SCEIC is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. Each Director serves two year terms.
Officers
Keith Kromash
Chairman
Keith Kromash is one of the founding attorneys at Nash & Kromash, LLC in Melbourne, FL. His practice serves both individuals and businesses in the areas of estate planning, trust and guardianships, as well as charitable planning, including establishing and providing guidance with respect to private foundations and publicly supported charitable organizations among others.
Keith has been a strong supporter or the work here at SCEIC for many years. His community involvement also incluses serving on the Board of Directors for the Melbourne Kidney Center as well.
Mike Ferdinand
Past Chairman
Mike is a partner at DRTV Productions in Melbourne. After earning a degree in Television Production, Mike went to work producing public service announcements for a local television station where he was assigned to do a piece on Space Coast Early Intervention Center. The “relationship” developed over a period of years and in 2004 Mike joined the board of Directors. A long-time supporter of the center of SCEIC, Mike says, “It’s about the kids”. He shows his dedication to the children and families of SCEIC by giving his time to serve on the Board of Directors and producing promotional videos and marketing materials for the center.
Mike lives in Suntree with his fiancée Cheryl and daughters Savannah, Carly and Kylie.
James Clamons
Vice Chair
James (Jim) Clamons is currently serving as Secretary for SCEIC. During the day, Jim is the Vice President of Engineering–Operations for Harris Corporation Government Communications Systems. Mr. Clamons received both his B.S. in mathematics and M.S. in computer science from Purdue University.
A Brevard County resident for over 30 years, Jim is a member of the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA),FSU’s International Advisory Board for the Florida Center for Research in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (FCR-STEM), the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering Advisory Council, and Purdue University’s Computer Science Corporate Partners Program.
Jim first became involved with SCEIC during the construction of our new facility on Dairy Road in 2007. He organized a group of volunteers to build the fence and “got hooked on the mission”. In addition to his volunteer work at SCEIC, Jim also volunteers for Habitat for Humanity, Hacienda Girls Ranch, Joe’s Club, Meals on Wheels, and KaBoom playground at Diamond. A United Way Silver Donor, Jim is also a member of the United Way Community Impact Group.
Jim is married to wife, Mary, who has also been active at the Center, volunteering in various capacities including working in the classroom as a teacher. Together they have three children, Sarah, who works at Harris, Amy, a registered dietitian at HealthFirst and Will, a CPA in Jacksonville.
Mike Durante
Treasurer
Mike Durante is currently serving as Treasurer for SCEIC. A graduate of the State University of New York at Plattsburgh, he is a Certified Public Accountant employed at Berman, Hopkins, Wright & LaHam, CPA’s and Associates, LLP. Mike’s years of expertise in the area of accounting and auditing for businesses and nonprofit agencies are a tremendous asset to the Board.
Mike moved to Brevard in 2005 and has been actively involved in the community ever since. In addition to SCEIC’s Board, he also serves on the Board of the Early Learning Coalition of Brevard County and Florida Institute of Technology Autism Advisory Board.
Mike and his wife are the proud parents of two sets of twins. He became involved with SCEIC in 2006. As a parent of a child with high functioning autism, he understands the need for quality education and early intervention.
Michael DeMorat
Secretary
Major Michael DeMorat began his law enforcement career with the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office in 1991 after receiving his Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of South Florida in Tampa. During his tenure with the sheriff’s office, he has served as a Uniform Patrol Deputy, Field Training Officer, General Crimes Unit Agent and Major Crimes Unit Agent. As a sergeant and lieutenant, he has supervised the DUI Unit, Domestic Violence/Child Abuse Unit, Investigative Support Unit and General Crimes Unit. Major DeMorat is a graduate of the Southern Police Institute – University of Louisville Command Officers Development Course as well as the Federal Bureau of Investigation Command Officers Development Course.
Mike joined the Board in the fall of 2010 to help support our mission to to be the community’s premier non-profit center for the support, care, and maximum development of young children challenged by disabilities and their typically developing peers. Mike says, “SCEIC’s nurturing and dedicated staff, along with their unique programs and individual support, give each child the support they need to reach their fullest potential.”
