Our Team

Board of Directors

Cheryl Scott, President

Cheryl Scott is a Senior Compliance Specialist at The Norman Group. With 30 plus years of experience, she is fluent in banking consumer protection rules compliance and operations. Cheryl first began building with Alachua Habitat for Humanity in 2010 and has been a Women Build Steering Committee member for over 10 years.

​Russell Scoates, Vice President

Russell Scoates is the owner of Small World Day Care in Gainesville, a business he has owned and operated for more than 40 years. Russell's support for the community goes beyond helping working families find care for their children. He has served on various non-profit Boards including on the Early Learning Coalition.

​Ben Phillips, Treasurer

Ben Phillips has been a Realtor since 2002 and has been an agent with Focus Real Estate Group since 2006. Earlier in life, Ben served as a member of the US Air Force, with tours in Europe as well as the United State Air Force Academy, receiving two Air Force Commendation medals as well as numerous other achievement awards and recognition. Ben has been involved in community service since his early childhood and started serving with Habitat for Humanity in 2004, while living in South Florida. Ben first joined Alachua Habitat for Humanity back in 2014 and has been a constant supporter ever since donating his time, talent and resources to Habitat's ongoing mission of putting God’s love into action, bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope.

​David Hilman, Secretary

David Hilman is the owner of Custom Design Renovations, a leading remodeling company. David has lived in the Gainesville area since 1989. David has been in the construction business for more than 30 years and has owned his own company for 22 years. He is extremely involved in the Gainesville community through the Builders Association of North Central Florida (BANCF). David has served BANCF for more than 5 years at various positions and became president of the association in December 2010. He has earned numerous accolades throughout the years, and is one of only a handful of Certified Master Builders in Florida, a Certified Graduate Remodeler (CGR), and a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS).

Tamelia Malcolm

Tamelia Malcolm is the Program Coordinator at the North Central Early Steps Program at the University of Florida. Her extensive involvement in supporting our community includes serving on the Boards of Directors of Family Promise of Gainesville and of The Child Advocacy Center. She also serves in leadership with the PTSA in Gainesville.

​Dr. Saeed Khan

Dr. Saeed Khan, Ph.D. is an Emeritus Professor of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Florida and President-Elect of the Retired Faculty of the University of Florida. Before retirement, he was involved in teaching and mentoring postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows and investigated kidney stone formation. His research was supported by National Institutes of Health and led to presentations at national and international conferences and publications of over 200 articles in books and scientific journals. Dr. Khan received a number of awards for his research and teaching including 2016, Honorary Award, 13th International Symposium of International Urolithiasis Society; College of Medicine Lifetime Achievement Award; and American Urological Association and Research on Calculus Kinematics Society Lifetime Achievement Awards. He was elected Fellow of the American Society of Nephrology. He was also awarded many other awards by the College of Medicine and University of Florida. He has also appeared in Marquis Who's Who in America as well as Marquis Who's Who in Science and Engineering.

​His community involvement includes among others, helping the establishment of Mercy Clinic for indigents, and membership of various city advisory boards. He recently served as President of the local chapter of the United Nations Association/USA. For his community service Dr. Khan received the 2014 Heart of the Community Award and 2017 Rosa-Parks Quiet Courage Award.

Dr. Jean Reid

Dr. Jean Reid, Ph.D. worked at all levels of education during her 35 year career. Currently retired, she most recently worked with assessment and evaluation of social and educational programs for CAPES University of Florida. Jean has a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from the University of Florida. She has a passion for Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and has taught workshops and developed materials for MBTI. Jean has served on the Steering Committee for Alachua Habitat for Humanity Women Build since 2012.

Betsy Pepine

Betsy Pepine is a serial entrepreneur in real estate owning several companies including a real estate brokerage, property management firm, title company, mortgage brokerage, and real estate school.  As a broker of real estate, Betsy also runs a robust real estate team that the Wall Street Journal has consistently recognized among the top producing in the United States.  She is also endorsed by her mentor, real estate mogul and Shark Tank’s shark Barbara Corcoran. 

