The DC Gator Club runs on the dedication and innovation of our Board members and volunteers. Through the commitment of these Gator alumni, we are able to provide watch parties, community outreach, and special events.

Katie Hernandez

President

Katie is originally from Clermont, Florida. She received her BS in Agricultural Education and Communications from the University of Florida's College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. While Katie was at the University of Florida she was involved in Gators for Israel, Student Government, the Hispanic Student Association, and Florida Blue Key.

Katie continued her education at Tel Aviv University, earning a Master's degree in Security and International Diplomacy. Katie Hernandez is a Senior Manager at Narrative Strategies where she specializes in digital advertising, strategic communications and grassroots advocacy. When she isn’t working or rooting for the Gators, she enjoys trying out different recipes with her fiance and spoiling their dog, Bear.


Treasurer

Tyler Walcavich

Treasurer

Tyler was raised in Jacksonville, Florida and graduated from UF in 2009 with a degree in Political Science. While at UF, he was a member of the Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science honor society, and was also involved in local politics as a campaign intern. After UF, he earned his masters degree in Public Policy from George Mason University in 2013. He has worked as a Policy/Budget Analyst.for the Department of Health and Human Services since 2016. In his free time, he likes to cook/grill, play video games, spend time with his friends, and loves to watch the Gators play football.


Melissa Andrade

Secretary

Originally from Miami, FL, Mel graduated from the University of Florida in 2019 with a degree in English. While at UF, she was involved with the Hispanic Student Association, Florida Cicerones, and Student Government. She currently works as a Scheduler on Capitol Hill and previously worked for the University of Florida's Federal Relations Office in D.C. In her free time, Mel enjoys reading, exploring D.C. bookstores, painting, and bike riding.


Rachel Kline

VP of Academics

Rachel Kline is a native of Longwood, Florida, and graduated from the University of Florida in 2017 with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Economics. During her time at UF, Rachel was involved in the UF Honors Program, Gators for Israel, the Women's Student Association, and her sorority, Alpha Chi Omega. She currently works in the office of U.S. Congressman Wiley Nickel and previously served on the staff of Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy and Senator Bill Nelson. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, spending time outdoors, binging Netflix series, and playing with her dogs, Stella and Remy.


Ashley Ray

Scholarship Coordinator 

Ashley Ray is from Orlando, Florida, and is now a practicing attorney in Washington, D.C. She graduated from the University of Florida in 2009, with a degree in Anthropology and a minor in Dance. After UF, Ashley earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Idaho College of Law, where she experienced snow for the first time.

Ashley has spent most of her legal career as a civil litigator. She was an assistant attorney general for the Missouri Attorney General’s Office, where she argued appellate cases and was lead counsel in state and federal jury and bench trials. Now, she is an Attorney Advisor for the District of Columbia Executive Office of the Mayor.

In her spare time, Ashley enjoys watching Gator sports, reading good books, and spending time with her family and rescue pets, Waldo and Snickers. She is a very, very proud Gator.


Kristi Muldoon Stevens

VP of Outreach 

Kristi grew up in Gainesville, making her a life-long Gator fan, but it became official when she attended and graduated from the University of Florida in 2016. After earning a second bachelor’s degree in nursing from Santa Fe College, she worked as a critical care nurse in Jacksonville before moving to DC. While in DC, she has transitioned from a career as a critical care nurse to a real estate agent. Currently, Kristi is a real estate agent with TTR Sotheby’s International Realty. Kristi enjoys exploring the incredible restaurants around DC, traveling, and of course cheering on the Florida Gators!


SARA MARINUZZI

Event Coordinator

Sara always knew she wanted to be a Gator and graduated from the University of Florida in 2018 with a degree in Political Science. While at UF, Sara was involved with her sorority, Alpha Chi Omega, Mentor UF, and volunteered at elementary schools across Gainesville. After receiving her master's degree, Sara moved to DC in January 2020. Sara began her time here as an elementary school teacher but recently transitioned into a technical recruiting career.


Adam Despang

Event coordinator

Adam is a native Floridian and West Point graduate who became an official Florida Gator in 2020 after graduating from UF with a Master of Business Administration. He is a former Army Field Artillery Officer who now works in the office of Climate Change at the International Development Finance Corporation. In his off time you can catch Adam traveling somewhere new, playing guitar, napping, or volunteering with Team Rubicon.


Miles Lowe

vp OF OUTREACH

Naples, Jensen Beach and Jacksonville are a few cities Miles has lived in having grown up in The Sunshine State. Driven intrinsically by community advocacy and activism, Miles’ professional history spans Federal and Municipal Government, Youth Empowerment, Non-Profits and Entrepreneurship. A second-generation Gator grad, Miles holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Florida and a Master of Public Affairs & Administration focused on Change Management. Miles recently relocated to Washington, DC after spending several years in New York City post-undergrad. 

Miles is an Organizational Development Consultant in Higher Education Human Resources Management. While at UF, in addition to working part time for the City of Gainesville, Miles held the position of  VP of External Affairs for Gators 4 Higher Ed a student liaison group for the UF Federal Relations office in DC, served as Program Director for Black History Month, was inducted into Beta Eta Sigma Honor society, mentored local students with MentorUF and rowed with Florida Crew. In his spare time he frequented Gladden Boxing Club which used to be right off W University Ave & 13th st.


Jake Woodbury

Technology Coordinator

Jake Woodbury is from Tampa, FL, and graduated from UF with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. While at UF, Jake was involved in Student Government, Dance Marathon, and Space System Design Group (funded by NASA). After college Jake moved to NOVA and worked as a general contractor for Clark Construction and a small software company (<20), Vector Airport Systems. Currently, Jake works at Capital One as a Senior Software Engineer and has been there since 2021. Jake has served on the board since 2019 and lives with his dog Kyle.


Mike Paiva

VP OF ATHLETICS

Mike is originally from Jacksonville, FL and is a double Gator, graduating from UF with a Bachelor's in Economics and Master's in International Business in 2017. While at UF, he worked at RecSports throughout Undergrad and was also involved in Delta Tau Delta Fraternity, Preview Staff in 2013, Student Government, Dance Marathon, and Florida Blue Key. Mike is a Residential Real Estate Agent here in DC with licenses in DC, MD, and VA. In his free time, he loves to golf, play any sort of sport or board game, travel, watch Gator football, and take his dog Hazel to all of DC's parks.


Brandon Morales

ATHLETICS Coordinator

Originally from Miami, Florida, Brandon Morales graduated from the University of Florida in 2021 with a B.S. in Public Relations. During his time at UF, Brandon was involved with PRSSA. Brandon is a Legislative Aide on Capitol Hill and is studying at the Naval War College for an M.A. in Defense and Strategic Studies. In his spare time, Brandon enjoys going for drives, smoking cigars, playing golf, and hanging out with his dog, Penny.