Donald Post

President (he/him)

Location: Asheville, NC

Major & Graduation Year: B.S. Psychology, 2007, Florida State University

Current Profession: 

Pride Network Role: President

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My volunteer life started while living in Tampa. I was approached by Max Oligario and asked to join the local Tampa-Bay Seminole Club. I loved my time serving the club creating scholarships for deserving FSU students. A career change brought my partner and I back to our hometown of Orlando, and I reached out to serve on the Board of Directors for the Seminole Club of Greater Orlando. The club then elected me to serve as President-Elect in 2016. I had the honor and responsibility of carrying out the legacy of every Orlando Seminole that served before me. 

With incredible dedication, hard work and personal sacrifice of the club’s Board of Directors - and volunteers! - we increased undergraduate scholarships, grew our endowment fund, offered more community volunteer activities, and enhanced our Game Watching Party experiences.

After serving as President in Orlando for the last three years, I was offered the opportunity to become the Founding President for the national FSU Pride Alumni Network. I am humbled by the monumental importance of this opportunity. I know FSU - my former professors, advisors, deans and fellow students - have prepared me to serve you: our community. 

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This alumni network is very near to my heart. My time at FSU gave me a sense of family, diversity, and inclusion; equally my FSU family gave me the courage to accept and love myself as a gay man. Together, we will pioneer a Pride Alumni Network that helps keep the family, diversity, and inclusion a main staple at Florida State for years to come! Be You, Be Prideful, Be FSU.

Ryan Hurst

Vice President (he/him)

Location: Tallahassee, FL

Major & Graduation Year: B.S. Political Science and Interdisciplinary Social Science, 2009, Florida State University

Current Profession: Development Manager, National Black Justice Coalition

Pride Network Role: Board Member

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Ryan Hurst is the Executive Director of Forward Florida Action, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to build the power of everyday Floridians through voter registration and engagement. Before, Ryan was a Major Gifts Development Officer with the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy at Florida State University. 

Ryan has worked in progressive politics for over a decade in the nonprofit sector. He began organizing as a student at FSU where he worked to register voters and advocate for LGBTQ marriage equality and other issues. 

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Ryan is a graduate of the Florida State University. He’s an alumnus of People For the American Way Foundation’s Front Line Leaders Academy and the Gay and Lesbian Victory Institute’s Candidate and Campaign Training. 

Tequeda Patterson

Secretary (she/her)

Location: Tallahassee, FL

Major & Graduation Year: B.S. Criminology, 2004; B.S. Political Science and Government, 2007, Florida State University; MBA, Business, 2011; M.S. Criminal Justice Leadership & Executive Management, Walden University

Current Profession: Government Operations Consultant II

Pride Network Role: Secretary

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Tequeda Patterson developed her love for helping others and uplifting her community as a child. Mrs. Patterson currently works as a Government Operations Consultant with the Florida Division of Disability Determinations, reviewing administrative policies and procedures, evaluating the organizational impact, identifying potential problems and recommending appropriate actions and resolutions. 

She previously co-owned and operated Each 1 Teach 1 Rehabilitation Services, Inc., connecting individuals in the Big Bend area with criminal backgrounds with educational and job placement resources to re-establish themselves within the community. 

Mrs. Patterson obtained her first Bachelor’s degree from Florida State University in Criminology in 2004, a second Bachelor’s in Political Science (FSU) in 2007 and later a Masters' of Business Administration and Masters’ of Criminal Justice Leadership and Executive Management  (Walden University). She is also active in: SISTUHS, Inc., the Order of the Eastern Star, and Rescue Me Project Ministries, Inc. Board of Directors.

When she isn’t working to help others, she’s a very busy married mother raising three incredible children; Kaylen, Kaliah and David II.

The Pride Alumni Network has been a joy to work with. She loves effecting change for populations that are underserved or underprivileged. Her goal in working with the Pride Network is to make all FSU students feel welcomed and valued as a part of our University’s community, as students and alumni. She looks forward to the great strides that will be achieved towards a more diverse and inclusive Florida State University!

