Board of Directors

Laird Gann
2003-2013 Executive Director       

Laird has been Executive Director since March, 2004, relocating to Melbourne after being recruited from his previous position as manager of the Old Palm Harbor Main Street program on Florida’s west coast. Overall, Laird has over 12 years of experience within the Florida Main Street Program.

He has an extensive brand marketing, public relations, event marketing and business development career on the corporate, agency and consulting sides of business. He moved his consulting business to Clearwater in 1998, during which time he served as a volunteer with the Clearwater Main Street program before taking on the Palm Harbor position. “I don’t believe there is any other job which enables one to move to a new city and within six months be actively involved in virtually every aspect of the community. If you are a ‘people person’, and enjoy the challenge of organizing and managing committees that are intended to address and strengthen every aspect of a downtown community from historic preservation to restoring economic vitality, this job represents the perfect opportunity’, Laird explains. “It’s truly a labor of love, and your job is never really done. If you’re successful, the job just expands exponentially”.

Historic Downtown Melbourne is fortunate to have the full support of the City and its incredible resources, the Chamber of Commerce and its strengths within the business community, a visionary founding Board of Directors who worked diligently for a year before attaining Florida Main Street recognition in 2003, a dedicated group of business owners, property owners and ‘stakeholders’ who have patiently watched downtown Melbourne grow and mature over the years, and an endless stream of Volunteers which keep us ‘energized’. There is also an incredible value in attending quarterly and annual Florida Main Street meetings, as well as the National Main Street Annual Conference, meeting with preservation and revitalization experts from throughout the country as well as ongoing networking opportunities within the 50 Florida Main Street programs.

Every day presents new opportunities as well as  the inevitable ‘growing pains’. Never a dull moment. But that’s a lot better than the alternative, and the future for Historic Downtown Melbourne is indeed bright! “Melbourne Main Street: Together We Can Make it Happen!”                                                                                                            

Mark Lewis

President, 2012
Director, 2009-2012

Mark is a native Floridian who grew up in South Florida and in 1990 he sold a small business and moved to Melbourne Beach. Later he decided go back to school to study Film and upon graduating, Mark began working in the Cable Advertising business on the Production side writing and directing television commercials and later in the Media Planning side.

In 1995 Mark founded Tight Line Productions, inc. when producing a Fishing Adventure Show Video titled “Ticket to the Other Side.” This opened up more opportunities for Mark to travel to many exotic locations to film and produce for many different video projects and television shows. Mark also managed his fulltime job working in TV advertising sales for TCI , AT&T and later Time Warner Cable. In 2000 Mark decided to take what he had learned in the corporate Advertising world and move Tight Line into a full service Advertising and Video Production Company. Although jumping into the water to film Sailfish in Panama or traveling to Hawaii to film the Hawaiian Island Billfish Tournament for ESPN are memories that will last a lifetime, these days Mark's focus is on running his advertising Agency / Video Production Company based in downtown Melbourne. 

Tom Kasica
Treasurer

A native Floridian, Tom was born in St Petersburg, Florida, graduated from Florida State University in 1975, with a Bachelor of Science, majoring in accounting. Tom has held a designation of Certified Public Accountant since 1977. Prior work experience includes two regional accounting firms prior to opening his own practice in 1985. Past community services include Board member and officer of Circles of Care, Cocoa Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, Florida Restaurant Association, Chairman of Boy and Girls Clubs of Brevard (1996-99) and Brevard Workforce Development Board (1995-97). Currently a board member and officer with Community Services Council. Hobbies include furniture and toy making and offshore fishing. Proud grandparent to three wonderful kids.

Peter Flotz

2012-2013, Immediate Past President  

2010 & 2012 Immediate Past President

As a resident of Melbourne Beach for more than 15 years, Mr. Flotz has seen the maturation of our community. As a board member of the Melbourne Main Street organization, he seeks to expand the visibility of Historic Downtown Melbourne both locally and to a tourist market. With his experience in urban planning and engineering, he offers a unique perspective on the emergence of a new Downtown Melbourne. Currently, he leads a development team building the first multi-family residential condominium project in Downtown, known as the Lofts at Waverly. He also serves the chair of the City of Melbourne’s Historic Preservation Board.