With her focus on culture, Betsy’s brokerage, Pepine Realty, has been named as an Inc. 5000 Fasting Growing Private Companies in the USA multiple times.  In addition, her brokerage has earned spots on the Top 50 Florida Companies to Watch and Florida Trend Best Companies to Work For lists.
Betsy has an economics degree from Duke University and an MBA from The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania with a concentration in Marketing and Health Care Management.

Having served on several boards, Betsy is active in the north-central Florida business community.  Passionate about helping at-risk families with children, Betsy founded Pepine Gives, a 501(c)3 non-profit foundation that supports families facing housing insecurity.  In her free time, Betsy rescues animals, is an advocate for women and children, and enjoys traveling with her two adult daughters.

This is what Betsy had to say about joining the Board of Directors for Alachua Habitat for Humanity: "I wanted to join the board as the organization’s mission mirrors my company’s mission of improving and empowering the lives of others…one person, one family, one community at a time. I have seen and worked first-hand with cost-burdened families and know the impact safe and affordability housing has on the trajectory of a family."

Cathy Aull

Bio coming soon

Aaron Fintz

Aaron Fintz currently serves as the President of the University of Florida (UF) Campus Chapter of Alachua Habitat for Humanity. He is a third-year Business Administration student who joined the UF Chapter in 2022. Aaron began working with Habitat to give back to his community. He enjoys lifting weights, basketball, and cooking in his free time. Aaron is also involved with the UF Jewish Student Union, the Heavener Leadership Challenge, and works at a Hebrew school part-time.

Sara Emmanuel

Bio coming soon

Ashley Barnes

Ashley Barnes is the Business Development Coordinator at Oelrich Construction, Inc. Born and raised in Gainesville, she brings a passion for impact and a deeply rooted dedication to service. Ashley is an involved member of the community through many organizations such as the Builders’ Association of North Central Florida (BANCF) and Take Stock in Children.  

Gloria Lewis

Gloria Lewis has been the Executive Assistant and Bookkeeper at Westwood Middle School in Gainesville, Florida since August 2018. An expert in school administration and financial management, she handles payroll and provides crucial assistance to faculty, staff, parents, and students.

Gloria is actively involved in projects, the SAC Committee, and advisory roles for Student Government, Builder’s Club, and Yearbook Club. Holding a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism from Bethune-Cookman University, she brings a diverse background as a reporter, student intern for WESH NBC TV, and Head Equipment Manager for the Wildcats Football Team.

In community service, Gloria assisted as a Girl Scout Troop Leader and served as President for Big Bend Pop Warner Woodville Jaguars Football Cheer & Dance in Tallahassee, Florida.

Her transformative experience as a homeowner through Alachua Habitat for Humanity fuels her desire to contribute further to the organization and help others through their program.

Gloria Lewis is not only a dedicated professional with extensive experience in education and customer service, but also an active community member, passionately making a positive impact. As a mother of two, Gloria brings a unique perspective, strong management skills, and a commitment to excellence in all of her endeavors.

Dr. Scot Smith

Dr. Scot Smith is a recently-retired Professor from the University of Florida School of Forestry, Fisheries, and Geomatic Sciences. The majority of his career has taken place in the academic space of major universities including, the University of Florida and Ohio State University. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Resource Development from Michigan State University, his Master’s in Environmental Health Sciences & Natural Resources from the University of Michigan, and his Doctorate in Environmental Health Sciences from the University of Michigan. Dr. Smith has completed extensive research and has also contributed to various publications throughout his career.

Taylor Rose

Taylor Rose is a Senior Counsel at the University of Florida, specializing in governance.  He advises university leaders concerning a variety of issues including federal and state laws, regulations, University policies and procedures, and other special matters.

Before joining the University of Florida, Taylor enjoyed a diverse career, presiding over a large government contracting and staffing firm, practicing law with a focus on litigation and business transactions, and entrepreneurship. Taylor is a past president of the Levin College of Law Alumni Counsel and received both his Bachelor’s degree in Economics, and Juris Doctor, with Honors, from the University of Florida.

Susan Mitnick

Bio coming soon

Jorge Zukoski

Bio coming soon