OUR SPEAKERS

Jane Carroo is a Certified Yoga Nidra Teacher. Her background includes Life Coach, Certified Professional Organizer, Author and Educator.

Kent Commons, M.A., is a graduate from Whittier College and Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary and has worked with several ministries.

Rachel Cox, B.A., is a professional violinist and violist who has performed with many orchestras, including the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra, Punta Gorda Symphony Orchestra and others.

Gayle Dorio is a registered interior designer and highly decorated orchid society member. She is an avid mah-jongg teacher and player.

Thomas Eastwood had careers with the ATF and DOD where he conducted and led counterintelligence and criminal investigations.

Gerald Franz, Ph.D., has been a history professor and college librarian for 37 years, earning five graduate degrees along the way fgcu.edu/academy or (239) 434-4737

Edward Grace was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for working on the Apollo 13 Mission. He founded several technology firms.

John Guerra, a Columbia University graduate and former Wall Street merchant banker, is the director of the FGCU Academy.

Richard Hertzberg, Ph.D., former Lehigh Professor and Chair of Materials Science and Engineering (MS&E) Dept.: recipient of 2000 Educator Award as nation’s most outstanding MS&E educator; author of seven textbooks.

Hugo Llorens, Ambassador, is a 36-year veteran of the U.S. diplomatic service with degrees from Georgetown University and the National War College.

Sue Lovett is an acupressure practitioner, LMT and yoga teacher, and has been teaching in SWFL and Cape Cod since 2008.

Nancy Maxwell, M.S., grew up abroad and developed her passion for history while living and teaching in Europe.

Gabriella Miyamoto, J.D., M.A., currently serves as an adjunct instructor at Ringling College of Art & Design.

Jim Sernovitz is a prize-winning and published photographer. He has taken photos on 6 continents and in over 100 countries as well as all 50 states and most of Canada.

Sherdene Simpson, Ph.D. LMFT, LPCC-S, CHT is an Assistant Professor of Counseling at Florida Gulf Coast University. She is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, and Supervisor, Marriage and Family Therapist, and Certified in Grief Recovery.

Steve Valdespino. M.A., has 25 years of teaching experience at the University of Central Florida, Lely High and Edison State College.

Chuck Valery is a retired aerospace engineer. He played bridge for many years and recently formed the Delasol Bridge Club.

Chris Williams is the founder of Emeritus Health. He currently works as a certified personal trainer in Naples.

Lisa Wroble is a nationally published author and writing instructor.

John Yasinsky, Ph.D., is a retired CEO, with a doctorate in nuclear science. His areas of experience and expertise cover a broad array of energy technologies, including nuclear power, solar photovoltaic, wind turbine power generation, coal and natural gas.