Our Team
Executive Board of Directors

Anthony Cardinal
Chairman-CEO

Anthony Cardinal
Chairman-CEO
Mr. Anthony Cardinal has founded and run multi-million organizations including, 1st Veterans Kids Care, Inc., Kenscoff Sportswear, and Prosperities Leadership Academy. In addition, he has held or continues to hold key positions at Orlando Veterans Medical Center, Orlando Mayor’s Veterans Advisory Council, G & C Investment Corporation Project and Resort Quest Orlando. A graduate of the New York school of Small Business Management and Professional Career Development, specializing in business development, feasibility planning, building construction, and strategic planning, he attended New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University, and studied Criminal Justice at John Jay College in New York.
His strengths include administrative oversight, recruitment of high-powered associates and volunteers, bridging relationships with local community leaders, and coordinating activities with the Veterans Administration centers at the national and local levels. Although he is an astute businessman with specialization in marketing, production, copyrighting, branding, and trademarking, his strong passion is for the welfare of the heroes and families of those who served our country.
Mr. Anthony Cardinal sits on the board of the Orlando Veterans Administration Medical Center, and on the board of Prosperities Leadership Academy, a school specializing in helping at risk-students who struggle academically. Inspired by his younger son, Anton they co-founded 1st Veterans and First Veterans Resource & Transitional Center, (FVRTC). This 501(c) (3) organization continues its mission to help those in need. The two directors also teamed up to create a 259-million-dollar Humanitarian Project for G&C Investment Corporation. As a strategic planner with Resort Quest Orlando, a major supplier of single-family houses and condominiums, the senior Mr. Cardinal oversaw a budget consisting of 90 million dollars in annual corporate assets. He also served as president of Highland Homes Owner’s Association (HOA).
Mr. Cardinal’s diverse background led to frequent trips to Hong Kong, China, and Japan as a private fashion consultant with a 2.1-billion-dollar budget, the creation and branding of Kenscoff, a sportswear retail outlet business, and Starz Entertainment, a promotional, marketing and event planning organization. His sharp rise to the rank of Supplemental Police Superintendent with the Trinidad and Tobago and subsequent role of Chief Security Officer of Gulf City Limited Complex in Trinidad were the catalyst for the establishment of his own security company.

Anton Cardinal
President

Anton Cardinal
President
Anton Cardinal is the face of the organization and represents 1st Veterans Kids Care, Inc. in the community, assumes responsibility for major projects, is responsible to the Board of Directors, and assumes responsibility for the entire organization. He works collaboratively within the organization to transform to current stage to a more mature organization capable of delivering on its long term vision.
At twelve years old Anton’s heart lead him to participate in his schools’ holiday baskets can goods drive for less fortunate children in the Lake Alfred Community. During summer breaks Anton, along with his family members, prepared hot food for distribution to homeless individuals throughout the city of San Fernando in Trinidad and Tobago. After the devastating earthquake disaster in Haiti, Anton and his father Anthony Cardinal partnered with Haines City Grace of God Church to contribute new clothing and shoes to Haitian residents.
When Anton Cardinal was fifteen, he took allowance and donated that money to an organization that helped fund food drives and supported kids who were fighting against the ravages of cancer. His selfless actions inspired his father to follow his heart and pursue helping those in need by founding 1st Veterans Kids Care and established Y.E.S. (Youth Eye care Services) Vision and Literacy Initiative. When asked why he decided to give more than the $20 asked of him during the donation drive, Anton, an Honor graduate, a JROTC Battalion Commander of Ridge Community High School and Captain of the Haines City Police Explorers answers, easily and straightforward. “As long as you have you should give to others”. A martial arts instructor, Anton is an inductee to the American Federation of Martial Arts hall of fame.

