“Serving Youth and Community”

For the last nine years Carl has been the Executive Director of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast, responsible for a $2.5 million dollar budget (a budget that has grown over 300% during his tenure) with over 5,500 children and youth served annually. He was awarded the national silver medallion for twenty-five years of outstanding service to Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

Carl R. Lavender, Jr. was born and grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. The eldest son of The Rev. Dr. Carl R. Lavender, Sr., and his wife of 30 years Lois, Carl Jr., AKA "Ricky" to his family and friends, graduated from John F. Kennedy High School. He then attended The Ohio State University on full academic scholarship. Carl graduated from OSU and went on to graduate studies, attending the Columbus campus of The Xavier University.  Carl recently graduated Summa Cum Laude from Springfield College Graduate School.

Smith & Nephew, Inc. / Wound Management
Vice President, Business Development

Mr. Dawkins currently serves as Chair of Marketing & Branding Committee. 

Simon Dawkins, Vice-President, Strategic New Market Development has worked for Smith & Nephew for 23 years, starting in sales and marketing roles for the UK business, followed by several years in International Marketing.  He moved to Rehabilitation business in the Milwaukee, WI in 1992, transitioning to Director, Sales & Marketing.  He subsequently spent 4 years as General Manager of a biotechnology joint venture in San Diego, CA, before moving to the Smith & Nephew's US Wound Management business in St. Petersburg, FL in 2000, first as VP Sales & Marketing for Biotechnology, and then VP Marketing for the entire US business.  In 2006, Simon transitioned to a global Business Development role, focused on securing acquisitions, partnerships and technologies to help drive their future growth.  He has held several relevant industry leadership positions.

Simon is actively involved at Holy Family Catholic church and school, including being past-Chair of the School Advisory Committee and current Co-Chair of the Parish-wide Renovation and Renewal Campaign Steering Committee.  He has been on the Executive Committee of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast since 2006, chairing the Marketing and Communications Committee and is currently the Chair Elect.

wound.smith-nephew.com

Gregory, Sharer, & Stuart, P.A.
Certified Public Accountant

Bob joined Gregory, Sharer & Stuart in 2005 and brings over 20 years of public accounting experience to the firm. Prior to joining GSS, he worked with the Florida assurance practice of Ernst & Young.  Bob works closely with both the Construction and Real Estate Development and the Insurance Industry Service Teams at GSS. His industry experience includes providing accounting and audit services to domestic and multi-national public, private and not-for-profit enterprises, focusing on companies in the insurance, real estate, construction and hospitality industries.

Bob earned his Bachelor of Science in Accounting in 1988 from the University of South Florida.  He is a board member of the Construction Financial Management Association, and is a member of both the American and Florida Institutes of Certified Public Accountants. He is also a member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.

Bob is actively involved in his local youth soccer community and is the Treasurer for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast.