Search Committee
The purpose of the FDA's Search Committee is to recruit qualified candidates to submit applications for President-elect, Secretary, at-large Board of Trustees positions, Treasurer, Editor and Speaker of the House. The Search Committee will review candidates to ensure they meet all qualifications for the office, as established by the House of Delegates, and work to create a diverse slate to present to the House of the Delegates for voting.
Search Committee Members
Dr. Gerald Bird, chair & FDA Immediate Past President
Dr. Doug Starkey, Atlantic Coast District
Dr. Suzi Thiems-Heflin, Central Florida District
Dr. Steve Cochran, Northeast District
Dr. Makeba Earst, Northwest District
Dr. Cesar Sabates, South Florida District
Dr. Reza Iranmanesh, West Coast District
Current Candidates for 2024 Elected Leadership Positions
Click each candidate to view their application.
FDA Editor
Two-year term, one to be elected
Jasmine Shafagh, DMD
Hugh Wunderlich, DDS
Speaker of the House
Two-year term, one to be elected
Don Ilkka, DDS
At-large Trustee
Three-year term, six to be elected
Tom Brown, DMD
Christopher Bulnes, DMD
John Cordoba, DDS
Sudhanshu "Sam" Desai, DDS
Karen Glerum, DMD
Eddie Martin, DMD
Samira Meymand, DDS
Elías Morón, DDS
Merlin Ohmer, DDS
The elections for these positions will take place at the Florida Dental Association's (FDA) annual House of Delegates (HOD) meeting on June 21-22 at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center. While all members are encouraged to engage with the candidates, ultimately, the HOD members will vote for the open positions.
You are invited to join the candidates above for a virtual candidate forum on May 7 at 6:30 p.m. ET. Each candidate will give a brief presentation, and there will be opportunities for Q&A.
Still interested in running for one of these positions but haven't gotten your application yet? The second and final window to apply is now open until May 16th See the information below and links to the applications.
Open Positions for the June 2024 Elections
The final due date for all candidates to apply is May 16, 2024. No nominees will be accepted after this date.
The FDA will host a Virtual Candidate Forum* on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, from 6:30-8:00 p.m. EST featuring speeches from all candidates who are running for open positions and Q&A.
*If you are applying between April 16 - May 16 in the second round of applications you are not eligible to participate as a candidate in the virtual forum. You will have an opportunity to present at the House of Delegates in June with the candidates.
