Don Drinkard
Board Chairman
Community Volunteer
Don Drinkard was born and raised in Mobile, Alabama. He received bachelors and masters degrees in engineering from Auburn University. After serving in Korea as an officer in the U.S. Army, he completed an MBA from the University of Alabama. He then began a career in the oil and gas industry, spanning 27 years, during which he managed drilling, production and construction projects in Louisiana, Texas, Alaska and California in the U.S, and overseas in the Republic of Yemen, Colombia, Malaysia and Africa. Since retiring to Vero Beach, Florida in 2004, Don has enjoyed precious time with his wife, three children and five grandchildren. He loves First United Methodist of Vero Beach where he is involved in education and outreach. He is a committed supporter of United Against Poverty where he serves on the Board of Directors. He also enjoys golf, art and reading.
"It is indeed a genuine privilege to be associated with an organization served by a caring, compassionate staff who help our clients and their families find their true selves and achieve their potential by reaching for the stars."
Barbara Lowry
Board Chair Emeritus
Community Volunteer
Barbara Lowry serves on the local Board of Directors for Indian River County and the Regional Board of Directors of United Against Poverty. She graduated from American University with a BS in Business Administration in Industrial Relations and Manpower Management. Her professional career included running a subsidiary company for a large Washington, DC metropolitan construction company and was responsible for the management and leasing of commercial and residential properties. Barbara enjoys boating, golf, bridge, and, of course, her wonderful family and friends.
After the birth of her daughter Katie, she decided to pay the community that had provided such a good life for her family. Barbara knew the best way to become part of a community was through service. When Barbara learned of United Against Poverty she decided to join their efforts. Barbara embraces UP’s mission of lifting people out of poverty.
“I believe in providing individuals with the tools they need to become economically self-sufficient. I see my role as a cheerleader, fundraiser and advocate for the organization.”
Pamela Harmon
Board Co-Chair
Community Volunteer
Pam has served on the UP Indian River Board of Directors since 2012. She and her husband Tim have been residents of Vero Beach for a decade, continuing to spend summers in Washington, D.C. Pam’s career includes founding, with three partners, the largest independent financial planning firm in Northern Virginia, where she was a CFP and member of the Registry of Financial Planning Practitioners.
“As an organization, what greater gift can we give than the dignity that comes from being financially independent”.
Catherine Davis
Community Volunteer
Sandy Divine
Community Volunteer
Cindy Galant
Community Volunteer
Cindy Galant is a community volunteer and philanthropist. She and her husband Mark have been residents of Vero Beach for over a decade, spending the summers in NJ and NYC where their 2 children reside. Cindy holds a BA from the University of Virginia. She is a former board member of the UVA Curry School of Education Foundation, and currently serves on the Curry School Advisory board. In addition to the UP board, locally Cindy serves on the boards of Impact 100 of IRC and the UVA Club of the Treasure Coast.
“Mark and I support UP because of the impact their programs have on the lives of our neighbors in need. From crisis intervention to education to workforce placement, UP offers hope and a helping hand to anyone struggling to the lift their family out of poverty.“
Peter Bijur
Community Volunteer
Peter Bijur serves as Vice Chairman of the United Against Poverty Corporate Board and as a director of the United Against Poverty of Indian River County Community Board. He was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Texaco Inc. until his retirement in 2001, following a 36 year career. He holds an MBA from Columbia Business School and a BA in Political Science from the University of Pittsburgh. Peter and his wife Kjestine live most of the year in Vero Beach and spend the summers in Greenwich CT.
"UP’s mission 'to give a hand up not a handout' resonates with me. Our Success Training Employment Program does so much for people in our communities who need direction. We are blessed to have dedicated leaders, staff and volunteers."
Barbara Butts
Community Volunteer
Barbara’s roots are in Northern New York, where she grew up and was an elementary school teacher before her retirement. She also taught at The Meadow’s Infant School in Sydney, Australia for a number of years. Barbara spends winters in Vero Beach, Florida at the Mooring, and summers at her island cottage in The Thousand Islands on The St. Lawrence River. She graduated with a B.A. in Elementary Education from Ohio Wesleyan University, and has one grown son, Daniel, who lives in Portland, Oregon. She is the past President of The Thousand Island Association, which is a non-profit made up of American and Canadians whose concern is the health and safety of “The River” and its summer residents. She is presently the Vice President of the Friends of The Minna Anthony Common Nature Center, located in the Wellesley Island State Park on the St. Lawrence River, which is home to over eight miles of year-round hiking trails, an environmental teaching museum, and hosts educational school and recreational programs.
