Meet Our Staff

Dave Krepcho, President & CEO

Dave Krepcho joined the Food Bank in July 2004 as President & CEO. 

Dave earned his B.A. from Columbus College of Art & Design in Columbus, Ohio.  Dave began his career in the Advertising Agency business. 

In 1992, Dave became the Executive Director of the Miami Food Bank.  Dave went on to work for America's Second Harvest in Chicago, the Nation's largest hunger relief organization.  He served as the Vice President of Business Development, responsible for all product donations and relationships with the national food industry.  Dave was also responsible for developing national programs designed to obtain more food for the 205 member food banks across the United States.  During his time with America's Second Harvest, Dave led a team that acquired 450 million pounds of donated food annually.

Dave serves on several committees, including the UCF School of Public Administration Advisory Board, Nonprofit Management, Heart of Florida United Way Board Member, Heart of Florida United Way, Council of Agency Executives Advisory Board, President of the Florida Association of Food Banks and Chair on the America's Second Harvest National Disaster Relief Task Force. In 2009, Dave was named Central Floridian of the Year by the Orlando Sentinel.

Dave has been married for over 30 years and he and his wife recently became grandparents for the first time.  Besides having two married children, Dave and his wife enjoy the company of two very protective miniature schnauzers.  For the ultimate getaway, Dave and his wife enjoy heading for the high desert and red rocks of Sedona, Arizona.

Jim Stencel, Chief Operating Officer

As the Chief Operating Officer, Jim oversees all facility, fleet and logistic operations for the Food Bank.  He directs a team of 39 operations staff.

Jim has been a member of the Food Bank team since 2006, after 25 yeas of foodservice distribution experience, serving major restaurant chains across the country.  Jim graduated from San Jose State University with a Business Degree and has held Senior Executive positions with a number of national foodservice distributors.  Jim resides in The Villages with his wife, Diane and enjoys golf, softball and pickleball.

Greg Higgerson, CFRE, Vice President, Development

Greg is currently in his thirteenth year of heading up fund development and marketing communications for the Food Bank.   He is past President of the Central Florida Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), and was chosen as Central Florida’s “Outstanding Fundraising Professional” for 2008 by that organization.   He is a frequently requested speaker at local civic clubs and other group functions, and directs a team of five professionals and one administrative assistant.  

Greg and his wife Ann Marie are both employed by local nonprofit organizations, and reside in West Orange County.   They enjoy theme parks and outdoor activities with their two small children. 

Brady Koch, Director of Agency Relations & Programs

As the Director of Agency Relations & Programs, Brady coordinates all food and services outreach to our partner feeding programs and the Central Florida community. He oversees a team of 9 staff involved in training partner agencies, feeding children, and helping low-income people apply for food stamps and other important benefits available to them. 

Prior to working with the Food Bank, Brady worked in corporate training and the entertainment industry.  He lives in Sanford with his wife and three dogs.

Carlos Santamaria, Director of Operations

As the Director of Operations, Carlos oversees the logistics and flow of food throughout four facilities in the Food Bank's six-county service area.  He also oversees Second Helpings, our prepared and perishable food program.  Prior to working at Second Harvest, Carlos worked with the Miami Food Bank.

A native Nicaraguan, Carlos lives in Orlando with his wife and newborn child.  He is working towards is B.A. Degree and would love to see the Miami Dolphins win another Super Bowl.

Judy Soondar, Director of IT/Administrative Services

A fifteen-year veteran of food banking, Judy manages the Information Technology and a variety of other administrative tasks.  She supervises the front desk/receptionist and order clerk positions.

Valerie Carl, Brevard Branch Manager

Valerie has headed up the Food Bank's Brevard Branch since opening in 2000.  She and her staff serve the food needs of more than 80 local feeding programs in Brevard County.  Prior to joining the Food Bank, Valerie worked as an AmeriCorp volunteer in the America Reads program.