Matt Nunges
Director, 2009-2013

Chef Matt Nunges is the creative force behind Matt's Casbah.  Drawing on his experiences of living and traveling around the world, Matt brings an eclectic, global inspiration to his cuisine.  Matt was born in Abidjan on the Ivory Coast of West Africa.  Matt’s childhood and teen years were spend traveling the globe as his father’s career in the Foreign Service took the family to live in Moscow, Taipei, Taiwan, Tanzania, East Africa, Costa Rica, Kenya, and New York City.

Matt began cooking at a young age and many of his memories center of family, friends, and food -- from helping his Italian grandparents prepare pasta and homemade sauces as a boy, to squeezing squid as a teen in Africa, to working as a young chef in Thailand, to a recent dinner with his wife Rhonda and great friends under the stars on a hilltop overlooking Napa Valley.

Before and after graduating from Johnson and Wales University in 1986 Matt cooked and traveled to broaden his culinary horizons, working in many of the fine dining restaurants in Brevard County as well as stints up north and Thailand.  In 1994, with family backing, he opened Matt's Tropical Grill in Indialantic.

Within two years he had moved to a larger space in Indian Harbor Beach, almost tripling the number of seats, while also purchasing the pub next door.  Matt is also well known for his innovative catering and distinctive presentations, earning a reputation for the best food in Brevard.  He began looking for larger space downtown in 2003 and the 2004 hurricanes forced him to close Matt's Tropical Grill and focus on his dream for the future.  Matt's Casbah is that dream brought to life.                                              

Casey Gilbert

Director, 2012-2013

Ms. Gilbert manages her family business in Melbourne Beach and co-hosts a talk radio show on WMEL AM 1300.  She holds a Master's Degree in Public Policy from Carnegie Mellon University and is a past board member of the Laconia Main Street Program in Laconia, New Hampshire.  Ms. Gilbert is proud to serve on the Melbourne Main Street Board and looks forward to being a part of Historic Downtown Melbourne's continued success.

Brian Spatola

Director, 2012-2013

Brian is an Investment Adviser with Heron FInancial Partners offering Comprehensive Wealth Management to Business and Individuals.

Moved to Brevard County in 2003 after living in New England and working for many years for AT&T and Lucent Technologies.

Married to his wife Marlene for 14 years and together have two grown children.

Janice Bowman

Director, 2011-2013

After more than 25 years in the industry, Janice "semi-retired" last year from TD Bank where she had served as Branch Manager for their Indialantic office.  During her career, Janice volunteered for many different organizations throughout South Brevard County, including Melbourne Main Street.  MMS has seen many positive changes over the years with even more exciting ones to come. Janice hopes to remain a part, however small, is those changes.

Terri Hulse

Director, 2012-2013

Beth DiGiacinto

Director, 2012-2013

Beth DiGiacinto moved to Florida in 2003 from Covington, KY. A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, she holds a BA from Xavier University and owns and operates The Mansion alongside Dean, her husband of 20 years. When not at the restaurant, Beth enjoys the outdoors and the amazing beaches and parks of Brevard County.  

Pam Godman

Director, 2011-2013

Heike Clarke

Director, 2012-2013

Publisher and editor of Brevard Live Magazine, the largest entertainment magazine in Brevard County and beyond for over 20 years.

Founder and president of the Brevard Music Aid, Inc., a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization that helps local members of the music community in times of need.

Steve Thomas

Director, 2012-2013

Mr. Thomas is a Partner and licensed patent attorney with the law firm of Hayworth, Chaney, & Thomas P.A. headquartered in Melbourne.  Mr. Thomas practices patent and trademark law, copyright law, technology law, patent infringement litigation, and business law. He is a Florida native and has lived in the Melbourne area for over 45 years.

Garat Oates

Director, 2012-2013

Garat is Broker/Owner of Reliance Trust Realty and Sound Realty and Investments conviniently located at 505 East New Haven Avenue in downtown Melbourne. He has been a Broker for 17 years and loves his work. Reliance Trust Realty is a full service Real estate office handling the Purchase, Sales and Rentals of Residential and Commercial property as well as performing property management on all levels. "We are very excited about our involvement with the Historic Downtown Melbourne Community and are striving to be Downtown's Real Estate Company".

When not working, you will find Garat who is a father of two, Surfing or Fishing. "I love the water and this area offers the best of both sports". "We are soooo Lucky to live here"

Alfie Silva

Director, 2012-2013