Alumni Association Board of Directors

The Board of Directors is active in supporting Florida Atlantic and growing the Alumni Association. The Board provides key assistance and delivers feedback on a variety of initiatives: scholarships, community outreach, alumni engagement programming, and association membership. They are dedicated to bridging connections between alumni, students, and community members.

The 2025-26 Executive Committee

Chris Ferreira ’16, ’20

Chair
Director of Corporate Relations, The GEO Group
About

Chris Ferreira is a highly skilled leader with nearly a decade of experience in corporate communications, philanthropy, and community engagement. As the Director of Corporate Relations at The GEO Group, Chris oversees investor relations, external communications, media relations, and community initiatives. His expertise extends to fundraising, corporate philanthropy, organizational leadership, and team building, all of which have contributed to his success in fostering meaningful partnerships and driving impactful programs. Chris holds both a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in business administration from Florida Atlantic University.

Kris Wall ’01

Vice Chair
Financial Advisor/Managing Director, Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC
About

Kris Wall started in the financial services field following his graduation from Florida Atlantic and is now in his 25th year as a financial advisor. He first started with A.G. Edwards and Sons, before moving his practice to Stifel Financial in 2009 and finally to Ameriprise in 2018. Wall helps individuals, businesses and nonprofit organizations develop and implement financial plans, and manage investment strategies.

Jeffrey L. Joiner, Esq., ’09

Treasurer
Diplomatic Security Service, Dignitary Protection Division
Copy of Zenon, Jose M

José M. Zenón ’95

Secretary
Owner, Gotcha Covered Franchise

Sara M. Valdivieso ’99, ’03

Alumni Engagement Liaison
Art Teacher, St. Ann Catholic School

Eric Dansky ’12, ’15

Officer-at-Large
Senior Investment Officer, Cooper Family Officer
Justine Avila

Justine Avila ’05

Immediate Past Chair
Principal Designer, A Jolie Design, Inc.
About

Justine Avila is the principal designer at A Jolie Design, Inc., a boutique interior design firm in South Florida, specializing in residential and yacht design. She is also the Co-Founder and Marketing Specialist at SummitEdge Advisory. With more than 20 years of experience in the marketing, design, and yachting industry, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her work. Avila is extremely dedicated and enthusiastic about engaging and reconnecting with fellow alumni.

Justine Avila

Justine Avila ’05

Board Chair
Principal Designer, A Jolie Design, Inc.
About

Justine Avila is the principal designer at A Jolie Design, Inc., a boutique interior design firm in South Florida, specializing in residential and yacht design. She is also the Co-Founder and Marketing Specialist at SummitEdge Advisory. With more than 20 years of experience in the marketing, design, and yachting industry, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her work. Avila is extremely dedicated and enthusiastic about engaging and reconnecting with fellow alumni.

The 2025-26 Directors

Patience D. Bryant, Ph.D., ’05

Executive Director, Black Student Academic Success, California State University, Fullerton
cliff budnick

Cliff N. Budnick ’07, ’08

President, InOvate Technologies, Inc.

Roland N. Bullard, Ph.D., ’98

Senior Higher Education Consultant
gerrilynn busold

Gerri Lynn Busold ’05

Senior Clinical Coordinator, Heather R Hayes & Associates

Phillip A. Easton ’13

Managing Director, NPC Financial

Corey Hancock ’02, ’05

Rachel

Rachel Huerta ’11

Owner/Nurse Practitioner, Direct Primary Care of Boca Raton

Mark Kattoura, Ph.D., ’01, ’03, ’13

Social Security Administration, Social Insurance Specialist

Aryeh Lehrer ’03

Vice President of Talent Attraction and Acquisition, Comcast
About

Aryeh Lehrer is the vice president of talent attraction and acquisition at Comcast. In this capacity, his teams oversee hiring at all levels for the Fortune 30 industry leader across their national footprint.

Michelle Lurie ’92

Michael Miller Jr. ’98, ’04

Vice President, Fifth Third Bank
About

Michael Miller has been in the banking industry for the past 25 years. He is a vice president at Fifth Third Bank in the Special Assets Group. Miller is tasked with the direct and orderly liquidation/exit and rehabilitation of very large and complex credits with a high dollar impact to the organization.

Chris Naff ’13

Vice President, Kelleher & Sadowsky​

Brian K. Oliver ’98

CEO, K.W.A. Group, LLC.

Keith R. Oswald ’96, ’01

Chief of Equity & Wellness, The School District of Palm Beach County

Joseph Santiago ’97

Owner, Advanced Professional Services LLC

Rick C. Smith III ’07

Asst. Professor Sports Management, Marietta College

Michael Velez ’05

Field Director/Financial Advisor, Northwestern Mutual

Craig Winograd ’89

Owner, Winning Information Technologies Group