Rick Cohen is a distributor of fresh produce and has been an active volunteer at the Deering Estate since 1996, serving as president of the Deering Estate Foundation in 2002 & 2003. His activities have included serving on the Deering Estate Environmental Education Advisory Committee which planned programs and activities for visitors and students that focused on the significant historical and environmental features of the Estate and he also managed the native plant nursery growing plant material used in the restoration of the Estates natural areas after Hurricane Andrew. Rick enjoys leading groups on extensive tours of the Deering Estate hammock and pinelands. He has been involved with many local conservation, preservation and environmental education groups and has served on the boards of the Tropical Audubon Society, Miami Dade County Historic Preservation Board, and the Florida Native Plant Society.

Sallye Jude owns and operates the historic Miami River Inn. She was instrumental in the community based initiatives that led to the state acquisition of the Deering Estate following the death of the last Deering heir in 1985 and its subsequent designation as a National Historic Place. She has been actively involved in environmental preservation and restoration initiatives throughout our community and is a Founder and past president of the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation. Sallye joined the Deering Estate Foundation Board of Directors in 1995 serving as Secretary/Treasurer from 1995 – 1999 during the challenging times of the restoration of the Deering Estate following Hurricane Andrew and served as President 2000-2001.

Peter England is Director of Government and Corporate Relations for Camillus House and holds a Marketing Degree from St. John’s University in New York City. He was elected to the Deering Estate Foundation Board of Directors in 1999 and served as Vice President in 2004 – 2005 and President in 2006.

Mary Young, is the immediate past Miami Location Leader for IBM and the creator of IBM’s award-winning outreach program GREAT (Girls Really Excelling in Technology). She is the founding chair of the Miami-Dade Public Library Foundation and her volunteer service has touched the lives of many through organizations that include the YWCA, United Way of Miami, CHARLEE Homes for Children, Dade Heritage Trust, and the Junior League. Mary has served on the Deering Estate Foundation Board of Directors since 2001, serving as Secretary in 2002 and was a founding committee member of the annual Seafood Festival.

Philip F. Ludovici is Sr. Partner of Ludovici & Ludovici, Attorneys at Law. He received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Miami in 1956 and Juris Doctor from the University of Miami in 1959. He founded the firm in 1959 and is a former municipal court judge. He has served on the Deering Estate Foundation Board of Directors since 2004.

David Peyton is a resident of Homestead and President of 1st National Bank of South Florida. He earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Miami University and his Juris Doctor degree from Cleveland State University. He has served on the Board of the Deering Estate Foundation since 2002.