Meet the Task Force

Elsie Stearns

Elsie Stearns is Vice President, Sr. Branch Manager for Centennial Bank on Pine Island. Elsie and her husband Scott moved to Useppa Island in 1977 and then to Pine Island in 1980. She started her island banking career in 1985 and is celebrating her 39th year. Working on Pine Island has allowed Elsie the opportunity to participate and be involved in the community for many years.

Elsie’s community involvement started years ago & continues to be strong today. She is currently the President of the Beacon of Hope’s Board and on the SAC Committee at the Pine Island Elementary. Her past leadership roles include MPIFD Commission from 1998-2004 serving as chair 2000-2004, Bobby Holloway Memorial Board 1998-2020, Kiwanis, and Habitat for Humanity.

Over the years Elsie has been awarded Island Citizen of the Year in 2011 and the Elks Distinguished Citizen Award in 2013 for her tireless work on behalf of the community. Elsie’s husband, Scott, is the Vice President of Stearns Custom Builders. They have two children, Darsey and Derrick and five grandchildren.

Steve Honc

Steve is the CEO of Honc Industries, Inc. Steve began working with his father Dan while he was still in high school. He ran for parts or tires after school and on weekends and summers he worked as a laborer. After high school, Steve began running his own crew installing septic systems and grading, then moved into estimating the jobs. Steve learned the business from the ground up. Steve continues to move the company forward surrounded by team players who bring their own ideas of expansion to the table every day, then turn those ideas into executed plans.

Steve has lived on Pine Island his entire life. He has been instrumental in recovery efforts after every storm. Steve was the driving force behind getting the road replaced after Hurricane Ian in Matlacha. In 2022, he received the Island Citizen of the Year Award for his efforts. Steve is married to Natalie and has four children.

Ryan Berger

As a managing partner of Inland Marine Group, Ryan Berger works alongside countless community leaders and volunteers to support Lee County’s barrier islands and respond in emergencies. His leadership through major hurricanes spanning from Texas to Florida has equipped him with the skills and knowledge needed to handle emergency situations effectively and efficiently.

Ryan Berger is dedicated to the energy sector and committed to environmental stewardship. With extensive experience in project development and management, as well as a strong background in supply chain logistics and strategic planning, Ryan is passionate about emergency management and recovery operations. His entrepreneurial spirit drives him to make a positive impact in his community.

Ryan lives in Fort Myers and spends his weekends at the family’s residence on Useppa Island. He’s grateful to his amazing wife and three remarkable children who support and love him.

Mikes Maillakakis

Mikes Maillakakis is the General Manager of the Greater Pine Island Water Association, and is a board certified professional engineer in the State of Florida. He grew up in Lee County graduating from Cypress Lake High School. Mikes has a Bachelor’s of Science and Master’s in Engineering from the University of South Florida.

Mikes has worked in engineering for 25 years, of which 21 have been spent in the utilities business. He has won state, national, and global awards for water treatment projects that he has managed.

Benjamin Mickuleit

Benjamin Mickuleit serves as the Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District Fire Chief. He has been with the fire department since 2004 and has been proudly serving as the Fire Chief since 2015. Ben holds various certifications in the field including a Bachelor’ s Degree in Public Safety Administration, Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership/Fire Rescue Leadership, and is a Florida Certified Paramedic.

He believes that community and service are fundamental in creating a positive and supportive environment. Whether it’s through volunteering, local initiatives, or simply being there for each other, contributing to the well-being of a community can make a big difference. Being part of this initiative is another way Ben wants to give back to the community that he is so proud to be a part of.

Cody Allen

Cody Allen has served as the Assistant Chief of EMS for the Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District since August of 2021. He has been involved with emergency medicine since 2012 and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and is completing his Master’s Degree in Emergency and Disaster Management in August 2024, both from Saint Leo University. Cody has served in both a responder and leadership role in multiple disasters within Lee County.

Born and raised locally, Cody is committed to providing the best level of prehospital emergency care to the Greater Pine Island area. He has worked to move the fire department from having basic life support (BLS) capabilities to now being able to provide advanced life support (ALS) services throughout the community. Cody remains active in multiple committees within Lee County to ensure continued progression of medical capabilities is achieved in the Greater Pine Island community.

