Chapter Manual
National WID Manual
Our Bylaws
Our chapter governance
The Women In Defense Space Coast Chapter (WIDSC) was founded January 21, 2013. Since then, we have grown substantially thanks to our members and community partners who have made a commitment to supporting this high-impact organization.
WIDSC 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.
Since starting the Space Coast STEM Scholarship Fund, WIDSC has awarded more than $60,000 in scholarships to women in the community who have pursued studies to advance their careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.
To learn more about WIDSC and our STEM Scholarships, please contact one of our Board Members below.
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.
Board of Directors
Connect with our 2021-2022 WIDSC volunteer board of directors.
Inga I. Young
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 in 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.
Mona Stevenson
Vice President
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.
Sandy Pfrimmer
Past 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.
Elizabeth Huy, PMP
Secretary
A proven Project Management Professional, Elizabeth “Lizi” Huy is the Director of Service lines at Alluvionic, where she utilizes her 17 years of experience developing and implementing projects to fulfill business needs.
Elizabeth is a driven and strategic leader and collaborator, as well as an accomplished public speaker and communicator. Her skills include economic development, business development, program management, public speaking, leadership, marketing, strategic planning, and fundraising.
Huy is a graduate of Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Marketing. She is also a PMP (Project Management Professional) and a graduate of Leadership Brevard. She has held positions at companies such as Coldwell Banker Commercial, ACG Promotions and Specialties, and the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast, where she directed an existing industry program of work leading a team of three full-time direct reports. Additionally, she represented the organization as a public speaker in multiple venues and media interviews.
Elizabeth has been recognized by LEAD Brevard as a 4 under 40 finalist in 2013 and 2018, as well as being named “One to Watch” by Florida Today in 2014.
Kathy Emerson, CPA
Treasurer
Kathy’s career includes Corporate Controller, Financial Analyst, Auditor and Retail Regional Manager. Customer service continues to be a top priority for internal and external customers, no matter what the job. Her approach is to staff talent and let them use their abilities, while supporting them with training and by removing obstacles. To work and cross-train in a supportive environment is essential to timely, accurate financial reporting and business success. I keep the team on track.
A graduate of California State University, San Marcos, Kathy earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. Kathy received her MBA from Webster University. She is a CPA in California and Florida. A member of Toastmasters International for fifteen years, Kathy is a Distinguished Toastmaster and as a skilled presenter has served in many officer positions in her district and club. Kathy is also an Adjunct Accounting Instructor at Keiser University, Melbourne, FL campus, and at Florida Tech in Melbourne.
Kathy and her husband Mark own and operate Pineapple Manor in Melbourne Beach, Florida. These are fully furnished vacation apartments and have a loyal following. “All you have to do is make yourselves at home” when staying at www.PineappleManor.com.
David Jackson
Membership
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.
Sheila F. Gaylor
Programs
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
Awards & Recognition
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
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.
Gail Skinner-Hart
Communications
As a senior level practitioner, Gail understands the critical importance of communication plans that support business objectives, increase branding awareness, and effectively engage internal and external audiences. She possesses keen business and financial acumen, diverse project and people management capabilities, and a professional-level technical skill set. With extensive experience in business development, internal and external communications, and corporate marketing, advertising design, and brand management, Gail excels in building effective teams, managing successful projects, and communicating skillfully.
Suzanne Witenhafer
Historian
In 2017, the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) awarded Suzanne the Bachelor of Advertising Specialty Information (BASI) certification for her work as Owner of Proforma Arrow Solutions in Rockledge, FL. Her husband and business partner Bob also earned the credential as Operations Manager. The BASI is the industry equivalent of a bachelor’s degree.
As BASI holders, Suzanne and Bob Witenhafer are recognized as industry experts who can thoroughly understand and navigate the promotional products marketplace, develop effective marketing campaigns and foster solid relationships with their colleagues that will help them flourish in the industry. In order to receive their certification, Suzanne and Bob had to complete a variety of ASI education courses, participate in qualified Keynotes and ASI Shows and pass a final comprehensive examination. To maintain certification, they will continue to participate in ongoing training.
Proforma Arrow Solutions provides brand management, packaging and HR program solutions for their customers. Suzanne is dedicated to serving her Space Coast business community and is committed to bringing ideas, inspiration, strategy and tools to help her customers grow their business and achieve success.
Because of speakers like you, our participants gave this event an impressive 90% overall satisfaction rating, with some of our speakers receiving a 95% rating in appreciation for their motivating and engaging presentations. Your individual ratings and feedback comments are attached for your review. Bottom line: This event was possible because of your support. We thank you for sharing your expertise and passion with other STEM professionals
We truly appreciate your efforts in supporting our extraordinary science teachers. This is the 16th year that we have been able to honor our exemplary science teachers in Brevard County, and our hope is that we will be able carry on this tradition for many more years. We were delighted a representative could attend the event. Thank you again and we look forward to partnering with you in the futures.