Meet the Team

We often challenge others to answer the question, “If not you, then who?”
Meet the team who answers this call to action every day.
Our Founder Ryan Nece

Originally signed to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2002, Ryan Nece was a part of the Buccaneers team that went on to win a World Championship that season in Super Bowl XXXVII. Ryan spent a total of seven years in the NFL as a linebacker and special teams standout for the Buccaneers and, in his final year, the Detroit Lions.

During his time in the NFL, Ryan consistently stepped up as a leader. He established himself as a team captain in Tampa where he set an example for his teammates to follow with his work ethic both on the field and in the community.

For seven years, Nece’s primary focus was football, which provided him with a platform to impact others and opened doors to new and exciting opportunities. In addition to his work on the football field and in the community, Ryan has spent the last several years honing his business acumen.

Following his career in the NFL, Ryan started several new career ventures to channel his focus and energy toward areas off the playing field. Ryan, along with former teammate Jeb Terry, created an exciting communications platform company called StraightCast. This platform improves the way people generate, distribute and consume mobile video. The goal of StraightCast is to revolutionize the way content providers connect and engage with their followers through authentic content.

Ryan also has experience as a media personality, as he reported weekly from the sidelines during the 2010 UFL season on behalf of the Versus Network. Ryan then worked part-time for Brighthouse Sports Network as a football analyst, as well as host of the pre- and post-game shows on the Buccaneers Radio Network, US 103.5. Currently, Ryan works with FOX Sports 1 as an on-air analyst and sideline reporter.

Ryan’s football and business endeavors have certainly played a major role in developing who he is as a person, but he believes his reason for waking up every day is to make a positive impact in someone else’s life. Ryan founded the Ryan Nece Foundation in 2006 in an effort to increase his extensive community service efforts in the Tampa Bay area. The mission of the Ryan Nece Foundation is to be a beacon to teens by empowering them to impact giving in their communities. The foundation’s vision is to create opportunities for teens to embrace the Power of Giving through service projects, inspirational programs, and volunteerism. Ryan’s goal through the foundation is to help mentor the next generation of servant leaders who will become the philanthropists, volunteers, and nonprofit organization leaders of tomorrow.

Executive Committee

Dr. Nekeshia Hammond

Chair
Licensed Psychologist Hammond Psychology & Associates, P.A.

“To me, the power of giving is the beauty to completely change someone’s life with your thoughtfulness. You never know how a random act of kindness can truly affect someone…and that is so powerful!”

Marc Matthews

Immediate Past Chairman
Managing Partner
Matthews Injury Law

“To me, the Power of Giving is the ability to empower others to succeed where they may have never had the opportunity.”

 

Kyle Bartosiak

vice chair
VP-Commercial Banking Regions bank

“No matter what your circumstances in life, you have the ability to give.”

 

Christopher Storey

secretary
ShowTech Solutions, Inc.

“The Power of Giving is the purpose of life. Giving is a privilege of life that lifts our collective spirit, enriches souls, improves our communities, and proliferates joy.”

 

Johan Martinez

treasurer
Cherry Bekaert LLP

“The Power of Giving is about the ability to step aside from our daily routines and our comfort zones in order to make a difference in lives of others and have a positive impact in the community. By making a difference, we can instill the Power of Giving to future leaders who will one day do the same.”

Board of Directors

Simone Girard

Owner/President
Legacy First Financial Services, LLC
Student Service Program Alumni

“The Power of Giving, to me, means to Learn. Learning about our community, learning about our youth and learning about how it’s the little things that matter; and how those little things can change the entire trajectory of one’s life.”

Adrienne Kendall

Attorney
Johnson Pope, LLP

“To me, the Power of Giving is knowing that even the smallest act of service has the ability to change the world for the better.”

 

Heather Petrone

Manager, MarketinG
Apollo Retail Specialists

“To me, the power of giving is a gift from the heart. It’s helping to make a positive difference in the lives of others. If you choose to give of yourself to benefit others, you are a true light worker, and the world needs more of that.”

Scott Noonan

Vice President of People Business Partners
ReliaQuest

“It’s the joy and love that we extend to others that brings true happiness.”

Johana Romo

Vice Chair
Human Resources-NAM
Orange Business Services

“To me, the Power of Giving is making a positive impact in our community and on those around me. I believe in paying it forward!”

 

Jennifer Wade Bolivar

Secretary
Senior Vice President of Business
Transformation
Suncoast Credit Union

“The Power of Giving means creating shared experiences so that we can connect our humanity through generosity, inspiration and hope. We all have unique perspectives and experiences, bringing them together for the benefit of all gives great purpose.”