Joe Hernandez

Joe Hernandez serves the local community as a Fire Commissioner and Board Member. He graduated with degrees in Fire Science Technology and Emergency Medical Sciences. Joe served in Public Safety for over 30 years as a firefighter, paramedic, and command staff officer before retiring. Joe was assigned to FEMA’s Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Medical Specialist Program where he served with the National Response System and the South Florida US&R Task Force as EMS Chief, while responding to our nation’s most challenging disasters since the OKC Bombing.

Though retired from deployment, he continues to serve as a member and instructor for the federal US&R National Response System, as a State of Florida Fire College instructor in Fire Service, Technical Rescue, Emergency Medical Services, Kiwanis, Greater Pine Island Alliance, and Saint James Civic Association.

Joe is bilingual, the CEO of Disaster Medical Solutions LLC, Solid Responder LLC, and Medical Special Operations Community a non-profit, is a West Point Parent Club Alumni, and a Gold Star father. He resides in Saint James City with his wife Laura as members of First Baptist Church.

Glenn Green

Glenn Green is the Owner/Operator of Dynamic South, Inc., a general contractor serving the wireless telecommunication industry. Dynamic South was established in July 2000 and St. James City has been Dynamic South’s principal place of business since its incorporation.

Glenn’s roots in the community run deep. His childhood summers were spent at his grandparents’ property in Bokeelia, which fostered his love for Pine Island. This love led him to purchase his first home at eighteen in St. James City after graduating high school. His commitment to service was evident early on, as he joined the United States Navy immediately after graduating, serving for six years before retiring to Pine Island.

In 2002, Glenn purchased a portion of his grandparents’ property, the same property he spent his childhood summers on, and currently resides there with his wife, Nicki. It is where Glenn has called home and raised his four children for the past 21 years, a testament to his unwavering love and commitment to the community.

Morgan Marks

Morgan Marks is the Management Coordinator for Dynamic South, Inc., where she has worked for the past eleven years alongside her brother under their father, Glenn Green’s direction and guidance. While employed by Dynamic South, Inc., she bought her first home in St. James City and obtained her Bachelor of Science in Supervision and Management from Florida Southwestern State College.

Derrick Stearns

Derrick Stearns is a true Pine Island native, being born and raised on the Island. He attended Pine Island Elementary and played for the Pine Island Little League. After graduating from Mariner High School, he attended the University of Central Florida (Go Knights!) where he obtained a degree in Business Finance.

Following college, Derrick acquired his Florida General Contractors License and returned home to start a business with his father. As President of Stearns Custom Builders, Inc., Derrick is an island home builder who takes great pride in his work and preserving the Old Florida charm Pine Island is famous for.

Derrick married his college sweetheart, Casey, in 2006 and soon after had two children, Makenna & Ryder. He is proud that they are following in his footsteps being raised on the island because family and community are very important to him.

Trish Lassiter

Trish Lassiter is a Key Account Executive at LCEC with over 25 years of experience, serving as the primary point of contact for LCEC’s largest commercial and government customers. Prior to joining LCEC, Trish worked for New York State Electric and Gas for over 8 years where she managed National Accounts.

Trish also serves as the liaison with the City of Cape Coral Emergency Operations Center (EOC) facilitating communication and coordination between the utility and emergency response agencies and is the secondary back-up to the Lee County Emergency Operations Center (EOC). This role includes relaying real-time information about power outages, infrastructure damage, and restoration efforts to ensure all parties are informed and aligned in their actions contributing to a more effective and efficient emergency response.

Christie Tvardek

 Christie Tvardek has worked for Lee County Parks and Recreation for 28 years. Currently in the role of manager, Christie oversees all parks, pools and preserves within the North District, which ranges from Boca Grande to the Caloosahatchee Bridge and Cayo Costa to the Lee County Civic Center.

Christie began her career with Parks in the Aquatics Division as a lifeguard at Pine Island Pool. During her tenure, she has also been a supervisor of park maintenance and at the recreation center at Veterans’ Park in Lehigh Acres.

Christie is a native Pine Islander attending both Pine Island Elementary and Middle School. Christie resides in St James City with her husband Matt, and enjoys boating, fishing, and spending time with their five grandchildren.

