Circuit Champions

This page of the OSCA Website has been created specifically for communications with the Florida Circuit Champions for awareness and action concerning opioids and stimulants. The roster of Champions and other related information is being updated so please come back soon for more.

Who the Champions Are

Judges, magistrates and key court staff who have been appointed as subject matter leaders on opioids, stimulants and their effects on the courts as well as to champion awareness and solutions.

What the Champions Do

Roles include: becoming informed about the topics through training and self-study, promoting the awareness of others in the circuit and helping to create a community of shared learning, while serving in other leadership capacities. Providing feedback to OSCA and assisting with occasional special projects is another Champions role -- such as providing feedback on draft FCOI initiatives before they are released statewide.

Expanded OSCA Charge

The Florida Courts Opioid Initiative (FCOI) scope began with a focus on opioids and has since been expanded to include stimulants (cocaine, meth and others). The program name has been expanded to reflect this change.

Champions Training Academy

The Academy was created in 2021 and its kickoff meeting held on February 23. The replay of the meeting provides valuable information for the roles and activities of all Champions.

The Academy met again on June 11, 2021, noon-1:30 PM. A replay of the June 11 session is available as well as the presentation slides for one of the presenters – Mark Parrino, President, AATOD. Champions will convene again in advance of Opioids & Stimulants Awareness Month.

The most recent Academy meeting was held on August 6 with a focus on the new judicial app finalization, feedback on pilot initiatives, and preparation for Awareness Month.

Circuit Champions Roster

Judges and Magistrates

Name	Title	Circuit
Angela Mason	Judge	1
John Miller	Chief Judge	1
Augustus Aikens	Judge	2
Nina Ashenafi Richardson	Judge	2
Mark Borello	Judge	4
Lester Bass	Judge	4
Marianne Aho	Judge	4
Kelly Eckley-Moulder	Judge	4
Mose Floyd	Judge	4
Jenny Higginbotham	Judge	4
Dawn Hudson	Judge	4
Steven Whittington	Judge	4
Gary Wilkinson	Judge	4
Donna Vincent	Magistrate	4
Gary Sanders	Circuit Judge	5
Jason Nimeth	Circuit Judge	5
Don Barbee	Circuit Judge	5
Bob Landt	County Judge - Marion	5
Patrice Moore	Judge	6
Kimberly Todd	Judge	6
Karen Foxman	Judge	7
Alexander Christine	County Judge – St. Johns	7
Phil Pena	Judge	8
Bridget Baker	General Magistrate	8
Alicia Latimore	Judge	9
Diana M. Tennis	Judge	9
Kelly Butz	Circuit Judge	10
Susan Barber	Circuit Judge	10
Stacie Kaylor	County Judge	10
Donald Cannava	Judge	11
Carlos Gamez	Judge	11
Steven Leifman	Judge	11
Marisa Tinkler Mendez	Judge	11
Orlando Prescott	Judge	11
Yery Marrero	Judge	11
Maria Verde	Judge	11
Marcia Caballero	Judge	11
Andrea Wolfson	Judge	11
Lon Arend	Circuit Judge	12
Katherine Essrig	Judge	13
Denise Pomponio	Judge	13
Michael Scionti	Judge	13
Dustin Stephenson	Judge	14
Donald Hafele	Judge	15
Sharon Hamilton	Judge	16
Holly Aliprandi	Magistrate	16
Susan Alspector	Judge	17
Hope Bristol	Judge	17
Melinda Brown	Judge	17
Yves Laventure	Magistrate	17
Kathleen McCarthy	Judge	17
Stefanie Moon	Judge	17
Michelle Towbin Singer	Judge	17
Michael Davis	Judge	17
Claudette Vanni	Magistrate	17
Katie Jacobus	Judge	18
Christina Serrano	Judge	18
Melissa Souto	Judge	18
Susan Stacy	Judge	18
Charles Schwab	Chief Judge	19
Steven Levin	Judge	19
Nicole Menz	Judge	19
William Wallace	Judge	19
Jennifer Waters	Judge	19
Robyn Stone	Judge	19
Jeffrey Hendriks	Judge	19
Rebecca White	Judge	19
Janeice Martin	Judge	20
Josephine M. Gagliardi	Judge	20

Court Staff

Name	Title	Circuit
Stacy Roberts	Drug Court Program Coordinator	1
Matthew Castagna	Mental Health Court Case Manager	1
Cathy White	Director of Case Management	1
Elizabeth Garber	Trial Court Administrator	2
Kendra Brown	Senior Court Operations Consultant	2
Charles L. Hydovitz	Trial Court Administrator	3
Eve Janoko	Trial Court Administrator	4
Terica Hamlyn	Director of Problem-Solving Courts	4
Alina Stoothoff	Director of Problem-Solving Courts	5
Angela Johnson	Drug Court Coordinator, Pasco County	6
Katie Kolar	Drug Court Coordinator – Pinellas	6
Nick Bridenback	Director of Administrative Services	6
Kimberly Clark	Court Services Officer	7
Sherry Browne	Specialty Courts Manager	8
Carla Ketcherside	Court Program Specialist	8
Kelly Steele	Director of Case Management	9
Jonathan (Jay) Rolle	Director, Polk County Problem-Solving Court	10
Jim Clanton	Clinical Coordinator	10
Diana Diaz	Dependency Drug Court Coordinator	11
Joseph Collazo	Adult Drug Court Manager	11
Rita Ugarte	Early Childhood Court Coordinator	11
Tim Coffey	Jail Diversion Program Supervisor	11
Rachel Lane	Drug Court Director	12
Ashley R. Brown	Criminal Programs Manager	12
Alfred James	Treatment Court Director	12
Angie Smith	Chief Deputy of Court Programs	13
Shonta Covington	Court Manager	14
Jackson Mack	Drug Court Manager	15
Christy Altaro	Juvenile Operations Manager	15
Allison Katz	Drug Court Manager	16
Benndy Francois	Drug Court Case Manager	17
Jessica Byczek	Judicial Staff Attorney	17
Russell Edwards	Drug Court Manager	17
Reginald Williams	Drug Court Case Manager	17
Beth Plotkin	Court Program Specialist III	17
Meri Beth Misch	Problem Solving Court Supervisor	18
Marissa Gore	Problem Solving Court Manager	18
Wendy Parent	Drug Court Manager	19
Cindy Hinson	Program Coordinator	19
Yleana Ramirez	Program Coordinator	19
Brianna Gutierrez	Court Program Specialist III	19
Bridget Washburn	Treatment Courts Manager	20

Appointments as of February 1, 2024, made by Chief Judges and Trial Court Administrators.

Coordinated by Florida Courts Opioids & Stimulants RESPONSE, OSCA Office of Problem-Solving Courts

Opioids & Stimulants Initiative

Last Modified: February 29, 2024