Michael Stephens

Treasurer

Location: Atlanta, GA

Major & Graduation Year: B.S. Social Science, 1991, Florida State University

Current Profession: Director of Human Resources & Diversity

Pride Network Role: Treasurer

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Michael Stephens is the Director of Human Resources & Diversity at Alston & Bird, an international law firm with more than 1,700 lawyers and employees in twelve offices. Alston & Bird has been recognized by Fortune Magazine on their annual list of "100 Best Companies to Work For©" for the past 23 consecutive years. In his role, Michael manages all human resources operations, including supporting the firm’s award-winning culture that prioritizes trust, service, and inclusion.

In 2020, Michael completed his term as Chair for the Association of Legal Administrator’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee, where he lectured and provided diversity and inclusion best practices to law firms across the country. Michael holds a Bachelor of Science in Social Science from FSU, class of 1991. During his time at Florida State University, he served as a member of the Marching Chiefs and was a Seminole Ambassador. He is passionate about FSU and is an annual donor to the School of Theatre, School of Social Science, Seminole Boosters, Marching Chiefs, and is a life member of the FSU Alumni Association.

He is dedicated to community involvement and public service. Michael has served as a mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta, Year Up Greater Atlanta, and POSSE. Currently, Michael serves on the Board of Trustees for the Historic Oakland Cemetery Foundation.

A native of Miami, Florida, Michael currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia and is married to Collen Reedy. Together they are proud parents of two Boston Terriers, Jake and Hudson. In his spare time, he enjoys running half marathons, international travel, and supporting the Florida State Seminoles.

David Grimes

Parliamentarian (he/him)

Location: Tallahassee, FL

Major & Graduation Year: B.S. Political Science & Social Science, 2008; J.D., cum laude, 2011, Florida State University

Current Profession: Staff Director for the Democratic Office of the Florida House of Representatives

Pride Network Role: Parliamentarian

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David presently serves as the Staff Director for the Florida House of Representatives, Minority Office, administering the office and advising the Democratic Caucus in the areas of appropriations, rules, redistricting, and the constitutional prerogatives of the House. Prior to that, while Deputy Staff Director, David was the chief advisor in the areas of finance, taxation, elections, and justice. He previously served as an Assistant Attorney General specializing in civil rights and constitutional law defense with the Florida Office of the Attorney General. 

David received his bachelor's degree and J.D. from Florida State University, graduating law school cum laude. He currently serves on the Board of Legal Services of North Florida, the Survive and Thrive Advocacy Center, and the Florida State University Pride Alumni Network. David is a Governor of the Young Lawyers Division of the Florida Bar for the Second Judicial Circuit.

Dr. Ramiz Kseri

Faculty Director (he/him)

Dr Kseri is a dually board-certified internist and pediatrician.

He earned his Medical Degree from Michigan State University, College of Human Medicine and completed his residency training at Beaumont Health. While in residency, he held the position of Program Committee Chair for the LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group (ERG). He worked on projects to place preferred pronouns and names in the Electronic Medical Records, provided a comprehensive list of LGBTQ+ friendly providers, and secured sponsorship for all of the Pride events in the metro Detroit area.

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He moved to Florida to be the Chief Resident for the Internal Medicine Residency program at Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare before being recruited by Florida State University, College Of Medicine. He is currently the Co-Director of Clinical Skills for the second year medical students at FSU College of Medicine, and practices LGBTQ+ inclusive primary at FSU PrimaryHealth in Tallahassee. 

Michael Alexander-Luz

Board Member (he/him)

Location: Jacksonville, FL

Major & Graduation Year: B.A. 2006 International Affairs, Spanish; M.S.W., 2015, Florida State University

Current Profession: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Clinical Director

Pride Network Role: Board Member

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Michael Alexander-Luz is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Licensed Therapist, currently serving as the Clinical Director with Transformative Growth Counseling. The TGC is a non-profit mental health agency located in Northeast Florida. TGC was founded in Illinois in 2016 and is one of the largest LGBTQIA+ owned and employed community mental health agencies in the nation. Prior to TGC, Michael served as the Assistant Clinical Director and Lead Youth Therapist at SunServe, a non-profit social services agency in Broward County that provides wraparound services to members of the LGBTQIA+ community.  

