FIRM advocates for Monroe County residents, businesses and homeowners. We have fought successfully since 2006 against excessive, discriminatory and unaffordable property insurance rates.
FIRM advocates for Monroe County residents, businesses and homeowners. We have fought successfully since 2006 against excessive, discriminatory and unaffordable property insurance rates.
FIRM began in 2006 as a neighborhood, grassroots project to understand and lobby against excessive rates.
We run a dynamic board with active legislative, fundraising, and media/communications committees.
FIRM’s full-time manager ensures smooth organizational operations and coordinates board and committee projects.
FIRM is a grassroots organization formed in 2006 by concerned homeowners and residents in Monroe County. FIRM‘s fight for fair, equitable and affordable property insurance rates for homeowners, residents and business owners protects property values and contributes to...
We run a dynamic board with active legislative, fundraising, and media/communications committees. Responsibilities include monthly board meetings and energetic participation in committee work. Relevant areas to the board makeup include engineering, lodging, grant-writing, fundraising and homeowner/condo associations.
President | Key Largo
Mel is Vice President of Sales for Insurance Office of America. Prior to his current position, he implemented and led the retail insurance strategy for Union Planters Bank. Mel has been on the board of FIRM since 2008 and has served as President since 2013.
Vice President | Key West
Joe has served on the FIRM Board of Directors since 2014. He first served as Treasurer and was elected as Vice-President in 2020.
Treasurer | Little Torch Key
Michele is a Senior Vice President and Commercial Lending Team Leader for First Horizon Bank in Key West.
Secretary | Big Pine Key
Erica is the owner and architect of Sandbar Design Studio. She earned her Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Miami, Coral Gables, in 2012, and is LEED GA certified and a member of NCARB.
Director | Key West
Bobby is the Broker/Owner of Salt Water Real Estate in Key West. He started his real estate career in 1999 in San Diego as a commercial real estate broker specializing on office transactions. Bobby has lived in Key West since 2006 and quickly became involved in the community. Bobby joined the FIRM board in 2023.
Director | Key West
Linda is owner and editor of Key West Island News and KeyWestWatch Media. She builds websites for nonprofits and small businesses and writes columns for her website and The Keys Citizen.
Director | Key West
Bryan is a partner with Smith Hawks PL in Key West, with more than 18 years’ experience handling development and commercial real estate matters. He earned his BS from Virginia Commonwealth University and his JD from the University of Miami School of Law.
Director | Tavernier
President of Houston Insurance Agency. Mary holds a 2-20 license (Property & Casualty) and a 2-15 license (Life, Health, and Variable Annuities) with the State of Florida. She holds a Certified Professional Insurance Agency designation and has a Business Administration degree.
Director | Key West
Chris is founder and owner of Duval Street Media, which has developed and implemented successful websites and social media campaigns for candidates and nonprofits.
Director| Cudjoe Key
Nicole is an Associate Professor at the College of the Florida Keys where she teaches business, economics and financial analytics. She has a strong interest in cost-benefit analysis and risk modeling. Nicole holds an MBA and a PhD in resource economics.
Director| Key West
Thomas Pakenas practiced law in Chicago, Illinois for almost 30 years. He is Executive Director of the Key West Citizen Review Board. He has a 50 ton Master Mariner’s License and is a member of the Key West Sunrise Rotary.
Director | Tavernier
Anna is the owner of Massey-Richards Surveying, a certified floodplain manager and a Florida licensed Realtor. She works in the land surveying field dealing with elevations, construction, and FEMA flood elevation certificates every day. Anna currently serves as a councilmember for Islamorada Village of Islands.
Director| Key West
Chris joined First State Bank of the Florida Keys’ Residential Lending Team in 2014 and currently serves as Vice President, Residential Lending. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Finance from Central Michigan University.
Advisory Director| Key West
Sue Turner works for Oropeza and Parks CPAs in Key West and has served as an Advisory Director since 2025. Sue also serves as Treasurer for the Florida Keys SPCA.
Caroline Horn | Manager
Caroline came to FIRM with a background in advocacy and fundraising for such organizations as The State YMCA of Kentucky, Kentucky Highway Industries, and Downtown Frankfort, Inc., a National Main Street program where she served as Events Manager and subsequently on the Board of Directors.
In addition to her employment background, Caroline has volunteered on the Legislative Committee of the Lexington Regional Office of the Alzheimer’s Association. Prior to joining FIRM, she was a licensed real estate assistant at BHHS Knight & Gardner Realty. Caroline earned her B.A. from the University of Kentucky and has lived in Key West since 2008.
Manager | Key West