Board of Directors

Betsy Pepine, MBA — Serial Entrepreneur · Best-Selling Author · Mentor · Speaker — Founder, Pepine Gives — Vision & Finance Committee

Betsy Pepine is a nationally recognized real estate entrepreneur, author, mentor, and speaker committed to reshaping industries and empowering individuals to live authentically and with purpose. As the Broker/Owner of Pepine Realty, Betsy leads one of the top-producing real estate teams in the United States—consistently ranked by The Wall Street Journal and honored as one of the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies in America.

A serial entrepreneur, Betsy owns multiple real estate-related companies, including a brokerage, property management firm, title company, short-term rental business, and a real estate school. Her businesses have earned recognition on prestigious lists such as Top 50 Florida Companies to Watch and Florida Trend's Best Companies to Work For.

Betsy is also the best-selling author of Breaking Boxes, where she challenges societal expectations and inspires women to break free from limiting labels to rediscover their true selves. Through her work, she is on a mission to help others—especially women—embrace their power, redefine success on their terms, and live lives of purpose and passion.

She is proudly endorsed by her mentor, Shark Tank’s Barbara Corcoran, as well as nationally known voices like Dave Ramsey and Glenn Beck. Betsy’s unique blend of business insight and heart-driven leadership has earned her a respected seat at the table in both entrepreneurial and philanthropic circles.

In response to the affordable housing crisis she witnessed firsthand, Betsy founded Pepine Gives, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that helps families facing housing insecurity. Through partnerships with organizations like Habitat for Humanity, her foundation provides stable housing and hope to those most in need. She also actively serves on the boards of multiple for-profit and nonprofit organizations.

Betsy holds an Economics degree from Duke University and an MBA from The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. Born in Philadelphia and now based in Florida, she continues to lead with the values that define her life and work: integrity, impact, accountability, growth, fun, family, balance, and excellence.

Michael Allen — Chief Operating Officer (Treasurer)

Born and raised in Daytona Beach, Florida, Michael has called Gainesville home for the past 23 years. After earning a bachelor's degree, he moved to Gainesville to start a business with his father. Over the next 18 years, they built a multi-unit restaurant operation in Gainesville and Orlando, managing every aspect from blueprint to turnkey. As the owner/operator, he oversaw daily operations, staff development, forecasting, vendor relations, compliance, and profit/loss management. After nearly two decades, he sold the business, and the sales and acquisition process sparked his passion for helping other business owners navigate similar transitions. This led him to obtain a real estate license and join the same local business brokerage firm that assisted him as a client.

In addition to his business expertise, Michael is deeply passionate about international missionary work. He has led teams to Kenya and the far west basin of the Amazon River in Brazil and serves as the director of operations for Amazon Vision Ministries, a non-profit missions organization. He also holds a master's degree in theological studies from the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Family is a top priority for Michael. His wife, Melissa, is a director at the University of Florida, and their four children attend Countryside Christian School. They enjoy spending time together at sports games, school activities, and beach outings.

Bryan Burns — Co-Owner, Comfort Keepers; Pepine Gives – Governance & Steering Committee

David Coker — Branch Manager, Coker Mortgage Group — Pepine Gives: Vision & Steering Committee

Licensed in Florida & Tennessee

With over 20 years of experience helping families realize the dream of homeownership, David Coker is a trusted leader in the mortgage industry and the Branch Manager of Coker Mortgage Group, located in Gainesville, Florida. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, refinancing your current home, or exploring investment or construction options, David’s mission is simple: to deliver a lending experience built on trust, transparency, and tailored solutions.

A proud graduate of the University of Florida with a B.B.A. in Marketing, David brings both strategic insight and a warm, client-focused approach to every interaction. His deep expertise spans a wide range of loan products—including Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, Jumbo, Renovation, Construction Loans, HELOCs, Down Payment Assistance, and Reverse Mortgages—ensuring that clients always have access to the best options for their unique needs.

Before launching Coker Mortgage Group, David built a strong reputation as a results-driven Sales Manager in the financial services industry. He is highly skilled in mortgage underwriting, construction loans, home equity lending, and certified mortgage planning. Known for his integrity and solution-oriented mindset, David works closely with real estate agents, builders, and financial professionals to guide clients through the mortgage process with confidence and clarity.

