Staff
Roy Miller
President and Founder
He is a political strategist, lobbyist, media spokesman and commentator, and, more important, an unapologetic watchdog for children. His innovations have resulted in new non-partisan approaches to public policy, new service structures for at-risk children, and powerful new advocacy voices. His advocacy models and strategic communications ideas have been replicated in other states. Miller got his start in direct services to children then was engaged in a political consulting firm where he managed both candidate and issue campaigns. The Children’s Campaign was built on the knowledge and information acquired from both of those experiences. In 2005, Miller received the statewide Champions for Children award from the Early Childhood Association of Florida and his work was featured for the launch of the national website for PreK Now, a project of Pew Charitable Trusts. In 2006, Miller received the statewide Presidents Award from the Florida Network of Youth & Family Services, an award that has been bestowed only four times in the previous 30 years. In 2008, the statewide Youth Advocacy Award was presented to Miller by the Florida Juvenile Justice Association. Miller serves on the Membership Leadership Committee of Voices for America’s Children and is a member of the Partnership for America’s Economic Success advisory board. Roy and his wife Jan met in service to a community crisis center for youth and families. They love dogs of all breeds and care for golden retrievers.
Linda Alexionok
Executive Director
As a recognized business and community leader in North Florida, Linda has long supported social justice and human service organizations. She was a gubernatorial appointee and chaired the Florida School Readiness and Early Learning Coalition of the Big Bend. Linda has served as chair of the local and state boards governing the American Heart Association and the Girl Scouts. She has been a member of several community boards including Consumer Credit Counseling Service, United Way of the Big Bend, FSU College of Education and Capital Network for Women. She currently serves on the board of directors of Tallahassee Memorial Hospital Foundation; and FSU College of Communication and Information. Linda also serves on the Family Economic Success and Health Policy Advisory councils for Voices for America’s Children. Linda began her leadership and community service as a Leon County public school teacher before transferring to the field of banking. She was recognized by the American Institute of Banking as “Banker of the Year”; was a nominee for the Tallahassee Chamber’s “Small Business Advocate” and “Leadership Pacesetter Awards”; and received the Tallahassee Community College’s “Women Putting Their Stamp on History” award. Linda served as a Community Bank CEO from 1996-2000. Linda has often been asked why she left the classroom. She is always quick to respond that she never left the classroom, she just made the world her classroom. Linda’s business, community service and educational knowledge and skills bring to The Children’s Campaign a wealth of experience and leadership to guide the advocacy efforts and work of the Campaign.
Pattie Crenshaw
Office Manager and Personal Assistant to the President
Pattie works directly with the President and assists him in all daily affairs of his work. She is also responsible for office administration and management, human resources, payroll, accounting, banking, grant and donation management and reporting, and employee supervision. Pattie earned her high school general education diploma from Rosemead High School in 1971. She attended 2 years at Rio Hondo College where she majored in English with a concentration in art and ceramics. She supplemented her education with classes at Chaffey College. Pattie’s previous employment began in 1971. Her many years in the work force have given her experience in a multitude of department knowledge: office management, human resources, payroll, employee supervision: both inter-office and warehouse staff, and all fiscal duties. She is also an accomplished “realist” artist, and animal trainer.
Amanda Ostrander
Website and Communications Coordinator
Amanda has served in many different capacities for The Children’s Campaign, including Coordinator of Policy & Administration and Deputy Director of Communications. Her current position allows her to focus on The Children’s Campaign web presence and use her background in policy and history with the Campaign to incorporate today’s technology with the grassroots advocacy work of the Campaign. Prior to joining the Campaign Amanda worked for other child advocacy organizations, including Voices for Florida’s Children, and a fellowship with the Child Welfare League of America. Amanda received her Master’s in Social Work Policy and Administration from Florida State University. Amanda and her husband currently reside in Tallahassee, FL and are the proud parents of an energetic two year old.
Interns
Nick Matteo
Senior Webmaster
Nick currently works on keeping the Children’s Campaigns website current and up to date, as well as maintaining its upkeep. He is currently a senior at Florida State University studying in the field of information technology. His interests in web design and development do not end with the Campaign as Nick is currently working on a few web projects of his own and trying to launch some new online ideas.
He is currently seeking IT certifications as well as learning development languages such as PHP and Java.
Justin Lee
Junior Webmaster
Justin assists Nick with webmaster duties and other tasks appointed to him by the Campaign. Currently a senior at Florida State University, he is studying Information Technology with philosophy and psychology as additional interests.
Justin enjoys creative works such as visual art, movies, and music. At his leisure he works on his own creative endeavors such as story writing and design.
Nick Williams
Senior Network & Systems Administrator
Nick runs and maintains the Children’s Campaign’s computers and network. He ensures all communications such as e-mail, telephones, internet access, and data are accessible for everyone in the office. He is also tasked with the ongoing responsibility of finding new technologies to implement into the campaign to make the organization more effective. Nick has a B.S. in Information Technology from Florida State University. He hopes to gain technical certifications and improve his knowledge in network administration.
In his spare time, Nick likes to build computers, explore the outdoors, and is a champion fencer.
Antonio Arango
Senior Messaging Administrator
Antonio works with Amanda to coordinate the many e-mails sent out by The Children’s Campaign. As an off-shoot of his duties, he also provides content to the website with smaller articles and other pieces of writing. His focus in Creative Writing and past experience with computers allows him to understand the needs of the communications staff, and providing them with the technical services that they need.
When not in the office he writes fiction, practicing in standard prose as well applying it to comic form.
Melissa West
Public Policy
Melissa West is currently a graduate student at The Florida State University, working on her Master’s in Education Policy, Planning and Evaluation with a focus in early learning policy. She also received her Bachelors of Science from FSU in Economics and Political Science with a minor in communications.
In her spare time, Melissa enjoys baking, playing with her puppy and spending time with her husband.
Consultants
Cindy Lerner
Cindy Lerner is a former State Representative and lifelong child advocate and community activist. She was the senior staff attorney for the Eleventh Judicial circuit Guardian ad Litem program in Miami-Dade County for 16 years. She is currently the Mayor of Pinecrest and President of Grassroots Connections, LLC, providing Consulting and government relations services to non profit organizations. She has led non profit and civic organizations, and organized community initiatives to improve access to healthcare, education and social services. She is involved in numerous community organizations, currently serving on the Board of National Council of Jewish Women, Miami Dade Community Based Care Alliance, Friends of the Everglades, and Temple Beth Am Sisterhood. She is the recipient of numerous awards from local and state wide organizations, including Woman of Valor, In the Company of Women Pioneer Award, Hannah G Solomon Award, Hannah G Solomon Award and One Voice for Children award. During her tenure as a Legislator she received the Florida Chapter of Sierra Club Legislator of the Year Award, and Outstanding New Legislator award from Human Services Coalition. She has 3 adult children and is married to Dr Irving Lerner, Veterinarian.
Janice Wade-Miller
Janice serves as a nutrition educator for the Children’s Campaign. She holds bachelor’s and master’s of science degrees in food and nutrition from Florida State University and a minor in psychology. Janice held the position of educational instructor for the Family and Consumer Sciences Department of the Pinellas County Extension for eight years. While there, she developed and presented educational programs on food, nutrition, health and food safety to diverse groups, inclusive of children in the child welfare and juvenile justice system. She was a team member of a federally funded health education grant and participated in two “Take Charge of Your Diabetes” research studies through the University of Florida. Formerly, she was a registered dental hygienist and successful owner of a beach related gift shop.