Susie Calender
Rehmann
Susie Calender comes to us as an experienced and well-traveled CPA. After receiving her B.S. in Accounting from Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, she has taken her accounting expertise to Germany, Los Angeles, Connecticut, and now Vero Beach. Susie also brings her background in fundraising to UAP having helped with fundraising activities for Neurofibromatosis Foundation in Los Angeles and Ben Bronz Academy in Hartford, Connecticut. She has also used her knowledge to serve as a Financial Advisor for Impact 100 Panel.
“I took a tour of the UP facility in September 2019 and was amazed and impressed by the meaningful and well developed programs that are offered by the organization. The tour confirmed that this was an organization that I could be passionate about and I am proud to be a member of the board.”
Michael Hofmann
Florida Blue
David Johnson
HR Dynamics Inc.
In 2008 David moved from New York to Vero Beach and started a human resource consulting business, HR Dynamics Inc. Focused on temporary staffing, management recruiting and employee training, HR Dynamics serves more than 50 companies and organizations in Indian River County. Today David is Chairman and owner of HR Dynamics having turned over day to day operations to the employees. Prior to moving to Vero, David had a 20 year career in executive search based in Manhattan. He worked with small to mid-size industrial and business service companies to recruit senior operating and financial executives. From 1999 to 2008 he was the human resource operating partner with the private equity firm, Hampshire Equity Partners.
“I am excited to be a part of United Against Poverty. I firmly believe in UP's philosophy of “a hand up not a hand out”. I will work to expand UP’s training programs to fight poverty by helping individual to build a promising and successful career."
Raul Maurice
Sober Development Recovery Residence
Owner/Director of Operations of Sober Development Recovery Residence
Lynn Miller
Community Volunteer
Lynn Miller was formerly Corporate Events Manager for Mellon Bank, Pittsburgh, PA. She holds a B.S. degree from the University of Rhode Island. Lynn has a history of helping those in need sometimes feeling like a ‘life coach.’ She has travelled extensively and loves experiencing different cultures.
"All you have to do is walk into the new UP Center and our mission statement unfolds before your very eyes. It is our mission statement in action. One can’t help but believe and be in awe!"
David Osgood
Merrill Lynch
Amy Patterson
Community Volunteer
Amy C. Patterson has served on the UP IRC Board since the fall of 2013. She has previously chaired its IRC Development Committee and has been active with the UP Gala Committee since its inception. She served as a past Gala co-chair and has served as the business sponsorship chair for the last four years. After retiring as Executive Director of the (WCBA) Westchester County Bar Association and Foundation (Westchester County, NY), Amy and her husband moved down to Vero in 2008. As Executive Director of the WCBA, Amy had a successful track record of leadership, staff and board relations, effective budgeting, program development and policy implementation. During her tenure with the WCBA, Amy received the New York State Senate Liberty Award for special achievement working on behalf of New York family members who were 9/11 victims. This medal was awarded by Senator Nick Spano on May 9, 2002. Since settling in Vero, Amy has focused on volunteer non-profit work and in addition to her UP service, she has served on the Hibiscus Children’s Center Regional and Corporate Boards and the Youth Sailing Foundation of IRC until 2016. Amy met her husband Don Reeser while racing at a sailing regatta in NY. They share a passion for sailing, their family and their two black labs.
"I appreciate UP’s holistic, "Hand-Up” approach to its programs and services that focus on attacking the root causes of poverty rather than temporarily treating its symptoms. UP provides the tools, programs and consistent support that have allowed clients and their families to move toward self-sufficiency and financial security. I am pleased and proud to work with the amazing staff, volunteers and board members who play a part in UP’s measurable success."
Isabelle Richard
Black Pug Strategies and Botanix Garden Centres
Isabelle Richard serves on the Community Board of Directors for United Against Poverty. She holds a BA in Marketing and a BA in French Writing and Communication for Sherbrooke University, Quebec. Isabelle owns an online marketing agency and works for Lowes Canada and Botanix Garden Centres. Her husband and 4 children moved to Vero Beach almost 15 years ago. She enjoys a quiet life, spending time with friends and family, and traveling.
Linda Rusciano
Community Volunteer
Richard Schlitt
Schlitt Insurance
To learn more about the dedicated individuals who make up our board, click their image below.