Our Team

Board of Directors

David C. Jones, Founder / Past-President -  It is rare that someone can take a “tragedy” as an opportunity to change their life and help others. That is exactly what David Jones did. His injury became a personal commitment to help others. In 1988, David Jones was shot in a hunting accident resulting in a serious head injury that left him with permanent paralyses of his left leg, limiting mobility and no use of his left hand. David utilized a wheelchair for one year and gradually increased his mobility to the point where he could walk with a walker and now walks with a slight limp without any device. He remains paralyzed in one arm. In the process of his rehabilitation, he became aware of the importance of recreation for rehabilitation – not only to improve mobility, but to improve mental well-being. David saw this event in his life as a challenge and an opportunity to assist others. This life changing event developed into his personal crusade.  David went back to school and received his Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Florida State University. David Jones overcame the challenge of his disability utilizing sports for himself and others by forming the Florida Disabled Outdoors Association in 1990. This organization came out of the positive experience David had from using sports and recreation for his own rehabilitation.

Gordon Palmer, President - is retired, but is active volunteering and in his social life.  He worked for more than 30 years as a senior attorney with the Florida Reemployment Assistance Appeals Commission, State of Florida.  He became a C4-5 quadriplegic when he was injured in an automobile accident in 1977.  Not long after his injury, he started volunteering and doing advocacy work for people with disabilities.  His volunteer efforts include working with the Spinal Cord Society; the Center for Independent Living of North Florida; the Florida Transportation Disadvantaged Commission; the North Florida Spinal Injuries Association; the Florida Independent Living Advisory Council; the James Patrick Work Incentive Program and others. Since the Florida Disabled Outdoors Association created a board of directors in 1990, Gordon has been involved as a participant and volunteer.  He currently serves as the board president.

Kristy Carter, CTRS, Vice-President - Kristy is the Assistant Program Supervisor at the City of Tallahassee Parks, Recreation & Neighborhood Affairs.  Upon graduating from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation and Leisure Services Administration she holds her license as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist while assisting with training and advocacy within the community.  Prior to that time, she served as the Inclusion Specialist for Florida Disabled Outdoors Association along with serving in the community as a recreation therapist in a variety of settings from community recreation, rehab hospital to adult day care.   She has been involved with SportsAbillity Alliance as a volunteer and then board member since 1998.

Bliss Colao, Secretary - Bliss started as a youth board member through Youth Leadership Tallahassee in 2015 and has served as the Board Secretary since 2018. Bliss has always been passionate about working with people of all abilities, and she was a caregiver for a young adult with disabilities for five years. She graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology. She attended medical school at the University of Florida. She is currently doing her medical internship in Asheville, NC, before returning to UF for dermatology residency. In her spare time, Bliss loves to travel, get outdoors, and spend time with her two dogs, husband, friends, and family.

Michael Isaacson, Treasurer – Born with spina bifida, Michael has exemplified a lifelong commitment to adaptive sports and inclusion. As a youth athlete, he competed for several years at the Junior Nationals hosted by Move United (formerly the National Wheelchair Athletic Association), participating in archery, swimming, track, and field. While attending University of Florida, Michael was an active member of the Union for Students with Disabilities and the rehabilitation service fraternity Delta Sigma Omicron, organizations dedicated to promoting inclusivity and equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics. Since relocating to Tallahassee, Florida in 2007, Michael has been involved with SportsAbility Alliance, both as a participant and as a volunteer. In addition, he enjoys traveling, road racing, and embracing a wide range of outdoor activities
 
George Coaker, Director at Large - George Coaker has been involved with the SportsAbility Alliance Association since its inception. He has an Associates of Arts from Tallahassee Community College (formerly Tallahassee Junior College) and a certificate in Graphics from Lively Technical. He worked in the printing industry in Tallahassee for 34 years. George also received Journeyman Status in Graphic Arts through the State of Fl and the International Printing and Graphics Communication Union Local 193. He served as President of Local 193 from 1978-1985. He has one son, four grandchildren - two sets of twins. He is an avid hunter and a disability advocate. George was hit by a drunken driver at the age of 17 crushing the left side of his body. George spent approximately four years recovering from the accident. Since that time, George realized the importance of active leisure in his recovery. 

