The MCS Board of Directors

The MCS Board directs and supervises the interests and the advancement of MCS and has general oversight of the school. The board consists of nine members, which include the immediate Past President, six elected parent members and two board appointed community members. The MCS Board holds monthly meetings and presides over the Corporation’s three annual meetings. Elected and appointed terms are two years in length and elections are held during the May Corporation meeting. All board members have a responsibility to be an active and physical presence in their committee work, on campus and in the community.

2011/2012 MCS Board of Directors

Brian Barroso, Treasurer/Finance Committee Chairperson
Brian Barroso was born in Key West, Florida in 1973, a forth generation conch. He is the youngest of five children. His parents are Barry L. Barroso, Sr. and Sandra J. (Herce) Barroso. After graduating from Key West High School in 1991, Brian attended Florida Keys Community College graduating with an Associate’s in Arts degree in 1995. For the next two years, he attended St. Leo’s University obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Resource Management with a minor in Business Administration in 1997. After a brief break from education, Brian returned to obtain his Master of Business Administration degree from St. Leo’s University in 2007. Brian joined the JC Penney Corporation in 1992 and in the capacity of Department Manager in several stores. After leaving the Key West store in 1998, he spent two years at the Miami International store, later promoted to the Citrus Park store in Tampa for one year. Brian was promoted to the Broward store in Fort Lauderdale in 2001 and finished that career in March of 2002 after moving back to Key West to join Certified Lower Keys Plumbing, Inc. as its Chief Operating Officer and Century 21, All Keys, Inc. as a Realtor until 2005. Brian is presently in the position of Assistant Vice President/ Branch Manager with First State Bank of the Florida Keys. In June of 1999, Brian married Dr. Colette Alea-Barroso in a ceremony held at St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Church. Colette is the older of two daughters born to David and Elaine (Reynolds) Alea and she is currently the owner and Pharmacist of Dennis Pharmacy. Brian and Colette have been married for over ten years and have two sons; Nathan and Jackson. He is currently a member of the Rotary Club of Key West and Board Member (Treasurer). He has previously held board positions with the YMCA, St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Church, Montessori Elementary Charter School (Treasurer), Key West Chamber of Commerce (Treasure, Secretary, First Vice Chair), and Grace Luther Church (Treasurer). In his spare time, Brian is an Adjunct Professor at Florida Keys Community College and coach youth soccer, football, hockey, and baseball. He enjoys basketball, golfing, boating and anything family related. Brian is interested in serving on this board because of the apparent need of help as a result of the open positions. Brian feels he can add value and experience to help stabilize the flux in Board Members. The three things Brian appreciates about MCS are the quality of education, the overall atmosphere conducive to learning, and the one of one interaction between Teacher and Student. The three things he would change/ work on at MCS are stabilization of the Board, solidify MCS property/ space at the current location, and increase enrollment.

Jessica Barroso, Vice President
Jessica Barroso was born and raised in Key West, Florida. As a child she attended the Montessori Children’s School here on Varela Street. Jessica appreciates the importance and recognizes the impact that the Montessori philosophy has had in her education, life, and family. Jessica graduated in 2006 from the University of Florida with my Doctorate degree in Pharmacy and re-located to Key West to raise her family. She is currently a pharmacist at Dennis Pharmacy and has two children who now will get to be a part of this unique learning experience. Her daughter, Daniella, will be entering her 4th year here this fall as a kindergartener with Ms. Adele and her son, Max, will hopefully be soon a part of the toddler class.

Barry Gibson, House and Grounds Chairperson
Barry Gibson is a 27-year resident from Pittsburgh, Pa., who came to Key West on vacation and never left. He has owned Shades of Key West for 15 years and currently serves as a Key West City Commissioner for District 4. Barry attended the Community College of Allegheny County, Florida Keys Community College and St. Leo’s University.

Bobbi Harley Holland, Immediate Past President
Bobbi Holland and her husband, Sam, have been part of the Montessori Children’s School family for the last four years and now both their daughter, Lyla, and son, Sam, are part of the Primary Program. With two young children, Bobbi has devoted much of her more recent time to their care, but during these last two years on the MCS Board of Directors, she has put in many long hours at MCS ensuring the excellent program offered continues to grow, flourish and exceed all expectations. Bobbi’s professional experience spans nearly fifteen years as a journalist, starting out at a small daily newspaper and ending as a Correspondent for CBS News, covering the Southeastern United States and Latin America for The Evening News with Dan Rather. While Bobbi’s expertise lies mainly in communications and writing, during this time she managed newsrooms and production staffs, mentored young colleagues and interns, and developed and delivered daily and long-term projects on tight deadlines and often under pressing circumstances. For her efforts she received numerous awards over the years, including four regional Emmys. Bobbi graduated with honors with a B.A. degree in Journalism and Political Science from Douglass College, Rutgers University, in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Bobbi believes her skills serve the school well, but just as important it is where her heart lies. Not only do both of her children attend class here, but her family has a long history and a huge commitment in this community. Bobbi wants to work to keep our early educational opportunities exciting and rewarding, which in turn will help keep Key West a wonderful place to raise a family.

Sam Kaufman, Planning and Development Chairperson
Sam is an attorney and lives in Key West with his wife, Julia, and their two children, Lily and Michael, who both attend the Montessori Children’s School. He is the chairperson of the Planning and Development Committee and is working hard to make sure the school identifies and achieves both its short and long-term goals.

Nikki Roberts – Secretary, Scholarship Chairperson
Nikki Roberts was born in the United Kingdom. She was educated in state schooling before joining the Royal Navy in 1991. Nikki then progressed through 5 ranks in her 16 years of service in the UK Armed Forces, seeing active duty in a variety of countries throughout her career. Specialized as a Logistics Officer, she also served as the Aide to an Admiral, an Executive Assistant to a Chief Executive and Project Manager for a major HR project in the UK Armed Forces. Well used to making presentations to large, often hostile audiences, she enjoys a challenge! Married to Peter, and with 2 daughters at the Montessori Children's School in Key West, Nikki rarely has spare time but when able, she enjoys sailing, skiing (badly) and Zumba! Since retiring from the Royal Navy, Nikki has been doing various voluntary work for local charities in the UK and am currently studying courses in UK Politics.

Pinky Singh, President
Pinky Singh served as Secretary to the Montessori Children’s School Board and is now president. She has been part of the school for four years now, her daughter Siarah Singh is with Ms Adele, her son Siddharth Singh, a recent graduate, is at the Montessori Charter School. She strongly believes in the Montessori style of upbringing and went through her early education at the Montessori school in Bombay, India. Pinky received her Masters in Architecture from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She is a local free-lance architect. Pinky is very passionate about her Indian background and teaches Indian Cooking as a personal hobby. The Singh family owns Pegasus International Hotel, a local boutique hotel for over 30 years! Both she and her husband are very involved in the community.

Melissa Trader - Fundraising Chairperson
Melissa Trader has been a Key West resident for 16 years. She is the owner of Stone Soup Gallery and Frame Shop, which opened in 2002. She is an active member of the community and currently serves on the boards of Art Behind Bars and the Anne McKee Artist Fund.

Scott Wilcox
After spending 17 years in the restaurant business, Scott Wilcox moved to Key West with Megan (his wife). Scott started offering consulting service for restaurants and quickly found out that everyone wanted his services, but did not want to pay for them. So Scott got a job a local guesthouse and remained there for 7 years. He then found an interest in photography and wanted an inexpensive way to frame his work so he picked up a part-time job at a frame shop. Scott then partnered with a local photography and printing company and started his own framing studio. This September will be his 9th year in business.