2012-2013 Board

Paul Scanziani, President – paul@miamigators.com

I truly appreciate the impact that UF has had in my life.  Roughly twenty years after first stepping in Gainesville, I am pleased to be able to give back to UF, the Gator Nation, and future Gators. My wife and I are both double Gators, we are Life Members of the Alumni Association and we are Gator Boosters. I have a custom UF motorcycle tag, I have an Albert Tattoo on my bicep, and I used to work for the Athletic Association as a Grad Assistant.

I invite all the Gator Club of Miami members to attend our social events and to get involved with the club.  My goal for this year is to have fun and grow membership.  Together we can enjoy past Gator moments and create new Gator memories.

The president shall preside at all Club meetings, appoint chairs and committee members, and perform such other duties as prescribed in these Rules or as assigned by UFAA. The President may sign any reports required by law, by the Alumni Association, or otherwise incident to the office. The President shall encourage all club officers to attend the annual Alumni Association Leadership Weekend.

Melissa Garcia, President Elect – melissag@miamigators.com

Melissa has been involved in the UFAA since graduating from the University in 2009. While at UF, she was involved in greek life as an Alpha Chi Omega, participated in Dance Marathon and graduated with a degree in Public Relations. She is an avid runner and looks forward to running several races with fellow Gators this year and watching Gator football at our local viewing parties.

President-Elect shall perform the duties of the President in the absence or disability of the President and shall become the President in the next officer term. This officer focuses on assisting the acting President and learning their duties.

Arnaldo Gasco, VP of Athletics – arnaldo@miamigators.com

Arnaldo is very passionate about Gator sports and is very active in multiple athletic organizations such as South Florida Cycling and Swim Fort Lauderdale.

The VP of Athletics will carry out the club’s directions and policies to support the University of Florida’s athletic programs. For the Gator Club® of Miami, this position also includes selection of and maintaining the relationship with the venues used by the club for game parties. It can also include promoting club participate in local sports leagues and opportunities to support UF Gator teams who visit our area.

Luis Betancourt, VP of Academics – luis@miamigators.com

Luis is a Die Hard Florida Gator who graduated  from and worked at the University of Florida for a number of years. He has been in higher education for over 15 years and specifically deals with scholarships and student financial matters on a day to day basis. He loves sports, playing guitar and loves being a father and raising a young family.

The VP of Academics shall carry out the club’s directions and policies to support the University of Florida’s academic programs, including assisting in the recruitment of superior students and, if applicable, working with local high schools to better inform administrators about the academic quality of the University of Florida. For the Gator Club® of Miami, this position primarily involves administering the club’s scholarship program.

Allie Dobin, VP of Communications – allie@miamigators.com

Allie graduated from UF in May 2009, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration (Marketing) and a Minor in Mass Communication. She is now a Marketing Manager in Coral Gables.

The VP of Communications prepares and promotes the Club through web and media outlets, including television, print and radio if applicable. This includes promotion of club functions through the club’s own web site, the UFAA site, and club emails to local Gators.

Rhonda Victor Sibilia, VP of Outreach – rhonda@miamigators.com

Rhonda Victor Sibilia is a native Miamian and a proud graduate of the UF School of Journalism and Communications.  She has held many communication positions in local government, business and media outlets and has given back through volunteer work with the Alumni Association and by holding top positions in PTA and other organizations. Rhonda is eager to interact with as many local Gators as possible!

The VP of Outreach shall promote the University of Florida by arranging local speaking engagements for University of Florida faculty and administrators in the local community. This position typically involves coordinating other types of local activities with Gators such as helping to organize the annual International Gator Day event.

Christina Ramos, Treasurer – christinar@miamigators.com

The treasurer shall have custody of all of the funds of the Club, shall keep a full and accurate account of the receipts and expenditures, and shall make disbursements as authorized. The Treasurer shall present a financial statement at such times as requested by the club officers, shall make a full financial report at the annual meeting, and shall file annual financial reports as required by the Alumni Association. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the maintenance of such books of account and records as necessary.

Maggie Abdo-Gomez, Secretary – maggie@miamigators.com

Maggie has a law degree (Juris Doctor) from the University of Florida and a Masters of Law in Taxation (LLM) from the University of Florida. After graduating from the tax program at UF she returned to Miami and worked for a local law firm. She is also an adjunct professor of law at St. Thomas University Law School, and served as a Commissioner on the Miami Dade County Board of Ethics and Public Trust.

