Welcome to the Palm Beach County Democratic Party

NEXT PBCDP DEC GENERAL MONTHLY MEETING IS THU, FEB 4th!

My Executive Board

Click! on any photo to read about that member of the Board.

Mark Alan Siegel

Chair

Mark Alan Siegel was born in Manhattan in 1944. He attended public elementary and junior high school and graduated from the Bronx HS of Science, Columbia College, and Columbia Law School. Admitted to the bar in 1968, in 1971 he became a partner in Zissu Halper & Martin.

Mark has been politically active since the 1950s. During the 60s, he was an early anti-war leader, chairing the Moratorium in his community. He helped bring together progressive, reform Democrats and traditional anti-war groups like Women's Strike for Peace to send an anti-war delegation to the 1968 Democratic Convention. There he served as the coordinator for the ant-war plank in seven mid Atlantic states. After his return from military service, he chaired the Manhattan New Democratic Coalition and from 1970 - 1975 and served as First Vice-Chair of the Community Planning Board for Manhattan's Upper East Side in 1973-1974.

In 1974, Mark was elected to the New York State Assembly; he was re-elected seven times. While there he served as the chair of the Higher Education Committee, the Corporations, Commissions, & Authorities Committee, the Human Rights Subcommittee, and the Democratic Study Group. He was a leader of the Reform Block and was a recognized champion of Higher Education, Civil Liberties & Human Rights, Personal Privacy, Government Reform, Expanded Health Care, & Safe, Available Abortion Services.

In 1991, Mark retired and moved to Palm Beach County where he has raised all his three children. He built a law practice for small and medium businesses, and served ten years as an Officer, Trustee, and Budget Chair for his congregation and seven as an Officer and Executive Committee Member of the Jewish Education Commission. He has been a member of the Palm Beach County Democratic Executive Committee since the year he arrived. He has served as a Delegate, Committee Member, or Floor Leader for five national and innumerable state Democratic conventions. Mark was appointed as our Parliamentarian in 2006. The next year, he was elected President of the Democratic Club of Boca Raton & Delray Beach. In 2008, he was unanimously elected Chair of the Palm Beach County Democratic Executive Committee.

Terrie Heinrich Rizzo

Vice Chair

Unanimously re-elected as PBC's Vice Chair in 2008, Terrie Heinrich Rizzo moved to Boca Raton in 2002 with her husband, Mike, an I.T. executive with Tyco, Inc. Prior to coming to Florida, Terrie & Mike lived in Baltimore, the San Francisco Bay area, and Brussels, Belgium.

Raised as a military brat, Terrie is a graduate of Penn State and Johns Hopkins Universities, and has over 30 years of experience in health & fitness education and communications. She is a specialist in adult exercise, ergonomics, and back injury prevention, and is the author of several books and numerous academic and consumer articles. Terrie was the Assistant Director of University Relations at UMBC, the founder and executive director of Aerobic Danse de Belgique as one of the first fitness prganizations in Europe, and the Director of Health & Fitness Education Programs at Stanford University's Health Improvement Program. Since "retiring" to Florida, she teaches and consults on fitness programming, and writes health/fitness articles for national women's and health publications.

Terrie has been active in numerous civic organizations in every community in which she has lived and with the Penn State Alumni Association, where she has served two terms on the PSAA Executive Board and was chair of the national task force that developed the award-winning Penn State National Service Week. She also speaks fluent French and was president of the Womens' International Study Group while living in Brussels. Terrie joined the DEC after working on the 2004 Election and has served as precinct captain of 4092 (Boca Bay Colony) and as co-chair of the DEC VOICE (Volunteer Outreach, Information, & Community Events) Committee.

First elected as PBC's Vice Chair in 2006, Terrie is especially committed to the importance of communications, outreach, & grassroots involvement (and she vows to make the PBC DEC not only the best and most effective DEC in Florida and the U.S., but also the healthiest bunch of Democrats in the country! LOL!)

Bob Diffenderfer

Treasurer

Robert Diffenderfer was born in Lansing, Michigan in 1956. His family moved to Tallahassee, Florida in 1960 and he attended elementary and high school there, graduating from Leon High School in 1974. He attended Michigan State University and Florida State University, graduating with a B.A. in philosophy, cum laude, from FSU in 1980. He attended Georgetown University Law Center and earned his J.D. in 1984. He practiced law in Washington, D.C. and in Naples, Florida before relocating to Palm Beach County in 1989. Since 1989 his practice has consisted of complex environmental and land use and local and state government law matters. He is a shareholder in the firm of Lewis, Longman & Walker, a state-wide law firm with offices in West Palm Beach, Tallahassee, Jacksonville and Bradenton. He holds an AV rating with Martindale-Hubbell and was recently selected as a 2008 Florida Super Lawyer.

Bob has been active in many local, state and federal campaigns since moving to Palm Beach County. These include the Lawton Chiles, Bob Graham, Bill Nelson and Alex Sink campaigns. He has worked closely with the Florida Democratic Party coordinated campaign through many election cycles. He has been a DEC member for many years and currently represents Precinct 7050 in West Palm Beach where he resides with his wife Michelle and daughters Hope, 5, and Lily, 4. His oldest child Charlie, 22, resides in New York.

