2011 Board of Directors

Rev. John Cairns, Interim President
Angela Tobaygo, Esq. Secretary
Bob Smith, Treasurer
  • Melanie DiVirgilio
  • Donna Dudash
  • Brian D. Hall
  • Rev. Bill Hild
  • Laura Lowe
  • Gary Moore
  • Sandy Pepper
  • David Wachtel
  • F. Gale Whitson-Schmidt
Thank you to the following Board Members for their years of exemplary service for Samaritan Counseling Services:
  • Jane Goodwin
  • Ken Johns
  • Cherie Leetzow
  • Kim Merritt
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L to R: Laura Lowe, David Wachtel, Rev. Bill Hild, Rev. Rick Howell,
Gary Moore, Cherie Leetzow, Jane Goodwin, Mary Beth Bos (Past President).
Not Pictured:  Rev. John Cairns, Donna Dudash, Bob Smith, Brian Hall,
Sandra Pepper, Angela Tobaygo

Welcome New Board Members

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Melanie DiVirgilio
A proud alumna of the University of Florida, Melanie graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Finance. During her time in college, Melanie served as the Women’s Ministry Leader for Campus Crusade for Christ coordinating retreats, socials, and service events fostering community for over 700 members. Melanie also was a founding member of the 15th chapter of The Network of Enlightened Women, a conservative women’s group focused on redirecting the feminist movement.

Upon graduation, Melanie moved to Winston-Salem, North Carolina where she was accepted into a ten-month Leadership Development Program with Branch Banking and Trust (BB&T).  As a middle-market relationship manager for BB&T, Melanie was recently placed in her hometown of Sarasota.  She is actively involved in her church, The Bridge in Venice, and loves spending time with family and friends.

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F. Gale Whitson-Schmidt
F. Gale Whitson-Schmidt is the former Deputy General Secretary and Treasurer of the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits of the United Methodist Church where she was employed for 32 years prior to her retirement in 2005.  Gale had oversight for the areas of Finance, Human Resources, Communications and Legal.  These responsibilities included administration of the $13 billion socially responsible investment portfolio, involvement in strategic planning and participation in the redesign of the corporate structure of the Board of Directors.  Gale holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics from Towson State University and  a Masters
of Management in Finance from Northwestern University.

Gale and her husband, Don, live in Bradenton, Florida, where they own Katy Rose Olive Oils, a retail store specializing in extra virgin olive oils, balsamic vinegars and other Mediterranean products.  She is a member of Harvest United Methodist Church.