Florida Blood Services Inc.

Marla joined Florida Blood Services Foundation as the Events coordinator in the Spring of 2005, and is responsible for all special events, including the annual "Golf Gets in Your Blood" Scramble held each year in the Fall, as well as the launch of our new annual event, the "Gift of Life Gala". Marla has a diverse background that includes corporate and non-profit experience, both in the U.S. and abroad. Most recently, she spent six years in management in a financial services, Fortune 200 corporation. Concurrent with this work, Marla established an all volunteer non-profit organization in which she managed both events and a volunteer staff, giving her excellent experience in the specific needs and operation of non-profits. Marla's goal in joining the FBS Foundation is to help create greater awareness in our region of the presence of Florida Blood Services, and the need for the community to be actively involved in both blood donation and philanthropic support. Marla is currently a student at Eckerd College, working towards a degree in Organizational Studies focused on Non-Profit Management.

Megan joined Florida Blood Services Foundation in February 2003 as an Administrative Assistant. Her role includes grant writing and coordination, campaign and program development, and administrative support for many programs and projects that fulfill the mission of the Foundation. Prior to joining the philanthropic efforts of the Foundation, Megan worked at two Tampa law firms with responsibilities that ranged from case research support to office manager. Additionally, Megan has several years experience in nonprofit volunteer work. She was instrumental in one organization receiving the JC Penney's Golden Rule Award for Community Service with her development of a volunteer database for Pasco high school students. Megan is a graduate of the University of South Florida. Interested in community development and management, she received a B.A. in Sociology and a certificate in Urban Studies.

Arthur J. Silvergleid, M.D., received his Bachelor of Arts, with a major in English Literature, from the University of Rochester in 1963, and his M.D. from the New York University School of Medicine in 1967. He is Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Hematology, and in Blood Banking. He now serves as a part-time Senior Medical Consultant for Florida Blood Services, based in St. Petersburg. Doctor Silvergleid has been professionally active in blood banking, both at the state and national level, and has served as President for both the California Blood Bank Society and the AABB. He has published more than 20 original and review articles, and has also presented major addresses at numerous state and national meetings. He had for many years pioneered, and subsequently championed, an active role for the community blood center in providing centralized autologous transfusion services. In addition, he actively promoted providing autologous blood to pre-teen and adolescent children, as well as expanding the blood donor medical history questionnaire to include direct and specific questions about high risk behavior. In 1997, he was awarded the William L. Cover, M.D. award for outstanding contributions to Medicine by the San Bernardino County Medical Society.

Linda joined Florida Blood Services Foundation in December 2006. As a key Foundation representative, Linda is responsible for various community outreach efforts, campaign/program assistance, database maintenance and administrative support for the Foundation team. Prior to joining FBS Foundation, Linda worked in the manufacturing and AM/FM GIS industry as administrative support to Project Managers, Production Manager, and Finance Department. As a volunteer fundraiser for a national health care organization in 2005 & 2006, Linda's interest was piqued and she was inspired to leave the world of industry to work for a quality local foundation to benefit her community's health.