Our Board

Charles Johnston is an accomplished digital marketing expert with a passion for helping businesses grow and thrive in today’s fast-paced digital landscape. As the founder and owner of HeartWired Digital Solutions, Charles brings over a decade of experience in digital marketing strategy, website design and development, SEO, PPC, and social media marketing to his clients. 

In addition to his work at HeartWired Digital Solutions, Charles is an active member of the digital marketing community and a sought-after speaker on topics ranging from website design and development to social media marketing and SEO. He is committed to staying on the cutting edge of digital marketing best practices and regularly attends industry conferences and seminars to continue his education and expand his skill set. He also is a consultant, board chair, and advisor for several nonprofit organizations.

Desiree is the CEO of Step-by-Step Behavioral Health Services, LLC, and the Founder and President of Step-by-Step 4 Help Foundation, Inc. She has built strong leadership within her organization by providing coaching and mentorship to support her staff’s professional development. She leads her organizations with a strategic focus to make a difference in the Jacksonville community. She was one of Jacksonville’s Business Journal 2022 Women of Influence. In addition, she is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor.

Desiree is the 2023 JAX Chamber Small Business Leader of the Year for the Three Rivers Council and she serves as a Founding Board Member of Becoming Collegiate Academy, an HBCU-inspired charter elementary school in Jacksonville, Florida. She was appointed to serve on the Jacksonville Task Force on Safety and Crime Reduction. She is a proud and active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Jacksonville Alumnae Chapter. Previously, she served on the Board of Directors for Hubbard House. She has won many awards, including being recognized as, “The One to Watch” award recipient for the Jacksonville Image Awards presented by News4Jax, 2021 Best Boss Healthcare Company and Best Non-Profit. She was also recognized in Voyage Atlanta Magazine and Voyage Jacksonville Magazine. Her inspiration and desire to lead and make a difference is unmatched. She understands the needs of the of others and how true leadership, giving back to others plays an important part in making a significant impact in the Jacksonville area.

Earl is an accomplished IT professional with over 30 years of experience, including serving as Chief Information Officer for a small business. In 2010, he founded EK3 Technologies to provide affordable, scalable IT services for small businesses, with a focus on cybersecurity. Earl’s dedication to understanding the unique challenges facing SMBs has resulted in tailored solutions for his clients. He holds professional credentials in Microsoft Exchange Server Administration, Data Encryption and Security, Database Administration, and Disaster Planning. Earl is a proud graduate of the Small Business Executive Program from the Jim Moran Institute and the 2015 Inaugural Cohort of JaxBridges. He was also named Small Business Leader by the JaxChamber North Council in 2020.

Christina McLaughlin is the Vice President for Synovus Bank over the Retail branches in the Northeast Florida Market. She is an active advocate and steward of the North Jacksonville community. Christina has served on the board of the JAX Chamber Three Rivers Council since 2012, serving as President of the former North Council in 2014 and currently holds the position of Council Treasurer. She has been with the Synovus family for over 15 ½ years, starting as a float teller-personal banker. Christina attended Florida State College with a softball scholarship before transferring to University of North Florida where she focused on a degree in accounting. She is married to Clint and has two sons, Dylan and Lincoln. She enjoys spending time with her family and dogs as well as fishing, boating, hunting and various sporting events.

My name is Kenneth McAllister. I’ve lived in Jacksonville for more than 30 years and thoroughly enjoy helping people. I’ve been part of the Three Rivers Council going back to 2015 and have enjoyed every minute of meeting new people and learning more about the local businesses in Jacksonville. In addition to serving on the Three Rivers Council Board I also currently serve as a Branch Vice President with VyStar Credit Union. My office is located in San Marco so if you’re in the area feel free to stop by and say hello!

Meredith Jespersen is the Development Director for the St. Johns RIVERKEEPER, where she is responsible for supporting the development and implementation of all of St. Johns RIVERKEEPER’s fundraising initiatives, including the membership program, major gifts, grant writing, planned giving and special events. She comes to RIVERKEEPER with over 20 years of nonprofit experience in Northeast Florida, including roles at the Florida Theatre, JAX Chamber, White Oak Conservation Center, and WJCT Public Broadcasting.

Meredith grew up in Jacksonville, attending high school and college in the area. When she is not at work, Meredith spends time with her husband, Aaron, and their two rescue pups, Gretsch (a Cardigan Corgi) and Doodles (a Flat Coated Retriever).

Michelle Adams is the Director of Development at the Florida Theatre and received her Bachelors of Arts degree in History from the College of Charleston. Originally from Milwaukee, WI, Michelle moved to St. Augustine from Charleston, SC in 2011. Michelle is a non-profit professional with over 20 years’ experience and was previously employed at the South Carolina Aquarium and St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum.

Pricilla Redd is the owner and independent agent at PR Insurance Agency LLC, specializing in Medicare Health plans, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, and Annuities. She can offer a range of plans and products to individuals and families that can be tailored to fit their needs.
Passion and commitment to educate others is what drives her.

Priscilla has been a licensed independent agent since 2015 and established PR Insurance Agency LLC in 2020. She offers appointments in-person and virtually and is currently licensed in Florida, Alabama, Indiana, North Carolina, and West Virginia. Protecting Families, Building Legacies is her mission.

Priscilla is a former public school teacher and has a Master’s degree in Education. She is a mom of three young adults and GiGi to four beautiful granddaughters. Born and raised in Mobile, Alabama, Jacksonville has been her home since 2010.
In her spare time, she enjoys time at the beach, music, and puzzles.

Sean Stenson is a volunteer Board Member with First Coast Blessings in a Backpack and currently holds the Business Development Chair position for them. He has been involved with Blessings for about 7 years now, with the past 5 being a member of their Board.

He has been engaged in the Jax Chamber for a little over 8 years and is also involved in other Networking Groups. During this time he has built many wonderful relationships.

It’s these Networking relationships and the new ones he is currently creating that help him be a blessing to the hungry children in the Jacksonville Area as he may work in another industry, but his passion is in finding ways to help feed these amazing kids.

Chris was raised in a rural town of western Pennsylvania. He received a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Relations from Clarion University of Pennsylvania. Chris then served 30 years in the United States Army, retiring as a full Colonel in 2014. While in the Army, he received a Master of Business Administration in Management from Golden Gate University, San Francisco, California and a master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He also completed the NATO Senior Officer’s Course at the NATO Defence College, Rome, Italy. Chris served mainly throughout Europe and the eastern part of the United States. Since retiring from the Army, Chris has helped various small businesses and nonprofit organizations in Jacksonville, Florida. He also assisted candidate John Rutherford with his campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives, Florida, District 4 (now District 5). Chris then served as Representative Rutherford’s Deputy District Director for three months. He has been Representative Rutherford’s District Director for the past six years. Chris enjoys traveling, cycling, hiking and spending time with his wife, Char, and two dogs, Baron and Pearl.