The Palm Island Estates Board of Directors is made up of 9 to 13 dedicated island volunteers who help guide our community. Board members are elected annually at the January Membership Meeting. Learn more about board roles >
My husband and I, along with my 19-year-old son, Hunter, moved to Palm Island in 2021. We also have a pup named Mable. Although we love Florida and everything about the island, our life still finds us heading back to Illinois occasionally, to visit with kids and grandkids. I owned and operated a hair salon and boutique in northern Illinois for 14 years. I have a knack for turning ideas into action—whether that means organizing community events, advocating for island residents, or simply creating an excuse for friends and neighbors to gather around a table with a cocktail in hand.
Deb Knighten - Corresponding Secretary
Like so many others, we had no idea what to expect when we rented a house on Don Pedro Island 4 years ago. Within 5 minutes of exiting the ferry we knew this was what we had been looking for. We bought a house on Bocilla Drive 2 days later.
I joined the Palm Island Estates Board to help preserve the special sense of community that makes this place so unique. In particular, I’m looking forward to focusing on enhancing the PIE website as part of the Communication Committee. As the owner of a digital marketing agency and over 20 years of experience in web design, I feel I’m well suited to the task. My goal is to make the website work harder for us and become a hub that residents will want to visit regularly.
Hello fellow islanders! 🌴 My husband and I have been between Palm Island and Boca Grande for 30 years. We bought a condo in the resort in 2003 and we came as often as we could with our two boys who are now 35 and 36. Life was fishing, boating and beaching. We sold the condo and bought a house on Bocilla Dr. in 2008 and sold in 2013.
I moved to Palm Island as a child in the late 1970’s. Our family lived the old style “island life”, going back and forth by boat. We had only well water and no county services at the time. No fire services, road maintenance, mosquito control, garbage, or cable. I feel very lucky to have seen the beach before there was a single house on it. I have been fortunate to have seen how PIE has helped shape the Island community throughout the many years.
Mic is a longtime technology and cybersecurity professional who has built an impressive career helping organizations navigate the ever-changing world of software and security. With more than 25 years of experience in the software industry and nearly two decades focused specifically on cybersecurity, Mic has worked across application, network, data, mobile, and cloud security. His career has included senior roles with organizations such as Snyk, Symantec, and IBM, giving him a broad perspective on both the technology and business sides of cybersecurity.Today, Mic serves as a Field CTO.
I grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana and attended University of Miami and received a B.S. in Industrial Psychology from Purdue University and continued my education at Purdue after graduation. My work background was management in many different industries including medical, education and the food industry. I have been active in volunteering for over 45 years and president of several organizations. Following my love for art and antiques, my favorite volunteer roll has been being a docent for the past 25 years at Bayou Bend Museum of Fine Arts Houston. It is the second largest collection of American antiques in the USA. For nine years, I also volunteered as a tour guide at Cliveden and Clandon Park – both are National Trust Houses in England.
Vicky grew up in St. Louis with her identical twin sister before attending the University of Kansas. After college, she moved to Kansas City, where she met her husband, David. Together, they raised two sons and a daughter.
With more than 40 years of experience in corporate leadership, he has developed a diverse background spanning cutting edge technology, strategic planning, business analysis, acquisitions, audits, think tanks, organizational initiatives, and service on numerous executive, advisory, and cross-functional committees.
Pam is someone who believes life is best when it’s shared with good people. Raised in a small town in central Michigan, she earned a bachelor’s degree in social work and a master’s in health care administration before building a 38-year career with Team Wellness Center, where she currently serves as Chief Operating Officer.
David grew up in Connecticut and later graduated from Lafayette College in Pennsylvania, earning a degree in Economics while balancing a successful four‑year college football career. After a job related move to Kansas City he met his wife Vicky, and together they raised three wonderful children.
Professionally, David spent many years in senior leadership roles within the medical laser industry, managing international sales & marketing teams focused on the Plastic Surgery and Dermatology markets. For the past 15 years, he and Vicky have owned and operated a highly successful competitive volleyball club in Tampa, helping young athletes grow both on and off the court.
David has also served as a Corporate Board Member, and participated in numerous committees throughout his career. After later moves to Boston and then Tampa, David and Vicky are now transitioning to make Palm Island their primary home.
They look forward to meeting everyone, becoming part of the community, and contributing positively to the island lifestyle.
The PIE Board is supported by dedicated officers and committees that help guide and serve our island community. Our officers oversee essential board functions, while our committees focus on key areas such as communication, membership, social events, and community advocacy. Together, these volunteers work to keep PIE active, informed, and engaged. Here’s a breakdown of each officer’s role and the committees that support our mission.
President – Leads monthly board meetings, oversees committees, prepares the annual board letter, and presides over the Annual Membership Meeting.
Vice-President – Supports the President and chairs meetings in their absence.
Treasurer – Manages financial transactions, maintains records, provides monthly reports, works with a CPA for tax reporting, and prepares the annual budget.
Corresponding Secretary – Monitors and responds to emails, forwards inquiries to the appropriate board members, and handles estoppel requests.
Recording Secretary – Manages meeting agendas and notices, takes meeting minutes, circulates them for review, and sends finalized minutes to Communications for website updates.
Administration – Manages preparations for the Annual Membership Meeting, including registration, quorum establishment, corporate filings, and insurance review.
Communications – Keeps members informed through email bulletins, website updates, and Facebook posts.
Info Central – Organizes educational programs and invites expert speakers to discuss topics relevant to the island.
Island Kids Scholarship Fund – Reviews and processes scholarship applications to support island students pursuing higher education.
Island Updates – Monitors all matters that may impact the island, including roads, bridges, and fire district matters while liaising with local law enforcement and emergency services.
Membership– Tracks new property owners, welcomes them via mail outreach, and maintains the membership list and email communications.
Nominating – Identifies and evaluates potential board members, presenting candidates for board consideration.
Action – Represents the community on civic issues impacting the island, mobilizing when necessary (e.g., recent sewer concerns).
Social – Plans and hosts social events, manages event budgets, and collaborates with the Scholarship Committee for volunteer opportunities.