 

Randy Hassen

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
MCKIBBON HOSPITALITY

Jake Kurtz

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND FOUNDER
BRICK MEDIA

Tony Moore

CULTURE ARCHITECT
THAT’S COOL PRODUCTIONS

In remembrance of Ron Alicandro (Emeritus).
Thank you for many years of Board service and support.

meet our staff
Melissa Neeley

melissa neeley

Chief Executive Officer

“The Power of Giving is so meaningful, because it starts a kindness trickle-down effect, which builds stronger communities.”

 

Allison Gorrell

Allison Gorrell

DIRECTOR, SPECIAL EVENTS

“To me, the Power of Giving is meeting the needs of others and unexpectedly receiving an internal blessing in return.”

 

Krystle Pits

Krystle Pitts

DIRECTOR, PROGRAMS

“The Power of Giving means we each have the power to use what we have been given to enhance the lives of others. Whether it’s our finances, talents, time, or even through organ donation, we all have the power to give.”

 

Donna Oakley

Bookkeeper

“To me, the Power of Giving is creating a profoundly positive impact on the world around you.”

 

Executive Committee

Dr. Nekeshia Hammond

CHAIR
LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST
HAMMOND PSYCHOLOGY & ASSOCIATES, P.A.

“To me, the power of giving is the beauty to completely change someone’s life with your thoughtfulness. You never know how a random act of kindness can truly affect someone…and that is so powerful!”

Dr. Nekeshia Hammond

Chair
Licensed Psychologist Hammond Psychology & Associates, P.A.

“To me, the power of giving is the beauty to completely change someone’s life with your thoughtfulness. You never know how a random act of kindness can truly affect someone…and that is so powerful!”

Marc Matthews

Immediate Past Chairman
Managing Partner
Matthews Injury Law

“To me, the Power of Giving is the ability to empower others to succeed where they may have never had the opportunity.”

 

Kyle Bartosiak

Vice chair
VP-Commercial Banking
REGIONS BANK

“No matter what your circumstances in life, you have the ability to give.”

 

Christopher Storey

Secretary
ShowTech Solutions, Inc.

“The Power of Giving is the purpose of life. Giving is a privilege of life that lifts our collective spirit, enriches souls, improves our communities, and proliferates joy.”

 

Johan Martinez

Treasurer
CHERRY BEKAERT LLP

“The Power of Giving is about the ability to step aside from our daily routines and our comfort zones in order to make a difference in lives of others and have a positive impact in the community. By making a difference, we can instill the Power of Giving to future leaders who will one day do the same.”
board of directors

Simone Girard

Owner/President
Legacy First Financial Services, LLC Student Service Program Alumni

“The Power of Giving, to me, means to Learn. Learning about our community, learning about our youth and learning about how it’s the little things that matter; and how those little things can change the entire trajectory of one’s life.”

Adrienne Kendall

Attorney
Johnson Pope, LLP

“To me, the Power of Giving is knowing that even the smallest act of service has the ability to change the world for the better.”

 

Scott Noonan

Vice President of People Business Partners
ReliaQuest

“It’s the joy and love that we extend to others that brings true happiness.”

Heather Petrone

Manager, Marketing
Apollo Retail Specialists

“To me, the power of giving is a gift from the heart. It’s helping to make a positive difference in the lives of others. If you choose to give of yourself to benefit others, you are a true light worker, and the world needs more of that.”

Johana Romo

Vice Chair
Human Resources-NAM
Orange Business Services

“To me, the Power of Giving is making a positive impact in our community and on those around me. I believe in paying it forward!”

 

Jennifer Wade Bolivar

Secretary
Senior Vice President of Business
Transformation
Suncoast Credit Union

“The Power of Giving means creating shared experiences so that we can connect our humanity through generosity, inspiration and hope. We all have unique perspectives and experiences, bringing them together for the benefit of all gives great purpose.”

 

Randy Hassen

Chief Executive Officer
McKibbon Hospitality

Jake Kurtz

Chief Executive Officer and Founder
Brick Media

Tony Moore

Culture Architect
That’s Cool Productions

In remembrance of Ron Alicandro (Emeritus).
Thank you for many years of Board service and support.

meet our staff
Melissa Neeley
Allison Gorrell
Krystle Pits

melissa neeley

Chief Executive Officer

“The Power of Giving is so meaningful, because it starts a kindness trickle-down effect, which builds stronger communities.”

 

Allison Gorrell

DIRECTOR, SPECIAL EVENTS

“To me, the Power of Giving is meeting the needs of others and unexpectedly receiving an internal blessing in return.”

 

Krystle Pitts

Director, Programs

“The Power of Giving means we each have the power to use what we have been given to enhance the lives of others. Whether it’s our finances, talents, time, or even through organ donation, we all have the power to give.”

 

Donna Oakley

Bookkeeper

“To me, the Power of Giving is creating a profoundly positive impact on the world around you.”