For general questions or to reach any of the individuals below, contact us at: [email protected]
FABA Board of Directors
 Melissa "Missy" Olive, PhD, BCBA-D
Executive Director Missy is the Executive Director of the Florida Association of Behavior Analysis (FABA) and she currently serves as the Vice President of the Progressive Behavior Analyst Autism Council (PBAAC). Missy previously served as Co-Director of Public Policy for FABA and she served on the CTABA Board of Directors from 2016-2021. She chaired the CTABA Public Policy and Legislative Outreach Committee (PPLO formerly called Legislative Committee) from 2016-2022. She previously served as a Member at Large on the Executive Council for CTABA from 2011-2013. Missy also served on the Executive Board as a Member at Large for the Division of Early Childhood (DEC), a sub-division of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and as President of the Texas Council for Exceptional Children (TX-CEC). Missy is also the Chief Clinical Officer at Adapt for Life ABA. Missy previously served as the Chief Clinical Officer of Cultivate Behavioral Health and Education following the acquisition of her company, Applied Behavioral Strategies (ABS). Missy founded and directed ABS from 2010 until its acquisition in 2020. Missy also worked at The Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) in their Austin, TX and Larchmont, NY offices. Prior to working in the ABA space, Missy spent 9 years conducting research and training special education teachers and behavior analysts at the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Nevada, Reno. Missy currently serves as a Guest Reviewer for the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders and the Review Journal on Autism and Developmental Disorders. She also served on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Early Intervention for 8 years, Topics in Early Childhood Special Education for 10 years, and Young Exceptional Children for 12 years. Missy has published over 30 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters focusing on assessment and treatment of challenging behaviors, communication intervention, feeding disorders, and ethical issues for behavior analysts. She is also the recipient of over $1.6 million in federal and state funding for research and training in the field. Her current interests lie in the areas of assessment and treatment of feeding disorders, assessment and treatment of severe challenging behavior, ethical issues in the delivery of ABA services, clinical compliance of ABA services, and ABA services in school settings. Missy is the guardian of her youngest brother, Mac, who has lived with Missy or in residential services near her since he was 13 years old. She is married to Norm and is also the bonus mom of two amazing women, Summer and Gigi. When not working, you can find Missy and Norm on a boat, out on their bikes, or traveling.
 Kerri Peters, PhD, BCBA-D
President Dr. Kerri P. Peters earned her master's degree in Behavior Analysis from the University of North Texas in 2007 and her Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Florida in 2013. She is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, Division of Psychology. Dr. Peters is the Administrative Director of the UF Health Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment (UF Health CAN) and collaborates with the UF BARC as the Clinical and Research Director. Through a contractual relationship with the Florida Autism Center (FAC), a division of BlueSprig Pediatrics, Dr. Peters is the Center Director of the FAC Specialty Clinics located at and in collaboration with UF Health CAN. Dr. Peters’ primary area of clinical research is applied behavior analysis, with emphases in the areas of intellectual disabilities and autism, challenging behavior, multidisciplinary care, and parenting. Dr. Peters was the recipient of the Henry C. and Audrey S. Schumacher Fellowship demonstrating outstanding scientific promise. She currently serves on the Executive Board of the Florida Association for Behavioral Analysis and is President-elect for the 2025-2026 year. She also serves on the steering committee, clinical, and research task forces for the UF Health CAN.
 Yanerys Leon, PhD, BCBA-D
President-Elect
Dr. Yanerys León is a Research Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology of the University of Miami and Director of Applied Research and Professional Development at UM-NSU CARD. Dr. León was named the 2021 recipient of the BF Skinner Foundation Applied New Researcher award presented by Division 25 of the American Psychological Association and currently serves on the Board of Editors of the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis and Behavior Analysis in Practice. In her role as faculty in the Department of Psychology, Dr. Leon directs the Learning and Behavior, Research and Training Lab.
