Current Board of Directors
Gene Burkett
President & Treasurer
Gene is a graduate of the University of Texas at El Paso where he received his Bachelor's Degree in Accounting and Masters of Business Administrations. He is a Certifed Public Accountant licensed by the states of Florida and Texas. Additionally, he is a licensed securities representative.
Gene is a partner in the CAP firm of FPT Services, a local CPA firm with locations in Rockledge and Palm Bay, Florida.
Gene has been a member of Rotary since 2006, when he joined the Merritt Island Rotary Club. He is the past District Governor Rotary District 6930, 2015-16. He is past president of the club and the club Treasurer. Additionally, Gene has served as District 6930's treasurer for both the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 Rotary Years. Gene is a multiple Paul Harriss Fellow.
Gene has been married to his high school sweetheart, Linda, for 45 years. They have a daughter who is an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner, and a son, who has a degree in finance. Gene and Linda have three grandchildren. Gene enjoys golf, cooking and scuba diving.
Peggy Russell
Immediate Past President
Born and raised in Parkersburg, W.V. Graduate of West Virginia University with a BS in nursing and a MS degree in nursing from Duquesne University Pittsburgh, PA. Married for 40 years to Stephen Russell and have three children. Moved to Merritt Island Fl in 2014 and joined the Merritt Island Rotary club in 2015. I enjoy working with the youth and hope to help expand the Interact clubs in the local high schools, as well as working with the district international exchange program. I also enjoy doing volunteer work at the local free health clinic. Interests include reading, the beach, kayaking, travel, and spending time with family and friends. item about? What makes it interesting? Write a catchy description to grab your audience's attention...
Gary Ledford
Secretary
Raised in Miami and Hollywood, Florida.
University of South Florida: BSE Structures, Materials & Fluids, 1974; MSE Structures & Applied Mechanics, 1975.
Registered Professional Engineer since 1980.
Present employment: Project Director, Jacobs Engineering, Port Canaveral, FL.
Married, two grown children, Christopher and Jessica.
Hobbies: RV camping; Radio controlled electric powered airplanes.
Rotary Club history:
Member: May 31, 2001
Community Service and/or Vocational Service Chair: 2002 thru 2005
Rotarian of the Year: 2004-2005
Secretary – 2010-2011, 2011-2012
President – 2007-2008, 2012-2013
Sargent of Arms: 2014-2015
Russ McCarthy
Past President
Russ is a Semi-Retired Aviation Professional who has served in several areas including Aviation Maintenance, Aviation Management, Aircraft Fire and Rescue, Airfield Operations and Fuel Service Supervisor. Russ also holds a Commercial Rotary Wing and Private Fixed Wing Pilots license with instrument ratings. Russ also has Hazmat Certification and has studied at the Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.
While living in Massachusetts and working on Nantucket, Russ made multiple Guest Appearances on the broadcast television show “Wings” as a Mechanic. The character “Lowell” was loosely based on Russ’s real-life events and his comedic outlook on life in general.
After joining the Merritt Island Rotary club in 2014, Russ took an active role and became a board member as Sargent At Arms for the 2016-17 fiscal year and President Elect for the 2017-18 fiscal year.
Russ has been married to his wife Trudy for 23 years. They have 3 daughters, Shannon, Keri and Kelly, and three grandchildren.
Keri Goff
Sargent At Arms
Originally from New England, Keri re-located to Florida to attend the University of Central Florida to study costume & fashion design. Now with over 15 years of video production and marketing experience, Keri is the Community Relations Manager for Brevard Achievement Center, helping to provide persons with disabilities innovative services and opportunities to achieve personal success.
Every brand has a story to tell—stories that will not only engage, inform, surprise, delight, and impact their audience, but that will also deliver on measurable business goals. I am the conduit between brand and consumer.
I help clients describe their unique message that best fits their identity, and then I produce high-quality content that meets their objectives.
