Meet the Committee Members
The O.C.V.O.T.E. Grant Program is governed by a five-member O.C.V.O.T.E. Committee, appointed by the Orange County Supervisor of Elections. The Committee members hold office for terms of two years. Committee members serve Orange County citizens by making decisions relating to the administration of the O.C.V.O.T.E. Grant Program and monitoring the fulfillment of the contractual requirements of the organizations who receive grant funds.
The O.C.V.O.T.E. committee is comprised of dedicated individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds. Learn more about each member below:
Rod Love
Committee Chair
Email: [email protected]
Term Expiration: September 30, 2026
Born in St. Petersburg, Florida, and raised in Miami, Rod Love has built an impressive public servant and entrepreneur career. He earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a minor in business management from Youngstown State University before moving to Orlando, where he advanced from a probation officer role to a leadership position at the Metropolitan Orlando Urban League. In 2018, Rod made history as the first African American Commissioner seated on the Orange County Board District 2, appointed by then-Governor Rick Scott. His leadership extends to chairing numerous boards and task forces, such as the Apopka Task Force on Violence, the Orange County Citizen’s Safety Task Force, and the Home Builders Institute.
Karen Willis
Committee Vice Chair
Email: [email protected]
Term Expiration: September 30, 2026
Karen served as the Chief Executive Officer for the Early Learning Coalition of Orange County from January 2007 until her retirement in the fall of 2022. In 2012, Karen was inducted into the Florida Family Child Care Home Association Advocate Hall of Fame. In 2019, Karen was named one of Orlando Business Journal’s Women Who Mean Business and the Women’s Executive Council’s Women of Achievement in Education. Most recently, in March 2022, Karen was recognized as one of 7 Central Florida leading women executives by the Orlando Magic during Women’s History Month.
Pedro Turushina
Committee Member
Email: [email protected]
Term Expiration: September 30, 2026
A native of Colombia, Pedro has lived in Orlando since 2001. He is the President & CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando. In this role, he oversees the strategic direction of the Chamber, spearheading efforts to cultivate and build partnerships with key stakeholders. Pedro drives innovation and fosters synergy in the Hispanic community of Central Florida. Before his current role, Pedro was the founder and Creative Director of a prominent marketing agency based in Central Florida.
Ethan Kim
Committee Member
Email: [email protected]
Term Expiration: September 30, 2026
Ethan Kim is a trial attorney for the Newlin Law Firm. Fascinated by the law from a young age, Ethan began his legal career as a public defender in Hernando County. He fought for the wrongly accused and those who could not defend themselves. He has since moved into civil law, working for several Fortune 500 companies before joining the Newlin Law Firm.
Dr. Nagesh Shakhamoori
Committee Member
Email: [email protected]
Term Expiration: September 30, 2026
Dr. Nagesh Shakhamoori is the founder and CEO of Rosemont Specialty Pharmacy, Orlando’s only independent full-service specialty pharmacy. He also leads Shakhamoori Group of Investments LLC and runs a non-profit organization, “Take a Leap”, which is dedicated to community health and education.