Major DeMorat is a member of Northside Presbyterian Church in Melbourne. In addition to his volunteer work at SCEIC, he has served on the Board of Directors for the Serene Harbor Domestic Violence Center and coaches little league and Pop Warner Football in Merritt Island. Major DeMorat resides in Merritt Island with his wife of eighteen years, Melissa, as has four children.
Directors at Large
Jim Bowen
Jim Bowen is President of the JD Bowen Financial Group and a Registered Principal of LPL Financial, LLC. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Colorado State University and his Master’s in Business Administration from The University of Northern Colorado. Mr. Bowen entered the Army after college, was commissioned, and served in Southeast Asia, Germany, Belgium, Hawaii, and various stateside locations. He retired following his tenure as Professor of Military Science at the Florida Institute of Technology. In the 1990s Jim was co-host of “The Closing Bell” radio show that aired on local station WMMB. Jim and Lynn, his wife of 45 years, have two daughters and six grandchildren.
Brian Crane
Brian Crane runs a Private Wealth Management practice at Raymond James in Melbourne. Brian is a CFP® practitioner and Wealth Management Specialist. He began his career at Merrill Lynch in 1992 and transitioned his clients in 2009 to the independent firm of Raymond James & Associates. He is a native Melbourne resident and makes his home in Indialantic with his wife, Dr. Lydia Crane, and two children, Bowen and Sydney. Brian is a member of the Financial Planning Association and has been twice named as one of America’s Best Financial Planners by the Consumer Research Council of America in Washington, DC. Brian earned a degree in Finance from Florida Institute of Technology as well as a Communications degree from the University of North Florida.
Brian and Lydia are supporters of numerous charitable organizations throughout Brevard County and have been long-time advocates of Space Coast Early Intervention Center. They have also been actively involved with fundraising at Florida Tech. Brian coaches Little League baseball and is a fan of the Boston Red Sox.
Charlie Eccleston
Charlie is a Exceptional Student Education Specialist with Brevard County Schools and also works as a private practice licensed school psychologist. He received his Masters in teaching from Rollins College and he received an Educational Specialists degree from University of Central Florida. With over 19 years of experience in the education field, Charlie brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and dedication to the Center.
Charlie became involved with SCEIC many years ago as a teacher employed through the Brevard school system. He was interested in gaining experience with the preschool population, and SCEIC provided the perfect opportunity to work with students in an inclusive environment.
Karie Ryan
Parent Representative
Karie Ryan is currently the Chief Clinical Informatics Officer for Health First. She has worked for Health First since 1997 in several nursing leadership roles including most recently serving as the Vice President of Nursing for Palm Bay Hospital. Karie’s daughter is a student at Space Coast Early Intervention Center where Ms. Ryan serves as a member of the Parent Committee. She is also a member of SCEIC’s committee overseeing Cycle Jam, SCEIC’s premier cycling event, which is chaired by her husband David Ryan. Karie has three other children and is active in the Indialantic PTO.
Erik Shuman
Erik Shuman is an attorney in Melbourne, Fl. Erik practices in the areas of estate planning, guardianship, trusts and estates, elder law, and Medicaid planning. His experience includes: tax-sensitive estate planning, charitable giving and charitable trusts, health care proxies, and probate settlements as well as many other services. A graduate of Emory University, Erik received his J.D. from the University of Florida in 1993.
In addition to serving on SCEIC Boards, Erik also serves on the Professional Advisory Board for Daily Bread and was Past Chairman of the Community Foundation of Brevard.
Andy Ziegler
Andy Ziegler and his wife Patty own CCCS, a computer services company. Andy has been a Brevard County School Board member since 2008. Ziegler graduated from the Florida Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science.
In addition to serving on SCEIC Board of Directors, Andy also serves on Melbourne Regional Chamber of Commerce and Brevard Cultural Alliance. He is an active member of the Rotary Club of Palm Bay and an honorary lifetime member of the Melbourne Beach Volunteer Fire Department. He and his wife have one daughter.
Director Emeritus
Mel Broom -Former Mayor of Palm Bay
Tim Wakefield- Boston Red Sox
