CCA Board of Governors
President – Pam Rosen
Pam Rosen was born and raised in Southern California and moved to Chicago in 1993. She has two grown sons, both married, and three grandchildren. As a stay-at-home mom, she worked many years on PTO-PTA fundraising boards and served as a team manager for many of her boys baseball and soccer teams. She also worked on the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Volunteer Bureau, a United Way Agency assisting not-for-profit agencies throughout Lake County, Illinois.
Mrs. Rosen played competitive tennis on USTA 4.0-4.5 teams for 20 years. In her free time, she loves walking, reading, yoga and pickleball. Pam and her husband Jon are now Florida residents living happily on Captiva with their dog Buddy.
Vice President – Merni Libonate
Merni Libonate began her career in sports marketing – representing corporate clients who had purchased the naming rights to ATP, PGA, NFL and NHL events. Tired of constant travel, she became a personal assistant to Katie Couric at the TODAY Show. Her last position before retirement was as manager of the philanthropic endeavors of a New York City investment advisor who was also a patron and generous donor to the Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall, The Salzburg Festival and the Paris Opera.
She currently lives on Captiva Island with her sweetheart and husband, Tom, and Dixie, the world’s sweetest pup.
Secretary – Wendy Childers
Wendy Childers has been a part-time resident of Captiva since 1998. She lives the other half of the year in Normandy Beach on another barrier island. She is a licensed real estate broker/administrator with Childers Sotheby’s International Realty. She’s also a volunteer with Caregivers of Central Jersey and is an Elder at Pt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church.
In her free time she enjoys cooking, entertaining, yoga, biking, and is enjoying learning pickleball. She also loves hanging with her three grandkids, one who lives in Spain. With her husband Lee, she loves boating, traveling and walking their dog, Tashi, on Captiva beach with all his furry friends.
Treasurer – Lisa Riordan
Lisa Riordan first visited Captiva more than 40 years ago and has been a Captiva resident since 2012. After vacationing on Captiva for several years, she and her husband David expanded their time here after retirement.
A New York native, Lisa spent many years in the communications industry before beginning her 25-year career in labor representation. She directed and managed the New York staff for a major international labor union and negotiated and administered collective bargaining agreements with large public and private sector employers and municipalities including Verizon, City of New York, and State of New Jersey, as well as dozens of smaller employers and municipalities.
Prior to moving to Captiva, Lisa served as an elected member of the School Board in her community. Since her retirement in 2012, Lisa has spent her free time getting involved in the Captiva community. Beginning in 2013 she joined the Board of her homeowner’s association and has served as President for the last 6 years. In 2015 she was invited to join the Captiva Memorial Library Board of Trustees, serving as President for 4 years. Also in 2015, she was invited to join the Captiva Civic Association Board of Governors and has served as Vice President, President and then as Treasurer. She was appointed to the Captiva Civic Association Foundation Board of Governors, the fund-raising vehicle of the Civic Association, in 2017 and continues to serve there as President.
Lisa has two adult daughters, and seven grandchildren, all of whom reside out-of-state. When she is not busy with her community activities, Lisa enjoys boating, traveling, reading and spending time with friends.
Pat Boris
Pat Boris was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. She and her husband Mike met and married there, then set out to raise a family and build careers. They raised three great children, have two amazing grandsons, and are blissful in retirement on Captiva. They’ve lived here since 2000, full-time for the last twelve years. Pat and Mike also spend time in San Diego, where the amazing grandsons live.
Mrs. Boris is a retired Nurse Practitioner, having spent her career in hospitals and clinics in New York and Minnesota. She continues to be involved as a volunteer for health and wellness programs among other community involvements. Mrs. Boris serves on the CCA Board of Governors and the CCA Foundation Board of Directors. She enjoys the energy and enthusiasm of the Captiva community which comes together regularly for educational, musical, artistic, and wellness programs. She is a past Board of Associates member of the Chapel by the Sea, serves on its Missions and Outreach Committee and prayer chain. She is a founding member of Interfaith Outreach of San Cap, which supports area people living with memory impairment and their caregivers, is also on the Dubin Center Advisory Board, and volunteers for FISH of San Cap. She very much enjoys living in Sunset Captiva, and serving on its Board of Directors.
Mrs. Boris’ favorite activities include BIG Arts Community Chorus, hiking, and reading. Her most joy-filled moments are with her husband, family, and grandsons.
Rita Ewell
Rita Ewell began her career as a radiographer in Baltimore and upon demonstrating her technical expertise, became an educator and administrator in regional hospitals. This led to private sector opportunities that included managing technical and educational support in the Mammography Division of Thomson-CGR Medical Corporation, a French radiology equipment firm and as a mammography sales specialist for General Electric Medical Systems.
In 1992 Rita formed her own consulting business with a focus on the enhancement of the technical excellence of mammography as a diagnostic tool, while increasing the awareness of the emotional sensitivity of breast related issues. Before her retirement in 2005, Rita was known nationally and abroad for her teaching skills and knowledge. She was a member of the FDA Advisory Committee for Mammography Quality Assurance and named an Honorary Fellow in the Society of Breast Imaging. In retirement Rita continued her work for the betterment of women’s health as the President of the Board of Directors for The Red Devils, a non-profit organization whose mission is to fund support services that improve the quality of life for breast cancer patients and their families. Here on Captiva, Rita is active in the community, serving as President of the Captiva Memorial Library Board, where she and her husband also volunteer. The Ewells also deliver meals for FISH.
Rita and her husband Clay, both born and raised in Baltimore, fell in love with Captiva on their first visit in 1992. They became Florida residents in 2018 and now divide their time between their home on Captiva and a summer getaway on the Delaware coast.
Karen Hatter
Karen Hatter began her career as a Labor and Delivery Nurse in Upstate New York where she met her husband. After moving to Virginia she served as the founding member of the Chesapeake Medical Alliance. The family later moved back to The Hudson Valley where their three children were raised. She organized several fundraising activities for the Interact Club of Rotary and school programs as well as serving two terms on the Rhinebeck school board.
The family vacationed on Captiva regularly for over 20 years before purchasing a home in 2018. Karen now serves on the Board of Sunset Captiva. She enjoys running and playing Pickleball. Summers are spent on the Fingerlakes where a long but rewarding renovation of a neglected lake cottage remains in progress.
Ginny Reiss
Ginny Reiss and her husband Mark have been coming to Captiva since 1999. When they aren’t in residence here, they’re enjoying life in the mountains of Colorado. Ginny is a retired third grade elementary school teacher, and was also a mentor for student teachers in Jefferson County, Colorado. She has also been an active member in the Evergreen Animal Protective League. Presently, she serves on the Captiva Island Historical Society board and enjoys focusing on event planning for the organization.
Captiva is a special place for Ginny and her family. Her son was married on Captiva and her grandchildren have spent every Christmas of their lives on the island. “My family and I have lots of history here and are looking forward to what the future holds for us as well as our wonderful friends and community. I am honored to serve on the CCA’s Board of Governors.”
Richard Sonking
Richard Sonking, along with his partner Julia Grant, divide their time between New Hampshire and Captiva. “We first discovered Captiva in 2011 and fell in love with the small tight-knit community. It is a community comprised of interesting people with roots from all over the world that have settled in Captiva where all appreciate the relaxed and stimulating environment.”
Mr. Sonking was president and founder of the company Rochard, an importer and distributor of fine China and glass as well as collectibles. He traveled throughout Europe working with various factories and studios developing products distributed by the most prestigious retailers throughout the country. For 30 years, Richard and Julia were lucky enough to reside in New York City, enjoying all the city had to offer.