Upon graduating with a Masters in Social Work from Florida State in 2015, Michael worked three years as a therapist at the Lotus House Shelter, a shelter for women and children experiencing homelessness in Miami. At the Lotus House, Michael co-facilitated the Rainbow Lotus LGBTQIA+ support group. The Lotus House remains one of the few safe shelters for transgender and non-binary people experiencing homelessness. As a social worker, Michael worked six years as a special education teacher in Miami, Jacksonville, and the south Bronx in New York City.  

Michael describes himself as a proud husband, passionate social worker, fierce advocate, and dedicated warrior for equality and peace. He is a lover of cultures and languages. Ever since his oldest sister went to Florida State in 1991, Michael has always been a diehard Seminole. When asked what his favorite season of the year is, the answer is “football”. On fall Saturdays, you will find him at Doak Campbell (or potentially on the road with the ‘Noles). During the rest of the year, you will find him traveling the world with his husband, Danilo, or playing with their cute 4 legged rescue pup, Xena.

Andres Bascumbe

Board Member (he/him)

Location: Washington, DC 

Major & Graduation Year: B.A. Mass Communications, 2012, Florida State University; 

J.D, American University College of Law, 2015, American University

Current Profession: Federal Affairs Lead, Block Inc. & Lieutenant, US Army Reserve

Pride Network Role: Board Member

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A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Andres Bascumbe currently leads US Federal Affairs at Block, Inc. Most recently Bascumbe served as Counsel to Chairwoman Maxine Waters (CA-43) and advised the Chairwoman on technology, financial services, defense, tax, national security, and intellectual property issues. Prior to his current role, Bascumbe held several positions on Capitol Hill working in the offices of Congressman Gerald E. Connolly (VA-11) and Chairman Henry Waxman (CA-33). 

While working in Congress, Bascumbe spent his free time serving as a mentor to aspiring congressional staff through his work on the LGBT Congressional Staff Association (LGBT CSA). Bascumbe served as an At-Large Director, Professional Development Director, and then as the first African American to serve as Vice President.. During his tenure on the LGBT CSA Board of Directors, Bascumbe created the Association’s first Senior-Junior Staff Mentorship Program and employment mistreatment hotline. Currently, Bascumbe volunteers his time at the Whitman Walker Legal Clinic, where he assists clients in obtaining legal name and gender marker changes across their legal documents such as licenses, birth certificates, Social Security records, passports, school records and more. He services the metro DC, Maryland and Virginia areas.

In addition to his work in the U.S. House of Representatives, Bascumbe serves as a Lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve. He is stationed at Fort Meade, Maryland. Bascumbe commands a platoon of 43 soldiers in the 352nd Military Police Company who are prepared to deploy in January 2023. Bascumbe’s acumen, military bearing, and ability to lead as Member of the U.S. Army Officer Candidate School’s Class 009-21 Student Council, caught the attention of Lieutenant Colonel Ryan Davis, Commander of the 3rd Battalion, 11th Infantry Regiment. It earned Bascumbe a commission to the prestigious Judge Advocate General Corp. Bascumbe was the first openly gay man to serve as Vice President of his class at Army Officer Candidate School and broke barriers for LGBT Officer Candidates seeking to live openly and serve as leaders in the U.S. Army. 

A loyal Seminole, Bascumbe recently served on the Board of the DC Noles, the Washington Metro Area Florida State University Alumni Chapter. With a brief pause for military service, Bascumbe served as a Council Member at Florida State University Alumni Association’s Young Alumni Network since 2018. During his time on the Council he led on events like the “Seminoles in Service” panel, which helps connect recent graduates and veterans with career opportunities that highlight their skill sets obtained while serving the country. 