Jeff Douglas, Director at Large - After graduating from Florida State University with a master's in social work, Jeff stayed and continued working for two decades at the Florida State University Student Disability Resource Center (SDRC), where he provided crisis intervention to students and parents. As a volunteer with the Red Cross Disaster Action Team, he has helped families cope with emergencies and assisted in smoke alarm install installations. Since 2014, he has provided emotional support, financial assistance, and information to help families begin the process of recovery after a fire or other disaster. As an Adult Program Specialist for the Lighthouse of the Big Bend, Jeff provides job assistance, independent living skills, and vocational rehabilitation services to clients who are blind and/or visually impaired. He is someone who loves life and strives to be a better person today than the day before. He spends his leisure time Living. He has been involved with SportsAbility Alliance off and on since 1991, as a participant and volunteer and subsequently as a board member.

Advisory Board Members

Jackie Lambert - Jackie is a Recreation Programs Supervisor with the Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Exercise Science and Health Promotion from Florida Atlantic University.  Jackie is passionate about and believes in the benefits of parks and recreation. Guided by a strong commitment to expanding access and opportunities that foster wellness, connection and belonging for people of all abilities, Jackie has spent more than 25 years working in parks and recreation, and therapeutic recreation.  Throughout her career, Jackie has held leadership roles including Therapeutic Recreation Programs Coordinator where she helped shape mission-driven services, developed community partnerships, and built sustainable programs to support under-resourced communities that expand opportunities through inclusive recreation programming. Jackie currently oversees a Therapeutic Recreation Complex, countywide Sports and Wellness, and the South County Civic Center operations, supporting teams and programs that serve diverse community needs. As an Advisory Board Member and as an advocate for people with disabilities, Jackie is committed to advancing inclusive recreation opportunities that empower individuals with disabilities to thrive through participation, wellness, and community connection.

Jim Ledbetter - Jim joined the Capital City Kiwanis Club on 02/02/2009, and one of the first service projects he attended was Miracle Sports at Tallahassee's Miracle Field. Seeing and hearing all the fun had by the athletes and volunteers is so special to him, and he advises Kiwanians that once you see Miracle Sports for the first time, you will keep coming back for more! He loves raising funds for the SportsAbility Alliance (SAA), whether that is "participating" in the Big Kahuna or staffing a table at John Wesley United Methodist Church's Alternative Christmas Market. SAA is a passion of his that he is happy to share with anyone who will listen. He joined the SAA Advisory Board in January 2026.

Christina Martin
Ray Pringle
Bill Redmon
Curtis Richardson
Melissa Sims

 Staff

Fran Gilbert, CAE, Executive Director - Fran Gilbert, CAE, has more than 25 years of experience in the association management industry.  Her experience includes founding her own association management company, as well as serving as Executive Director of the Florida School Nutrition Association and for the Tallahassee Society of Association Executives. She began her association career with the Florida Press Association and quickly realized she had found her career path. Fran has a Bachelor of Arts from Florida State University where she graduated with honors in English—creative writing. She obtained her certification as a Certified Association Executive through the American Society of Association Executives. She has been active in her association community through the Florida Society of Association Executive. She served on the FSAE Board as a Director and Treasurer; and she served as a Trustee and Chair for the FSAE Foundation. Fran participated in sports throughout high school, college and beyond. She enjoys reading, writing, hiking with her dog and spending time with family and friends.

Kasara Barto, Director of Communications and Events - Kasara is a Florida native with a background in communications and event management. She is a graduate of Florida International University with a degree in Hospitality Management - Upper Division. Kasara has worked in marketing for government agencies and private companies, assisting with public relations, social media management and website development. When she is not working, Kasara enjoys traveling, biking and hiking with her husband and their two rescue dogs.