Meet the RHS team

Ms. Brower is in her 10th year in the role of Chair and Executive Director of RHS, a 501c3 non-profit. RHS is recognized for its commitment in honoring the 9/11 tragedy throughout the Greater Tampa Bay area. RHS serves our post 9/11 First Responders, Veteran and Families of the Fallen.

In recognition of extraordinary advocacy in recognizing our military and first responders Jo Anne Brower has received the Distinguished Public Service Award given by General Joseph Dunford, Jr. USMC, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Ms. Brower serves on the St. Petersburg College Student Veterans Advisory Board. Ms. Brower prides herself in being a patriot and is dedicated in giving back to those that have served, continues to serve our country in keeping from harms way. Ms. Brower resides in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Jim Rudolph grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida. In 1976, he graduated from Dixie Hollins High School in St. Petersburg. In 1980 he graduated from Gupton Jones College in Atlanta.

After graduation from the Gupton Jones College, Jim worked with several prominent local funeral homes for many years.

In 2001 Jim founded Veterans Funeral Care, the nation’s first funeral home designed & built to serve veterans, retired military and their families exclusively. When not working, Jim is an avid backcountry hiker. Favorite hikes are the Bright Angel Trail at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, Longs Peak, Estes Park, Colorado and the Lost Dutchman trail in Apache Junction, Arizona. He also is a huge fan of the HBO miniseries, “Band of Brothers.” He built and maintains the web site for one of the stars of that series www.JoeToye.com Jim is the founder of www.OperationToySoldier.com which provides toys for the children of Tampa Bay area military families. He is a board member of Clearwater First Assembly of God, and the Tampa Bay Veterans Alliance. He is a member of the Marine Corps League, Detachment 54, Largo and the American Legion, Post 7, Clearwater.

Jim has been married to the former Kim Nelson of Clearwater, Florid for forty-one years. Jim & Kim have two grown children, Jimmy and Joel and their daughtersin-law, Jordan & Abigail.

“My life has been all about honoring veterans and retired military. So many first responders are also veterans. But civilian first responders also put our safety above their own. 911 was proof of that. So, remembering, honoring and supporting police, firefighters, EMT’s is something we all should do every day."

After practicing for 7 years in the areas of family law and personal injury litigation, Kathryn joined Englander Fischer’s litigation team and practices primarily in commercial litigation, real estate litigation, and creditor’s debt collection.

Kathryn graduated from Stetson University College of Law in 2012. Prior to attending Stetson, Kathryn worked as a legal assistant for several years in the Tampa Bay area.

Kathryn is a native Floridian who lives in St. Petersburg with her husband, Derek, and their rescue dog, Max.

I am interested in the secretary position in Remember Honor Support as a way to support our local community while utilizing some of my personal strengths. As a St. Petersburg resident, I desire to be more active in my local community. RHS specifically is a great way for me to become more involved because of its mission in supporting first responders and veterans, as I have firemen, former law enforcement, and military veterans in my family. As an attorney, I have excellent organization skills and extensive experience in taking notes and maintaining documents/files, all of which would be valuable as RHS secretary. My career and prior volunteer activities have also afforded me substantial involvement with all types of persons from our community, which I believe would also be beneficial to RHS.

Medical Service Corps, U.S. Navy (retired)

Commander Miller, a native of Stony Brook New York, graduated from Ward Melville High School in June 1973. After completing 1 year of general studies at Suffolk Community College, he enlisted in the Navy as a Hospital Corpsman, and completed Field Medical Service School at Camp Pendleton California. Completing his first active duty assignment with the USMC 1st Force Services Support Group, he finished his first active tour in Okinawa, Japan with BAS 3/4 USMC.

After graduating from The State University of New York at Stony Brook in August 1985 with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Physician Assistant Studies, he was Board Certified as a Physician Assistant. CDR Miller attended The Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center Post Graduate Surgical Internship for Physician Assistants in General and Special Surgery. Completing this program in October 1986, he continued for an additional year in Vascular Surgery under Frank Vieth MD, Chief of Vascular Surgery.

His first commissioned assignment as a USCG Reserve CWO1/2 in 1986 was at Air Station Clearwater Florida as the Medical Department Head, and later OIC of the Medical Unit. He was promoted to LTJG in place of CWO4. After his inter-service transfer back to the U.S. Navy in 1995, he was assigned to U.S. Navy Hospital Jacksonville, Florida, serving as Training Officer, and Administrative Officer. September 01, 2001 he was transferred to NRCOMUSNAVCENT (Navy Central Command) in Tampa, Florida as the Medical Department Head. He completed his Master’s Degree in Emergency Medicine in 2003 from the University of Nebraska, and practiced Emergency Medicine in Tampa Florida. Since September 11th, 2001 he has deployed to the CENTCOM AOR multiple times in support of OIF/OEF and participated in many multi nation exercises in the Middle East, and battle field planning in Iraq and Afghanistan.

