Foundation Staff Directory

John Gyllin, an executive with over 28 years of experience in higher education administration, is the Vice President of Resource and Economic Development and Executive Director of the Foundation for Seminole State College.

• John Gyllin
• Vice President, Resource and Economic Development; Foundation Executive Director
• 407.708.4577

Gyllin, who previously served in similar capacities in Georgia, Oklahoma and Arkansas, has been back in his home state of Florida working with the Foundation for Seminole State, a non-profit corporation that oversees the development and stewardship of external resources on behalf of the College, since 2011.

Gyllin holds a bachelor's degree in management and a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) from Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. He also has a Doctorate in Higher Education Administration (Ed.D.) from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.

Gyllin is active in the community as a graduate of Leadership Florida, Leadership Orlando and Leadership Seminole. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Sanford, serves on the boards of Leadership Seminole, Florida Citrus Sports, Seminole County Regional Chamber, Career Source - Central Florida, and was a trustee and former commissioner with the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). His goal is to connect people with their passions and improve lives through philanthropy.

Alicia Ornelas‑Perez, CPA joined the Foundation in April 2026, bringing seven years of public accounting experience from CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA). Alicia previously specialized in assurance services for higher education, nonprofit, private, and governmental entities, building a strong foundation in financial reporting, compliance, and audit oversight.

• Alicia Ornelas-Perez
• Director, Foundation Finance & Operations
• 407.708.4722

In her role with the Foundation, Alicia oversees and manages the accounting department and the Foundation’s endowment investments. In this position, she has focused on building and operating highly efficient and effective accounting systems, resulting in strong internal and external financial reporting and consistent compliance with regulatory requirements.

Alicia holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from the University of Central Florida and a Master of Accountancy (MAcc) with a concentration in Accounting Information Systems from Florida Atlantic University. She is also a Certified Public Accountant licensed in the State of Florida.

Outside of work, Alicia and her fiancé enjoy spending time outdoors and visiting national parks, with many weekends spent in her hometown of Key Largo.

Laura serves as the Director of Development. In this role, Laura is responsible for thestrategic management of the Seminole State Alumni Association, Blue and Gold Circle, Programmatic Giving and Presidents' Club while leading the planning and execution of the Dream Gala, Dream Cup, and other Foundation events, as well as overseeing marketing and communications to drive donor engagement and philanthropic growth.

• Laura Schumacher
• Director of Development
• 407.708.4576

Laura moved to Florida from Texas in 2012 after graduating with a bachelor’s in Musical Theatre from Sam Houston State University and completed her master’s Degree in Non-Profit Management from UCF in 2017 with an additional certificate in Fundraising.  Laura worked at Florida Polytechnic University before joining the Foundation for Seminole State team in September of 2018.  Laura currently serves on the National Philanthropy Day Committee for the Association of Fundraising Professionals Central Florida, serving as President of the Chapter in 2021-2022. She sits on the Speaker Series Committee and Curriculum Committee for Seminole State College.

Laura lives with her husband, Tim, their dog, Pepper, and cat, Stitch.  She enjoys going to the theme parks, the beach, and doing yoga!  Her favorite season is fall and she loves all things pumpkin and scary.

Elisa Rohr is the Manager of Scholarships for the Foundation for Seminole College. She manages over 300 scholarship accounts and truly enjoys connecting students with donors who share the common bond of education.

• Elisa Rohr
• Manager, Foundation Scholarships
• 407.708.4572

A first generation student, she is strong believer of Florida’s 2+2 system, having earned her associate’s degree from Eastern Florida State College and a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from University of Central Florida.  She received her Masters of Science in Strategic Communication from Troy University.

Prior to joining the Foundation in 2017, Elisa worked for the Florida Legislature and the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority on funding and community issues.  Her current responsibilities connect her experience and communication skills with her passion for helping others.

Married for over 25 years, Elisa is the proud mother of two grown sons. In her free time, you can find her near water – either swimming or boating.

Susan Briggs, moved from England to Florida in 2023 with her husband, Mark who transferred with his company, L3 Harris, as a Commercial Flying Instructor and Standards Manager. Susan previously worked for BP International for 20+ years in the UK, working predominantly in HR, Senior Leadership Development, Learning & Development, and Assistant to the Group HR Chief of Staff.   Susan gained her degree in Human Resource Management level 5 (CIPD) in 2016.

