Phil Giorno, President
I was born into a military family at Fort Bragg, N.C. and grew up living at military bases around the world, including Okinawa, Germany and England. I volunteered for the United States Navy during the Vietnam War.
I graduated from the University of Maryland with a B.S. in Business and Public Administration with help from the G.I. Bill after my military service. After some early Information Systems employment, including with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve in Washington, D.C., I moved back to Florida and became a Programmer/ Systems Analyst for the County of Volusia. I have two daughters, Leah, 30, living in England, and Melissa, 28, living in Atlantic Beach, Florida.
I served on the Volusia County Council, as the District 5 County Councilman and as the first Councilman at Large to be elected from the west side of the county. During this time, I was elected the County Council Chairman by my peers. I worked to establish the county-wide library system and secured donated lands for the libraries in Deltona and DeBary. I also voted for the establishment of many parks, including Gemini Springs.
I have been a member of the Lake Helen/Cassadaga/Deltona American Legion for 35 years and am a life member of both the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Disabled American Veterans. My service to the community includes being President of the Lake Helen Jaycees, a Gold-level Member of the NAACP, serving on the Board of Directors of the Volusia/Flagler Boys & Girls Club and on the Board of Directors of the Southwest Volusia YMCA. I was the Chair of the Volusia County Democratic Party for thirteen years, until 2013, a record state-wide, and am currently enjoying my second term as the President of the Democratic Veterans Caucus of Florida while also serving as the appointed Vice Chair of the Florida Democratic Party.
Barbara East, Vice President
Sally Garcia, Treasurer
I retired to Florida in 2015 after spending 40 years in Texas. Since arriving here, I have been active in the state and county Democratic Veterans Caucus of Florida. I am currently on the board of the State Democratic Veterans Caucus and help with the recruitment of members for new chapters in other counties of the state, like Sarasota, Marion, and Escambia Counties. I believe the Florida Democratic Party needs to pay more attention to the needs of veterans and do more to promote their interests at the state and national level. I also am working at the county level with our caucus to promote outreach to retired veterams in communal living facilities. I look forward to promoting the interests of veterans at all levels of society.
Danny Fuqua, Board of Directors, Past President from 2017 – 2021
I am an army veteran of 29 years of service in logistics and finance. I have been married for 32 years to my lovely wife Muriel, and I am a proud father of two amazing children, and grandfather of three incredible grandchildren. I am active on several community boards in the City of Daytona Beach. I am currently running for City Commissioner for Zone 1. I am looking forward to serving as your president and working with our board members Maureen Cleveland, Vice President; Sally Garcia, Treasurer; and Barbara East, Secretary. I would like to reach out to all of the members for their support in encouraging other veterans to become a member of this caucus.
Use of military history and photograph in uniform does not imply endorsement by the US Army or the Department of Defense.
Maureen Cleveland, Board of Directors and Vice President since 2013
When my husband retired from the military in December of 1979 after 26 years of service, we moved to Deltona, FL. My husband was a 100% disabled veteran and spent the next 19 years working for the benefit of veterans. My family history is also filled with veterans. My father and his two brothers served in WW2. On my mother's side I had eight uncles and one aunt in the service in WW2, all of whom came home. A good record. After my husband passed, I read about this organization and decided I wanted to be a part of it. I understand a lot about what it means to be a veteran and how difficult it is to get what is owed to them.
Jewel Dickson, Board Member
Frank Doglione, Board Member
Bill Wilson, Board Member
Jeff Wixson, Board Member