Dr. Patricia Nellius-Guthrie
CEO
(321) 752-4650 ext. 2002 Email: Patricia.Nellius@brevardfp.org
Dr. Nellius-Guthrie has been the CEO of Brevard Family Partnership since its inception in 2004. Patricia relocated to Brevard County Florida to provide executive leadership to spearhead the non-profit agency selected to privatize child welfare while transitioning child welfare services in the statutorily mandated, 6-month timeframe.
Patricia holds a Doctorate in Counseling and has served in the human service sector for over 25 years. Out of her deep desire to make a more global impact she has worked her way from the field up to administration.
Throughout her career, Patricia has worked with virtually every child and family serving agency, including: the Departments of Juvenile Justice, Developmental Disabilities, Education, Child Welfare, Substance Abuse and Mental Health, and Medicaid. She is an Intensively Trained DBT Therapist and has served as the National Director of Professional Development & Training with a National Faith Based Organization. She travels nationwide as a consultant and speaker, providing technical assistance to federal, state and county governments, and non-profit agencies.
Patricia recently received the “Distinguished Service” Award from the Florida Coalition for Children for her local, state, and national System of Care efforts. She was selected as the “Administrator of the Year” in 2007, and received commendation from Governor Bush for assisting the state of Florida obtain its’ 1st Child Welfare IV-E Waiver. Patricia played a key role under Secretary Lucy Hadi in the development of Florida’s Center for the Advancement of Child Welfare Practice, and currently serves on Governor Crist’s Child Abuse Prevention and Permanency Advisory Council. Patricia was named one of the most influential business leaders by Space Coast Business Magazine and was the recipient of the “Child Abuse Prevention Leadership” award in 2008.
Patricia is passionate about wraparound and systems of care and holds the motto, “To the world you may only be one person, but to one person, you may be the world.”
James Carlson
Chief Operating Officer
(321) 752-4650 ext. 2062 Email: James.Carlson@brevardfp.org
Jim Carlson has been involved in Human Services since beginning work in 1995 as a Public Assistance Specialist for the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services. He held progressively responsible positions as Family Services Counselor, Independent living Coordinator, Program Operations Administrator, Contract Manager, and Senior Management Analyst Supervisor. Jim joined Brevard Family Partnership in June, 2006 as Director of Operations for Quality and Fidelity.
In his current role he oversees all Care Management related activities, as well as Quality Improvement, Training, Revenue Maximization, and Adoptions. He truly enjoys working with both BFP staff and its community providers in serving the children and families of Brevard.
Jim is currently working on his Masters degree in Public Administration and holds a B.A. in Economics from Eastern Illinois University. He and is wife Cynthia have 5 children, and 2 grandchildren. He enjoys diving, golf and travel.
Chad Carnell
Chief Financial Officer
(321) 752-4650 ext. 2003 Email: Chad.Carnell@brevardfp.org
Chad Carnell is a native of St. Cloud, Florida and a fourth generation Floridian. His career has encompassed accounting management positions ranging from government and child welfare to rental car, telecommunications and aviation industries.
Throughout his career, excerpts from the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Mission Statement have defined his leadership style: “Our mission is to fulfill customer needs, and, in doing so, exceed their expectations for service, quality, and value. We will strive to earn our customers’ loyalty by working to deliver more than promised; being honest and fair, and ‘going the extra mile’. We must motivate our employees to provide exceptional service to our customers by supporting their development, providing opportunities for personal growth, and amply compensating them for their successes and achievements. Our success at satisfying customers and motivating employees will bring growth and long-term profitability.”
Chad is a man of convictions. His personal goal has always been to be an individual of integrity. In private conversations with family and friends, Chad’s greatest desire is to earn the phrase shared by Thomas Jefferson to James Madison about James Monroe in January, 1787: “Turn his soul wrong side outwards and there is not a speck on it.” Whether serving as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints or as Chief Financial Officer for Brevard Family Partnership, the strive for excellence and integrity permeate his life.
As an avid Florida State football fan, Chad earned his undergraduate degree in accounting from FSU in 1989. While attending the university, Chad was a member of the freshmen honor society, Phi Eta Sigma, and a member of the Golden Key National Honor Society. He received a master’s degree in organizational management in 2001 from the University of Phoenix, graduating with honors.
