Who We Are

Rick Hood, Chair

Rick retired as President CSX Real Property, Inc., the real estate arm of CSX Transportation, Inc., after a 36-year career with one of the country’s leading railroad companies. In the effort to maximize real estate assets for the company’s shareholders, Rick was involved with the sale and lease of surplus real estate; the acquisition and permitting of land to support railroad infrastructure and terminal developments; the utilization of railroad rights of way to generate revenue from utility and fiber optic occupancies; managing a joint venture hotel and residential developments; and ultimately led a department of real estate professionals that provided real estate and facilities services to internal customers.

Rick’s volunteer experience includes 17 years on the First Florida Credit Union board serving as a past chairman and in the role of chairman of various committees. He also volunteers weekly with the Mandarin Presbyterian Church Daily Bread Food Pantry in support of the church’s efforts to combat food insecurity in its community.

Tonya Barge

Tonya Barge is a native of Jacksonville, FL.  She graduated with honors, receiving her Bachelor’s degree from the University of North Florida and her Juris Doctorate from Florida Coastal School of Law.

Mrs. Barge is a former prosecutor who has dedicated her career to seeking justice in both criminal and civil matters. Mrs. Barge spent the first decade of her legal career as a prosecutor, handling complex cases involving sexual battery, human trafficking, the online exploitation of children, homicides, and domestic violence offenses. 

After many years as a prosecutor, Mrs. Barge decided to transition to civil litigation, where she could use her trial experience to help individuals and businesses navigate the complexities of civil law. In her current role, Mrs. Barge practice area includes various civil matters, including contract disputes, real estate, and personal injury cases.

In addition to her work in the legal field, Mrs. Barge is an active member of her community. She volunteers by serving on the Board of Directors for two local nonprofit organizations. She also volunteers as a mentor for future lawyers and lawyers new to the practice of law.  

Peggie French

Originally from Michigan, Peggie is a Florida transplant since her high school years.  She holds a BA from University of Florida and worked at Clay County’s Annunciation Catholic School for 10 years, in and out of classrooms as well as being involved in the school’s largest fundraiser. Peggie first got involved with  Waste Not Want Not as a volunteer, a role she still holds, and joined the Board in January 2022. Peggie lives in Orange Park with her husband, Mike, and together they can be found either rescuing food for Waste Not or chasing around their 18-year old son on the golf course.

Kyle Fresh

Kyle has been a member of the board since 2019 and is active in the community. He is a foster parent, attends Eleven22 Church, and together with his wife supports multiple charities that help women and children.

Kyle grew up in Cincinnati, OH and maintains the Midwest work ethic and family values that Buckeyes are known to possess. Upon graduation from Boston University with a degree in economics, he entered active duty in the US Army. After leaving active duty, Kyle and business partner David Misiuta formed KDF Management which they eventually sold to WJW Associates, LTD, owned by Griff Williams and Al Morgan at the time. Kyle and Dave and a third partner took full ownership of WJW in 2010.

Joe Markley

Joe joined the Navy out of high school and served during the Persian Gulf War on an Aircraft Carrier as part of a Nuclear Weapons Loading Team.  After graduating from the University of Phoenix he spent time in the Army as a Combat Medic with the 345th Combat Support Hospital. 

In addition he spent several years as a volunteer Fireman/EMT as part of a Rapid Response Team in Ohio.  He graduated from the Police Academy in 2010 and spent 5 years volunteering as a Sergeant with Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.

He has been married for 40 years with two boys ages 39 and 33 and 5 Grandkids. 

He currently holds a board position with the Orange Park Sunrise Rotary.  Past board positions include The Florida Council on Crime & Delinquency North Florida Chapter, The League of Southern Credit Unions and The Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce West Council.  He is also a member of Ortega United Methodist Church.

He is employed with First Florida Credit Union as the Senior Vice President of Operations responsible for Branch Operations, Business Services and Process Improvement.

Ken Plato

Ken’s family moved to Orange Park in 1964. He earned a BS in Journalism from the University of Florida and worked as a news reporter for the Florida Times-Union before entering the Marine Corps and serving 28 years, retiring as a colonel.

While in the Marine Corps, Ken and his wife, Lorie, raised four children while he (somehow) managed to earn an MA in administration from Central Michigan University and an MS in Strategic Studies from the Naval War College.

Following his military career, Ken worked for the State Department at the US Embassy Baghdad in the Tactical Operations Center before retiring from fulltime work.  He does consulting work for a federal contractor, focusing on DoD contracts.

When not performing grandpa duties to the 10 wonderful grandchildren his children have blessed him and Lorie with, Ken devotes his time to various volunteer efforts. He has volunteered with the St Vincent de Paul Conference (past president) at St Catherine’s Church for more than a decade, assisting the area poor. He serves as the president of the Riverside District St Vincent de Paul Council, and vice president of the St Augustine Diocesan Council St Vincent de Paul. He is a member of the Orange Park Clothes Closet and Food Pantry Board of Directors and is vice president of his church parish council.

• President: Sandra Staudt-Killea
• Secretary: Peggie French
• Treasurer: Joe Markley

We may be looking for someone with your passion and skills in the near future.  Please let us know of your interest and introduce yourself by completing this profile.