In 2009, Bascumbe was accepted to Florida State through the First Year Abroad Program (FYA), studying at FSU’s Panama, Valencia, and London campuses. During his time in Tallahassee, Bascumbe worked as Director of Public Relations for the Hispanic Latino Student Union (HLSU), was elected to represent the College of Communication and Information in the Student Government Association’s (SGA) Student Senate, and worked to foster student-alumni relations as a Member of the Student Alumni Association’s Leadership Council. Bascumbe was appointed to FSU’s Emerging Leaders Program in 2010 and earned membership to Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society and the University’s Dean’s List.

In 2022, Florida State University’s Alumni Association named Bascumbe a Notable Nole and recipient of the Reubin O'D. Askew Award, the highest honor bestowed upon young alumni by the FSU Alumni Association. Named in honor of former Gov. Askew, this award recognizes contributions to the state, nation and university. 

Susan Baxter

Board Member (she/her)

Location: Orlando, FL

Major & Graduation Year: MS, Instructional Systems & Learning Technologies, Florida State University; Certificate: Human Performance Technology, December 2022

Current Profession: Instructional Designer, Faculty Development, & eLearning Consultation

Pride Network Role: Board Member

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Susan finds it a privilege to serve on the FSU Pride Alumni Network Board of Directors. She is a member of the LGBTQ+ community and a parent of a FSU alum. Susan has prior non-profit and board experience working to support her local community, LGBTQ+ students, those with food insecurities, and more. As an academic, she is a staunch supporter of all students meeting their goals and succeeding in their educational plans. She is very proud that Florida State now has an LGBTQ+ network that will serve to support FSU’s undergraduate, graduate, and online students.  

With her passion for lifelong learning, networking, diversity, and inclusion, Susan looks forward to working with the board to create a vibrant FSU Pride Alumni Association. 

Walt Bower

Board Member (they/them)

Dixie Daimwood-Westberry

Board Member (she/her)

Location: Tallahassee, FL

Major & Graduation Year: B.S. Criminology, 2005, Florida State University

Current Profession: Shareholder at Dunlap & Shipman, P.A. 

Pride Network Role: Board Member

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I am a fierce advocate and supporter of Florida State University. At a young age, I dreamt of becoming a FSU Golden Girl, a dream that would later become a reality. Now, in my spare time, I enjoy cheering on the Seminoles with my wife and our three children. 

In my professional life, I am a Partner in Dunlap & Shipman, P.A.’s Tallahassee, Florida office where I handle a broad range of employment and labor, construction defect, and first-party residential and commercial property coverage matters. I represent clients in state, federal, administrative, and appeals courts throughout Florida. I am admitted to practice before the Northern, Middle, and Southern District Courts of Florida, as well as the New York and Florida State Courts. I am active in the local community having served as a volunteer Guardian Ad Litem, Inns of Court, Alpha Delta’s Pi’s Alumni Association, and Leadership Tallahassee.  

Go Noles and stay forever golden!

Qaree Dreher

Board Member (he/him)

Qaree's bio coming soon.

Dionte Gavin

Board Member (he/him)

Location: Tallahassee, Florida 

Major & Graduation Year: B.S. International Affairs and Finance 2007; MPA, 2014, Florida State University

Current Profession: Senior Operations Director

Pride Network Role: Board Member

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Dionte Gavin is the Senior Operations Director at Visit Tallahassee (Leon County Division of Tourism) where he is responsible for day-to-day administrative operations, budget, and finance. Prior to his role at Visit Tallahassee, he spent 17.5 years with the Leon County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller’s Office in Finance. With over 20 years of experience in local government, Dionte is adept in government finance and accounting, budget, public administration and policy, contract management and administration, information management, marketing and communication, and public relations.

Active in his local community, Dionte is a graduate of Leadership Tallahassee Class 38 and a member of various professional organizations such as the Florida Government Finance Officers Association where he is immediate Past-President of its Big Bend Chapter. He is also active in Equality Florida, having served on the Tallahassee Steering Committee.

