Chapter Manual
National WID Manual
Our Bylaws
Our chapter governance
The Space Coast Chapter of Women In Defense was founded January 21, 2013. In our seventh full year of operations, we have grown substantially thanks to those that share their time supporting this organization.
The Space Coast Chapter provides networking and professional development opportunities to promote the role of women in national defense and security, to support military service members, and to encourage partnerships within the local contractor community, defense industry and military personnel.
The Space Coast is a gateway to the wonders of science and unending possibilities. We are home to industry leaders with significant operations. Our military presence includes Patrick Space Force Base, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and the Naval Ordnance Test Unit (NOTU) as well as many private companies, such as SpaceX.
Our diverse economy is comprised of private space and defense companies with lucrative government contracts. We excel in intelligence, surveillance, aircraft, reconnaissance, missiles and launch assets. We also provide combat capabilities through launch, range and expeditionary operations.
We are considered the world’s premier gateway to space and we have seen great growth in the space and defense economy. Our production includes vehicle, satellite, missile and aircraft manufacturing. We also test missiles and assemble and launch vehicles.
The Space Coast is booming thanks to space and defense companies that offer high-paying tech jobs, a rich supply chain and talent pool that are key drivers in our industry businesses.
In the past seven years we have awarded more than $25,000 in scholarships to local young women.
–Sandy Pfrimmer, President, Space Coast Chapter, October 2020
Phone: 321-433-5570
P. O. Box 144, Cocoa, FL 32923
Mary Dyer
Mary is a long standing member of the Space Coast Women In Defense. She is currently a Business Manager with the Florida Institute of Technology.
Mary Kinberg
Mary is a founding member of the WID Space Coast and prior member of the Board. She is Business Development for Intellectual Property Law, Government Contract Law, Construction Law and Business Law for Widerman Malek, PL.
Sheena Heitzman
Mandi Fuller
Ms. Mandi Fuller was elected to the WID Space Coast board in September 2015. She will assume her position as Director of Special Projects in October. In her professional life, she is Major in the United States Air Force assigned to the Air Force Technical Applications Center at Patrick AFB FL.
Meet the Team
We are a team of dedicated professionals, ready to do what ever it takes to support our community
Sandy Pfrimmer
President
Sandy joined WID in 2013 and she was elected as its Director of Communications in October 2014; she assumed the role of Membership Director in October of 2016. In October 2020 she became President of the organization.
She also serves as the Operations Coordinator of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Eastern Florida State College, where she has been for 16 years. She maintains client communications to include data base management, newsletter and email communications and prepares social media and website updates for the organization.
Inga I. Young
Vice President
A Space Coast native, Inga Young founded 8-koi on August 8, 2008 to offer an easier and more efficient option to the government. She credits her success to the encouragement she received from her parents who immigrated from Asia and pursued advanced degrees in science and technology, with her mom fulfilling a lifelong career as a Sr. Scientist for NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.
8-koi now specializes Training/Technical and Administrative Support, Construction and Design Engineering, and Healthcare-Related Services as an 8(a) EDWOSB headquartered in Merritt Island. With employees across the United States, the company currently serves customers such as DHS, US Army and Navy, VA, IHS, and NASA. In March 2019, Inga acquired Cape Design Engineering Co. (CDE) as a wholly-owned subsidiary.
Inga is the proud show dog mom and breeder of American Kennel Club Grand Champion Cotons de Tulear. She is also an active Pokémon GO player with the Melbourne Raiders Discord group she co-founded.
Pam Gillespie
Special Projects (New Title)
Pamela Gillespie retired in August 2016 as the Director of Community Relations for U.S. Congressman Bill Posey (R-FL8). As Director of Community Relations, she acted as liaison to District 8 constituents, state and local elected officials and business and community leaders.
Pam is currently the President of the Board of Directors, Gillespie Services, Inc., a non-profit organization that helps developmentally disabled adults live more independently. She serves on the Board of Directors with the Special Gathering, a ministry to the developmentally delayed and is the Vice President, Space Coast Women In Defense (SCWID). Pam is the founding Director of the SCWID Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education Council. She also served as a mentor to emerging small businesses with the IGNITE 360 program at Florida Tech’s Women’s Business Center.
Pam graduated in 1995 Cumlaude with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Organizational Management and Pastoral Care from Warner Southern College at Lake Wales, Florida and is a Commissioned Pastor.
Sheila F. Gaylor
Programs Director
Sheila is President of Bill & Sheila Gaylor Insurance founded in 1989. Sheila earned her degree in Computer & Information Sciences from U of F in 1978 and began her career working in aviation with Douglas Aircraft in Southern California.
