Board Members
Gordon E. Fornell
MBBA Board Chair
Lieutenant General Fornell, USAF, (Ret.) retired from active duty in the USAF in 1993 with over 35 years of service. He has been a private consultant since retiring and living in Niceville, FL. He is also a member of the Defense Support Initiative of the Okaloosa County Economic Development Council, President of the Air Force Armament Museum Foundation, member of the Niceville Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee, and member of the Mid-Bay Bridge Authority. He served in senior acquisition leadership positions in AF Systems Command and AF Material Command. He is a graduate of the AF Test Pilot School, holds an MBA from the Wharton School, and an engineering degree from Michigan State University.
Virginia Asthana
MBBA Board Vice-Chair
Ms. Asthana has been a resident of Niceville since 1985. She is a corporate officer and practice manager for Hygeia Medical Group, PA, a surgical practice with offices in Niceville and Fort Walton Beach. Her community service past and present includes MBBA Board membership, actively involved with the Florida Medical Association Alliance, as well as volunteer service in the Okaloosa County School district and the American Red Cross. She is a graduate of St. Joseph College, Emmitsburg, Maryland and L'Universite Laval, Quebec. She holds a Nursing degree from U. Mass.
Lois Hoyt
MBBA Board Secretary/Treasurer
Ms. Hoyt is retired from a 14 year career in government that includes Regional Director for the 1st Congressional District of Florida Representative and prior to moving to Florida was Assistant Director for Government Affairs for the American Academy of Family Physicians in Washington DC, lobbying for the 70,000 physicians members. She has a BA degree in Education from Calvin College and a Masters in Business Administration from Averett College. Her community activities include Okaloosa County Commission on the Status of Women Board Member and the Eglin Installation Growth Committee, Chairman of the Citizen's Advisory Subcommittee.
Daniel A. Bowers, Jr.
MBBA Board Member
Mr. Bowers of Crestview is a native of Okaloosa County. He was born in Crestview, attended elementary school in Niceville, and graduated from Crestview Senior High School. After receiving a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from FSU and passing the CPA exam, he returned to Crestview to begin his career. He is a partner in the professional services firm, Lundy & Bowers, CPA, which provides business and consulting services to customers at every stage of their business cycle at their offices in Crestview and Mary Esther. Actively involved in the community, he is a member of the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
James D. Neilson, Jr.
MBBA Board Member
Mr. Neilson of Destin is retired from a 23 year career in the Insurance Industry and was President and General Manager of Sandpiper Cove Condominium Association from 1983 to 2000. He is active in the community, participating in numerous civic organizations serving as current Director of the following: Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast, Director Regions Bank, Commissioner Chairman of the Destin Fire Control District. Has been Director Kelly Arts, Destin Harbor Partnership Chairman and Chairman of the Destin Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee and serves on the Commander's Community Liaison for the Air Force Material Command. Received the Eglin Community Ambassador Award, President of the Destin Chamber of Commerce for two years, and received The Destin's Outstanding Senior Citizen Award for Year 2000.