Valerie is married with two children.  Her interests include reading, continuing education and camping with her Yorkies, Candi and Skittles.

Nitza Colon, Benefits Connection Manager

Nitza brings many years of experience in outreach activities to her role as the point person for the Food Bank's Benefits Connection program.  She works with eight mobile field staff who help people across the community to apply for food stamps and other important benefits.

Nitza moved to Orlando from Puerto Rico 17 years ago, and has many years of experience working with government, universities and non-profit organizations.

Judy Crawford, Grants & Annual Giving Manager

Judy manages all grant research, applications, and reporting for the development department.  She also oversees the day to day activities of a growing direct mail outreach. Judy joined the Food Bank staff in 2003.

Judy has a grown daughter, and during her stay-at-home mom years, was a volunteer in school and youth activities ranging from tutoring and field trips to chairing fundraising endeavors.  She is an active volunteer at her church and past President of the Grant Professionals Network in Central Florida.  She lives in Dr. Phillips with her husband Ken, who is a fundraising consultant. 

Whitney James,  ADEPT & Special Projects Manager

Whitney manages the ADEPT program, which provides training to our partner agencies.  These training programs are designed to build the capacity of our partner agencies to serve their community and grow their sustainability.  Whitney also oversees many of our data collection and advocacy activities.

Whitney is a North Carolina native now living in Central Florida.  She graduated from Florida State University and is currently working on her Master's Degree from UCF.  Whitney is an avid lover of comedy movies, traveling, Ford Mustangs and anything Florida State.

Kirsten Langan, Product Sourcing Manager

Kirsten actively works to identify new local sources of corporate food industry donations, and serves as a primary contact for existing food donors.

Kirsten grew up in Orlando and graduated from UCF with a degree in Public Administration.  In her free time, she enjoys traveling, golfing, sailing and any outdoor activity.

Louis Lovelace, Power Purchasing Manager

Drawing from an extensive retail grocery and food industry background, Louis manages procurement of purchased food and other grocery products utilized by our partner agencies.

Louis joined the Food Bank staff in 2005.  He is a third generation grocer.  Married with one son, two daughters and five grandchildren, Louis enjoys RVing and spending time with his grandchildren.

Santos Maldonado, Childhood Programs Manager

Santos is responsible for creating and maintaining the partnerships that are necessary for the success of the Hi-Five food pack and Kids Cafe programs.

Santos hails from New York City and joined the Food Bank staff in 2007.  He resides in Winter Park and enjoys writing poetry and short essays. His professional background includes eight years in the publishing industry. He currently serves on the City of Orlando's "Communities for a Lifetime" advisory board, and is an active member of  “Trabajando Juntos” (Working Together) a multi-racial/ethnic coalition of community representatives that seeks to empower and inform.

Mindy Ortiz, Volunteer Services Manager

Mindy oversees the recruitment, retention, and scheduling of more than 7,500 volunteers per year for the Food Bank.   She also manages the community food drive program.

Mindy grew up in Newark, New Jersey and graduated from Montclair State University with a B.A. in Justice Studies.
Prior to becoming a food banker, she worked as a Family Services Counselor for the Department of Children & Families. She lives in South Orlando with her husband Orlando, son Jaden & dog Binky.

Ricardo Robledo, Operations Manager - Orlando

Ricardo manages the main warehouse facility in Orlando, and ensures that local food pickups and deliveries occur on schedule.

Ricardo has been with the Food Bank for 13 years.  He lives in Ocala with his wife Luz and two beautiful children, Thalia and Noah.

Robert Thomas, Operations Manager, Volusia Branch

Robert oversees logistics and flow of food at our Volusia County Brach.

Robert is a Florida native.  He is married to his high school sweetheart and has teenage twins.  In his spare time, he enjoys the beach and weekend camping trips with his family.

Donna Williams, Community Development Manager, Volusia Branch

Donna works to create awareness of, and local community support for the Food Bank's Volusia Branch.  She also staffs a local Community Advisory Board of volunteers.

