Oversight, guidance, and overall policy-setting responsibilities for the Fund reside with the FCBI Board of Trustees, an elected body presently consisting of six members.
Debra Cerre-Ruedisili, JD
Chief Executive Officer
Debra Cerre- Ruedisili serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Fund. Together with the Board of Directors, Ms. Ruedisili is responsible for overall management and administrative oversight of the Fund and its operations.
She came to FCBI Fund in January, 2016, as a multi-faceted leader with a diverse array of accomplishments demonstrating strong business acumen, relationship building skills, strategic decision-making and communications expertise.
Prior to taking the leadership role at FCBI Fund, Ms. Ruedisili served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of AmCOMP Incorporated, Senior Vice President of Meadowbrook Insurance Group, and Workers’ Compensation Practice Leader with GuideOne Insurance.
Ms. Ruedisili holds a Juris Doctor degree from University of Detroit Law School and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan.
Samuel D. Oswald, MBA, CPA
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Sam is a licensed Certified Public Accountant. He graduated from the University of Central Florida in 1986, with a Master’s Degree in Business Administration, as well as graduating in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting, with honors, from the University of Florida.
Formerly a principal in the firm of Shores & Company, P.A. where he worked for nine years, Sam also worked with the firm of Ernst & Young, LLP for five years. During his career with these firms, he provided an extensive amount of auditing, tax and management advisory services to a large number of clients in various industries including the commercial insurance sector.
Sam has served as the Secretary/Treasurer for the Florida Citrus, Business and Industries Fund since 2000.
Daniel R. Richey
CHAIRMAN
Dan Richey is President/CEO of Riverfront Packing Company, President of Riverfront Groves, Inc. and President of Gulfstream Harvesting Company. Dan has served as President and Chairman of the Indian River Citrus League and President of Florida Citrus Packers and currently serves on the Executive Committee of both organizations.
In 1999 Dan was appointed by Governor Jeb Bush to serve as a member of the Florida Citrus Commission from 1999 to 2004 and served as the Chairman of the Commission from 2000 to 2002.
Currently Dan serves as a member of the Agricultural Trade Advisory Committee appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and the U.S. Trade Ambassador to advise them on trade issues. He is a member of the Board of Directors for Florida Fruit & Vegetable, member of the Board of Directors for Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies and a Board member of Center State Bank. Dan has served on the FCBI Fund Board of Trustees since 1994 and currently serves as the Chairman of the Board. A graduate of Florida Southern College, Dan resides in Vero Beach, Florida.
John L. Minton, Sr.
VICE CHAIRMAN
John, a CPA, is principal of John L. Minton CPA. Since 1979 John has also been employed by Minton Sun, Inc., a family-owned operation, as head of accounting, financing and tax planning for all operations of multiple entities including packinghouses, citrus acreage, real estate, insurance and a 8400 acre ranch in Sarasota, Florida. John is a graduate of the University of Florida where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture, as well as his MBA. He has served on the Florida Citrus Commission and the St. Johns River Water Management Board. John has served on the FCBI Fund Board of Trustees since 1984. He is a Board Member and current Chairman of Diamond R Fertilizer, and a member and past President of the Kiwanis of Vero Beach.
Gasper Kovach, Jr.
TRUSTEE
Mr. Kovach recently retired from his position as CEO of HESCO, an agricultural supply cooperative based in Waverly, Florida. He served in that position for nearly 40 years and grew the company from a small, local citrus cooperative to a recognized regional operating supplies distributor. “Gap” is an honors graduate of Lakeland Forest College in Lake Forest, Illinois , going on to earn his MBA at the Amos Tuck School at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire.
He joined the FCBI Board of Trustees in 2003 and currently serves as the Immediate Past Chairman of the Board. Gap was a founding director of Community Southern Bank in Lakeland, Florida, and in addition, he is on the board of the Gasparilla Island Water Association, serving as Treasurer. He serves on the board of the Boca Grande Club as Vice Chair and is Chairman of the Dunes Chalet Homeowners’ Association. He is also the Vice-Chair of the Boys and Girls Club of Polk County.
Jim Emerson
TRUSTEE
Jim Emerson received a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Florida in 1970 with a major in Agricultural Economic/Business Management. His early career involved work with the Florida Farm Bureau, the Florida House of Representatives and Executive Vice-President of the Florida Citrus Packers Association.
He assumed the role of Administrator of the Citrus Self-Insurers Fund (a/k/a Florida Citrus, Business & Industries Fund) in 1988 and became the organization’s President in 2002. He retired as the President of the Florida Citrus, Business & Industries Fund (FCBI) and was elected to the Board of Trustees in 2015. Jim served as a Director on the Alachua County Farm Bureau Board from 2007 to 2019. He is a member of the Alachua Lions Club and currently serves as President of the Board for the 2019/2020 operating year.
Jeffrey K. Jennings
TRUSTEE
As President of Jack Jennings & Sons, Inc., Jeff contributes his 40 plus years of construction expertise to continuing the tradition of excellence his father Jack began in 1948. While the company’s portfolio encompasses a variety of commercial projects, Jeff’s focus has been municipal, multi-family and design/build developments. Jeff works alongside his brother John to manage Jack Jennings and Sons, Inc.
His current service to community includes Florida Hospital’s Cardiovascular Institute Board, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Orlando, Junior Achievement Foundation Board and the American Diabetes Association Step Out Walk Executive Committee. Jeff has served on the FCBI Fund Board of Trustees since 2012. He served as Council President of the Central Florida Council of Boys Scouts of America from 2008 to 2011. He is past President of Florida Associated Builders and Contractors, past President of the Central Florida Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors, past President of the Central Florida Builder’s Exchange and past President of Country Club of Orlando. An Orlando native, Jeff earned a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from University of Florida.
FCBI Fund Board of Trustees and Executive Team
Front L to R
John Minton – Vice Chairman
Dan Richey – Chairman
Dan Richey – Chairman
Front L to R
Jeff Jennings – Trustee
Sam Oswald – Chief Financial Officer
Debra Ruedisili – Chief Executive Officer
Gap Kovach – Immediate Chairman
Jim Emerson – Trustee
Sam Oswald – Chief Financial Officer
Debra Ruedisili – Chief Executive Officer
Gap Kovach – Immediate Chairman
Jim Emerson – Trustee