Men Who Make a Difference
Clovis Watson
AS THE CITY MANAGER for Alachua, Clovis Watson has truly made a difference. He attributes the differences he has made to simply doing what is right, not what is always easiest. He is very proud to be a part of a very professional and highly 
competent staff. Their main thrust is the betterment of the city and the community as a whole. His relationships in the community span the entire gamut of political, social, ethnic, and philosophical differences, and are based upon the content of the person's character and their actions. Personally, Clovis claims to have three most abiding passions: intellectual growth through reading, listening and performing; physical fitness; community service through his work and civic activities. A former Mr. Gainesville, Clovis also finished second in the state of Florida in bodybuilding. Upon describing his success and measuring himself against his own modest beginnings, he went on to say, “My modus operandus, my entire life, has been to observe and emulate the characteristics of men and women I admire for their deeds and works; then to incorporate these characteristics into my own life.”
Thomas Holland Fay
THOMAS HOLLAND FAY was the winner in our recent “Best-of-the- Best” poll in the area of Best Philanthropist. A Gainesville native and graduate of Gainesville High School , Tom served in the Fleet Marines on Okinawa , earned his B.A. degree in 
Speech from U.F., his Master's in Music from Columbia and his Ph.D. in Speech and Hearing Disorders from the University of Illinois . Tom lived in New York City for his entire career and was Professor of Audiology and Speech-Language Disorders at Columbia University where his interest in preservation of hearing made him an early champion of noise abatement. Five New York City Mayors appointed him to various positions where he was able to achieve advances in noise control throughout the city. As Advisor to the Fire Department (FDNY) he conducted the first ever official hearing tests of firefighters and redesigned fire, police and ambulance sirens for increased effectiveness and reduced hazard for personnel. This helped quiet the city's noise level, and Tom was made an Honorary Deputy Chief (FDNY). Mayor Ed Koch appointed him to the N.Y.C. Environmental Control Board where he helped write the city's first noise ordinance and served as its chief judge of noise violations. Retired now, Tom remains active in his church and historic preservation. In 1998, he received the prestigious City Beautification Board Harling Award. He currently is President of the Evergreen Cemetery Association of Gainesville, Inc. and passionately supports the expansion of historic Evergreen Cemetery. His creed: “I do what I can.”
Robert Hart
SUNSTATE FEDERAL Credit Union , according to Robert Hart, vice president of marketing, is where his passion lies. Robert is very active in the community promoting the difference of credit unions. Currently he is working with others to build a SunState Community Foundation to help fund money for scholarships to educate people on 
financial literacy. He wants to help many in the community learn about financial freedom and financial security. Learning this, at any age, can be an important part of each person's life and Robert is active in helping get the word out. Robert graduated from the University of Florida in marketing. He currently resides in Gainesville and has two children. Robert spends a lot of time working in the community to help with schools, the United Way and the Special Olympics. The Special Olympics has found a place in his heart and he actively works on gathering golf clubs for them to use. Together with Gainesville Today Magazine, Brown's Country Buffet and Ironwood Golf Course, Robert, with Sun- State Federal Credit Union will be hosting a golf tournament in the fall to again raise money for the Special Olympics. The “Point Guy” as Robert calls himself, says he's just giving back. He loves his children, his job, and the differences he can make to the community. We, in Alachua County , are lucky to have him.
Jeff McGowen
“MY PASSION LIES with Jesus Christ and the hope that I just add to the light, the good and the love in this world and diminish the 
negative”, responds Father Jeff McGowen when asked what his passions are. A humble man, though others describe him as a generous, faith-filled, funfilled man, who is relatable, dynamic, charismatic, engaging, supportive, compassionate, and a Christ like person. He is a leader who is a visionary, a trailblazer, who respects, empowers and appreciates the gifts and talents of others. Father Jeff really is a blessing to the community at large. Father Jeff has personally gone to Haiti , along with the Queen of Peace parish tithes, to support three organizations with different ministries. Locally, they have built a home for “elderly orphans”, as well as donated time and money to various charitable organizations. When asked how he feels he makes a difference, Father Jeff replied, “I feel that somehow God has given me gifts that I have been able to develop in such a way that I attract people toward a relationship with their Creator”. He is so proud to be involved with the people of the Queen of Peace, especially when he sees them active in so many good ways, within the community of the church and the community of Gainesville .
