Chapter Manual
National WID Manual
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Our chapter governance
The Space Coast Chapter of Women In Defense was founded January 21, 2013. In our sixth 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 Air Force Base, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and the Naval Ordnance Test Unit (NOTU).
Our diverse economy is comprised of private space and defense companies with lucrative government contracts. We excel in intelligence, surveillance, 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.
I would like to acknowledge the special contributions of our founders and those that have served the organization. I am honored to lead your organization.
–Pamela Gillespie, President, Space Coast Chapter, October 2018
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
Pam Gillespie
President
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.
Sandy Pfrimmer
Vice President
Sandy joined WID in 2013 and she was elected as its Director of Communications in October 2014 and assumed the role of Membership Director in October of 2016. She also serves as the Operations Coordinator of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Eastern Florida State College. She presents start up workshops at Patrick Air Force Base Airman and Family Readiness Center.
Leslie Tibbets
Secretary and Active Treasurer (open position)
Ms. Tibbets is the Vice President, Small Business Banking, with Bank of America. She holds a degree in economics from Whittier College. Leslie supports many community organizations aimed at improving our Space Coast Florida. She was elected to the position of Treasurer for the Space Coast Women In Defense in May 2015.
Susan Glasgow
Special Projects and 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.
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
Communications Director and Acting Programs Director (open position)
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.
Jessica Coots
Scholarship Director
Jessica Coots is Director of Engineering for the C4I Systems business unit for Harris Corporation’s Electronic Systems segment. Electronic Systems covers an extensive portfolio of solutions in electronic warfare, avionics (including carriage and release systems), wireless solutions, C4I systems, and undersea systems. She has held roles of increasing responsibility at Harris Corporation as a radio frequency engineer over the last 11 years. Jessica earned a B.S.E.E. from the University of Central Florida and a M.S.E.E. from the University of South Florida.
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