About Veterans Florida
Purpose Driven People
Veterans Florida is a non-profit created by the State of Florida, established under Section 295.21, Florida Statutes, to manage the Veteran Education and Training Services Program under Section 295.22, Florida Statutes, and to promote Florida’s status as the most veteran-ready state with VISIT FLORIDA through a marketing campaign partnership under Section 295.23, Florida Statutes.
The purpose of Veterans Florida is to serve as the state’s initial point of military transition assistance dedicated to promoting Florida as a veteran-friendly state helping to provide veterans and their spouses with employment opportunities and promoting the hiring of veterans and their spouses by the business community and encourage retired and recently separated military personnel to remain in this state or to make this state their permanent residence. Veterans Florida also promotes the value of military skill sets to businesses in this state, assists in tailoring the training of veterans and their spouses to match the needs of the employment marketplace, and enhance the entrepreneurial skills of veterans and their spouses.
2014
Established
Veterans Florida is governed by an eleven member Board of Directors and represents active or retired military personnel and their spouses with a range of ages and persons with expertise in business, education, marketing, and information management from all across the state.
Appointed by Governor
Jeff Cathey, Chair
JEFF M. CATHEY
Jeff M. Cathey served as Head, Military and Veteran Affairs for Bank of America, retiring in 2022.
Leading the Military Banking Overseas Division, Jeff was responsible for managing and executing the military banking contract with the Department of Defense. He led a 600+ global person team, headquartered in San Antonio, TX, to ensure banking services and products were readily available, through 62 financial centers and a robust ATM network, to service members deployed in ten countries in Europe, Asia, and around the globe.
As Head of Military Affairs, Jeff led a dedicated group focused on support of active-duty military and their families, and successful reintegration of service members into the civilian sector. He was responsible for business development and engagement in the Washington, DC arena and nationally. His team was integral in exploring marketing and philanthropic opportunities, as well as events supporting the military community worldwide.
Cathey joined Bank of America in April 2008 directly from the Pentagon. Jeff served with distinction in the U.S. Navy for 29 years, and led commands worldwide at all levels to include two fleet squadrons and a carrier air wing in USS Enterprise. Captain Cathey flew 100 combat missions and is a decorated veteran of Operation Urgent Fury, Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan), and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Jeff also served in Washington as Director for Senate Affairs in the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
Raised in Tampa, Florida, Jeff played football at the University of Tampa and earned his Bachelor of Arts finance degree from the University of South Florida. He earned a Master’s Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies at the Naval War College. Jeff serves on the board of directors for Veterans Florida and Our Community Salutes. He is currently a student, a recent adjunct professor at the University of South Florida, and an umpire. He is married with three adult children.
Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Jeff to the Veterans Florida Board of Directors in 2022.
JON “FIZZLE” FAY, SECRETARY
Fay is an award-winning leader in the military, public, and private sectors. He serves as the Director of Asset Management with Airline MRO Parts, fostering a stronger, thriving aviation industry by overseeing the strategic asset management of more than $1B in international investment packages.
Jon is passionate about building high-performing teams and effective relationships to drive innovative, winning strategies. His career spans over 24 years of service as a naval flight officer, including operational tours in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Sahayogi Haat in Nepal, as well as tours in the U.S. House of Representatives as a Defense Fellow in the 115th Congress, and as a Legislative Liaison in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Jon’s career culminated as the Executive Officer with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, the hallmark of Navy and Marine Corps teamwork and professionalism.
He is a 2000 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, where he lettered in football and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics. He received his Master of Business Administration from the Naval Postgraduate School and is a graduate of the Air Command and Staff College. Jon is honored to serve in a variety of organizations in a leadership capacity, including serving as an Advisory Board Member of USO Florida, a Director with the Blue Angels Association, and an active member of the Navy Football Brotherhood.
Jon lives with his wife, Amy, and their three children in Gulf Breeze, Florida.
Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Jon to the Veterans Florida Board of Directors in 2025.
Will Rodriguez
Will Rodriguez
Over the last twenty years Will has been directly involved in state and local government. Will began his service by working on city council and state house races in Miami-Dade County. Starting as a Legislative Aide to freshmen House members and ultimately serving as Senior Advisor to the current Speaker of the Florida House, Will has seen the inner workings of the political process at the highest levels and everything in between. As a legislative aide Will became intimately familiar with the infrastructure of the political process in the state capitol. By learning the committee and budget process at the granular level Will was able to provide his members the most accurate and relevant information that led to many policy successes during his tenure.
Later in his career Will led the finance and fundraising efforts during the 2014-16 cycle for the Republican Party of Florida’s House Campaigns division, successfully raising millions of dollars for the election and re-election campaigns of all Florida House Republicans. The 2016-2018 cycle saw Will heading the entire political operation of the House Campaigns team under Speaker Oliva’s leadership. While continuing to raise millions of dollars towards the election and re-election campaigns of all House Republicans, Will and his team also managed the recruitment and retainment efforts for the operation by working closely with dozens of campaign consultants, polling firms and individual candidates to ensure the best possible re-election environment.
Most recently, Will served as Senior Advisor to the current Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives. In that capacity will managed the intersection where politics and policy inevitably meet, helping the chamber lead to what many believe was one of the most successful sessions in recent history. Will lives in Tallahassee, Florida with his three children, BreeAnne, Liam and JonLuke.
Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Will to the Veterans Florida Board of Directors in 2025.
Appointed by Senate President
GARRETT RICHTER, VICE CHAIR
GARRETT RICHTER
Garrett Richter is the Florida Market President of First Foundation Bank. He previously served as the founder, President, CEO and a director of First Florida Integrity Bank and the President and a director of TGR Financial, Inc., the bank’s holding company.