In her role as Division Director of Applied Research and Professional Development at UM-NSU CARD, Dr. León provides programmatic and consultative behavioral support to professionals (e.g., schools, hospitals) working with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities. Dr. Leon currently oversees several grant funded projects spanning scientific and professional advancements related to service delivery for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Dr. León has served as member-at-large of FABA’s Board of Directors for 3 years including serving on the DEIA committee and chairing the membership committee where she spearheaded efforts to increase engagement and representation of spanish-speaking behavior analysts and RBTs.
 Matt Potak, BCBA
Immediate Past-President Matt Potak, BCBA has over 20 years of experience working with children and adults with Intellectual Disabilities. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of South Florida in psychology with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1999. Matt received his master’s degree from Florida Institute of Technology in 2007 with a Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis. He has a diverse background which includes working with individuals with acquired and traumatic brain injury, intellectual disabilities, developmental disorders, and autism. Matt began his career as a direct care staff. He has held the positions of behavior assistant, Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and Co-Instructor for the Florida Institute of Technology Program for ABA. Matt started Behavior Analysis Solutions where he provides services for adults with intellectual disabilities and recently opened a clinic for children in central Pinellas County. Matt has extensive experience and knowledge of state standards and regulations, and ensuring subsequent compliance. Matt continues to advocate for Behavior Analysis providers across Florida by attending and voicing concerns at AHCA workshops and hearings. Matt is a previous Local Review Committee member and has served as the president of the Bay Area Association for Behavior Analysis for the past 17 years. He served as a FABA Board Member from 2016-2019. He has served as the Co-Chair for the local FABA Chapters and continues to serve with other local chapter representatives to plan and coordinate the annual CoFABA conference. Matt has served on other FABA Committees including the Program Committee, Developmental Disabilities-Special Interest Group, and Public Policy Committee, where he currently serves as Co-chair. Matt has worked with FABA and other ABA providers to educate our Florida Legislators about ABA and intellectual disabilities while attending events in Tallahassee such as Developmental Disabilities Day. As President of FABA, Matt looks forward to helping our profession across Florida, be the advocate and the voice for providers/members, families, and clients. Matt is aware of the concerns and struggles we all have as providers and as professionals. Matt will work tirelessly to promote communication and education so we can come together and find solutions together.
 Marta "Tiki" Fiol, BCBA
Secretary
I have worked in the ABA field for 20+ years. Academically, I was privileged to study under two fantastic leaders, Dr. Jose Martinez-Diaz and Dr. Eb Blakely. I earned my undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Central Florida (UCF) (2000) and my master's in science from Florida Institute of Technology (2004). Following this, I enrolled in the Public Affairs Ph.D. Program at UCF, where I studied policy analysis, tools of governance/governments, strategic planning, management, legislative analyses, and more. Even as an ABD, the knowledge I gained has been invaluable in assisting others. For example, I lead our state in its successful legislative initiatives for RBTs/ABA, which has evolved into multi-state collaboration efforts. Professionally, I own an ABA company that provides home and community-based services throughout Central Florida. The best part of my job is working alongside an amazing team of humans dedicated to making a positive difference. My time is also allocated to serving on multiple ABA boards. Currently, I am the Past President of FABA and an integral member of various committees (e.g., Legislative, DEIA, Executive, etc.). I live in Merritt Island with my wife Dana and our boys, Jackson and Brantley. In my free time, I support our boys by volunteering as their little league baseball coach, supporting our local school's PTOs, advocating at school board meetings, or attending rallies to oppose the MAJOR legislative and academic changes that negatively impact our teachers and students. More info is located on social media.