Carlyn C. Herring

Carlyn C. Herring was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. She graduated from Auburn University in 1977 (WAR DAMN EAGLE!) with a degree in Business/ Marketing and moved to Pine Island where she has remained. Carlyn and Ralph married in 1980 and have raised their 3 children here.

Carlyn worked at Pine Island Elementary School as a substitute teacher and later in the office until 2001 when she became a realtor with Century 21. For many years, and even to the present-day, Carlyn has served as an officer and Board member of many local organizations including: GPI Little League, GPI Water Association, GPI Kiwanis Club, School Advisory Committee and Beacon of Hope where she is currently Vice President.

Carlyn is looking forward to continuing her service to the community as a member of this task force.

Joanne Lembo

Joanne Lembo is a retiree of the United States (US) Federal Law Enforcement Aency, US Customs and Border Protection (formerly the US Immigration and Naturalization Service). Joanne held several high-level leadership positions such as a Port Director, the first female Assistant Firearms Training Director at the US Customs and Border Protection (US CBP) Field Operations Academy at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center and Supervisory Chief Officer at the CBP Savannah Seaport.

She also has extensive international security & training experience in all continents to instruct in Law Enforcement Leadership, Human Trafficking, and liaison to various worldwide embassies and consulates. She is well versed and experienced in security, incident command, and disaster response.

Since 2019, she is a full-time resident in Saint James City with her husband, Mario.

Karen Hillier

Karen Hillier holds a degree in Wildlife & Fisheries Management and spent her career in public service. Karen retired from the United States Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS). She held leadership positions at five Wildlife Refuges across the Southeastern states. Prior to the USFWS, Karen worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as a Park Ranger, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service in farm & ranch country out west.

During her career, Karen was involved in wildlife conservation, natural resource managment, customer service, building volunteer programs and partnerships with Friends Groups, public information services, providing farmers and ranchers land preservation methods, outdoor recreation, and water safety.

Karen lives on Pine Island with her husband, JR – a ‘local guy’ who came home after retiring from the United States Coast Guard.

Kyle Corey

Kyle Corey is an intern for the GPIETF. He is a fourth-generation Floridian from Saint Petersburg and is currently a student in the construction management program at Florida Gulf Coast University. Kyle has been visiting Pine Island for over ten years and has become very familiar with what makes this area so special.

After Hurricane Ian, Kyle spent several weeks volunteering on one of the barrier islands, helping clear debris and mitigate damage, until college resumed. Following that, he spent most of his weekends doing the same work. Through his summer job at Inland Marine, an opportunity arose for him to intern with GPIETF, and it was a no-brainer for him to take it.

When not in school or working, Kyle spends most of his time on the water.

Mark Mallard

Mark Mallard began his law enforcement career in 1997 with the Charlotte County Correctional Institution. In 1999, Mark joined the Lee County Sheriff’s Office where he served as a patrol deputy and is currently the Captain of 6th Precinct. Prior to law enforcement, he served in the United States Marine Corp as a military policeman and member of the 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion.

Mark has served in many capacities within the Lee County Sheriff’s Office including Major Crimes/Robbery Division, the Watch Commanders Division, lead several Task Forces with multiple agencies to combat major crimes within the community. Mark was previously the Assistant Commander in 2nd Precinct and Assistant Commander in 3rd Precinct.

Mark holds an Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice from Florida Southwestern and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Hodges University. In his spare time, he enjoys exercising to stay healthy and spending time with his family.

Marc Mascarelli

Marc Mascarelli started in fire service in 1990 and completed a 32 year career in Lee County as a Chief Fire Officer/Paramedic. During this time he achieved an Associates in Fire Science, a Bachelors in Business Administration, and a Masters in Public Administration.

For the past ten years to current, Marc has lead the Lee County Marine Emergency Response Team (MERT), keeping close relations with the Lee County Fire Chiefs Association. As liaison between Fire, Law Enforcement, EMS, Aviation, Coast Guard, Dispatch, WCIND, and Tow, Marc brings 3 decades of knowledge & experience of local areas and waters.

Marc is a long time resident of South West Florida, moving to Lee County in 1987. He & his wife Tabitha enjoy being part of this wonderful community!