Bob SellPresident
Since relocating to Fernandina Beach, Bob created Sell Productions, LLC, a small project studio that focuses on songwriting, music/video production and content creation for social media. His community involvement includes serving on the Airport Advisory Commission (AAC), co-facilitator of a Ping-Pong for Parkinson’s Program and serving as a board member/officer for the Friends of Fort Clinch. Bob has been married to his lovely wife Diane for 47 years. They have a beautiful daughter, Launa. She and her husband live in Tierra Verdi, FL. In his spare time, Bob enjoys spending time with his family, playing the guitar, piano, drums, songwriting and studio recording. His other hobbies include photography, video production, cycling, beekeeping, table tennis and pickleball. TBDVice PresidentTo be determined! Deb KienleSECRETARY
She is an outdoors enthusiast, walking daily on the beach at sunrise, and has now caught the pickle ball “bug”, frequently visiting the courts at Central Park. Deb enters her 3rd year as a FOFC board member actively supporting and participating in Fort Clinch events. She serves as grant coordinator and pursues community outreach opportunities. |
Bob had a 44-year career as a professional aviator and served in various aviation management roles. His first professional aviation position was teaching aviation classes and flight instruction at a major flight school in Atlanta. In 1985 Bob took a corporate pilot position with Bank of America. He was instrumental in developing numerous flight deck and ocean crossing procedures for the flight department and was later promoted to Chief Pilot. His final responsibility with the company was the Executive in charge of Aviation. Responsible for a team of 50 aviation professionals, the operation of 6 international aircraft with an annual budget of $50M.
Deb has been a full-time resident of Amelia Island for the last 4 years. She has been a dedicated spouse and mother to her family as they moved through 15 homes throughout six states and 4 countries. She volunteered extensively in support of her daughters’ schools through fundraising, grant writing, and teaching. She also taught English in rural South Korea. Professionally, Deb worked for 10 years in the auto industry as a manufacturing Quality Engineer. She holds a BS in Material Science Engineering and an MBA in Finance. Randall Taft
Treasurer
Randall and his family relocated from the Tampa area to Fernandina Beach in 2023 upon his appointment as Finance Manager of LignoTech Florida. Randall’s accounting and finance career started with International Paper and over his 30 year career has enjoyed leading financial organizations with global organizations in paper, mining, and sustainable products industries.
Randall grew up in Pennsylvania. Graduated Gannon University in Erie with his accounting degree, earned his MBA at the University of Pittsburgh, and certification in Supply Chain management from Penn State University.
Randall and his wife Shelly quickly fell in love with Fernandina Beach and have become active within Christwalk Church. Their two sons attended University of Florida with one recently graduating, and the second graduating this coming year.
Randall when not at work, spends his time at the gym, bowling, fishing; or simply enjoying a relaxing day at the beach. Upon volunteering at the 2024 Fort Clinch Mill Day; Randall with his appreciation of our State Park and his new community was happy to learn of the opportunity to bring his finance experience to serve the Board in the role of Treasurer.
Dustin Nemati
Attorney Dustin Nemati is a native of Orange Park, Florida practicing in most of northeast Florida. He is a graduate of the University of Florida and the Florida Coastal School of Law. Dustin previously served as an Assistant State Attorney Prosecutor with the State Attorney’s Office for the Fourth Judicial Circuit in Jacksonville.
He is active in the community through his participation in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life and as a driver for American Cancer Society Road to Recovery. Dustin volunteers at Fort Clinch as a Civil War soldier. He and his wife are very active members of the Lake Forest Church of Christ.
Dustin has served on the FOFC board since 2019.
Phil Blackstone
Phil Blackstone is a Navy veteran serving from 1984-1990. Following his military service, he joined the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office serving for 29 years. His work included Patrol, K-9 Unit, DUI Unit, and Traffic Homicide. He also worked closely with the State Attorney as a Criminal Investigator. During his employment with JSO Phil continued his education earning Bachelors and Masters degrees.
After retiring from JSO in 2016, Phil began work with the Fernandina Beach Police Department. Some of his duties included working within Fort Clinch, offering him an opportunity to gain a great appreciation for the park. Phil has raised 4 sons and has 6 grandchildren.
Patti Roberts
Patti was raised in Virginia, Washington and California. She graduated from Walla Walla University with a degree in Business and a minor in Aviation. She enjoyed 27 years with the Federal Aviation Administration as an Air Traffic Controller in Salt Lake City, UT and Jacksonville, FL., finishing her career at FAA headquarters in Washington, D.C. She has been enjoying retirement for over 12 years.
She has volunteered with local charities such as Foar From Home and Cross the Line. She and her partner Rusty also have volunteered at Amelia Community Theater. She walks her dog daily on the beach, enjoying local music, she enjoys water aerobics at the YMCA and is an avid reader and member of an active book club. Patti and Rusty enjoy cruises and traveling and have visited over 30 countries.
David Roeser
David Roeser moved to Fernandina Beach from the Villages, Florida in 2012 and began working in the park in April 2013 as a volunteer doing maintenance and clean-up one to two days a week. After six months in the field, a "volunteer" opening became available to work in the Visitor Center which he did until he was offered a position as an "OPS," working part-time 3 days a week in 2015. He was then offered an OPS position in the fort as an "historical interpreter" working with Frank Ofeldt part-time. He remained in the fort as an OPS until 2020, then went back to being a volunteer-soldier in the fort after Covid closed the fort for a time. Dave now presents himself as a candidate for the Friends of Ft. Clinch Board of Directors.
Ever a student of history, Dave lived in Williamsburg, Va for 9 years and has portrayed a Revolutionary soldier, a Union Civil War soldier, a WWI Doughboy, a WWII Coast Guardsmen. He has also been a docent at the Amelia Island Museum of History and served as secretary on the board for 2 years.