Charles “Chuck” Ridley, Chair

Community Organizer
Director since Oct. 2013; Term ends Nov. 2018
EMAIL

BORN: August 28, 1957; Miami Beach, FL

Music Degree from Florida A&M University

The vision I have for West Atlantic Avenue was best articulated by my oldest daughter at her graduation. Dr. Ashley Ridley shared that growing up was like putting together the pieces of a puzzle. She shared that before she would start working on a puzzle she would look at the puzzle box first to gain insight on what the final product should be. Dr. Ridley shared that her family and the residents of West Atlantic were her puzzle box, all she had to do was put the pieces together. My vision is for the West Atlantic Community to continue to be a place where families of various cultures and incomes will choose to live, work, and play. A place where children are not viewed as who they are, but who they will become. A place where the elders are valued and respected for the wisdom they bring. A place that I can live the remainder of my life and watch my grandchildren put together the pieces of their puzzle.

“What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Dorothy Ellington, Secretary

President/CEO, DB Housing Authority
Director since July 2014; Term ends Feb. 2019
EMAIL

Dorothy Ellington has served as President/CEO of the Delray Beach Housing Authority since 1996 and is currently responsible for management of 1747 housing units including Section 8, Public Housing, Neighborhood Stabilization Program, Low Income Housing Tax Credit and nonsubsidized affordable units. Since 2005, she has led a comprehensive redevelopment effort in response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Wilma. Demolition of the former 200-unit Public Housing complex created the opportunity for public and private investments topping $100 million.

Her years of experience in urban planning, housing and community development include serving as a Planner with both the City of Tallahassee and the City of Delray Beach as well as managing the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program in Delray Beach. She is skilled in public policy development, community organizing and resident empowerment and is responsible for steadfastly improving the performance of DBHA during her tenure.

Ms. Ellington has served on numerous advisory boards including Florida’s Affordable Housing Study Commission, Career Source Palm Beach County, the Palm Beach County Community Land Trust and the City of Delray Beach Affordable Housing Advisory Committee. She has also served as a faculty member for the National Association of Housing & Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) providing Resident Leadership training. She holds a Master of Applied Social Science, with an emphasis on Public Management form Florida A & M University.

Peter Perri, Treasurer

Economic Development Committee Co-Chair
Director since May 2006; Term ends Aug. 2018
EMAIL

Southside High School-graduated 1968
Nassau Community College 1969-1970

Owner and founder of Reliable Pool Service Inc. Est. 1971
President [1971-2001]
• Company employed 10-15 employees, Owned commercial real estate, Installed and serviced swimming pools.

Owner of PJB LLC
President [2002-current]
• Real estate rentals, buy and sell properties, Property Management, Developer and builder. Owner and manager of residential and commercial properties.
Member of West Atlantic Redevelopment Coalition since 2008. On Board of Directors for the Spady Museum. Participate in Neighborhood beautification events and charity events. President of Village Grande Homeowners Association of Delray Beach [2005-current]. Enjoy Family, friends, travelling, golf, exercising, hiking.

Ann Stacey-Wright, Vice Chair

Director since Jan. 2014; Term ends Jan. 2019
EMAIL

BIO COMING SOON!

Alfred “Zack” Straghn

Straghn & Son Tri-City Funeral Home
Director since Sept. 1997-00; Term ends March 2018
EMAIL

Alfred “Zack” Straghn, the founder of Straghn and Sons Funeral Home in Delray Beach has run the family business with his three sons providing services for almost 10,000 people since being in the funeral business. Alfred Straghn was born in Delray Beach and has been an involved and caring resident. He attended Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach, Florida where he earned a bachelor’s degree. He is a very active member of several strong community organizations including the West Atlantic Redevelopment Coalition and Spady Museum’s EPOCH Board as well as a member of the NAACP. Many adults in the community remember him as their Sunday school teacher, a position he has held for many, many years. Not one to taut his generosity, he is a philanthropist and has provided assistance to many when it was needed for professional service, clothing, tuition, food, utilities, etc. While he has received many honors, trophies, and plaques, a singular honor was bestowed upon him when he was recognized as a Distinguished Man of Excellence by the Delta Heritage Foundation.

Patricia Wright

NW Block Captain – Carver Memorial Park
Director since Dec. 2011; Term ends March 2018
EMAIL

Ms. Wright was born and raised in Delray Beach. She is a mother of one who is the Supervisor of the Aftercare Program at the Achievement Center in Delray Beach. Ms. Wright is the proud grandmother of three grandchildren.

Ms. Wright has been employed with the Miami Dade Water and Sewer Department for 30 years. Ms. Wright is currently in the Florida State Retirement Drop Program. Ms. Wright lived in Miami for 28 years.

In 2001 Ms. Wright decided to move back home. She was able to purchase a home in Delray Beach through the Delray Beach CDC. Ms. Wright served as the President of her neighborhood association Carver Memorial. Additionally served as a member of the Northwest President Alliance, representing the Carver Memorial Neighborhood, former member of the Coalition for Community Redevelopment, was elected as a Board Member of the Delray Beach Community Land Trust in 2008 to present and became a member of the West Atlantic Redevelopment Coalition in 2012.

Sheppard Gross

Delray Beach Public Works Crew Leader
Director since July 2014; Term ends Aug. 2018
EMAIL

BIO COMING SOON!

Michael A. Caruso

Caruso & Haugh CPAs, LP
Director since April 2017; Term ends April 2019
EMAIL

Mike Caruso is a lifelong entrepreneur and Certified Public Accountant, specializing in Forensic Accounting for over three decades.

