Suzanne Gellens, Executive Director
I am in my 13th year as Executive Director of FLAEYC. I became active in 1975 in my local affiliate, Hillsborough Association on Children Under Six and later in the Sarasota Association on Children Under Six. I was a director of an NAEYC accredited center, where I remained for 17 years. I became president of the Sarasota affiliate in 1983, went on to become President of the Florida Association on Children Under Six in 1988 and in 1997 had the honor of serving as President of SECA. I first began working on the FLAEYC annual conference in the early 80's and have never stopped. Volunteering for this fantastic organization changed who I am, increased my desire for professional knowledge, and gave me a statewide circle of friends.

During my time in the FLAEYC office, my duties have changed a great deal. I began mostly doing membership processing. The evolution in the 13 years has been phenomenal. Now, with NAEYC doing the actual data input for membership, I am able to devote time to membership and affiliate services as well as running the day to day aspects of the organization. I spend about 1/3 of my time on the Conference, working on conferences 2 and 3 years in the future at the same time as planning for the upcoming event. I travel around the state in a variety of capacities, sometimes visiting affiliates or putting on workshops; sometimes working on statewide educational or advocacy committees. I guess the best thing about the job is the diversity of tasks. No two days are ever the same.

In my personal life, I have a dog named Babette, who is a very spoiled poodle. After living in Sarasota for 28 years, I moved to Tampa 5 years ago. I spend a lot of time with my two daughters, Stephanie and Lisa Beth and my three grandchildren, Solon, 15, Addison 13, and Tanner 11. I am active in the nearby Temple and am a substitute Sunday School teacher. I volunteer at Metropolitan Ministries and the Freedom Playground and participate in other community service projects. I love to read and cook, and have taken up knitting, sewing, and playing computer word games as hobbies. 

 
Susan Verzone, Administrative Assistant
I have just completed my second year in the FLAEYC office. After working 21 years as assistant director and then director in a morning preschool/kindergarten program, I have moved to Administrative Assistant in the FLAEYC office. I am working with a wonderful organization of people are working to inform, improve, empower, and involve childcare professionals. If you need help with CEUs, membership, online courses, or conference registration, just call and ask for me.

As a mother of three married children and four "outstanding" grandchildren (Just ask me!) my life is still very busy with a wonderful husband, church activities, sewing, gardening, and reading. I hope to meet many of you very soon.