About Us

We are based in Lakewood Ranch, Florida.

Our email address is [email protected]. We are incorporated as a nonprofit Florida corporation since January, 2023. First Responders for Democracy, inc. is a Section 501(c) (3) charitable organization, EIN 92-2218436. All donations are deemed tax-deductible to the extent provided by law.

The Board of Directors

Dale Anderson, M.D.

2025 Board President

Dale Anderson has an M.B.A. from Iowa State University and an M.D. from Northwestern University School of Medicine, His career has included the practice of internal and emergency medicine, CEO of a large medical group practice, a hospital executive and health care strategy consultant. He is a prominent democracy and social justice advocate.

Jeffrey R. Orenstein

2023-2024 Board President, Managing Director of Saving Democracy Institute

Jeffrey R. Orenstein is a political scientist. He has a B.A. from Ohio State University and an M.A. and Ph.D. in political science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He taught at Kent State University for 24 years and retired as a full professor. He is the author of several books on public policy.

Andrew Galeziowski

Board Vice President

Andrew Galeziowski is an honors graduate of the University of Buffalo (History) and Syracuse University College of Law. He is an attorney and consultant. His professional experience includes serving as an attorney with leading national law firms and as a consultant/project manager to a Fortune 500 global hotel company. He is a lifelong student and analyst of U.S. politics and society.

Virginia Orenstein

Board Treasurer

Virginia Orenstein is an accountant and civic activist. She has a B.S. in accounting from Kent State University and extensive graduate studies. She is an Ohio C.P.A. (inactive) and was the chief financial officer for large corporations in heavy industry and building products distribution. She has been actively involved with consulting and served on several nonprofit boards since her retirement.

Kathleen Rahal

Board Secretary

Kathleen Rahal has a B.S. from Georgetown University, an M. A. and M. Ph. from the University of Kansas and an M.S. from the Johns Hopkins Nitze School of Advanced International Studies. She has taught at the U. S. National War College and the Princeton Woodrow Wilson School. Her U.S. government career spanned 5 agencies, including the State Department and NATO. Her last post was the National Intelligence Manager for Africa, working for the Director of National Intelligence across 17 agencies.

George Rahal

Board Member

George Rahal has a B.A. from Rutgers University and an MBA in finance from the Wharton School of Business, The University of Pennsylvania. He is a data expert, civic and political activist, a columnist for Better Investing Magazine and a retired Stock, bond and commodity broker. He has been an adjunct faculty member of Johns Hopkins University.

Jan Schneider

Board Member

Jan Schneider has a law degree from Yale Law School and a Ph. D. in political science from Yale University. She has practiced law from local courts to the International Court of Justice. She has worked for the United Nations Environment Programme, taught in law school, served on nonprofit boards. run for Congress and authored works in environmental law and senior issues. She currently practices law in Sarasota and runs a free legal clinic for public housing tenants.

Jason Taylor

Board Member

Jason Taylor AIA, NCARB, NCIDQ, LEED AP BD+C, is an architect/ interior designer. He has a BFA from Ringling College of Art and Design and a Master's from the University of South Florida. He has spent over 30 years in the Architecture and Design business and leads Taylor Studios, Inc., a firm he started with his wife in 2015. He has been the past Chairman of the City Planning Commission and former Chamber Board member. His interests are smart growth and a well-informed public.

Cathy Antunes

Board Member

Cathy Antunes has a BA from the University of Virginia and a Master of Divinity from the University of Spiritual Healing and Sufism. She is a civic activist and journalist. She hosts a radio show, The Detail, on WSLR, blogs at www.thedetail.net and elsewhere. She has written guest columns in numerous publications and has twenty years in executive sales with three Fortune 500 companies. A recipient of numerous national and regional sales awards, she is a real estate investor and holds leadership positions on the board of condominium associations and local civic non-profits.