 C. Baker Wright, PhD, BCBA-D
Treasurer Baker Wright, PhD, BCBA-D is the team leader and owner of Behavior Management Consultants (BMC), an Applied Behavior Analysis group based in Tallahassee, Florida and with teams across Florida and South Georgia. Baker received his MA from East Carolina University and his PhD from Florida State University in 2005. Baker has been with BMC since 2000, working directly with individuals with a wide array of learning and behavior challenges. Most of his work has been as a consulting behavior analyst for school districts across the Southeast since for over 20 years, working in classrooms and training teachers, administrators, and paraprofessionals. More recently, he has been in leadership of the BMC teams spanning from Ft. Lauderdale Florida to Valdosta, Georgia. He researched and co-authored a book and procedural manual for teachers and schools, AutomaticRtI-Behavior Edition, that provides a comprehensive solution for the many challenges of the RtI process for behavior. He has served on the Board of Directors for the Florida Association for Behavior Analysis, currently serves as the Treasurer, and has been an invited presenter at state and national conferences as well as school districts, universities, and private providers across the country.
 Kelly Therrien, BCBA
Member-at-Large
As the Director of Talent Management for ALULA, Kelly Therrien is dedicated to improving workplaces through Organizational Behavior Management. Kelly develops and executes the corporate talent management strategy aligned to the company strategy. Ensuring the organization’s talent is enabled to execute against our strategy and supported to achieve professional goals and career growth, while simultaneously ensuring client outcomes. Before returning to ALULA in her current role in Talent Management, Kelly applied her talents as Product Manager for Professional Development with ABA Technologies, Inc., overseeing various professional development products to aid in dissemination of human behavioral science. Most notably, Kelly worked with the team in designing and developing the all new OBM Specialist program to improve student learning outcomes and profitability of the program. Kelly developed her subject matter expertise by working up the ranks from delivery consultant to Senior Consultant, to Project Manager with ALULA during the course of her career after earning her graduate degree. Kelly was also a member of the Operations Team, playing a vital role in the Consultant Readiness and Delivery function. Kelly earned her MS in Applied Behavior Analysis with an emphasis in Organizational Behavior Management from the Florida Institute of Technology. She earned her BCBA certification and has maintained it in good standing since 2004. Kelly also holds a BS in Psychology with a minor in Business from Florida State University, having completed the Performance Management track. She has published articles in both the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis and Journal of Organizational Behavior Management. Kelly is active in her behavioral science community through networking, disseminating, and contributing to the field, and is President-Elect of the Organizational Behavior Management Network (2023) and Member at Large for the Florida Association of Behavior Analysis Board of Directors (2022). She previously volunteered her time as President for the Association for Behavior Analysis of Brevard (county FABA Chapter 2021-2013), served as their Vice President (2019–2021) and Treasurer (2017–2019). Kelly is also a volunteer mentor with weVENTURE’s Ignite 360 program, a small business administration organization that serves the local community and puts entrepreneurs in contact with local professional services to help achieve accelerated business success.
 Lindsay Lloveras, PhD, BCBA-D
Member-at-Large Dr. Lindsay Lloveras obtained her master's degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Western New England University in 2018 and her Ph.D. in Behavior Analysis from the University of Florida in 2022. Dr. Lloveras is a Behavior Analyst for the UF Health Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment (UF Health CAN) and coordinates the inpatient behavioral consultation program at UF Shands Children’s Hospital. Her primary area of research is in the assessment and treatment of behavior disorders, with an emphasis on quantitative analysis.
 Jonathan Fernand, PhD, BCBA-D
Member-at-Large Dr. Jonathan K. Fernand received his master’s degree from the California State University, Sacramento in 2012 and his Ph.D. from the University of Florida in 2017. Jonathan is an Assistant Professor in the School of Behavior Analysis at the Florida Institute of Technology. He has served as a reviewer for several journals including the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, Behavior Analysis in Practice, Behavior & Philosophy, and The Analysis of Verbal Behavior. Jonathan has presented at regional, national, and international conferences and has authored several articles and book chapters pertaining to a range of topics including the assessment and treatment of pediatric feeding problems, treatment of restricted and repetitive behavior, caregiver and staff coaching, applied animal learning and welfare, as well as issues pertaining to competency, ethics, and equity of marginalized populations. Jonathan enjoys giving back to the behavior analytic community including his roles as a Member-at-Large for the Florida Association for Behavior Analysis (FABA) and a Subject Matter Expert for the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). He also serves on several clinical advisory boards and consults within clinical and educational service facilities.
