Food Bank Staff

Al Brislain
President & CEO

Al has been in food banking for more than 30 years. He has been director of four food banks, including an 11 year stint as executive director of the Second Harvest Food Bank in Spokane, Wa. He also has worked for Feeding America (formerly America's Second Harvest), most recently as senior vice presidetn of member services from 2002-2007. 
Al is married with two grown children, two grown step-daughters, and three grandchildren. He and his wife, Rebecca, live in Fort Myers. He is a graduate of University of California at Davis. 
He has been executive director of the Harry Chapin Food Bank since March of 2007. 
 
Phone: 239-334-7007 ext. 125 
E-mail: albrislain@harrychapinfoodbank.org

Joyce Jacobs
Associate Director & Disaster Coordinator

Joyce joined the board of directors of the food bank in 1990 and has been on staff since 1993. Prior to food banking, she worked in the hotel/resort industry in Naples, the Florida Keys and Baltimore, Md. She is married and has three children. Joyce and her husband Hawley Botchford live in Fort Myers.

Phone: 239-334-7007 ext. 130
E-mail:joycejacobs@harrychapinfoodbank.org

Neal McAlister
Director of Operations

Neal has worked in the food distribution for more than twenty years. He was the director of operations for a national wholesaler in New Jersey. There he oversaw two facilities with more than 500,000 square feet of distribution and a staff of 175 employees.
In 2004, he owned a distribution company before selling it and relocating to Florida in 2006. He was the plant manager at two CEMEX companies before coming to HCFB.

Phone: 239-334-7007 ext. 133
Email: Nealmcalister@harrychapinfoodbank.org

Dave Najar
Director of Administration

Miriam Pereira
Development Director

Miriam joined the Harry Chapin Food Bank in November. Prior to working at the food bank, she spent almost 20 years as a print journalist, 17 of them as a reporter and editor at The News-Press. Working on stories about Southwest Florida’s neediest residents, especially those served by the Harry Chapin Food Bank, inspired Miriam to change careers and enter the non-profit world. Miriam has a bachelor’s degree in communications from Florida International University in Miami, her hometown. She is pursuing a master’s in business administration at Florida Gulf Coast University.

Phone: 239-334-7007 ext. 127
E-mail:mpereira@harrychapinfoodbank.org

Chuck Dietz
Financial Services Manager

Chuck has been working in the accounting profession for 30 years and has a complete and diverse professional accounting background. A graduate of Ohio University with a BBA, Chuck has worked in public accounting, as a controller various companies, as an accounting supervisor for a major real estate development company, and as a tax auditor for the government.

Phone: 239-334-7007 ext. 131
E-mail: chuckdietz@harrychapinfoodbank.org

Marta Hodson
Special Events Manager & Volunteer Coordinator

Marta has worked in volunteer programs and administration at other non-profit organizations. She was assistant to the director of the Edison Festival of Light in Fort Myers, where she coordinated volunteer duties and community sponsorships for several annual events. She joined Harry Chapin in 2004.

Phone: 239-334-7007 ext. 132
E-mail: martahodson@harrychapinfoodbank.org

Suzanne Foster
Agency Relations Manager

As a transplant from Michigan 24 years ago Suzanne began her social service career in Collier County working for Catholic Charities, Senior Friendship Centers, Habitat for Humanity, and the SWFL Workforce Development Board.
Starting from the bottom and working up to an Executive Director proves that hard work does pay. Each position contributed to education in human relations, staff and board development, grant writing, contracts and fiscal management, and an intimate understanding of the needs of our diverse region.

Phone: 239-334-7007 ext. 129
E-mail: suzannefoster@harrychapinfoodbank.org

Chris Robinson
Food Resourcing Manager 

Chris came to the Harry Chapin Food Bank as part of the V.I.S.T.A. program (Volunteers In Service To America) in November of 2008.  He was assigned to the Fresh Foods Rescue Project.  His responsibilities include fostering relationships with local farmers, growers, and packers in an effort to secure donations of fresh fruits and vegetables for people in need.  In the first two years of the project, more than 4.3 million pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables were distributed to Southwest Floridians in need.   Today, Chris works under the director of development.  He is learning to write grants as he continues to manage all food purchasing and food sourcing.  

Originally from Columbus, Ohio, he moved to Cape Coral in 2008 to escape the cold winters.  Chris remains a die-hard Buckeye fan, and he enjoys golfing, fishing, playing soccer, and spending time with his family. 

Phone: 239-334-7007 ext. 137
E-mail: chrisrobinson@harrychapinfoodbank.org

Katie Schweikhardt
Collier County Food Coordinator

Katie Schweikhardt is the food bank's Collier County food coordinator.  She is responsible for conducting assessments and developing and implementing working relationships with non-profits and other entities in Collier County. Prior to joining the food bank, she practiced law at The Schweikhardt Law Firm for 10 years, focusing on real estate and real estate planning. 

Phone: 239-334-7007 ext. 200
E-mail: kschweikhardt@harrychapinfoodbank.org