the Honorable Judge Mark E. Walker of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida and attended the Florida State University Law Conference at Oxford University.  Ashley currently serves as Vice President of the Tampa Bay Chapter of the Federal Bar Association and as an 11th Circuit Representative on the Board of Directors for the Federal Bar Association Younger Lawyers Division.  Ashley also currently chairs the Junior League of Tampa’s Grants Committee. Ashley grew up in Verona, New Jersey.

Robert Patterson brings 25+ years of professional experience in the fields of juvenile justice and child welfare. Robert started his career in 1994 spending more than 19 years providing regional and national leadership development to staff serving at risk children in juvenile justice programs. He also spent several years providing supervision in child welfare programs. Robert received his Bachelor’s degree from Limestone College in 1994 and his Master’s degree in High and Post-Secondary Education from Argosy University in 2014. He is also a graduate of the 2016 class of Leadership Tampa Bay.  In his spare time, Robert serves as a member of the football coaching staff at Steinbrenner High School.