OUR CHAMBER BOARD MEMBERS JEFF JONES Director at Large
Vice President and Chief Operating Of ficer for Jones Supply A . I. Sales & Ser vices, Inc. n n n n n
Okeechobee Cattlemen’s Association Board of Directors Okeechobee County Fair Association Board of Directors Chairman of the Agri-Civic Center Advisory Board CareerSource of Heartland Board of Directors 4-H Leader for Barn Raised 4-H Club
Jeff’s business represents three larger companies, ABS Global, Inc., the World’s Leader in Bovine Genetic; ADM Animal Nutrition, which is the largest dealer in the Southeast and ranks in the top 10 nationally in different species; and Arrowquip Livestock Equipment. Prior to moving to Okeechobee, he served in the U.S. Army for 23 years, and is a Gulf War veteran. He is a lifetime member of VFW Post 10539 Okeechobee, and PUFL Member of American Legion Post 577 St Paul. Jeff received his Business Administration and Marketing degree from Columbia Southern University. He has been married for more than 30 years and has four children and 11 grandchildren.
ILAN KAUFER Director at Large
External Af fairs Manager, Florida Power & Light n n n
Board of Directors of Chamber of Commerce of Okeechobee County Palm Beach League of Cities Board of Directors Florida League of Cities
Ilan Kaufer is an External Affairs Manager for Florida Power & Light for the area including Okeechobee County and parts of Palm Beach County. Ilan has worked for FPL since 2009, and has served the company in various roles since joining the company as an attorney. He received a Master of Forest Resources and Conservation and his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida, and his undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia. Ilan also served as an elected municipal official in the Town of Jupiter from 2013 to 2022. Ilan is grateful to have a wonderful wife, Stephanie, and they have two amazing children, Asher and Arden.
BRIAN MELEAR Director at Large
CEO of HCA Florida Raulerson Hospital n n
Economic Council of Okeechobee Lake Okeechobee Rural Health Network
Brian Melear began his career with Raulerson Hospital more than 24 years ago as a registered nurse. Astutely applying the extensive potential for growth and career support available to HCA Healthcare colleagues, Brian advanced through clinical leadership roles, including Director of Surgical Services. He excelled as Raulerson Hospital’s Chief Nursing Officer from 2005 until 2016, when he was appointed to his current role of Chief Executive Officer. Brian earned his associate degree in Nursing from Indian River State College and his Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Florida Atlantic University. Brian and his wife, Jenni, have been married for 33 years and have one son, Sam.
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Chamber of Commerce of Okeechobee County