 Vivian Ibañez, PhD, BCBA-D
Member-at-Large Dr. Vivian Ibañez was born in Guatemala City, Guatemala, and grew up in Baltimore, Maryland. A summer internship at the Kennedy Krieger Institute (KKI) provided Vivian's first exposure to behavior analysis and severe behavior disorders. Soon after, she joined KKI’s Pediatric Feeding Disorders Program and was immediately drawn to this specialty. To expand her skills in this area, she was fortunate to learn from Dr. Cathleen Piazza while working in various divisions of the Munroe-Meyer Institute’s Pediatric Feeding Disorders Program. She then received postdoctoral training at the University of Florida, where she is now a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology and Director of the Pediatric Feeding Disorders Program at the Florida Autism Center’s Specialty Clinic in collaboration with the UF Health Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment. Dr. Ibañez also helped start the Pediatric Feeding Disorders Intensive Program at Children’s Specialized Hospital in New Jersey. One of Vivian’s favorite postdoctoral experiences was traveling throughout the state of Florida to consult and provide peer review at various ABA centers. This experience increased her awareness of service delivery needs for practitioners in community-based settings. Growing specialized services has also led to a passion for consumer advocacy, public policies affecting access to behavior-analytic services, and training for practitioners in community-based settings. Dr. Ibañez has also served on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Association for Professional Behavior Analysts. Outside of work, Vivian’s greatest joy has been her role as “Mami” to her son Rafael.
 Colleen Taylor, BCBA
Early Career Member-at-Large
Colleen F. Taylor became a BCBA in May of 2020. She has been working in the field of ABA since 2011, mostly with children and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. She has a passion for teaching social skills, collaborating across disciplines and professions, and empowering parents and caregivers to utilize Behavior Analysis with their loved ones. In her free time, Colleen enjoys spending time with her two daughters and husband in Tallahasee, attempting to garden and exploring state parks. Colleen began her position as a Early Career Member at Large in January 2024 and is looking forward to using her role in helping our organization.
 Corina Jimenez-Gomez, PhD, BCBA-D
Member-at-Large Dr. Corina Jimenez-Gomez (she/her/ella) trained as a psychologist at the Universidad Católica Andrés Bello in Caracas, Venezuela, and earned a doctoral degree in Psychology with an emphasis in behavior analysis from Utah State University. Over the past 20 years, I have lived in many places and held several academic and clinical positions. Currently, I am an Assistant Professor in the Behavior Analysis program at the University of Florida. My professional interests include supporting learners of diverse abilities, coaching staff in applied settings, and improving clinical practices – all through the lens of cultural responsiveness. The impact of my work on cultural responsiveness has been recognized with the ABAI DEI Distinguished Contributions Award, the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis Contribution of the Year Award, and the inaugural FABA DEIA Award.
 Mark Harvey, PhD, BCBA-D
CoFABA Member-at-Large Mark T. Harvey, PhD, BCBA-D has dedicated over 35 years to working with individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) across group homes, state institutions, clinics, and schools. He earned his B.A. from West Virginia University and both his M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Oregon. Currently, Dr. Harvey is an Associate Professor in the School of Behavior Analysis at the Florida Institute of Technology, where he teaches undergraduate and graduate students to apply scientific principles for assessment, analysis, and behavior change. In addition to his academic role, Dr. Harvey is the founder and President of Rogue Behavior Analysis, Inc. Through this organization, he offers direct behavior support to individuals with IDD and their families, conducts contractual work to evaluate state-level developmental disabilities service systems, and provides peer reviews and technical assistance to granting agencies and applicants. He also collaborates with national organizations to raise awareness about the mental health needs of individuals with IDD, contributing articles to journals in behavioral analysis, special education, bio-behavioral studies, and service delivery. Dr. Harvey currently holds the position of Vice President of the Association for Behavior Analysis of Brevard.
