Submitted by Wanda Wright
MIAMI GARDENS, FL– Florida Memorial University has welcomed four new members to its Board of Trustees, which is responsible for the efficient and effective use of the institution’s resources. These new members will bring added knowledge and leadership to the existing board of community, corporate, and alumni leaders who are committed to expanding FMU’s academic excellence. Who are the new trustees? Ms. Norma Ely is the owner and founder of Next Season Incorporation (INC) and serve as the Chief Operating Officer and President of her Women Owned, Minority Owned, Service- Disabled Veteran Owned business she started in March 2013. She served in the United States Army for 28 years specializing in Quartermaster/Logistics. Ms. Ely was the first Black female officer to ever command the 77th Corp Support Battalion during conflict in Iraq from 2003-2005 and was awarded the Bronze Star. Her last command was once again as the first Black female Brigade Commander to the 206th Regional Support Group/Brigade, in Springfield Illinois. Colonel Ely retired from the U.S. Army on September 26, 2013, and was awarded the Legion of Merit for her outstanding service to our country.
Ms. Ely earned a Bachelor of Arts in Aviation from Florida Memorial University in 1986 and was one of the first female students to earn the bachelor’s in science Air Traffic Control degree and received her commission in the United States Army as a second Lieutenant, from Florida Memorial University and University of Miami’s Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC) program. She was also awarded the FMU’s Lifetime Achievement award and inducted into the Historically Black Colleges Alumni Hall of Fame and was the guest speaker at FMU’s 2021 commencement ceremony.
Ms. Ely earned a Master of Business Administration, majoring in Human Resource Management, from Strayer University in Suitland, Maryland. She also was awarded a graduated certificate in Life Coaching from the American Military University in Charles Town, West Virginia.
Dr. Bernard Jennings is a self-motivated accomplished professional with extensive mediation experience in several different sectors and industries. Committed to providing fair and effective enforcement of relevant codes and legislation and successfully reducing the risks inherent with litigation and unaddressed conflict. An engaging and articulate communicator who delivers clear information at the highest levels. Dr. Jennings is the Executive Director, Mediator, Arbitrator, and Loss Mitigation Specialist for the IKJ Governmental Affairs Services in Miami. Dr. Jennings earned his Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration from Florida Memorial University; a Master’s in Applied Social Science, Public Administration from Florida A&M University, and received an Honorary Doctor of Entrepreneurship from the Los Angeles Development Church & Institute.
Councilman Reggie Leon was first elected to the City of Miami Gardens City Council in 2018, served as Vice Mayor from 2020 to 2022 and was appointed to serve as the Chairman of the city’s Charter Revision Commission in 2024. He has been employed with UPS for more than 20 years and is currently a member of the Florida District Management team.
He is a community activist and is a member of numerous professional organizations, including Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated; Executive Committee Member of 100 Black Men of South Florida, Co-Chairman of the UPS African American Business Resource Group-Florida District, Board of Director for the Elderly Housing Development & Operations Corporation, Orange Blossom Classic, and the Florida Youth Football League.
Councilman Leon is also a role model and mentor to the young men of 5000 Role Models of Excellence and was formally appointed Director of Director for the Miami-Dade County League of Cities. He’s an Executive Board Member for the Florida Council On The Social Status of Black Men and Boys.
He was born, raised, and educated in the City of Miami Gardens in a single-parent household where he learned the value of hard work, education, community, and the importance of service to others. These are the values he has carried into fatherhood and is a proud father of two daughters.
Councilman Leon also earned his bachelor’s degree from Florida Memorial University.
Reverend Dr. Vaseal Montgomery serves as pastor of Mt Zion AME Church Jacksonville, Fla., overseeing congregational spiritual growth and development, conduct worship services, Bible Study, Bible Discovery, home/hospital visits and community outreach and support activities. The goal is to meet the needs of the entire body, mind, and spirit.
Pastor Montgomery presides over the Stewards and Trustees of the church, conducts ancillary meetings for the transaction of spiritual and temporal business in the church, and currently serves as the 11th Episcopal District, East Conference Coordinator for Women In Ministry and as the East Conference, Christian Education Director. Additionally, she serves on the East Conference Social Action Committee.
Pastor Montgomery also has more than 30 years of progressive experience supporting the provision of healthcare through visionary application of Information Management/Information Technology (IM/IT) for multi-site integrated healthcare delivery organizations in the Department of Defense Military Health System and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Pastor Montgomery has a Doctor of Ministry (Pastoral Counseling) from Liberty University, Lynchburg, Va.; Master of Arts, Christian Education, Virginia Union University, Richmond, Va.; Master of Divinity, Virginia Union University, Richmond, Va.; Master of Science, Management Info Systems, Nova University, Davie, Fla.; Master of Science, Counseling Psychology, Eastern
Wash. Univ., Cheney, Wash.; Bachelor of Science, Physical. Ed., Morgan State University, Baltimore, Md.
Founded in 1879, Florida Memorial University is the only Historically Black College and University in South Florida. FMU is a private, coeducational, culturally diverse institution that offers 26 undergraduate programs, four graduate programs, and several professional programs. FMU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). FMU programs are accredited by the Aviation Accreditation Board International, the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs, the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, the Florida Department of Education, and the Council on Social Work Education. FMU has a competitive Inter-Collegiate Athletics program, more than 40 clubs and organizations, and its ROAR Marching Band is ranked number one in Division II among HBCUs. Please visit www.fmuniv.edu to learn more about the university.
