Michele, a Vice President with Bank of America, helps small businesses secure loans they need to grow and prosper.  Michele has also participated as volunteer for FIRST team activities and events for many years, and more recently serves as the assistant-director of “PLuGHiTz Live”, a popular webcast covering geek culture, and the worlds of gadgets, gaming, Internet and media.    Michele is a strong supporter of the FCDI mission.

Steve is a Systems Engineer and has been the key team leader on a wide variety of government projects for satellite communications, military and civil aviation, manned space flight, and commercial venues including insurance, financial services, and medical research. Steve is also the concept and design architect behind Tampa Bay’s precedent setting 10,000 sq. ft. public makerspace at the John F. Germany Library, the Foundry makerspace at Land O’ Lakes Library, and the makerspace at Regency Park Library.  Steve also served several years as the State Judge Advisor for FIRST Tech Challenge youth robotics programs in Florida. 

Carol is the Manager of Entrepreneur Services with Hillsborough County’s Economic Development Department and the Center Director of the Florida SBDC at Hillsborough County. Ms. Minor brings a wealth of experience and expertise as a mentor and educator, to the FCDI’s Equity in Entrepreneurship program. In her present role, Ms. Minor manages a team of five Professional Business Consultants to deliver business management consulting and training to existing and start-up businesses throughout Hillsborough County. A specialist in finance, she helps businesses with finance and cash flow management as well as to gain access to needed capital by helping them to identify the best financing option.

Pam is an Automotive Standards Expert with nearly 30 years in the industry, owner of U.S. Auto Training and a 4th generation auto tech. She’s author of Car Care for the Clueless and hosts a syndicated radio show by the same name, and the inventor of the Gas Cap Grip.  She brings sold workforce education knowledge and experience to the FCDI Board of Directors.

Vanessa is a Florida native, and an alumna of the University of South Florida and the University of Dayton. She is currently the managing director at Ferguson Legal, a business law firm that helps start-ups and small business address their business’s needs within their budget. Vanessa brings her legal knowledge and her passion for new ideas and innovation to the FCDI Board.