FABA Committees
Executive Committee
- Kerri Peters - Chair
- Matt Potak
- Baker Wright
- Tiki Fiol
- Melissa Olive
- Yanerys Leon
- Eric Prutsman
Elections Committee
- Matt Potak - Chair
- Kerri Peters
- Melissa Olive
- Yanerys Leon
- Eric Prutsman
Legislative and Public Policy Committee
- Eric Prutsman - Lobbyist & Legal Counsel
- Matt Potak - Chair
- Melissa Olive
- Michelle Castaños
- Colleen Taylor
- Vivian Ibañez
- Use this link to Email the Committee
DEIA Committee
- Lindsay Lloveras - Chair
- Jonathan Fernand
- Kerri Peters
- Melissa Olive
- Yanerys Leon
- Tiki Fiol
- Nikki Dickens
Conference Program Committee
- Nikki Dickens - Chair
- Kerri Peters
- Kelly Therrion
- Melissa Olive
- Kolton Sellers
Local Chapters (CoFABA) Committee
- Kim Lucker-Greene - Chair
- Kelly Therrien
- Colleen Taylor - Co-Chair
- Tiki Fiol
- Michelle Castaños
- Melissa Olive
Awards Committee
- Nikki Dickens - Chair
- Melissa Olive
Membership Committee
- Yanerys Leon - Chair
- Michelle Castaños
- Melissa Olive
- Jonathan Fernand
- Nikki Dickens
- Kolton Sellers
Media & Public Relations Committee
- Lindsay Lloveras
- Jonathan Fernand
- Melissa Olive
- Nikki Dickens
- Kolton Sellers
Program Committee
- Nikki Dickens - Chair
- Lindsay Lloveras
- Vivian Ibañez
- Kerri Peters
History Committee
Continuing Education Committee
- Kerri Peters - Chair
- Melissa Olive
- Nikki Dickens
FABA Observer
- Michelle Castaños
- Lindsay Lloveras
- Melissa Olive
Mailing Address:
3116 Capital Circle NE, Suite 2
Tallahassee, FL 32308
Please note: Any mail sent certified, receipt request, or requiring signature will likely be returned to the sender since we do not always have someone in the office to receive such special mail.
President-Elect
This position requires a three-year commitment to FABA.
As President-Elect the individual serves on the Executive Board and chairs Board meetings in the absence of the President. The President-Elect is expected to “shadow” the President and learn those duties as well as serve on several of the FABA Committees that are central to the operation of the organization. One of those is the Program Committee where the President-Elect assists in the review of submissions and makes recommendations to the Program Chair.
During the Presidential year, this person presides over the Board meetings and is expected to play an active role in the development of the Annual Conference and with issues of importance to the Association that may arise during that year. This includes communicating with state agencies and other associations regarding our positions on various issues and speaking on behalf of FABA in front of legislative committees when the Florida Legislature is in session.
The immediate Past President serves on the Executive Board, is responsible for that year’s election process, and hosts the Past Presidents’ Breakfast on the Friday morning of the Conference. As an experienced member of the Board, the Past President is expected to continue to show leadership in decision-making and to actively participate on critical committees.
Member-at-Large
At-large members are elected to three-year terms to the Executive Board and are expected to be active participants on behalf of the Association during this time. Those elected may serve in several capacities depending on availability and preference. A few of the roles that may be chosen or assigned include Observer Newsletter Contributor, Awards Committee Chair, Local Chapters Committee Chair, Conference Poster Session Committee Chair, and Conference Local Arrangements Committee Chair.
Advertising Disclaimer
Paid advertisements appear in Florida Association for Behavior Analysis publications, including print and other digital formats such as the fabaworld.org website. FABA does not endorse or evaluate the advertised companies, services, practices, or products, nor any claims made by the advertisement. FABA reserves the right to refuse, reject, or cancel any ad for any reason at any time without liability.
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