The secretary shall record the minutes of all meetings of the Club, coordinate activities that require the use of the club’s official membership list, and perform such other duties as may be delegated.

Christina Ramos, Young Alumni Coordinator – christinar@miamigators.com

The Young Alumni Coordinator is responsible for coordinating programs targeted to graduates who are 35 years of age or less. The Coordinator should also promote membership to recent graduates and encourage their participation within the Club.

Nicole Cueto, Volunteer Coordinator – nicole@miamigators.com

The Volunteer Coordinator is responsible for helping to attract new club members and providing general information about to the club to interested individuals. The Volunteer Coordinator should also help coordinate efforts for International Gator Day (which must NOT involve fundraising, only volunteer time and effort) and other events where volunteers are needed. For example, during football season this officer would likely create a weekly event in our club’s Facebook group requesting game party volunteers and then assign these to duties identified by the game party coordinator. The volunteer coordinator will also work closely with the VP of Athletics to organize the high-school volunteer program.

Dr. Pablo J. Fonseca, Gators for Higher Ed Liaison – pabloj@miamigators.com

The Gators for Higher Ed Liaison shall help communicate the University’s goals to Florida’s elected officials. The overall mission is to be an advocate for UF. Gators for Higher Education is a project of UF Government Relations in partnership with the UFAlumni Association. The role of Gators for Higher Education Liaison is particularly important in this time of severe budget cuts. We need the voices of the Gator Nation to sustain our University.

Non-Officer Directors

Susan Froehlich, Athletic Coordinator – susan@miamigators.com

As Athletic Coordinator, Susan promises to enthusiastically participate, promote and enhance the Gator Club of Miami and UF Alumni Association experience. She will go the distance, ambitiously encouraging members to realize goals and exceed expectations. She believes that together, the Gator Nation can make a lasting impact in the lives of others.

The Athletic Coordinator serves as a direct support role to the VP of Athletics.

Ricardo Abella, Athletic Coordinator – ricardo@miamigators.com

Although Ricardo officially became a UF Alumni upon graduation in 2006 with a B.A. in Geography, he claims to have always been a Gator at heart. With fond memories of yearly family trips to Gainesville for Gator Growl and the big homecoming game, he takes great pride in promoting and supporting Gator Athletics.

The Athletic Coordinator serves as a direct support role to the VP of Athletics.

Elier Roqueta, Assistant Athletic Coordinator – elier@miamigators.com

The Asst. Athletic Coordinator serves as a direct support role to the VP of Athletics.

Daniel Perez, Co-Treasurer – daniel@miamigators.com

Daniel was born and raised in Bogotá, Colombia. He attended UF between 2004 – 2008 and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Marketing. Soccer and Gator Sports are his biggest passions, and he believes “Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion.”

The Co-Treasurer shall perform the duties of the Treasurer in the absence or disability of the Treasurer. This officer focuses on assisting the acting Treasurer and learning their duties.

Cessie Cerrato, Public Relations Liaison – cessie@miamigators.com

The PR Liaison shall assist the VP of Communications in order to keep GCOM in the press in a positive manner.

Suzy Fiat, Co-Young Alumni Coordinator- suzy@miamigators.com

Suzy graduated from the University of Florida in 2008 with a Bachelors of Science, Business Administration.  Upon graduating from UF, she went on to pursue a Masters in International Business Administration from NOVA Southeastern University.  She is excited to be part of the Gator Club of Miami Board and eager to share a great year with fellow Gator Alums.

The Co-Young Alumni Coordinator shall assist the Young Alumni Coordinator.

Anthony Vernace, Gator Booster Liaison – anthony@miamigators.com

Anthony Vernace received his Bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Florida in 2002.  He is now a commercial real estate attorney with a leading national law firm in Miami.

The Gator Booster Liaison is in charge of working with the Gator Boosters and seeking out fellow boosters to be more involved with the club. See what current Gator Boosters want from GCOM in order to be more involved and also to get more Gator Boosters to purchase football/basketball tickets.

Scott Giberson, Scott Giberson – scott@miamigators.com

The Gator Fishing Outing Liaison involves implementation of our annual fishing tournament. Seeking sponsors, administering events, and obtaining items for the goodie bag.

David Tischler, Professional Sports Liaison – david@miamigators.com

The Professional Sports Liaison builds relationships and works directly with professional sports teams/organizations in Miami.