Gail Thomas DeWitt

FUNERAL DIRECTOR IN CHARGE GAIL & WYNN’S MORTUARY

Gail Thomas Dewitt knew from a very young age that she wanted to become a funeral director. Soon after graduating high school, she enrolled in the mortuary science program at Miami Dade Community College. After receiving her associate degree in 1976, she quickly began her journey as a Florida-licensed funeral director and embalmer.

DeWitt received formal training from Willie J. Bruton of the Bruton's Funeral home in Orlando and later returned to her hometown of Chattahoochee, Fla., to run Smith & Thomas Funeral Home. In 1995, she was elected as the first African-American woman mayor of the City of Chattahoochee. She returned to Orlando in 1996 and purchased Bruton's Funeral Home, which is now Gail & Wynn's Mortuary.

Her poise, confidence, and professionalism were easily noticed by others, and this led then Florida Gov. Jeb Bush to her appointment as the first African American woman to serve as vice chairperson on the newly formed Florida Board of Funeral Cemetery and Consumer Services in October 2005.

She served as convention coordinator and education director for the Florida Morticians Association. She has been a member of the Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team (US DMORT) since 1996, where she serves as chief of Morgue Operations under Health and Human Services. She is the only African American member of the US DMORT team for the state of Florida. During her second term, she served as vice chairperson of the board.

In 2010, she was appointed to the board of directors of The International Conference of Funeral Examining Board for District 3, which includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Puerto Rico. She also served on the Board's Science Committee. This committee was charged with reviewing and writing the national conference examination. After serving as secretary/treasurer in 2011 and vice-president in 2012, DeWitt was inaugurated as president of the conference in February 2013.

DeWitt has one son, the joy of her life, Ryan DeWitt, an Embry Riddle graduate of Aeronautical University, and Jetblue commercial pilot.

Tara L. Dorsey GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS DIRECTOR 26HEALTH

Tara L. Dorsey is a highly regarded public affairs leader with more than two decades of experience developing and implementing corporate, public, regulatory, and government relations strategies. Dorsey has spent the last 20 years advocating for marginalized groups, ensuring these historically underserved communities have access to education, employment opportunities and access to healthcare. Further, she works to provide them the support necessary to not only survive, but thrive in their environments.

As government affairs director of 26Health, one of the largest all-inclusive healthcare organizations in the country, Dorsey has continued to serve marginalized and underrepresented communities. By partnering with local community leaders and legislative bodies alike, 26Health aims to fill gaps and provide care to those who typically are forgotten. Dorsey’s passionate nature and forward-thinking mindset paired with her extensive leadership experience has allowed 26Health to deliver more comprehensive and compassionate care to those who have historically gone without it.

Dorsey’s role at 26Health is not limited to her title, and whether assisting with the organization’s marketing, community relations, events, or even the Beautiful You Medi-spa, her community remains top of mind. Her involvement is far from limited to Central Florida. As of January 2023, Dorsey will be the co-chair of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s Government Affairs Committee. She recently attended a delegation trip to Puerto Rico to search for ways 26Health can support the island community, still reeling from storm damage. Though her professional career has been varied, her unwavering commitment to those in need–in Central Florida and beyond–has remained a true constant.

“Every professional decision I’ve made has been to make a difference not only in my own community, but any community where there is a need. My position at 26Health allows me to do exactly that.”