CDR Miller completed 8 years, 6 months on Presidential Recall to Active Duty orders ending June 4th, 2014. He was first recalled for 3 ½ years as the Officer in Charge, Senior Medical Officer, Wounded Warrior Regiment, USMCR Medical Review Team Manager, at the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Washington, DC. He then completed a 5-year tour as Deputy Force Surgeon, Marine Corps Forces, Central Command starting June of 2009 and completed numerous Middle East Deployments. He was promoted to rank of Commander 01 August 2007 and retired July 1st, 2014. He currently is employed at the Tampa VA Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation working with mTBI SOCOM patients (PREP Program).

CDR Miller’s awards include: The Legion of Merit, Two Meritorious Service Medals, Joint Services Achievement Medal, Three Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medals, and The Global War on Terrorism and Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medals. SUNY Stony Brook 2009 Distinguished Alumni Award.

I support and desire to help RHS accomplish it's mission to promote our men and women in uniform, and the memory of the horrific events on 911. I also strongly support RHS initiatives for our first responders.

Craig Chown has over 30 years of accomplished experience in the government and private sectors. Craig served as a policy and budget advisor for Florida Governor's Lawton Chiles and Jeb Bush, and served as a policy analyst in the Florida Legislature, Office of the Auditor General. Additionally, he served as a Statewide Chief in Administration for the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) and was responsible for management and oversight of statewide agency motor vehicle fleet, purchasing, inventory, insurance, records management, telecommunications, mailroom, headquarters security, and DJJ facility new construction and maintenance.

Craig currently works with the Florida Sheriffs Association (FSA) in partnership with the Florida Association of Counties and Florida Fire Chiefs Association to manage their statewide bid process and contracts. This streamlines the administrative process and maximizes purchasing value for sheriffs, police, counites, local municipalities, school districts, special districts, and other entities. Items in the contracts include but are not limited to a wide range of police rated vehicles, other cars and trucks, fire trucks, ambulances and other emergency response vehicles, public works vehicles and equipment, and tires.

Since 1996, Craig Chown also successfully performed consulting work activities in areas including business development; contracts and procurement, public relations and communications; marketing; media and social networking and promotion; strategic planning and performance reviews; community development; environmental planning, permitting, mitigation, and construction project management.

Tony Salvarezza is the General Manager of Duke Energy’s Regional Services Florida. He received his BSM from University of Phoenix in 2001. AA in Electronic Engineering, Pasco Hernando in 1998. Blackbelt in Lean Six Sigma Processes.

He joined Florida Power (Duke Energy) in 1978, over the past 43+ years his jobs have evolved from 17 years in various craft operations and maintenance roles, and DCS engineering to Superintendent of Operations, Maintenance and Shift Operations Manager, General Manager at multiple large generating sites involving various combustion technologies (Oil, coal, gas & steam,) and now Regional General Manager are some of the positions he has held all with continuously highlighted accomplishments in plant performance, capital management, budget reduction and overall site management. Each position with increasing leadership responsibilities for Duke Energy. Experienced leader with a demonstrated history of working in the utility industry. Skilled in Leadership, Team Building, Safety Improvement, Power Plants, Continuous Improvement, and Operational Excellence. Successful track record of running projects, service organizations, plant maintenance and operations. Key skills include commercial negotiations, strategic thinking, labor relations, change management, continuous improvement/LEAN/Six Sigma, and relationship building.

Tony and his wife Mariela reside in St. Petersburg Florida. They enjoy boating, traveling the world and spending time with family.

I am proud to be a member of the RHS board (formerly VP) and afforded the opportunity to give back. Supporting our first responders in all areas of our community, not only for the honoring of those who lost their lives in the tragic 9/11 events but also supporting those who have fought for this great country. I can live this life because of the sacrifice others have made. I am fortunate to be able to remember, honor and support others. I thank you for the opportunity to serve.

Born in Munich, Germany, and raised mostly in Fayetteville, NC, USCG AETC (Ret.) David Caras entered the U.S. Coast Guard in 1984 at Training Center Cape May, NJ. He was a rescue surf boat crew member until he graduated from Aviation Electronics School. He is qualified as Avionicsman Radio Navigator Instructor on HH-3F helicopters, Flight Mechanic Crew Chief Instructor on HH-60J helicopters, HU-25A/B Falcon jets, and Radio Operator on HC-130 Hercules aircraft. He deployed to the Caribbean with USCG and DEA antinarcotics operations and is a member of a USCG pistol and high-power rifle team. He retired in 2004 with twenty years of service as an Aviation Electronics Chief.

He attended North Carolina State University, Polymer Chemistry and is a graduate of the University of Phoenix, earning a Bachelor of Science of Business Management. He holds a Master of Business Administration degree and is a member of the Delta Mu Delta Honor Society.