• Susan Briggs
• Senior Executive Assistant 
• 407.708.4575

Susan joined the Foundation in July 2023 and is the Senior Executive Assistant to the VP, Resource and Economic Development – Executive Director at the Foundation for Seminole State College Florida.

Susan is married to her husband Mark, who is also British, they have 5 children between them, 11 grandchildren and 2 cats. They live in Lake Mary and are enjoying finding all the beautiful places to visit.

Bonita started at the Foundation as the part-time Office Assistant in 2015. After briefly leaving in 2017, she was then re-hired in 2018 as the full-time Database Coordinator. In her current role, she manages the donor database, records donation and gift transactions, and generates complex reports.

• Bonita McCoy
• Foundation Database Coordinator
• 407.708.4569

Prior to joining the Foundation, she earned two associates degrees in Pre-Med and Business Administration, worked for Darden Restaurants for 17 years in the property accounting and facilities departments, and owned her own pet boutique business.

In her spare time, Bonita enjoys sewing, crafting, and spending time with her husband and eleven grandchildren.

Kim joined the Foundation in April 2013. She was initially hired in a temporary part-time position to help with the yearly audit, but after a few months was hired full-time as the Accounting and Data Entry Specialist. She previously attended Indian River State College and is a Registered Nurse with experience in both hospital and office environments.

• Kim McKinnon
• Foundation Accounting Specialist
• 407.708.4571

While her three boys were young, her and her husband decided she should stay home with the kids. During this time, she spent many hours volunteering at their schools and in the classroom, participating and chairing various committees, and serving as the “team mom” for her children’s various sports teams.

In 2001, her husband decided to leave his job at a large commercial construction firm and start his own successful business in which she became the bookkeeper, office manager, and executive assistant among fulfilling many other responsibilities. The business administration and office skills she learned during this experience is what helped bring her to her current position where she assists in managing the day-to-day business operations of the Foundation.

When not at work, Kim enjoys the beach, outdoor activities, painting, photography, and most of all spending time with her children and grandchildren.

De'Janell Dixon joined the Foundation for Seminole State College in 2021 as a part-time Office Supervisor and transitioned to her current full-time role as Foundation Development Specialist in May 2024. In her position, De'Janell works closely with the Alumni Association, fostering engagement and connections among graduates, while also supporting the Foundation’s fundraising efforts. Her passion for making a meaningful impact drives her commitment to excellence in every interaction.

• De'Janell Dixon
• Foundation Development Specialist
• 407.708.4578

De'Janell earned a General Associate’s Degree with a focus in Political Science from Seminole State College and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree at Seminole State. With a deep dedication to creating unforgettable experiences, she strives to leave a lasting impression on everyone she meets.

Outside of work, De'Janell enjoys spending time with her family and expressing her love for others through cooking. She lives with her husband, niece, and her cat, Nala.

Charlestin serves as the Foundation Scholarship Specialist at Seminole State College of Florida. In this role, Gregory acts as a liaison for students, providing guidance and answering questions about scholarships and the application process. His dedication to helping students navigate their educational journey reflects his passion for supporting academic success. 

• Gregory Charlestin
• Foundation Scholarship Specialist
• 407.708.4583

Gregory earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Florida, where he also obtained a Teaching English as a Second Language Certificate.

 In his free time, Gregory enjoys writing literature, watching movies, and socializing with friends and family. 

Beverly serves as the Stewardship and Communications Assistant for the Foundation at Seminole State College of Florida. In this role, she supports donor engagement efforts and contributes to communications that highlight the impact of philanthropy across the college. 

• Beverly Aland
• Stewardship and Communications Assistant
• 407.708.4832

She holds a degree in journalism from Troy University and has built a career in writing and strategic communications. Before joining Seminole State, Beverly worked as a freelance copywriter, helping small businesses strengthen their website messaging and connect with their audiences through social media.

Her varied career path has shaped her ability to tell clear, impactful stories and bring structure to complex ideas, skills she now applies in support of the Foundation’s valuable mission.

Beverly’s connection to Seminole State is personal: her daughter is a graduate, giving her a firsthand appreciation of the opportunities the College creates for its students!

Her favorite things include traveling with her husband, Blaine, (Iceland is her favorite destination so far!) and spending time with her four adult children. She loves being active and volunteering in the community.