Mike is an active civic leader who currently serves on the Delray Beach Police Advisory Board and as West Atlantic Redevelopment Coalition (WARC) board member, charged with advising the City of Delray Beach and CRA on economic initiatives, redevelopment planning, and neighborhood safety. Mike also co-chairs the WARC Economic Committee.

Mike grew up in Washington DC, where he started businesses selling flowers, mowing lawns and painting houses as he worked his way through college. After graduating with a degree in Business Administration, (concentration in Accounting), from George Washington University, he began his career with accounting firms, KPMG and Grant Thornton International. His innovative style drove him to open his own firm, eventually bringing him to South Florida.

Mike is a Partner in the accounting firm Caruso & Caruso and Chief Financial Officer of Delray Beach Executive Suites located in the SET. He is a regular expert witness in Palm Beach and Broward County Circuit Courts on Forensic Accounting and Business Valuations. He is the father of 7, champion barefoot water-skier, and enjoys spending time at the beach with his wife and two dogs.

Rhonda Williams-Turner

President, 4 Knowledge is Power
Promotions Committee Co-Chair
Director since April 2017; Term ends April 2019
EMAIL

Rhonda Williams-Turner is a native Floridian and happily married to Jason Turner Sr. She has 5 children of her own 4 boys and a daughter but has been a role model and mentor to a host of other youth in the community of Palm Beach County. Mrs. Williams-Turner’s commitment to the community started in 1995 where she began working for MAD DADS of Delray Beach, a nonprofit agency. Working at MAD DADS allowed Mrs. Williams-Turner to really understand the importance of the phrase— “It takes a VILLAGE”. She faithfully worked to implement numerous youth programs within the community such as Delray Divas Step Team, Delray Blazers Basketball, and summer teen programs. Mrs. Williams-Turner did not stop there as a City of Delray employee at Pompey Park she began to create other programs and events for the community including Family Fun Day, Delray Beach Trailblazers honoring Community Leaders of Delray and many more activities. Mrs. Williams-Turner began building a legacy that has grown over many years in leadership and commitment to the youth and adults within the community.

Currently Mrs. Williams-Turner is the founder of 4 Knowledge is Power and holds a Master’s of Science degree in Mental Health and Marriage & Family. As the founder of 4 Knowledge Is Power she seeks to positively influence and encourage today’s youth …understanding that the early years are the most critical years of their lives. 4 Knowledge Is Power encourages a positive education not only through books but through history.
4 Knowledge Is Power has not only created activities for youth but feel the need to empower adults to be successful. The organization has created many empowerment panel sessions to encourage.

Mrs. Williams-Turner is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority of South Palm Beach Chapter.

Mrs. Williams-Turner received the 2017 UN-SUNG HEROES Award from Boca Above and Beyond Award from Ladies of Futurity (2016), Legends Award from the South Palm Beach County Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta (2009), Chosen as an honoree for MAD DADS of Boynton Beach the Tanya Hearst-Williams Award (2007) and the “Children for Champion Award” (June 2004) for outstanding work with the youth in Delray Beach.

Mrs. Williams-Turner attends St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Boynton Beach. In her spare time, she enjoys being with her family and traveling, her goal is to enjoy life and continue to let God direct her path she gives all the glory to him. Mrs. Williams Turner’s motto is Dream Bigger, Reach Higher and Achieve More.

Dr. Raiko Knight

SD Spady Elementary Guidance Counselor
Director since April 2017; Term ends April 2019
EMAIL

My name is Raiko Knight and I have 3 children. I have worked as an Elementary Guidance Counselor for the past 10 years. Prior to working as an Elementary Guidance Counselor, I was employed by the Department of Children and Families (ChildNet) as a Family Services Counselor/Child Advocate and Independent Living Specialist. I enjoy servicing families and children in an effort to assist them reach their maximum potential for success.

I received my B.A in Psychology from Florida Atlantic University. I went on to earn my M.S in Guidance and Counseling and later a Doctorate of Education from Nova Southeastern University.

Reginald “Reggie” Cox, R.A.

CRA WARC BOARD LIAISON

A native of Delray Beach, Mr. Cox grew up in The Set and is one of its success stories. Mr. Cox graduated from Palm Beach Community College with a degree in Drafting and Design and continued his educational journey to Florida A&M University and received a Professional Degree in Architecture. He also holds an MBA from the University of Phoenix and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning at Florida Atlantic University.

After returning to Delray Beach in 2000, he began his community volunteer work to give back to a community who raised him; he currently serves as the NW Neighborhood Alliance President. Over the years he has served on numerous City of Delray Beach advisory boards such as the Site Plan Review and Appearance Board, Board of Construction and Appeals, Parking Management Advisory Board, Historic Preservation Board, West Atlantic Redevelopment Coalition (WARC), and the CRA Board. While serving as Chair of the WARC he spearheaded the 2014-17 WARC Strategic Plan Initiative and considers the plan a proud accomplishment for the community that was a major catalyst for community leadership and accountability.

Mr. Cox is the first African American licensed architect born and raised in Palm Beach County who established an architectural practice. In addition, Mr. Cox is a state certified building official, plans examiner, and building inspector. His diverse background extends over 30 years in the architecture, development and construction industry and includes past employment with the cities of Delray Beach, Boca Raton, Hollywood, and Weston.

Mr. Cox continues his commitment to continuous education and community mobilizing so that he can bring sound credible knowledge and solutions to advance the economic, social, and cultural future of the place he chose to return to and raise a family… The Set.