New members were recently elected to the Community Hospice Foundation Board of Directors.
The Community Hospice Foundation, which is governed by a separate board, generates philanthropic and community support for patient care services, family needs and community programs. The foundation is also the main source of funding for Community PedsCare, a nationally recognized pediatric palliative and hospice program that provides life-changing services to more than 235 patients and their families each day.
Community Hospice Foundation is dedicated to advancing philanthropy to enable Community Hospice & Palliative Care to fulfill its mission and vision. Funds raised through the foundation enhance the quality of life for patients and families and support unfunded and underfunded patient care, outreach programs and services for those facing advanced illness and grief. Its donors make it possible to continue to provide community programs and compassionate care to all who need it, regardless of their ability to pay.
Members of the board of directors serve a three-year term and can be re-elected for two additional three-year terms.
The Community Hospice Foundation’s new Board Members include:
- Jennifer Cleek is a project manager at MMI Inc., a robotics company dedicated to improving clinical outcomes for patients undergoing microsurgery. She and her husband Brian live in Ponte Vedra Beach with their three boys, Wyatt, Hudson and Theodore. She is president of the PTO at Ponte Vedra Rawlings Elementary School, volunteer basketball coach at the Ponte Vedra YMCA and assistant girls’ basketball coach at Bolles.
- Lou Caldropoli recently retired from Swisher International where he worked for more than 27 years. At Swisher, he held numerous positions, including his last role as chief operations officer. He is a member of the St. Johns County Police Athletic League Board and the Finance Council of the Diocese of St. Augustine. He and his wife, Lina, have four children and four grandchildren.
- Neill Lasher is a Realtor at Berkshire Hathaway Florida Network Realty and a lifelong resident of Jacksonville and Ponte Vedra Beach. She is a mother to Wyatt, and twins Lawton and Harbor. She is involved in the community as a member of the Development Council at Wolfson Children’s Hospital and Baptist Foundation, as well as a committee member and former chair for the Wolfson Children’s Challenge and co-chair for Halloween Doors & More.
- Pamela Steitz, who moved to Ponte Vedra Beach in 2000, is married to Bill with their three children Nicholas, Kevin and Alexa. She has worked in a multitude of volunteer capacities, including Community Hospice in 2005 during the inaugural year of Halloween Doors & More, Women’s Leadership Council and Community PedsCare Respite Center Feasibility Study. She recently hosted an event where she raised more than $75,000 for the Community Hospice music therapy program.
- Bret Catto is the vice president and general sales manager for Tom Nehl Truck Co. and oversees the new and used truck sales and the leasing division. He lives in Jacksonville with his wife, Susie, and their sons, Thomas and Matthew.
- Nancy Latinberg, a Jacksonville native, has raised her four children with her husband Richard. She volunteers with several local nonprofits using her expertise in public relations and event planning from her past career. She became active with Community Hospice during the inaugural Halloween Doors & More, joining the Community Advisory Board shortly thereafter. She developed the Teen Advisory Board, where members act as ambassadors to raise awareness and funds for the Community PedsCare program. She has also served as grant chair and president of the Women’s Leadership council.