At Coker Mortgage Group, David has assembled a team of dedicated, experienced professionals who share his commitment to service and excellence. From the first phone call to the closing table, clients receive personal, responsive support every step of the way.

Whether you’re buying in Florida or Tennessee, David Coker is ready to be your trusted mortgage partner—helping you not just secure a loan, but feel confident and cared for throughout the journey.

📍 Coker Mortgage Group
4110 NW 37th Pl, Suite C, Gainesville, FL 32606
📞 904-556-1906

Debbie Lee — Chief Marketing Officer, Gainesville Health & Fitness — Pepine Gives: Marketing Committee

Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, Debbie Lee brings over two decades of strategic marketing leadership to her role as Chief Marketing Officer at Gainesville Health & Fitness (GHF), a mission-driven company recognized for its commitment to becoming one of the best companies for the world.

Debbie has been an integral part of GHF’s growth for more than 24 years, playing a key role in shaping its brand, voice, and market position in a vibrant community influenced by a major university, leading healthcare systems, and a thriving innovation sector. Her work centers around building brand equity through a unique blend of culture-first strategy, in-depth market research, and compelling storytelling.

As GHF’s marketing and brand leader, Debbie designs and implements integrated marketing strategies that focus on sustained competitive advantage and company culture. A certified practitioner of the StoryBrand framework, she helps ensure that GHF's messaging is clear, consistent, and customer-focused—whether through traditional broadcast, digital campaigns, or day-to-day SEO tactics across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Before joining GHF, Debbie served as an undergraduate coordinator at the University of Florida’s Department of Health Science Education—an experience that laid the foundation for her deep understanding of people, systems, and leadership development.

Known for her bright, energetic personality (if she were a crayon, she'd be orange!), Debbie is passionate about encouraging others to seize leadership opportunities, believing that each experience contributes to long-term personal and professional growth. When she’s not crafting powerful marketing strategies, you’ll find her happiest anywhere in the world with her kids.

Debbie continues to inspire others through her dynamic leadership, creativity, and unwavering commitment to building a brand that serves its community and stands for something greater.

Mary Kate Walker — Store Manager, Walker Furniture; Pepine Gives – Marketing Committee

Mary Ann Hastings — Advocate • Counselor • Author — Pepine Gives: Governance & Audit Committee

Born in Martins Ferry, Ohio, Mary Ann Hastings spent most of her adult life in the Cleveland area before making Gainesville her home. With a Master’s degree in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling from Kent State University, Mary Ann began her career as a housing coordinator, helping individuals transition from state psychiatric hospitals into supportive community living.

Her deep commitment to mental health advocacy led her to direct multiple vocational programs for individuals living with severe mental illness. She later served as Director of Supported Employment at Case Western Reserve University’s Center for Evidence-Based Practice, where she championed employment as a pathway to dignity and independence.

From 1997 to 2006, Mary Ann and her husband, Lance Hastings, served as missionaries, offering support to individuals living with HIV/AIDS across Puerto Rico, Key West, and Gainesville. In 2011, she resumed her secular career as a vocational rehabilitation counselor with Florida’s Division of Blind Services, where she continued to empower individuals through purposeful employment until her retirement in 2019.

Since retiring, Mary Ann has turned her creative energy to writing, publishing two books of poetry under the pen name M. A. Hastings. She remains an active and engaged member of her faith community, advocating for social justice, addressing food insecurity, and raising awareness on climate change.

Today, Mary Ann brings her passion for equity and accountability to her role on the Governance & Audit Committee for Pepine Gives, where she supports the organization’s mission of serving the community with integrity, compassion, and strategic oversight.

At the heart of all her work is a driving belief that everyone deserves a safe place to call home and the opportunity to pursue their fullest potential.

Grahm Rubin — Entrepreneur | Founder, Fortyfour Pickleball | Behavioral Researcher | Business Student — Pepine Gives: Marketing & Steering Committee

Grahm Rubin is an entrepreneurial business student and founder with a passion for building brands that blend creativity, data, and impact. He is the Founder & CEO of Fortyfour Pickleball, a growing performance brand that has quickly carved out space in the emerging pickleball market. From product development to digital strategy, Grahm has led every aspect of the business—scaling it from concept to a multi-SKU brand with apparel, accessories, and an engaged ambassador program.

