Eric retired as National Account VP after working 28 years for Compass Group, the world’s largest food service provider for hospitals, corporations, airports, schools and sporting arenas. His expertise is in topline growth, cost control, training and development and client retention. After his first retirement, he built a successful team as real estate broker in Indianapolis, working primarily with property investors. Eric holds a BS from Pratt Institute and attended MBA courses at UMass. Having lived and worked in NY, NJ, Kansas, Chicago, Indianapolis and Tampa, he chose to retire in Sarasota, Florida in 2018. His familiarity with the community goes back 30 years, as his father-in-law Jack Weintraub was the Executive Director of the Jewish Federation and Jewish Housing Council. His wife Judy serves on the Federation’s Board and chairs their Life and Legacy Committee.

Alan Goldner brings his business and finance acumen to Aviva, having owned the United Supply Corp. for 30 years, a distributor of school supplies, toys, and home office supplies. Alan is also deeply involved in the Israel Tennis and Education Centers and recently retired to Longboat Key from Mountain Lakes, N.J. He points to his belief in building community and says, “I accepted the nomination because I have a lifelong desire to help others.”

Fran Braverman brings her background in social work to Aviva’s Board of Directors. After earning her bachelor’s degree from Brooklyn College and her master’s in social work from the University of Connecticut, Fran worked as a geriatric social worker and clinician at Family Services Woodfield in Bridgeport, and as executive director of the Women’s Employment Resource Center in New Haven. Once she moved to Sarasota, she became involved at JFCS, volunteering with a weekly lunch group for adults with dementia, and at Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee as a board director and serving on numerous committees and helping with various events, including co-chairing the Jewish Film Festival.

Michael is a retired import dealer and financial planner. He has served on Boards since High School. Since 2006 he has been on the Temple Emanuel board, serving as Trustee, VP, President and Philanthropy Chair., From 2014 — 2020 he was a Trustee at JFCS, from 2019 -2020 he served as Trustee, Finance committee for the Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness and 2010 — Present GRASP — Managing Director (President).

Kenneth Stock is a past president of the Aviva Jewish Housing Council Operating Board where he has served as a member 2000. He also served several terms as president of the Jewish Housing Council Foundation Board. He was vice president and chief financial officer with Liberty House Department Stores in California, Washington, Oregon, Arizona, and Texas. He was the controller of F and R Lazarus and owned a chain of retail stores. Ken has served on the boards of Jewish Federation, Jewish Family and Children’s Services, and All Faiths Food Bank. Ken is a Business Administration graduate of Rutgers University and is a veteran of the US Army.

Mel Taub was the corporate technology officer for Citigroup until his retirement in 2003. He chaired the Citigroup Information Technology Leadership Council, through which he addressed technology planning and cross-business technology initiatives. Prior to September 2000, when he joined Citigroup Corporate, he was a senior executive vice president of Solomon Smith Barney and the chief information officer of the Citigroup Global Corporate and Investment Bank. Mel directed operations and technology at Solomon Smith Barney and its predecessor companies since 1991. He has also held senior management positions at Merrill Lynch, E.F. Hutton, and Shearson Lehman Brothers. He has served as a technology advisor to the FBI and the National Counter-Terrorism Center and as a member of the Hewlett Packard Board of Advisors.

A New Yorker by heart, Meredith is an expert in all things marketing and public relations. After earning her degree from Syracuse University, she started her career as a reporter for Sports Illustrated. In the years following, Meredith has expanded her impressive repertoire to include dynamic public relations efforts on behalf of organizations like Verizon Wireless, FAO Schwarz, ADT Security Services, Inc, and Olympus USA. After relocating to Sarasota, Meredith joined Grapevine Communications as their Director of Public Relations, where she specializes in PR strategies for Suncoast businesses and not-for-profit organizations.

Dr. Seth I. Rosenberg is an internationally recognized otologist/neurotologist and surgeon at the Silverstein Institute in Sarasota. A native of Poughkeepsie, NY, he graduated cum laude from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and received his M.D. from State University of New York Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse. He is a member of the prestigious Triological Society, having received its Mosher Award for his thesis, “The Natural History of Acoustic Neuromas” and was one of the youngest members ever invited to join the exclusive American Otological Society. Dr. Rosenberg also currently serves as vice president and education director for the Ear Research Foundation.

