2012 Board Member Biographies

Amy Gomes (Co-Executive Director)

Amy is a pediatric therapist and has been co-owner of Central Florida Pediatric Therapy Associates since 1991.  Raising a child with special needs, who is now an adult, motivated her to help establish CFPT Foundation.  Amy also established Hope Haven Ukraine, a school for children with special needs in Crimea, Ukraine.

Amy loves children, as evidenced by her adoption of three children and her support of multiple foreign exchange students and foster children.

Amy is an avid reader and is known to read up to four books at a time.  She also likes to participate in Bible studies.  She is a close follower of  college football, especially UCF.  

Renee Phares (Co-Executive Director)

Renee has worked as a Pediatric Occupational Therapist for over 26 years. She  has been  Co-owner and lead OT for Central Florida Pediatric Therapy Associates for 20 years.

Renee has always had an innate understanding of children. She has helped many children gain functional skills. She helped to start the Foundation as a result of her commitment to "her kids" and the adults they become. Regardless of disability, everyone needs access to resources and recreation to live the fullest life possible.

Renee  is married to Ray Phares. Her son Chris attends West Orange High.  She loves spending time with friends,  her dogs Socks and Alley, boating, and travel. She can sing all the lyrics to most of the 70s sitcoms and is famous for singing in the car.

Debra L. Day-Lampe

Debbie is a licensed Insurance Agent and holds 2-20 and 4-40 Licenses.  She has been married to her husband Jeff since 1995 and they have a son, Devin, and daughter, Olivia.  She loves spending time with her family and supporting her husband at all CCS and AMA Motorcycle Races  She successfully launched the WOAMTEC-(Women on a Mission to Earn Commission) Clermont Chapter in 2009.

Jessica Langley Lowe

Jessica is a local family attorney and opened her own practice last year.  She graduated with her Bachelors degree from the University of Central Florida and her Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law.  Jessica has a special interest in families and children and loves to give back to the community through CFPT Foundation.

Joseph Rivera

Joseph graduated from the University of Florida in 2002 with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration with a specialization in Spanish.  He has been working for Wells Fargo Bank for over 9 years and is currently a Service Manager in Winter Garden.  He is married to Barbara De Jesus-Rivera and has a son, Javier.  Joseph is honored to be able to help families and the community through this amazing Foundation.

Kathy Lepow    

Kathy joined CFPT Foundation because she has two children with special needs and believes the goals of the foundation address serious deficiencies in our community.  She is very excited to fully support the creation of the Dreamplex.  Kathy is a Guidance Counselor at Westside Tech.

Michael G. Markland, Sr.

Michael is the proud father of three children all born in 2006, of which two have special needs and have been patients of Central Florida Pediatric Therapy Associates.  He became involved with CFPT Foundation because of his connection with special needs in his own family.  As the primary caretaker of their three children, Michael has first hand experience of the effects of special needs on the family unit and has become an advocate in our community.  Michael spreads God's love by the way he lives and by the way he leads his family.  He enjoys spending time with his wife and kids, traveling and attending sports events.  Michael is passionate about seeing children with special needs and their families live lives with no limits.

Michele Black

Michele was born and raised in Orlando and has strong ties to the community. She graduated from Bishop Moore Catholic High School and the University of Central Florida.  She is a speech language pathologist for Central Florida Pediatric Therapy Associates. She is inspired every day by the children and families that she helps.  She enjoys spending time with family and friends. She loves to go fishing and loves to be in the sun!!

Shawn McNiel

Shawn came to CFPT Foundation because of its vision for special needs individuals to have the same opportunities that we all have in our community. She and her husband, Mark, love spending time with their 4 children, traveling and enjoying the outdoors. She earned a BA in Business from UCF and has over 15 years H.R. Management experience for publicly traded companies. Currently, she is the owner of Family Jewelry and Pawn, a chain of 5 pawn shops in Lake County since 2004.

Trina Giddens-Nussbaumer

Trina is a speech language pathologist working in the field for twenty years.  Native Floridian, and graduate of The University of South Florida, she has been a member of CFPT Foundation since inception.  She is committed to the mission of helping Families Achieve Independence Through Him and establishing  strong community awareness necessary for success.

Teri Rosenfeld

Teri serves as Director of Operations Training at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.  From the first time she heard about the mission, vision and heart of CFPT Foundation, she knew she would like to be able to help. She believes that the people, the faith and the optimism of this foundation are certain to make a lasting impact on the lives of many well into the future.

Cameron Gomes (advisor to the Board)

Cameron works in Product Support at Lockheed Martin Inc.  He graduated Summa Cum Laude and was the Top Honor Graduate of the UCF School of Business. He is a proud alumnus as well as diehard UCF sports fan. When he is not working for the Foundation or Lockheed Martin, he also enjoys being on the lake with friends, playing ice hockey, and serving in the children's ministry at his church.