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Deborah A. Davidson-Cook
Chief Compliance & Utilization Officer
(321) 752-4650 ext. 2064 Email: Debbie.Davidson-cook@brevardfp.org
Deborah is currently serving as the Chief Compliance & Utilization Officer for Brevard Family Partnership. In this role, she oversees BFP’s Contract Department, Utilization Review staff, Certified Behavioral Analyst, Client Relations, and WRAP/Utilization Division. Deborah came to the agency in September 2007, relocating from Indianapolis.
She holds a Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Kent State University and has served over thirty five years working with state and non-profit agencies serving both children and adults with disabilities. Since 1982, Deborah served in many leadership roles for Noble of Indiana, a non-profit organization providing services to over 1,500 children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families. In addition to overseeing and managing several large departments, Deborah initiated and integrated many innovative practices such as Person Centered Planning and Positive Behavioral Support practices into the Day Services Programs for adults with developmental disabilities.
Deborah also played a key role in five Commissions on Accreditation for Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) accreditation site visits. In her role as Chief Compliance & Utilization Officer, Deborah lead Brevard Family Partnership through the Council on Accreditation self-study and site visit on June 29-30, 2009. The Council evaluated Brevard Family Partnership against rigorous national standards resulting in BFP achieving the coveted COA Accreditation as an outstanding agency.
Valerie M. Randall
Chief Personnel and Administrative Officer
(321) 752-4650 ext. 2007 Email: Valerie.Randall@brevardfp.org
Valerie was raised on the North shore of Long Island and relocated to Melbourne from the Denver, Colorado area. She joined Brevard Family Partnership in September 2005.
With more than 20 years of progressive, strategic and tactical human resources leadership and management, Valerie brings to BFP essential skills in executive management, strategic planning, change management and organizational development. Her background has crossed industry lines, includes local, regional and national firms, with unique and different cultures, business strategies and challenges. These skills are critical to the on-going development and growth of the Agency.
As a professional human resources leader, Valerie has been responsible for very small start-up operations -with 12-20 staff- and large, nationwide organizations with multiple sites and 5,000 employees. She served as a key architect in the development and start-up of four separate high tech firms and has led two large financial institutions through merger, transition and acquisition activities. As a member of the executive management team of a not- for-profit organization Valerie participated in developing and implementing the staff, policies and infrastructure changes necessary to transition the firm to a fee-for-service business strategy. Valerie has also served as an independent benefit consultant, assisting numerous organizations in designing, delivering and implementing a new health plan concept incorporating employee health and productivity, while reducing company expense.
In her spare time Valerie can be found at the ocean, which was a major reason for her relocation to Melbourne. She and her family enjoy traveling and all water sports and she remains a loyal Denver Bronco’s fan.
Geo A. Ropert, APR
Communications Consultant
(321) 752-4650 ext. 2084 Email: Geo.Ropert@brevardfp.org
A native of Michigan, Geo moved to Brevard County in 1982. He joined Brevard Family Partnership in the fall of 2008 and is responsible for developing and implementing the agency's public relations and marketing communications strategies, most recently managing the transition of brand identity from Community Based Care of Brevard to Brevard Family Partnership.
In a career spanning over 25 years, he has held senior management and executive level positions in sales, marketing and public relations. He has been a writer, radio talk-show host, industry panelist and organization spokesman. His experience includes working with small and midsize businesses, large corporations and nonprofit organizations. He is a frequent keynote, guest speaker and master of ceremonies for organizations and events throughout the Brevard community.
Geo received his Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) in 2007, joining an elite group of highly-skilled public relations professionals throughout the U.S. who are committed practitioners with exemplary ethical standards. He also is the president of Ropert Communications Group, a full-service marketing and public relations firm providing expert counsel and services for businesses and nonprofit agencies and organizations.
A 2001 graduate of Leadership Brevard, he currently serves as a member of the board of directors for the Cocoa Beach Area Chamber of Commerce; is the 2009-2010 president of the Space Coast Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association. and; as an Advisory Committee member for Eckerd Youth Alternatives. He also has served on the board of directors of LEAD Brevard and was the 2008 Chairman of the Space Coast Growth Management Coalition, an initiative comprised of Brevard County and municipal elected officials and senior government staff who worked to reach consensus and cooperate on issues related to growth and development.