His banking career began at Mellon Bank in February 1969. His employment with Mellon Bank was interrupted when he entered the Army in November 1969. He was awarded a Bronze Star, the Combat Infantry Badge and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry while serving in Vietnam with the 75th Ranger Company from 1970-71.
Garrett was elected to the Florida Legislature in 2006. He served one term in the Florida House of Representatives, followed by two terms in the Florida Senate where he was the President Pro Tempore from 2012 to 2016. During his tenure in the Florida Senate, he chaired the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, the Senate Gaming Committee and the Ethics and Elections Committee. Garrett served as the chairman of the Florida Defense Support Task Force from 2015-2016, working to protect and enhance Florida’s military missions and installations.
He is the past chairman of the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce and is an alumni and past Board of Regents member of Leadership Florida and past chairman of Leadership Collier. He served as of director of FHLBank Atlanta from 2019 – 2021. Garrett was previously appointed to the Florida Ethics Commission by then Governor Rick Scott.
He is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and the Graduate School of Banking in Madison, Wisconsin. Garrett has been married to Diana for 49 years and has three children and six grandchildren.
ANGELA DRZEWIECKI
ANGELA DRZEWIECKI
Angela Drzewiecki is a consultant at GrayRobinson, where she brings over a decade of experience in government relations. She has successfully advocated for municipalities, trade associations, non-profits, and businesses before Florida’s executive and legislative branches of government. Angela focuses her practice on a myriad of issues, including local government matters, transportation, public safety, and legislative appropriations.
Angela attended Florida State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science as well as a Master’s degree in Applied American Politics and Policy.
As a Gold Star family member and military spouse, Angela brings a unique perspective and valuable insight to the Veterans Florida Board.
Senate President Bill Galvano appointed Angela to the Veterans Florida Board in 2019.
LYNDA L. WEATHERMAN
LYNDA L. WEATHERMAN
Lynda L. Weatherman currently serves as President and CEO of the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast. She is responsible for attracting new businesses and the retention of existing industry throughout the Space Coast. Previously, Weatherman has held leadership posts with the Florida Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis, Gainesville Chamber of Commerce, and Marion County Economic Development Agency. In 2010, she was selected to be a member of the Air Force Chief of Staff Civic Leader Program, serving as an advisor, key communicator, and advocate for the Air Force and providing ideas and feedback to the Secretary of the Air Force and Air Force Chief of Staff.
Senate President Bill Galvano appointed Lynda to the Veterans Florida Board in 2019.
VACANT
Appointed by House Speaker
ROBERT M. KIRILA
ROBERT M. KIRILA
Robert Kirila is the founder and Managing Director of Black Powder Partners, a private equity firm that works with the nation’s top veteran executives to grow construction service companies. Previously Robert served as the CEO and Executive Director for Special Operators Transition Foundation, with a focus on providing Special Operators the support needed to find careers in the private sector. Previously Robert was the Chief Operating Officer for DEFENSEWERX and guided the growth of disruptive innovation practices at Air Force bases around the nation.
For 26+ years, Robert served as a Special Forces Officer in the United States Army. During that time Rob commanded Special Operations Forces on 4 continents in peacetime and combat and developed a unique portfolio of experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan and culminating as the senior Special Operations advisor to the Commanding General in the fight against ISIS in Iraq and Syria.
Robert holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Richmond and masters degrees from Central Michigan University and the United States Army War College. Among his awards are the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Service Medals, the Bronze Star, and the Green Beret authorized by President John F. Kennedy. Robert lives with his wife Chrissie in Valparaiso, FL.
Speaker Richard Corcoran appointed Robert to the Veterans Florida Board of Directors in 2018, and Speaker Chris Sprowls reappointed him in 2022.
JERRY L. NEFF, TREASURER
JERRY L. NEFF
Brigadier General (Retired) Jerry L. Neff enlisted in the Illinois Army National Guard 1960 before transferring to the Florida Army National Guard and graduating from the Florida National Guard Officer Candidate School in 1964.
When he retired in June 1999, General Neff was the Deputy Commanding General, 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command, Orlando, Florida.
General Neff’s numerous decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit, The Meritorious Service Medal, and Army Commendation Medal (with oak leaf cluster).
General Neff was a banker for 47 years and retired in 2009 as the President of M&I Bank, Florida Region. He then served for two years as the Chairman of M & I Bank Advisory Board, Florida Region.
General Neff graduated from Excelsior College with a Bachelor of Science degree in liberal arts and is married to the former Judy Evans. They reside in Bradenton, Florida.
Speaker Richard Corcoran appointed General Neff to the Board of Directors in 2018, and Speaker Chris Sprowls reappointed him in 2022.
ALAN J. SUSKEY
ALAN J. SUSKEY
Alan Suskey is the managing partner at Shumaker Advisors’ Tallahassee practice.
Alan previously served on Capitol Hill as the military aide to Congressman Bill Young, former Chairman of the Appropriations Committee and Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense in the United States House of Representatives. Alan’s primary focus was on defense, intelligence, and homeland security projects in the Chairman’s district of Pinellas County, Florida.
Prior to serving on Capitol Hill, Alan served honorably in the United States Army. During his eight years of service, he held multiple leadership posts to include leading our brave men and women during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was a member of the initial invasion force in Iraq and subsequently served two year-long tours of duty in Baghdad, Iraq. As a military police non-commissioned officer he served in several leadership roles training various first responders throughout his career. The recipient of multiple awards for service to our country, including eight Army Commendation Medals and the Valorous Unit Award, Alan was honored as the United States Army Europe “Soldier of the Year” in 2002.
Speaker Chris Sprowls appointed Alan to the Veterans Florida Board of Directors in 2022.