Roland Daniels
ROLAND DANIELS, President and general manager of Saturn of Gainesville , describes himself as just a “car guy”. He says he's had a passion for cars since he was a teenager in Miami , Florida , when “he and his brother were just kicking tires at the local car lots”. Roland also has many other passions as well. His career with 
Saturn is what brought him to Gainesville , but what he brought to Gainesville is much more. He is an active participant in community and civic organizations. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Gainesville and serves on the boards of the Boys and Girls Club of Alachua County , North Central Florida Hospice, Inc., United Gainesville Community Development Corporation, Alachua County Healthy Kids, AvMed of North Florida , Shands Healthcare and Wachovia Bank. He is also a member of the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce, Mt Pleasant United Methodist Church and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Alumni Chapter and is a Trustee of the University of Florida . Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Alachua County are fortunate to have Roland as one of the mentors in their Big Brothers Big Sisters program. There is, in this county, a very happy six year old due partly to the “Big Brother” that he has in Roland. The relationship that Roland has built with his “little brother” is amazing. He speaks so highly of the time spent with him, their future times together, and the influence he would like to be in his “little brother's” life. Life South Blood Bank is also another passion for Roland. Last year, he and his team at Saturn, hosted the Saturn National Donor Day. This was the largest national one day blood drive. What Roland and his team are trying to promote is awareness. Awareness of life saving donations like: bone marrow, blood, tissue, organs, etc. His parents, Roland says, are who he attributes his family values and his work ethics to.
James Bates
KIDS! THAT'S WHAT James Bates calls his passion. When James talks about kids, his face lights up and a big smile comes across his 
face. As a graduate of the University of Florida and a former Gator football player, James is able to use his contacts in our area to do so many wonderful things for kids. He is very active in fundraising for the Boys and Girls Club of Alachua County, The SIDS Foundation, and the Children's Miracle Network just to mention a few. Some of the upcoming fundraisers he is currently working on include: Art through the Eyes of a Child, raising money for the Children's Miracle Network, and the SIDS Charity Golf Tournament. James says, “Out of all the charities that I am involved with, the one that pulls at my heart strings the most is the Children's Miracle Network. Knowing that there are children that have illnesses with little to no cures is just so heartbreaking.” James is a freelance television host, a husband, and father of three. In his spare time, he also enjoys coaching his seven year old son's little league baseball team.
Storm Roberts
WHO ELSE WOULD have a Colonoscopy on the air besides Storm Roberts? As Storm put it, he's reached that magical age where all 
types of preventive medicine, including a colonoscopy are necessary, so what better way to make people aware of it than to have it broadcasted live on the radio on KTK. That's what Storm does. He makes people aware. Aware of the many needs in our community especially those involving children. When asked what his passions are, he said, “Kids and helping kids to have a better life.” His involvement in this community is overwhelming. From Stop Children's Cancer, to the Children's Miracle Network, the Children's Home Society, Mattie's Pet Rescue, the Philip's Center for Performing Arts, American Heart Association, to the American Cancer Society are only a small sampling of his many involvements in our community. And speaking of samplings, Storm is an amateur chef as well. Along with Eric Johnson, a former White House chef, Storm auctions five course dinners to be served in the recipient's home, prepared by himself and Eric, with all of the proceeds going to whichever particular charity he is working on at the time. Last year, Storm Roberts was named as the Community Volunteer of the Year. What an honor and what a value we have in Storm and all of his wonderful contributions to our community and in particular, the kids in our community.
Joe Cirulli
“THIS IS WHAT I AM not what I do” says Joe 
Cirulli, owner of Gainesville Health and Fitness Center . When asked what his passions are, he said, “This is my passion and has been for 32 years”. Joe believes in total education of fitness and health. He and his staff provide and promote seminars, training classes, and programs to help the community understand the benefits of healthy, physical activities and how these activities improve and enhance lives. After only three and a half years of working toward this goal, in April of 2003, Gainesville was voted the Healthiest Community in America due to the efforts put into place by GHFC. Numerous places of business throughout the community, even some elementary schools, have incorporated walking programs through the efforts of Joe and GHFC, together with Blue Cross/Blue Shield, who donated the walking pedometers. The Boys and Girls Clubs of Alachua County , the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, and especially the Alachua County Public Schools are some of the many organizations supported by Joe and his team at GHFC. G