The Broward College Foundation appointed Merrill Lynch – Alexis Wealth Management Group wealth management advisor Alix Alexis; retired Memorial Healthcare System senior vice president and chief medical officer Dr. Stanley Marks; Franklin Templeton Investments senior strategic advisor Gregory E. McGowan; and AARP Florida director of state operations Dionne H.E. Polite to its Board of Directors during its February 25 board meeting.

Alix Alexis’s career in financial planning and accounting are valued strengths to any nonprofit. He has served in leadership positions in almost every organization in which he has participated or been a member. His role on the board of the Southern Scholarship Foundation, which provides housing for students who attend colleges and universities away from home, aligns beautifully with the Broward College Foundation’s mission. He has held the position of treasurer for the Alumni Association of Florida A&M University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, and he has been active on a variety of councils at Nova Southeastern University, where he earned his MBA at the H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business.

Stanley Marks, in his former position at Memorial Healthcare System, expanded Broward College’s partnership with the district by having physician residents do simulation training in the college’s Health Sciences Simulation Center on the A. Hugh Adams Central Campus. A part of the leadership of the district, Dr. Marks was supportive of the college’s nursing program as a pipeline for medical professionals. While this is his first appointment to a nonprofit board of directors, his leadership and educational experiences will provide a unique and valuable perspective. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Biology at C.W. Post College of Long Island University, his Medical Doctorate at the Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, DC, and his post-doctoral, internship and residency at University of Miami Hospitals and Jackson Memorial Hospital.

Gregory E. McGowan, who returns to the Broward College Foundation Board of Directors, has served as a voting member or honorary member since 1999. He serves as Senior Strategic Advisor of Franklin Templeton Investments. In addition, he serves as an Independent Trustee on the Board of Brinker Capital Destinations Trust and as an Independent Member of the Board of Directors of Global Capital Plc, a Maltese Corporation. His additional volunteer work includes service on the Broward Public Library’s Investment Committee. McGowan earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics and International Affairs from the University of Pennsylvania, a Master of Arts from the University of Paris, and his Juris Doctorate from the Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, DC.

Dionne H.E. Polite is very passionate about education and a true servant to the community through her volunteer work. As a professional with AARP, she brings a lifetime of experience to the Broward College Foundation Board of Directors and an understanding of nonprofits and the important role they serve in creating a healthy, vibrant community. She serves on the executive committee of Leadership Florida, where she helps develop sustainable fundraising strategies for the organization. She is a graduate of the City University New York with a degree in Business Administration and Accounting. She recently completed AARP’s Executive Education Program at Georgetown University in Washington, DC.

During the meeting the board also appointed a new slate of officers. Farlie, Turner & Co. managing director Craig Farlie is the new Chair, Resources for Leadership president Dr. Monica McGrath retains the position of Vice Chair, Valley Forge Fabrics chief operating officer Vanesa Patiño is Secretary, and CPA Beverly J. Yanowitch is Treasurer. Southern Poverty Law Center senior supervising attorney Bacardi Jackson will assume the position of Immediate Past Chair.

Other members of the board are Community Care Plan’s former president and CEO John A. Benz, Broward Health senior vice president and CFO Alex Fernandez, Haig Partners president Alan Haig, Experience Aviation president and founder Captain Barrington A. Irving, BBX Capital president Jarett S. Levan, LSN Partners LLC managing partner George Platt, philanthropist Ann S. Porterfield, The Rhodes Insurance Group president Lloyd F. Rhodes, and attorney Derrick S. Roberts. Representing the Broward College District Board of Trustees is Zachariah “Reggie” Zachariah, representing the Broward College faculty is faculty senate president Dr. Billy Jones, and representing the Broward College student body is Michelle Brenes. Broward College President Gregory Adam Haile and Vice President for Advancement and Executive Director of the Broward College Foundation Nancy O’Donnell-Wilson serve as ex officio members of the Board.