Dionte is a two-time graduate of Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science in International Affairs with a concentration in finance and a Master of Public Administration. He also holds a certification in Public Management from The Florida Center for Public Management at Florida State University.

With his passion for equality and justice for all coupled with his love for all things FSU and his innate social skills, Dionte is very excited to bring his perspective of growing up in a small town and overcoming obstacles to reach success to the Pride Alumni Network.

A native of north Florida, in his spare time Dionte enjoys travel, FSU sports, and quality time with friends.

Kimberly Lockett

Board Member (she/her)

Location: Asheville, NC

Major & Graduation Year: Psychology, Biological Sciences (BSc), 2009, Florida State University; Registered Nurse (ADN), 2013, Houston Community College; Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), 2019, University of South Florida

Current Profession: Clinical Nurse Educator 

Pride Network Role: Board Member

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Kimberly “Kim'' Lockett is a clinical nurse educator for a national nurse residency program serving one of the largest healthcare providers in the US (HealthTrust Workforce Solutions / HCA Healthcare). She travels frequently to work primarily with new graduate nurses. She graduated from FSU in 2009, with dual degrees in psychology and biological sciences (BSc). She is double national board-certified as a Critical Care Registered Nurse and a Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator. Kim is passionate about advancing the conversation and agenda surrounding healthcare access and inclusion for the LGBTQ+ community. She identifies as an ally.

Kimberly initially started her career in public health and legislative affairs in Tallahassee, later opting to attend nursing school as a post-baccalaureate in Houston, TX. She became a Registered Nurse in 2013, specializing in critical care working near family in Tampa Bay, FL. 

Outside of work she is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT200) and certified SCUBA diver. She is also a proud cancer survivor. Kimmie resides in Asheville, NC with her husband and two dogs.

Brian Marquez

Board Member (he/him/them/they)

Location: Tallahassee, FL

Major & Graduation Year: B.A., English-Editing, Writing & Media, 2021, Florida State University

Current Profession: Communications and Development Coordinator at Elder Care Services

Pride Network Role: Board Member

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Brian Marquez is the Communications and Development Coordinator for Elder Care Services, a nonprofit dedicated to serving seniors in the Big Bend region. In this role, Brian is responsible for overseeing external communications strategies for the agency’s various social media profiles, monthly e-newsletters and press releases. Brian sits on the Elder Care Services Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee and is tasked with drafting and reviewing the agency’s DEI statement and policies.

At Florida State University, Brian was a member of the Delta Chi Fraternity, where he served as Secretary for the Fall 2013 semester. 

Brian has a passion for helping others and promoting social justice and human rights. A longtime resident of Tallahassee, he stays active in his community volunteering for LGBTQ+ focused organizations like Equality Florida and Capital Tea, as well as the Tallahassee Beer Festival which supports over 40 local nonprofits. Currently, he serves as Communications Co-Chair for the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Florida Big Bend Chapter.

In his spare time, he enjoys exploring the nature trails in the area and supporting the local craft beer scene. 

Jean-Carl Menelas

Board Member (he/him)

Location: Atlanta, GA

Major & Graduation Year: B.S. in Exercise Science, 1996, Florida State University

Current Profession: Personal Trainer/ Personal Stylist

Pride Network Role: Board Member

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I am a self-employed Personal Trainer with over 20 years experience in the Atlanta area, and am certified through The National Academy of Sports Medicine. I partner with my clients on their health and well being in the studio, home and corporate setting. Also, I am also a Personal Stylist with the clothing brand J.Hilburn. I work with my clients to establish and curate their own personal style. 

When presented with the opportunity to serve on this board I was honored for the opportunity to give back to Florida State. While I came out to my friends as a student at FSU, I did not feel a sense of security or belonging with the LGBTQ+ community. This Network gives me a chance to serve the current students at Florida State to achieve the visibility and recognition which they deserve. 

While at Florida State, I was also an active member of the Black Student Union.

Heath Story

Board Member (he/him)

Heath's bio coming soon.