A few years later, she had the opportunity to launch her computer sales career working within the Fortune 100 arena. She returned home to the Melbourne area as a Sales Consultant and working side-by-side with her husband, Bill, has dedicated the last 31 years to establishing a well-respected, private client, independent insurance agency. The agency cornerstone is built upon faith-values, strong work ethic, a passion for the industry and a commitment to their clients’ successes. Their agency has earned the Melbourne Hall of Fame Award for Best in Insurance since 2015.
Sheila continues to be a state and national legislative advocate for insurance working through her Professional Associations since the early 90’s. She is Past President of the National Association of Insurance & Financial Advisors-Space Coast; successfully taking the local association to #1 in the State and Top 22 in the Nation. She currently serves as a Benefits Advisor for the Superintendent’s Insurance Advisory Committee for our Brevard Public School system.
Through-out her career, Sheila has been recognized in Marquis’ Who’s Who of American Women, Who’s Who of International Business Professionals and latest in 2020 as Who’s Who in America. She is an active member of the National Business Aviation Association and as a mother of four, with a Black Belt in karate, has always been an advocate of promoting STEAM education, making her involvement with SCWID a natural fit.
Leslie Tibbetts
Scholarship Director
Leslie joined WID, Space Coast Chapter in 2015 and has held various roles on the Board of Directors over the last 5 years. She joined Community Credit Union of Florida as Vice President of Commercial Services in August, 2019, proudly supporting the CCU mission to “Always improve the financial well-being of our members and make a positive difference in the community.” Having previously served the community for 18 years as part of the Bank of America Consumer and Small Business organization, Leslie has volunteered for numerous community causes, including serving as a small business mentor with WeVenture powered by FL Tech, and supporting the United Way of Brevard, Junior Achievement of the Space Coast, and the Melbourne Regional Chamber. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Whittier College and an MBA from the University of Central Florida.
Leslie and her husband, Tim, live in Suntree and have three sons.
Susan Glasgow
Sponsorships (New Title)
Susie is a founding member of the WID Space Coast. She is also the President/CEO of Kegman Inc. an Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business and a Veteran Owned Business which provides a myriad of services including Information Technology, Security, and Special Sensor System design, testing, and integration.
Ana Leonard
Historian
Ana Leonard has previously served as Director of Programs for WID Space Coast on the original board. In her professional career she is the Director of Sales & Marketing for the Courtyard by Marriott & Hampton Inn by Hilton in Cocoa Beach. She has also been involved with several organizations including Port Canaveral Propeller Club, Cocoa Beach Surfrider Foundation, SGMP, FSAE, MPI and served on the board of the Space Coast chapter of AUSA.
Mona Stevenson
Secretary
As much of Corporate America started to change their focus from the clients to the shareholders, Mona made the decision to leave her Vice President and Branch Manager position with a commercial bank. She took her knowledge as a former business/restaurant owner, real estate investor and banker to do what she enjoys most – helping others achieve their dreams. In this case their dream home. She is a Realtor and Broker/Owner of Cloud 9 Real Estate Group with an additional certification as a Military Relocation Professional. Mona continues to stay active and involved in her community as a mentor in weVenture’s Ignite 360 Program, her church and currently serves on the board of Space Coast Women in Defense.
David Jackson
Membership Director
David Jackson currently serves as the Director of Community Relations for U.S. Congressman Bill Posey (R-FL 8). As Director of Community Relations he acts as liaison to District 8 constituents, state and local elected officials, and business and community leaders. He began working for Congressman Posey on January 3, 2011, and previously worked for three years as Economic Development Specialist for the City of Cocoa, Florida, and for Brevard County’s Pretrial Release Program for nearly nine years. David holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Howard University and a Master of Arts degree from the George Washington University both in Washington, D.C.
Sheena Heitzman
Treasurer
Sheena Heitzman is an entrepreneur, owner of Rosa Marina Boutique and HCS, LLC. She graduated from Webster University with an MBA and from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelors in Public Administration. She has a background in marketing and corporate event planning. She spent close to 20 years working in finance and accounting for a non-profit organization. She loves to entertain, cook, and travel. She believes in giving back to the community and volunteers for different causes.
Juliet Fletcher
Communications Director
Juliet is a Brevard native and has worked at EFSC, Comprehensive Health Services, and several area nonprofits before launching Writing is Easy, her consulting firm. Writing is Easy provides government contracting proposal writing, branding, and marketing content services. Her government contracting clients include defense and NASA contractors in Brevard and across the country.
Juliet earned both her English and Master of Public Administration degrees at Florida State University. She has both Shipley Proposal Manager and Writer certifications and is Association of Proposal Management Professionals certified.
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