With experience in brand strategy, behavioral research, and social impact, Grahm excels at creating meaningful customer experiences grounded in analytics and empathy. He’s designed A/B experiments to boost conversions, built an ecommerce presence using Shopify, and developed segmented product tiers that align with real-world user needs.

In parallel to his entrepreneurial pursuits, Grahm serves as a Mentor and Research Collaborator at both New Directions for Young Adults and the International Society for Autism (ISA). His work in these organizations involves mentoring neurodiverse individuals and co-authoring clinical research to inform therapeutic models. His efforts have contributed to measurable improvements in client outcomes, and he has been recognized for his initiative, leadership, and ability to bridge academic research with applied therapy.

Whether launching consumer brands or contributing to cutting-edge clinical models, Grahm is driven by curiosity, innovation, and a deep belief in the power of understanding human behavior. He brings a unique ability to lead cross-functional projects at the intersection of business, psychology, and design.

📍 Based in Fort Lauderdale, FL
📧 grahmhrubin@gmail.com
🔗 linkedin.com/in/grahm-rubin
🌐 fortyfourpickleball.com

Joanne Edde — Financial Center Manager, First Federal Bank — Pepine Gives: Audit Committee

Originally from Long Island, New York, Joanne Edde is a dedicated mother of two and proud grandmother to seven. She shares her home with her husband and a lively backyard flock of hens and roosters, adding a touch of charm and sustainability to her daily life.

Joanne is passionate about gardening and enjoys preserving her harvest through canning. A lover of culture and music, she frequently attends blues festivals and explores new destinations whenever possible, reflecting her vibrant appreciation for both nature and the arts.

Professionally, Joanne began her career in banking as a teller and has grown into a seasoned community banker with over 20 years of experience. Her journey in the financial sector has been marked by a steadfast commitment to helping others—both through her work and her active volunteer efforts in the community.

As a valued member of the Board and Audit Committee, Joanne brings a wealth of financial expertise and a community-centered mindset. Her role plays a critical part in ensuring transparency, accountability, and the responsible stewardship of resources in support of the organization’s mission.

Jorge Villalobos — Founder & CEO, The Best Restoration — Pepine Gives: Vision & Audit Committee

Jorge Villalobos was born and raised in Bogotá, Colombia, where he earned a degree in Finance and spent over nine years working in the banking industry. In 1999, seeking a safer environment for his family, Jorge made the life-changing decision to relocate to Florida with his wife, Susie, and their two children, Laura and Sergio.

Starting over in a new country, Jorge entered the carpet cleaning industry in 2000 and transitioned into restoration services just two years later. In 2006, he founded The Best Restoration as a one-man operation with a single truck. Through unwavering dedication, continuous learning, and a strong commitment to customer satisfaction, Jorge has grown the business into one of the most respected restoration companies in the region.

Today, The Best Restoration employs 32 full-time team members, operates a state-of-the-art area rug cleaning and repair plant, and has expanded into property turnover services with an additional 26 full-time employees. The company continues to thrive under Jorge’s leadership, driven by a mission to deliver exceptional service and create meaningful impact in the community.

Over the years, Jorge has completed extensive training in his field, earning his Master in Drying along with multiple IICRC certifications in cleaning and mold remediation. He has also invested heavily in his personal and professional growth, becoming certified through the Zig Ziglar Corporation, the John Maxwell Academy, and Personal Insights/DISC, and is an active member of Howard Partridge’s business coaching programs.

In 2023, Jorge was honored with the prestigious Ralph Bloss Humanitarian Award at The Experience in Las Vegas—recognition of his commitment not just to excellence in business, but to service and integrity in life. Locally, he and The Best Restoration have been celebrated with numerous awards from the Gainesville Chamber of Commerce, the North Central Florida Apartment Association (NCFAA), GACAR, and other nonprofit and civic organizations.

Currently, Jorge is working with his leadership team on a five-year succession plan to ensure The Best Restoration continues to thrive for generations to come.

📧 jorge@thebestrestoration.com
🌐 thebestrestoration.com