When I’m not on the job, I love camping and kayaking with my husband and our two children and indulging my love for seeing and photographing new places. In the past two years I have also developed a new passion for the sport of Olympic Weight Lifting and CrossFit.
Committee Chairs
Denise Daniel
Membership and Foundation
Denise moved to Florida from St. Thomas, USVI over twenty years ago. Denise studied Business Administration at The University of The Virgin Islands. Denise is extremely passionate about helping others.
Through encouragement from friends and family, Denise is now employed in the medical field.
Russ McCarthy
Service Projects
Russ is a Semi-Retired Aviation Professional who has served in several areas including Aviation Maintenance, Aviation Management, Aircraft Fire and Rescue, Airfield Operations and Fuel Service Supervisor. Russ also holds a Commercial Rotary Wing and Private Fixed Wing Pilots license with instrument ratings. Russ also has Hazmat Certification and has studied at the Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.
While living in Massachusetts and working on Nantucket, Russ made multiple Guest Appearances on the broadcast television show “Wings” as a Mechanic. The character “Lowell” was loosely based on Russ’s real-life events and his comedic outlook on life in general.
After joining the Merritt Island Rotary club in 2014, Russ took an active role and became a board member as Sargent At Arms for the 2016-17 fiscal year and President Elect for the 2017-18 fiscal year.
Russ has been married to his wife Trudy for 23 years. They have 3 daughters, Shannon, Keri and Kelly, and three grandchildren.
Peggy Russell
Youth Services
Born and raised in Parkersburg, W.V. Graduate of West Virginia University with a BS in nursing and a MS degree in nursing from Duquesne University Pittsburgh, PA. Married for 40 years to Stephen Russell and have three children. Moved to Merritt Island Fl in 2014 and joined the Merritt Island Rotary club in 2015. I enjoy working with the youth and hope to help expand the Interact clubs in the local high schools, as well as working with the district international exchange program. I also enjoy doing volunteer work at the local free health clinic. Interests include reading, the beach, kayaking, travel, and spending time with family and friends.
Gene Burkett
Administration
Gene is a graduate of the University of Texas at El Paso where he received his Bachelor's Degree in Accounting and Masters of Business Administrations. He is a Certifed Public Accountant licensed by the states of Florida and Texas. Additionally, he is a licensed securities representative.
Gene is a partner in the CAP firm of FPT Services, a local CPA firm with locations in Rockledge and Palm Bay, Florida.
Gene has been a member of Rotary since 2006, when he joined the Merritt Island Rotary Club. He is the past District Governor Rotary District 6930, 2015-16. He is past president of the club and the club Treasurer. Additionally, Gene has served as District 6930's treasurer for both the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 Rotary Years. Gene is a multiple Paul Harriss Fellow.
Gene has been married to his high school sweetheart, Linda, for 45 years. They have a daughter who is an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner, and a son, who has a degree in finance. Gene and Linda have three grandchildren. Gene enjoys golf, cooking and scuba diving.
Pat Tash
Club Programs
Pat is a design consultant for Flooring America. She joined Rotary on a request from her boss in October of 2011.
"This has been great to serve my hometown since I was born and raised on Merritt Island. I have served as Secretary for two years and as President for three years.
I attended the International convention in Atlanta and what a great experience!"
Keri Goff
Communications and Public Relations
Originally from New England, Keri re-located to Florida to attend the University of Central Florida to study costume & fashion design. Now with over 15 years of video production and marketing experience, Keri is the Community Relations Manager for Brevard Achievement Center, helping to provide persons with disabilities innovative services and opportunities to achieve personal success.
Every brand has a story to tell—stories that will not only engage, inform, surprise, delight, and impact their audience, but that will also deliver on measurable business goals. I am the conduit between brand and consumer.
I help clients describe their unique message that best fits their identity, and then I produce high-quality content that meets their objectives.
When I’m not on the job, I love camping and kayaking with my husband and our two children and indulging my love for seeing and photographing new places. In the past two years I have also developed a new passion for the sport of Olympic Weight Lifting and CrossFit.