Name: Sandra Mathis
Age: ??
Family: Husband, Lewis Obi Jr.; three grown children, and six adorable grandchildren
Pets: Our huge black cat, Smeagol
Education: A.D. (R.N.) from WVU; B.A. and J.D. from the University of Louisville
Admitted to the Bar: 1991 Kentucky, 1994 Georgia and Florida
Employed by: Rogers Towers, P.A.
Field of practice: Board Certified in Marital and Family Law
Professional organizations: The Jacksonville Bar Association, Florida Bar, Florida Family Law American Inn of Court, Jacksonville Women’s Network
Community involvement: Family Nurturing Center of Florida – a non-profit organization providing supervised visitation, supervised visitation exchanges, and educational services for families involved in dissolution of marriage, domestic violence and dependency actions in Duval, Clay and Nassau Counties.
How did you get involved?
In 2007, I was recruited as a member of the board of directors by Rosa DeBose. As a local family law attorney I was well aware of the vital services provided by the Center and I was impressed by the support of the Center and its services by the faculty and staff of the Florida Coastal School of Law, including Rosa DeBose, Gerry Moran and Judy Moran, all fellow Board members. I have served as co-chair of the Taste of Chocolate Challenge, the Center’s primary fund-raising event held every January, since joining the Board in 2007. I was elected as vice president of the board in 2008 and will serve as incoming president of the board beginning Feb. 1, 2010. Since joining the board, I have had the privilege of working with two former presidents, Gerry Moran and Michael Orr, with former executive director, Joe Nullet, and with our current executive director, Stella Johnson. As a member of the board, I have witnessed tremendous progress at the Center, including the amazing success of the annual “Taste of Chocolate Challenge,” the unexpected and much-appreciated support of the Young Lawyers Section “Tee-Off Golf Tournament,” the opening of our new Clay County Center and four new Visitation Exchange Centers, and our upcoming move to the soon-to-be newly-renovated Lillian Saunders Center across from the Douglas-Anderson School of the Arts.
How can someone else get involved?
The Center appreciates the tremendous support it already receives and heavily relies upon assistance from our local family law attorneys, judges and the faculty, administration and students of Florida Coastal School of Law. Anyone interested in supporting the Center, serving on the board, or helping with the renovations of the Lillian Saunders Center is welcome to contact our executive director, Stella Johnson, or Chris Simons of Builders Care. They can also donate money for the furnishing of the new facility, buy tickets for the “Taste of Chocolate Challenge,” donate silent auction items or become a sponsor of or volunteer at the event by calling 389-4244 or visiting our website at www.fncflorida.org.
What have you learned/achieved through the experience?
More than anything I have learned how much people are willing to give of their time, money and services, even in the toughest of times.
What was the last book you read or are reading?
At this point in my life I am more interested in active hobbies like scuba diving and flying lessons. However, anyone who knows me can tell you that I have read, re-read, and will read again each and every short story and book ever written by Ernest Hemingway, the master of the “short sentence.” So far I have not duplicated his skill but I am working on it!