Bunny Steinman

State Committeewoman

Bunny Steinman is the newly elected PBC Democratic State Committeewoman, succeeding Committeewoman-Emeritus Katherine Kelly as PBC's representative to the Florida Democratic Party. A New York native, Bunny earned degrees from Syracuse University, Queens College, and Manhattanville College, as well as 60 post-graduate credits toward a doctorate in the field of art education. Now retired from a professional career as in art teacher with 32 years of experience in the NY State school system, Bunny served as Instructor & Supervisor of Student Teachers at Manhattanville College. She is a Past President of the NY State Art Teachers Association, and currently serves as co-President of the Teachers Retirement in Florida (Suncoast Chapter).

After cutting her political teeth as Democratic Committeewoman in Great Neck, NY, Bunny and her late husband moved to south Florida 17 years ago, where she has continued her extensive political involvement. Bunny is a resident of Indian Spring in Boynton Beach and has been very active in Indian Springs community associations, the League of Women Voters, and COBWRA. Bunny has served as Committeewoman for Precinct 5032 and a member of the DEC since 1999, and also been extremely active with the Democratic Club of Greater Boynton, serving as Executive Vice Chair and Campaign Co-Chair from 2001-2007, and Club President since 2007.

As Co-Chair of the DEC's Precinct Coordinating Committee, Bunny has helped lead the development of the DEC's Zone system for effective GOTV, and currently serves as Area Leader for Area 2 (mid-county), overseeing four zones encompassing more than 280 precincts. She has been a member of the Coordinated Campaign Committee for the 2000, 2004, 2006, and 2008 elections, and was the volunteer office manager for the DEC South County Office for the entire 2008 campaign season. She was thrilled to serve as a Delegate to the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver and participate in the nomination of Barack Obama.

Bunny is the proud mother of a daughter, two sons, and eight gorgeous grandchildren. Anyone who knows her knows that Bunny is well-named -- like the Energizer Bunny, she has boundless energy and never stops!

John Ramos

State Committeeman

John A. Ramos is the newly elected Democratic State Committeeman for Palm Beach County. The role of the Democratic State Committeeman serves to represent your interests and will with the Florida Democratic Party. "I am ready to serve you and our party, by providing the accurate reporting and effective/transparent communication necessary to solidify the cause of democracy and reflect our positive and vibrant PBC community. I will become the conduit for the DEC Board and that of all the clubs. I will work hard for all of YOU and provide updates and present information to make our board and clubs strong.

I have enjoyed a thirty-year career rich in opportunities to exercise my skills involving Intergovernmental Relations and especially concerning complex intergovernmental web of plans, policies, and regulations. I take great pride in successfully navigating Federal, State, County, and regional channels toward the betterment of communities. My strongest asset has always been to pull together diverse mixtures of persons and personalities in the drive toward one objective and it is my intention to continue applying these talents to the benefit of the Palm Beach County Democratic Party.

Education: Masters Degree in Public Administration, Nova Southeastern University; B.A. Degree in Urban & Regional Planning, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL.

Political: DEC Committeeman for Pct 4192 (Delray Beach); Hispanic Democratic Caucus of PBC - Board Member, Treasurer; Democrat Club of Delray Beach - Board Member, Program & Membership Committee.

I am dedicated to the election of Democrats to all local, state and federal posts. The Democratic Party is back and we are proud of what we have accomplished and be remindful of the magnitude of the challenges we face. I appreciate the opportunity to help lead the change and effort to strengthen the Democratic Party. We can and must build on the promise of Barack Obama's election. Yes we can! Si se puede!"./p>

Marcia Adams Andrews

Recording Secretary

Taking office as the DEC's new Recording Secretary, Marcia Adams Andrews grew up in Palm Beach County and graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1969. She received her Bachelor's Degree from Florida Atlantic University in 1973 and her Master's Degree from Nova University in 1981.

On June 30,2008, Marcia retired from the Palm Beach County School District after 35 years of employment. During her educational career, she served as a teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal, HR Director, and Chief of Human Resources. She also served as President of the Florida Association of School Personnel Administrators, and her work earned her election to the Board of Directors of the American Association of School Personnel Administrators, where she was in charge of Region 6, which covered 7 states.

Marcia also is the founder and owner of Up Front Consulting, LLC, which specializes in three areas: Education/Community/Political Affairs. As a professional consultant, she has presented at conferences throughout the United States, and her leadership and expertise have earned her many awards and honors.

A lifetime member of the NAACP and past Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Urban League of PBC keeps Marcia connected to the community. She also is an active member and officer of Payne Chapel A.M.E. Church. Working as a Trustee and as the Christian Education Director gives her an opportunity to have an active role in the church.