In David Caras’ spare time he competes in triathlons, Nordic Biathlons, is an Area Coordinator raising guide dog puppies, a Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentor, camp counselor for Faces of Courage Kids Cancer and Blood Disorders camp, a Peer Mentor for Amputee Coalition, and camp counselor for Camp No Limits for young people with limb loss and families, a member of Stetson University Disruptive Leadership Advisory Board, and National Society of Leadership and Success member.

Dr. Robinson was born and raised in Red Bluff, a rural town in northern California. When she entered undergrad at California State University at Long Beach, she only knew that she had a deeply ingrained need to care for people. After she realized that medicine was her calling, she attended Tulane University School of Medicine on an Air Force scholarship, graduating at the top of her class in 1996.

She completed her residency at Travis Air Force Base. Being a part of the Air Force was one of the best experiences of her life. She proudly served in the Air Force from 1996-2003, serving as medical director of the MacDill Primary Care Clinic, caring for our troops, their families, and retired service members.

After her service, she worked in various practice types, all pressuring doctors to attain quantity over quality. Over those years, she came to the sad realization of the futile way in which she was practicing medicine – not enough time with patients leading to more medications and less true healing.

In 2008, she opened Robinson MD so she could care for patients in a more thorough, individualized way with the goal of empowering and inspiring people to achieve their best health possible. She is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM), International Society of Environmentally Acquired Illness (ISEAI), and International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS).

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, riding her Harley, playing softball and basketball, and cooking delicious and nutritious food.

Active duty service members, veterans, and first responders hold a very special place my heart. I stand with and support RHS to honor and remember these courageous, strong, patriotic individuals who have dedicated their lives and put their own lives on the line in order to protect our fellow Americans and the United States flag. Never forget!

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and raised in Fayetteville, Arkansas, Lieutenant General Martin R. Steele enlisted in the Marine Corps in January 1965. He rose from private to three-star general, culminating his military career as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans, Policies, and Operations at Headquarters, US Marine Corps, in Washington, DC in August of 1999. A decorated combat veteran with 34-1/2 years of service, he is a recognized expert in the integration of all elements of national power (diplomatic, economic, informational, and military) with strategic military war plans and has served as an executive strategic planner/policy director in multiple theaters across Asia. His extraordinary career was chronicled as one of three principles in the award winning military biography Boys of ’67 by Charles Jones.

Upon his retirement from active duty in 1999, he served as President & CEO of the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum in New York City. Under his leadership, they adopted the mission statement of “Honor our heroes, educate the public, and inspire our youth about the price of freedom”. This creative branding strategy resonated with all audiences and was the early catalyst for the transformation of the Intrepid from just another New York City destination location to the near icon status it enjoys today among educators, historians, international visitors, and military veterans. Shortly after the attacks on September 11, 2001, General Steele invited the FBI to use the Intrepid to conduct their investigations. Within 48 hours, Intrepid was once again in service as the temporary headquarters for over 750 FBI agents.

General Steele also served as the Associate Vice President for Veterans Partnerships, the Executive Director of Military Partnerships, and Co-Chair of the Veterans Reintegration Steering Committee at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida. Additionally, General Steele was the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Steele Partners, Inc., a strategic advisory and leadership consulting company. He has led a philanthropic transition program assisting exiting Marines into private sector jobs throughout the country, at no cost to the Marine participants, the Marine Corps or to the companies that provide employment opportunities. In 2014, he was appointed to the Board of Directors of Florida is for Veterans, Inc., a not for profit, state legislated organization designed to assist both Veterans and businesses throughout Florida in not only hiring Veterans but also developing entrepreneurship programs designed for veterans.

In 2015, he was appointed to the Congressionally mandated Commission on Care to undertake a comprehensive evaluation and assessment of access of veterans to health care from the Department of Veteran Affairs and strategically examine how best to organize the Veterans Health Administration, locate health care resources, and deliver healthcare to veterans during the next 20 years. The Commission was made up of 15 voting members selected by Congress and the President.

General Steele is a graduate of the University of Arkansas where he obtained a BA degree in History (’74) and was recognized as a Distinguished Graduate of the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. He is a recipient of the 2013 Arkansas Alumni Award Citation of Distinguished Alumni which recognizes exceptional professional and personal achievement and extraordinary distinction in a chosen field. He also holds three Masters Degrees from Central Michigan University, Salve Regina College, and the Naval War College.

Married to the former Cynthia Bayliss of Little Rock, Arkansas, they are the parents of three adult children, and have three grandchildren. Their son, David, is a Colonel in the US Marine Corps and currently serves as the Chief of Staff 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Miramar, CA after three tours of combat in Afghanistan. General Steele serves proudly on several boards across the country to include: Fisher House Foundation, the Advisory Committee for the Call of Duty Endowment, Advisory Board for Veterans Advantage, and the University of Arkansas Veterans Resource and Information Center Board. He is also a Chairman Emeritus of the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation and a member of the Board of Advisors. He and Cindy reside in Tampa, Florida.