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
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 Chief Operating Officer of AmCOMP Incorporated since 1997.
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 United Staes 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, and a Board member of Marine 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 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, the St. Johns River Water Management Board, as well as the Indian River National Bank Board. John, an original founder and former Chairman of this Board, has served on the FCBI Fund Board of Trustees since 1984. He is the current Chairman of the Board for Diamond R Fertilizer, and a member and past President of the Kiwanis of Vero Beach.
Gasper Kovach, Jr.
TRUSTEE
Mr. Kovach retired in 2016 from his position as CEO of HESCO, an agricultural supply cooperative based in Waverly, FL. He served in that position for 40 years. Mr. Kovach helped grow the company from a small, local citrus cooperative to a recognized regional operating supplies distributor. “Gap” is an honors graduate of Lake 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 in 2003, having helped organize the Fund’s predecessor, CSIF, in 1978. Gap was a founding Director of Community Southern Bank in Lakeland, Florida. He is the Chairman of the Board of the Boca Grande Club. He is also a long-time Director of the Boys and Girls Club of Polk County.
Jim Emerson
TRUSTEE
Jim Emerson earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Florida in 1970 with a major in Agricultural Business Management. His early career involved work with the Florida Farm Bureau Federation, the Florida House of Representatives, and as Executive Vice President of the Florida Citrus Packers Association. He assumed the role of Administrator of the Citrus Self-Insurers Fund (n/k/a Florida Citrus, Business & Industries Fund) in 1988 and became the organization’s President in 2002. Jim was elected to the Board of Florida Citrus, Business & Industries Fund (FCBI) in 2015 and served in a dual capacity as President and Trustee until his formal retirement as President of FCBI in 2016. Jim continues to serve as a Director of the Alachua County Farm Bureau.He is also a member of the Alachua Lions Club and currently serves on the organization’s Board. Jim served as President of the Alachua Lions Club for two consecutive terms from 2018-2020. Jim and his wife, Gail, were married in 1969 and they continue to enjoy life together on Blue Bird Hill Farm near Alachua where they raise a few cattle, laying chickens, and a beautiful Australian Shepherd named ‘Susie’.
Jeffrey K. Jennings
TRUSTEE
As President of Jack Jennings & Sons, Inc., Jeff contributes his 44 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. The company celebrated its 75th year in business and the 3rd generation of Jack, Michael and Colin Jennings are an integral part of the family tradition and legacy.
His current service to community includes Advent Health’s Heart Lung Vascular Institute Board, and the Junior Achievement Foundation Board. Jeff is now the Chairman of the Board for the Central Florida Council Boy Scouts of America. Jeff has served on the FCBI Fund Board of Trustees since 2012.
FCBI Fund Board of Trustees and Executive Team
Seated L to R
Debra Ruedisili – Chief Executive Officer
Dan Richey – Chairman
Dan Richey – Chairman
Standing L to R
Jim Emerson – Trustee
Jeff Jennings – Trustee
Sam Oswald – Chief Financial Officer
John Minton – Vice Chairman
Gap Kovach – Immediate Chairman
Jeff Jennings – Trustee
Sam Oswald – Chief Financial Officer
John Minton – Vice Chairman
Gap Kovach – Immediate Chairman