Marcia is a lifelong Democratic and has worked on local, state and national campaigns. After having lived in Wellington for over 20 years, she currently resides in Royal Palm Beach where she is Committeewoman for Precinct 6090. In March 2009 she was appointed Recording Secretary for the Palm Beach County Democratic Party. Marcia takes pride in working very hard to get her candidates elected. She sponsored the first Political Forum held at Payne Chapel A.M.E. Church last year, which gave candidates and the people from the community as oppurtinity get together, ask questions and discuss the issues. On Election Day, 2008, she proudly worked in Belle Glade for President Obama.

Alan Olinsky

Sergeant-at-Arms

Alan Olinsky currently serves as Sergeant-at-Arms for the Palm Beach County Democratic Executive Committee. He is the former Vice-President of the Palm Beach Mid-County Democratic Club, serving Democrats from the Royal Palm Beach, Wellington, Loxahatchee and Acreage areas.

Alan moved to Royal Palm Beach in 1999, after working at Chicago State University as Director of Off-Campus programs. Originally from Albany, NY, he was Democratic committeeman for 27 years, served as Gaming Inspector for the City Of Albany and worked with Mario Cuomo's campaigns when he was Governor.

He and his wife Arlene (who is a contributing editor to the DEC newsletter) are both Precinct Captains for Royal Palm Beach Precinct 6084. They worked together on the Reno gubernatorial campaign and the Obama presidential campaign. He knew President Obama during his tenure at Chicago State University.

They have one grown daughter, Sheryl Lynn Borg, son-in-law Nicholas Ricci Borg and two grandchildren, Nicholas Jacob and Nina Rae.

Evelyn T. Garcia

Democratic National Committee Member

Evelyn T. Garcia was elected on December 20, 2008 as a member from Florida & perhaps the first Haitian-American to serve on the Democratic National Committee (DNC). The DNC provides national leadership for the Democratic Party; promotes the Party Platform; coordinates fundraising & election strategy; and plans the Democratic National Convention every four years. Her new responsibilities will include serving on the Florida Democratic Party's State Central Committee, as well as Budget & Finance.

Evelyn served as a Delegate to the 2008 National Democratic Party Convention in Denver. Previously she was appointed Recording Secretary on the PBC Democratic Executive Committee (DEC), an served from December, 2006 through March, 2009. In 2007 Evelyn also became president of the PBC Chapter of the Democratic Caribbean Caucus of Florida (DCCF). (DCCF focuses on Immigration, Economic Development, Education & equivalent support for Caribbean Candidates). In addition, Evelyn served on the PBC Supervisor of Elections' Community Advisory Committee, and is a member of the Coalition of North PBC Democratic Clubs and the Boynton Beach & Lake Worth West Democratic Clubs. Her involvement in Florida Democratic politics began with membership in The United Haitian American Democratic Club and the support and encouragement of its founder and mentor Jacques Lafontant. She is a Vice President and member of its Board of Directors as well.

Evelyn relocated from Simsbury, Connecticut to Florida in 2004 with her husband, Guy E. Garcia, who retired as Senior Investment Officer from the Connecticut State Pension Funds. The Garcias currently reside in Lake Worth. Previously Evelyn worked as a licensed Realtor in Florida, Connecticut and New York. She was also the Real Estate Officer for the Hartford Redevelopment Agency and an Assistant Investment Analyst for Funds & REITS. Evelyn holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Hartford, an Associate's Degree in Legal Studies from the Hartford College for Women, and a Paralegal Certificate approved by the American Bar Association. She's been a member of the National Association of Realtors, the NAACP and the ACLU.

A first-generation American, Evelyn is the oldest of the eight children of Carl & Rachel Thiesfield from Haiti in the Caribbean. Haiti was the first Black nation to gain independence in the Caribbean. Born in New York City, Evelyn moved to Haiti with her family at age 2 and resided and attended school in Haiti until their return to the U.S. when she was 9 years old. She resided in New York City and on Long Island before moving to Connecticut. She enjoys traveling, amateur photography & is an avid tennis fan.

Rob Ostrov

Parliamentarian

Rob Ostrov is an attorney for a specialty finance company. Prior to moving to Florida, Rob was an administrative law judge and longtime criminal prosecutor. He was Assistant District Attorney for the Orange County District Attorney's Office, Goshen, New York, a senior attorney in white-collar crime unit, specializing in insurance-related crimes. Rob successfully prosecuted hundreds of high-profile criminal cases. As a member of the District Attorney's homicide unit, investigated and prosecuted many gang-related murders. His more illustrious cases involved the prosecutions of corrupt doctors, lawyers, clergymen and politicians.

Rob is a graduate of Tulane University, where he earned a B.A. Degree in Political Science, Graduated Cum Laude, University of Kent at Canterbury in the Honors Program, Columbia University with a Masters Degree in International and Public Affairs, Fordham University Law School with a Juris Doctorate Degree.

In 2008, Rob won the Democratic primary to become the Democratic nominee for State Representative in Florida House District 87. He was appointed as the Parliamentarian for the DEC in 2009 and is the precinct committeeman for precinct 6143 in Wellington. Rob resides in Wellington with his wife and two daughters.