Abraham “Abe” Alangaden, Erick Arroyo, Bayne Beecher, Melvin “Mel” Ponder, Brian Sartain, Meredith Stanfield, and Representative Dana Trabulsy have all been named to the CareerSource Florida Board of Directors, according to today’s announcement from Governor Ron DeSantis.
Abraham “Abe” Alangaden
Alangaden works for Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. as a Senior Project Portfolio Manager. He serves as Secretary of FloridaMakes and as Chair of the First Coast Manufacturing Association’s board of directors.
Alangaden obtained his industrial engineering bachelor’s degree from Bangalore University and his environmental health master’s degree from Temple University.
Erik Arroyo
Arroyo, a city commissioner, now serves as mayor of Sarasota. In addition, he works as an attorney for Band, Gates, and Dramis. Arroyo is on the boards of the Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness and the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County.
Arroyo graduated from Florida A&M University with a PhD in law and a bachelor’s degree in political science and communications from the University of Florida.
Bayne Beecher
At PGT Innovations, Beecher has the title of Senior Manager of Supply Chain. He serves as the Treasurer of FloridaMakes, President of the Sarasota-Manatee Manufacturers Association, and a member of the Hass Center Economic Advisory Board at the University of West Florida. Beecher graduated from the University of Illinois with a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering and from Webster University with a master’s in business administration.
Melvin “Mel” Ponder
Ponder serves as the company’s president and chief executive officer. Additionally, he serves as the Government Affairs Director for the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors and is a County Commissioner for Okaloosa County.
The Destin, Fort Walton Beach, and Crestview Chambers of Commerce all include Ponder as a member. Ponder graduated from Florida State University with a bachelor’s degree in finance..
Brian Sartain
Sartain is AAR Corporation’s Senior Vice President of Aerospace Repair and Overhaul. Prior to this, he served as United Technologies Corporation’s general manager. Sartain graduated from the University of Minnesota with a business master’s degree and a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering.
Meredith Stanfield
Stanfield is the Florida Professional Firefighters and Paramedics’ legislative policy director. Prior to this, she served as the director of legislative and cabinet affairs for the Florida Department of Financial Services as well as the departments of management services and juvenile justice.
Stanfield graduated from the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in political science.
Representative Dana Trabulsy
The Treasure Coast Business Summit and All Things Treasure Coast both have Trabulsy as a co-chief executive officer. In the Florida House of Representatives, she is presently the representative for District 84.
Trabulsy is a council member for the Florida Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys and a member of the Place of Hope Advisory Board. She is now attending Indian River State College to pursue her education.