Donna moved to Deland ten years from Tampa.  She is the proud mom of two sons and adoring grandmother of three grandsons.  When not enjoying their company, Donna relaxes on cruises, enjoys gambling and hot air ballooning.  She plays an active role in the Deland community by serving on the Chamber Board, as well as many community event committees.

Bill Garrett, Food Rescue Lead

Mr. Bill is the smiling face that so many volunteers working at Second Harvest Food Bank will always remember.  Mr. Bill supervises the sorting operation in Orlando, and oversees thousands of volunteers from corporations, schools, churches, civic groups, and community services programs.

Erin Gray, Agency Relations Manager

As our Agency Relations Manager, Erin is responsible for setting and monitoring the standards of our partner agencies. She is also responsible for identifying and fulfilling our agencies' capacity building needs.

Erin and her husband live outside of Orlando with their two dogs, two cats and two Koi ponds in the backyard.  Erin has her B.A. in Psychology from UCF.  She loves the outdoors, art and working on art projects in her spare time. 

Sasha Hausman, Events Specialist

As our Events Specialist, Sasha plans all of our fundraising events, promotional partnerships, and any third party fundraisers. Basic operations of the food bank require monetary donations, Sasha in charge of thinking of new and exciting ways to keep those donations coming in.

Sasha is originally from Ft. Lauderdale, she moved to Orlando to go to UCF where she received her B.A. in Communications (Go Knights!). Sasha loves good music, a great movie, and delicious food!

Maria Diestro, Online Services and Communications Manager

As online services and communications manager, Maria oversees the website, social media outlets, our fascinating blog & email communications. Her task is to get Second Harvest Food Bank news out to you through all possible web channels.

Maria graduated from UCF with a Marketing Degree. Prior to working at Second Harvest, Maria worked at PBS/NPR affiliate WMFE, another great non-profit in the Orlando area. You can find Maria rooting for the Red Sox and always talking about her 2 tuxedo cats.

Veronica Marshall, Executive Assistant/Human Resources Coordinator

Veronica serves as human resources and payroll coordinator, while providing administrative support to the President/CEO and Board of Directors.

Veronica has been with the Food Bank since 2002.  She is an avid Gator and Fighting Irish fan!

Kesha Brown, Benefits Connection Specialist

As a Food Stamp Outreach Specialist, Kesha works throughout the community at food programs and neighborhood centers, signing up eligible individuals and families for food stamps, Medicaid, and TANF.

Kesha has a B.S. degree in Psychology and a M.A. degree in Management and Administration.  She enjoys working in the community and feels through her unique style of compassion many lives are being impacted.  Kesha depends on her faith in God to overcome any obstacles and achieve success.

Eula Davis, Benefits Connection Specialist

Eula is Second Harvest Food Bank's most deeply tenured staff person, having served the community as a food banker for more than twenty years.  In her current role as a Food Stamp Outreach Specialist, Eula works throughout the community at food programs and neighborhood centers, signing up eligible individuals and families for food stamps, Medicaid, and TANF.

Eula is a married, the mother of eight wonderful children and nineteen grandchildren.

Sugery Oppenheimer, Benefits Connection Specialist

As a Food Stamp Outreach Specialist, Sugery works throughout the community at food programs and neighborhood centers, signing up eligible individuals and families for food stamps, Medicaid, and TANF.

Sugery has been with Second Harvest Food Bank since 2004, serving as the Office Assistant prior to joining the Benefits Connection team. 

Liz Soto, Benefits Connection Specialist

As a Food Stamp Outreach Specialist, Liz works throughout the community at food programs and neighborhood centers, signing up eligible individuals and families for food stamps, Medicaid, and TANF.

Liz lives in Orlando and is the mother of three children.  She loves to watch movies, listen to music and spend time with her friends and family by the beach.