MANASOTA BUDS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Manasota BUDS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, led by volunteers. All current Board Members have children with Down syndrome.
Patricia Davison Crauwels
Chairperson
Pat is the mother of four adult children: Matt, Alison, Ethan, and Rachel. Her youngest, Rachel, age 21, has Down Syndrome. She and her family have lived in the Manatee/Sarasota area since 1984. She is a board certified civil trial attorney in Sarasota and a partner in the law firm Eastmoore, Crauwels & DuBose, practicing in the areas of personal injury, wrongful death, and insurance law. She is a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers and past president of FLABOTA (Florida Chapters of the American Board of Trial Advocates). Pat enjoys playing tennis and watching Rachel become more proficient in the sport.
Michael Feduccia
President
Mike is a Senior Vice President with South State Investment Services and a Certified Financial Planner CFP® practitioner. He has served as President of Manasota BUDS since 2003. Michael is a graduate of Tulane University School of Business, possessing both a Bachelor of Science in Management and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance. He is President of the Tulane Alumni Association for Sarasota and Manatee counties. Michael is a multi-year recipient of The President’s Volunteer Service Award and was also named as one of The President’s Points of Light for his volunteerism and service to his community. Michael’s son, Andrew, was born with Down syndrome. Their family has lived in Sarasota since 1986.
Mary Lou Bear
Vice President
Mary Lou is a Loan Officer with Truist. She offers clients more than 38 years experience in the mortgage industry. In addition to serving as Vice President of Manasota B.U.D.S., Mary Lou serves on the Board of Gulf Coast Mortgage Bankers Association, and previously held the role of President for 2 years. She is a graduate of Valdosta State College.
Paula kester
Treasurer
Paula is a Senior Accountant with Covertree, an insurance broker specializing in Manufactured Homes. She has 24 years of accounting experience in the insurance industry. Previously employed with MGA in Lakewood Ranch, then acquired by a global insurance brokerage; Arthur J. Gallagher. Paula served on the Manasota BUDS board from 2013 to 2016, then became the Treasurer in 2022. She and her husband Sean are the proud parents of Olivia and live in the Sarasota area. Manasota BUDS has been an important part of their lives since 2007, when they were blessed with their daughter Olivia.
STACY QUAID
Board Member
Stacy Quaid is an accomplished nonprofit leader and fundraising professional with more than two decades of experience in event strategy, donor relations, and community engagement. She currently serves as Senior Associate Director of Foundation Events at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, where she leads high-impact initiatives that drive meaningful philanthropic support. Stacy has held prior leadership roles with Resilient Retreat and Ringling College of Art and Design, where she built innovative fundraising programs and signature events. A founder of Manasota BUDS, she is deeply committed to serving the Down syndrome community. Alongside her family, Stacy is a passionate advocate, inspired by her daughter, Ella, and dedicated to creating opportunities and lasting connections for individuals with Down syndrome and their families.
JIM BAAR
Board Member
Jim Baar is a seasoned financial executive with more than three decades of leadership experience in corporate finance and operations. As Chief Financial Officer of JMC Communities, he has helped guide the company’s long-term growth and financial strategy across the Tampa Bay region. A founder of Manasota BUDS, Jim has served on its board for multiple decades, demonstrating an enduring commitment to the organization’s mission. He and his family have long been dedicated advocates for the special needs community, inspired by their son, Joey. Through both his professional leadership and personal passion, Jim continues to make a meaningful impact on the families Manasota BUDS serves.
ANDREW RIFFEE
Board Member
Andrew is a 20-year automotive industry veteran, serving as CMTO for the Dimmitt Automotive Group in Tampa. He has attended Executive Leadership programs with Harvard Business School and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, as well as continuing education coursework through NADA Dealer Academy, the Dale Carnegie Institute, Bates Communications, and the Walt Disney Institute. He is active in several charities and has a passion for serving the Special Needs community. Andrew is a graduate of Washington and Lee University and was a 2021 Automotive News 40 under 40 honoree. He and his wife of 18 years, Cara, are the proud parents of 2 boys, Connor and Jacob. Their family has lived in the Lakewood Ranch area since 2017. Andrew joined the Manasota BUDS Board in 2022.
