The Pace foundation LEadership
Tim O'Hara - Founder/Trustee
Tim is a General Contractor and owns Coastal Custom Builders of NWFL, a local residential construction company that builds luxury custom homes in the Northwest Florida coastal area. Tim's previous career in the retail sector piqued his interest in real estate development so he started OHara Investment Homes.
In 2014, identifying an inventory shortage in the custom home market, Tim purchased his first property to design and build a house to sell. Since that time, he has built and sold over $50m in real estate. His newest endeavor is building in the mountains of Colorado. In discussing his current business goal, Tim states, “I want to build really cool houses, in really cool places”.
When you meet Tim, you’ll understand why the favorite part of his job is building relationships with clients, team members, architects, and subcontractors. He is a people person through and through and has a solid work ethic.
“My interest in founding The PACE foundation was to help young people that have all the characteristics and determination to succeed but need assistance with the necessary education or training. I believe that knowledge coupled with experience leads to success. I would love to assist others in accomplishing their goals.” PACE’s mission to assist first responder’s children and to encourage the education and opportunity provided by trade schools, aligns with Tim’s goal of helping others find their success early. “We must always pay forward and encourage a younger generation to do the same”.
Todd Marksberry - Trustee
Todd Marksberry served in executive leadership roles within the financial services industry for 31 years, and recently retired as President and CEO of Canvas Credit Union in Denver, Colorado.
Strategic vision, leadership, drive and the unique ability to inspire hearts and minds, build relationships and engage team members, businesses and community partners, resulted in Canvas tripling assets from $1.5 Billion to $4.5 Billion over the 9 years of Todd’s leadership. He led the company through the rebranding of a 78-year-old organization that resulted in one of the most recognizable brands in Colorado, and credit union brands in the country.
A focus on community investment changed the trajectory of Canvas during Todd’s time of service. Canvas formed partnerships with Colorado State University, CSU Pueblo, the University of Denver, Children’s Hospital of Colorado, the Colorado High School Activities Association, Special Olympics of Colorado and dozens of non-profit organizations throughout Colorado. Canvas was able to lean into these partnerships and help thousands of Coloradans better afford life.
In addition to overseeing the health and heart of the Canvas family, Todd served on the national industry boards of Origence and Co-op Solutions, chaired the regional trade association for credit unions in Colorado, Arizona, Wyoming, Idaho, Washington and Oregon – GoWest Credit Union Association, and served on the board of the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame. Todd was also honored in 2020 by the Denver Business Journal as Denver’s “Most Admired CEO”, and Canvas was regularly recognized nationally as a Great Place To Work and Top Workplace.
Todd and his wife, Nanita, live in Castle Rock, Colorado. They have been married for 32 years and have 4 children, 2 son-in-law’s, 1 daughter-in-law and 3 grandchildren.
Todd believes deeply in the Biblically based idea of “to whom much is given, much will be required” (Luke 12:48). If we are blessed with talents, wealth, knowledge, time, and the like, it is expected that we use these well to glorify God and benefit others, especially those who are in need. This aligns perfectly with the mission and values of the PACE Foundation.
Paul Bonicelli - Trustee
Paul currently serves as senior policy advisor to US Senator Rick Scott of Florida, advising on education and social policy as well as foreign policy and military affairs. He has also worked in the House of Representatives as well as for a US President.
When not serving in government, Paul has served as professor, dean, and provost at several universities and colleges.
The vision of the Southeast PACE Foundation attracted Paul from the first conversation he had with its founders because that vision focuses on an overlooked sector of society and its educational needs. Paul believes that
“Philanthropists in the United States need to drive a culture change from one where only bachelor’s degrees are celebrated as the appropriate educational achievement to an appreciation for all work and all the learning and training that leads to that work. Every economy needs every form of work, the professions as well as the trades, and support for students and apprentices should reflect all those needs. But this is not just about dollars and cents: it is about respecting and honoring the God-given talents and gifts inherent in all of our citizens and the need they have to develop those talents and gifts in order to flourish and be a blessing to themselves, their families, and their communities.”
Josh O'Hara - Executive Director
Josh, his wife Dana, and their two children live in northeast Georgia. Josh accepted the role of Executive Director after many years of teaching and coaching in Georgia. As a parent, teacher, and coach, Josh has lived to be an example of faith, perseverance, hard work, and good character.
In 2010, Josh began a 14 year career in public education. Josh taught Social Studies in grades 6-12 in three different school systems. Most of Josh’s teaching experience was in underprivileged systems where he saw ambitious and capable students struggle to overcome the disparity of financial resources in order to reach their goals. Josh’s teaching philosophy was simple; build a relationship with students, help show them their potential, assist them in finding their purpose and working to put that potential towards becoming successful in their endeavors. Along with teaching, Josh has also had the opportunity to coach multiple sports at different levels from youth recreational to high school varsity. As with teaching, it was easy to see that there are numerous youths and young adults that have talent, drive, and other intangibles, but lack the resources and direction to become successful.
Josh took on the role of Executive Director with The Southeast Pace Foundation to make a difference in the lives of those students. PACE stands for Purpose, Ambition, Character, and Education; Josh wants to reward and assist students and young adults that display these qualities and need help bridging the gap between what they want to achieve and their ability to see their purpose fulfilled.