Sheila Birnbaum has served as an advocate, educator, and change agent in the healthcare field. At Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in Hamilton, New Jersey, she established a patient-centered culture of service throughout the hospital. While there, she also initiated, developed, and implemented the Arts & Healing program, the Service Recovery program, and several employee programs that led to dramatic improvements in employee satisfaction. The programs Sheila developed have won numerous industry awards. Sheila’s columns on health and patient advocacy have been published by several journals in New Jersey.

Alan Funk has an extensive background in senior living, having served in senior management positions at various for-profit and non-profit providers of skilled nursing, assisted living and skilled home health care services, including Jewish living facilities. “As part of my desire to ‘give back,’ I believe my experience and background in the senior living industry will assist Aviva's Board and staff to meet or exceed their goals,” says Alan.

Marc Kanoff is a Financial Advisor with Raymond James & Associates Inc. Marc has extensive corporate experience in Human Resources and Tax Specialties. Having been VP HR, Pharmaceuticals Europe, VP HR Worldwide Consumer Medicines, ED, International Compensation and Benefits for Bristol-Myers Squibb Inc. Marc also worked for PepsiCo Inc. and Cooper & Lybrand (Price Waterhouse Coopers). He received his JD, Ohio Northern University School of Law and BA, Muhlenberg College, Economics/Accounting. Marc has served on the Bird Key Yacht Club Board & Foundation and JFCS Board, as Treasurer. He is married and has 3 adult children.

Henry Mason is a New York native and holds an M.B.A. in International Marketing and Finance from Columbia University. Henry is the founder of Precision Plastic Ind. Inc., a specialty packaging manufacturing company based on a Patent I obtained for film packaging. In 2001, Henry purchased Sanders Laboratories, Inc., an Environmental Test Laboratory with labs in Nokomis and Fort Myers FL. After thirty successful years, Henry sold Precision Plastic Ind. Inc., in 2002. He continues to serve as president of Sanders Laboratories, Inc. Henry and his wife Ellen have called the Sarasota community home since 1998.

Marc brings decades of experience as an entrepreneur and business owner. Before relocating to Sarasota, Marc served as the President and Owner of The Crown Market, one of Connecticut's premier kosher supermarkets. He also brings extensive knowledge of the travel and tourism industries, having served as President and Owner of Bokoff Kaplan Travel Services and, most recently, Bokoff Tours & Travel, a luxury travel franchise. Beyond his professional experience, Marc has long been involved in supporting the needs of non-profits. His volunteer accolades include serving as Board Vice President of The Williams School in New London, Board President of Solomon Schechter Day School in New London, President of Beth Jacob Synagogue in Norwich, and various board positions for the Eastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce.

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Ryan is a rare Sarasota native, having grown up in Siesta Key. His exposure to the area's bustling real estate scene started during his childhood as he watched both of his parents take on the role of real estate professionals in the Sarasota-Manatee area. After graduating from college, Ryan spent decades as a leader in the commercial real estate industry, including 15 years with the world’s largest commercial real estate firm, CBRE, Inc. In 2015, Ryan, his wife, Sepideh, and their two daughters moved back to Sarasota, where he founded The Ackerman Group. Working alongside his mother, Barbara, Ryan has turned The Ackerman Group into one of the area’s most prestigious real estate firms. The firm has been recognized as the #1 real estate team in Florida and among the top 10 nationwide by Coldwell Banker Realty. In addition, the Ackerman Group is also a member of Coldwell Banker’s Society of Excellence, which recognizes the top 0.5% of Coldwell Banker agents worldwide. Outside of his impressive professional background, Ryan is a steadfast supporter of Sarasota’s flourishing non-profit community. He is an active supporter and leader within the Asolo Repertory Theatre, The Ringling Museum, United Cerebral Palsy, and All Faiths Food Bank.

Debbie has a long-standing connection to Aviva, initially moving her mother to Kobernick Independent Living in 2008. She served on Aviva's Board of Trustees for five years, and the organization is thrilled to have her return. Beyond Aviva, Debbie is a dedicated supporter of Sarasota's performing arts, actively involved with the boards of the Asolo Theatre and the Sarasota Ballet. For over 30 years, she has passionately contributed to Sarasota's Jewish community through her various roles, including serving as an Ambassador with the Sarasota Jewish Foundation, where she has been recognized as a Lion of Judah. Additionally, she is a member of Temple Emanu-El's Cornerstone Society, supporting various synagogue programs and initiatives.

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