Vincent Franco

Vince Franco joined the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s Native Learning Center (NLC) as the Grants Compliance Manager in November 2011. Before joining the NLC, he was the Executive Director of the Marine Industry Education Foundation of Palm Beach County - a 501 (c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization that supports youth oriented programs in boating, fishing and maritime. He developed and managed numerous outreach and fundraising events, including conferences and workshops, specialized training programs, unique fishing tournaments and golf outings, as well as scholarships and endowments, planned giving, and grants. Prior to working in Florida, he held the position of Executive Director of the Central Pennsylvania College Foundation, and as Vice President of Education for Associated Builders and Contractors, Keystone Chapter, both located near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Vince holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Northern Illinois University. He has lived in Florida with his wife and twin sons since 2007, and is very excited to be a part of the NLC team.

Kassandra Hamilton

Kassie Hamilton became a dedicated employee of the Seminole Tribe of Florida at the age of 17.  She worked on the reservations for Tribal-owned smoke shops while attending McArthur High School and throughout her early college years.
Before joining the Native Learning Center, Kassie Hamilton, had served The Seminole Tribe of Florida as the Headquarters’ Switchboard Operator and then as the Secretary for the Non Resident Liaison’s Office. During this time period, she had the opportunity to work closely not only with the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s Tribal Members, but also with other Tribal Departments during conferences and events held by the STOF.
Kassie is very excited to be a part of the NLC and looks forward to working with the various tribes within and throughout Indian Country.
Kassie attended Keiser University for a degree Business Management and is working toward her Bachelor’s Degree through continuing education.

Tiffany Negron

Tiffany Negrón joined the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s Native Learning Center as a Special Assistant in July 2011, where she assists the Executive Director and Deputy Director in executing various tasks.  Prior to joining the NLC, she worked in a Commercial Real Estate Company as a Property Manager Assistant for twenty-five (25) shopping centers.  Tiffany holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, a TESOL License & Certification and a Substitute Teacher’s Certificate. 

Omaida Cavazos

In May 2009, “Mada” transferred to Hollywood from the Tribe’s “Big Cypress Reservation”, where she had worked for five years. As a member now of the NLC Maintenance Staff, she enjoys the experience of working alongside so many wonderful people; Tribal members and fellow employees alike.

She is excited to be a part of the Native Learning Center staff and looks forward to working with Tribes from across the nation as they come here for courses and training.

Georgette Palmer Smith

Before joining the Native Learning Center, Georgette Palmer Smith, CMM, formerly served as Director of Member Engagement overseeing the Membership, Conferences and Communications/Marketing Departments for BICSI, the worldwide preeminent source of information, education and knowledge assessment for the information transport systems industry. She produced two major U.S. Conferences, one Canadian Conference and one European Conference in addition to numerous region events annually.

She has served as Director of the Forum and Conference Services for the University of Oklahoma and brings over 18 years of experience in planning and arranging hundreds of different concepts of meetings, trade shows and events from coast to coast.  Smith is the former Director of Meetings for the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) in Fairfax, Virginia, and previously served as Senior Project Manager for the William H. Natcher Conference Center at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland.

She also has served as the Director of Convention Services for the National Congress of American Indians in Washington, D.C. She served as the White House Logistical Coordinator representing NCAI for the historic meeting between President Bill Clinton and all 545 Tribal Leaders at the White House on April 29, 1994.

Smith graduated from the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in Chickasha with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications. She attended the Eli Broad Graduate School of Management, the School of Hospitality Business at Michigan State University where she completed her Certification in Meeting Management. In December 2000 Smith was officially designated a Certified Meetings Manager (CMM) by Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and Michigan State University.  The recognition of MPI's CMM designees exemplifies MPI's commitment to one of the seven key goals within the association's strategic plan.

In October 2004 Smith created the University of Oklahoma’s first ever Meetings and Event Management Certificate program and served as a member of the OU Outreach Continuing Education faculty.

Smith, a former member of the Tampa Bay Area Chapter and the Oklahoma Chapter of Meetings Professional International, has served on the Membership Committee and Nominations Committee and was elected Vice President of Education. She has also served on the Meetings Professional International Research Advisory Panel from 2006-2009. Members serving on this panel assist the MPI staff to gather critical information about the meetings industry and MPI membership.  Smith was named “Meeting Professional to Watch in 2009” by ConventionsSouth Magazine.

Jared Forman

Jared Forman joined the Seminole Tribe of Florida Native Learning Center (NLC) as the Curriculum Development Specialist in July of 2011 where he works to plan, develop, and evaluate NLC educational programs.  By utilizing a variety of technologies,  he works to develop cutting-edge programs and courses that support the educational goals of the Native Learning Center.

Prior to this position, Mr. Forman was a secondary Language Arts and Social Studies teacher in Broward County, Florida.  He holds undergraduate degrees in English and Education, as well as a Master’s degree in Educational Technology form Nova Southeastern University.

D. Preston Steele

Preston Steele joined the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s Native Learning Center (NLC) as the Director of Training and Technical Services in May 2011. Before joining the NLC staff, Preston worked as the National Education Specialist and Director of Education for a proprietary adult school system.  Prior to working in Miami, Preston worked as the Principal at a school for children with Autism, as the Associate Academic Dean at a proprietary adult school, and as the Education and Training Program Director at the University of South Florida, all in Tampa, FL.  Preston holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management, a Master of Arts in Adult Education, and is currently working toward his Doctorate of Education in Higher Education.  Preston is originally from Oklahoma and has lived in Florida since 2001.

Jerome Mascaro

Jerome Mascaro proudly joined the staff at the Native Learning Center (NLC) in February, 2011 and serves in the position of Programmer/Analyst. Jerome received his BS in Computer Information Systems from Nova Southeastern University and before joining the NLC, served 17 years as a Programmer and Systems Integrator at Florida Power and Light.

Sharnell Jackson

Sharnell Jackson joined the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s Native Leaning Center (NLC) in April 2011 as the Special Events Coordinator. Her main duties consist of planning; coordinating and overseeing special events. She is a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), and has achieved other certifications from Broward College in Wedding/Event Planning & Florida Atlantic University (FAU) in Meetings and Events Management. In her 15 year experience, she had the opportunity to work as a Meeting & Special Events Planner for JM Family Enterprises at JM Lexus and other non-profit organizations in South Florida.  She is an active member of Meeting Professional International (MPI) and International Special Events Society (ISES).  Her career included planning and overseeing multi-day conferences, training workshops, employee appreciation luncheons, product launches, community relations and incentive travel events.

Sharnell is looking forward to an exciting career with the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s Native Learning Center. 

Nicole Harker

Nicole Harker became a proud employee of the Seminole Tribe of Florida in January of 2009.  She began her career with the Tribe as the Administrative Assistant for the Housing Department, during which time she had the opportunity to work closely not only with the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s Tribal Members, but also with other tribal members during conferences and events held by the Native Learning Center.

In November of 2009 Nicole made the transition to the NLC where she is now the Multimedia Program Director.  She is very excited to be a part of the NLC and looks forward to working with the various tribes within and throughout Indian Country.

Kyle Doney joined the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s Native Learning Center in February 2011. Previously, he worked for the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s Information Technology Department. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the Florida State University. Currently, Doney is a member on the Florida State University’s Alumni Association National Board of Directors where he works to build their network of alumni and friends and sustain meaningful relationships on behalf of the Florida State University. As the Deputy Executive Director he assumes the responsibility for directing the overall initiatives of the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s Native Learning Center.