Ancil Cardinal
Vice President

Ancil Cardinal
Vice President
Ancil Cardinal is serving as the Treasurer of 1 st Veterans Kids care and as
the medical advisor for the Youth Eyecare Services Vision and Literacy
Initiative. He is a licensed practical nurse who currently works in a
dermatology office and does home health nursing. Ancil graduated from
Ridge Technical Center in 2016 and achieved National Technical Honor
Society status, Ancil is currently attending Polk State College where he will
earn his Associate of Science in nursing. As a registered nurse, Ancil’s
desire is to work in an intensive care unit and continue his education within
the medical field.
Board Of Directors

Cynthia Findley
Director of Home Decor

Cynthia Findley
Director of Home Decor
Manager over Home line department which is cook/dine, Home Décor, Bath, Bedding,
Furniture, storage and Organization, Toys, Sporting goods, and Hardware,
Teach and Train over 80 associates the daily work routine, process, seasonal transition,
Tour the area it needs to be clean, zone, price, in stock, accident free for the customer.
Great customer service
Delegate Task
Conduct 30 minutes meeting every day covering the business growth, policy and procedure

Eddie Harris Jr.
Director of Housing & Special Projects

Eddie Harris Jr.
Director of Housing & Special Projects
Eddie Harris, Jr. is a United States Air Force Veteran with fifty years of management experience. He is a 1968 Jones High School graduate. After serving approximately 4 years in the Air Force, he attended and graduated from Valencia Community College with an Associate Degree. He later graduated from Orlando College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and after accepting his Call into ministry, he furthered his academic pursuits by attending Turner Theological Seminary at the Interdenominational Center, Atlanta, Georgia, where he obtained a Master of Divinity Degree. Reverend Harris is currently completing his Doctor of Ministry degree at United Theological Seminary in Ohio. Over the past forty years, Reverend Harris has been involved in the local community in many facets. He is the former Assistant to the Chief Administrative Officer, City of Orlando, where he served then, Mayor Bill Fredericks and the late Bob Havens (Chief Administrative Officer). While there, he participated in the 90-million-dollar construction of the first Orlando Arena and its minority contractors’ participation. He was later promoted to Assistant to the CAO, where he was given oversight of the Minority Business Enterprise Office and Great Neighborhoods department. He is the former Chairman/Co-Chairman of the city’s Community Revitalization Committee, which was the catalyst for the Parramore district revitalization initiative. Reverend Harris has extensive experience in budget preparation, management skills, and is proficient in planning, developing, implementing, and coordinating projects and events. Born in Sanford, Florida, but reared in Montgomery, Alabama, Cleveland, Ohio, and Orlando, Florida, respectively, where he remains committed to serving the community for the greater good. Reverend Harris is a published author, avid fisherman, and adjunct professor.

Homida Rajack
Director Assistant Secretary

Homida Rajack
Director Assistant Secretary
Homida Rajack is a Financial Solutions Planner focusing on Retirement and Medicare Solutions to the general public sector. As a broker she is able to assist family with their needs and has transitioned to this role from the Banking sector.
For the past 15 years worked at Central Florida Banks and Credit Union in diverse positions from Head Teller to Operations Officer to Personal Retail and Small Business Banker. Some of the Financial Institutions were Fairwinds Credit Union / Axiom Bank and Seacoast Bank. Past Vice President , Treasurer and Secretary of the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida where emphasis was on Business and Personal Finance Workshops and Education of the Community. Born and raised in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago where various positions at the Republic Bank Ltd. Past volunteer member of the Lions Club of Trinidad and Tobago. Coach school students for playing Table Tennis in school and village leagues Presently lives in Central Florida Orlando with her family. Passionate about educating and helping families find solutions for their savings and retirement portfolio and dabbles in playing Pickleball from time to time. Enjoys the outdoors and watching cricket.

Leon R Gaither
Veterans Resource Coordinator

Leon R Gaither
Veterans Resource Coordinator
Leon R. Gaither is a veteran of the U.S. Army. He graduated from Maryland with a B.S. degree in Zoology and Howard University’s ROTC Leadership Development program. Leon was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant attended US Army Field Artillery School Officer Basic Course (FAOBC) at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. Since 1993 Leon has been active in secondary and post-secondary education and has taught K-20 grades. Leon earned a master’s in science education and a master’s in educational leadership from the Teacher Education University. Leon has served as the Board President and the Military Veterans Program Coordinator of 1st Veterans’ Kids Care, Inc. a not for profit, 501(c)(3) organization based in Central Florida. He was responsible for the management and administrative oversight of the organization and instrumental in developing initiatives, programs and services whose aims were to improve the well-being of children. His main goals are enhancing the organizations opportunities to partner with veteran organizations, private organizations and educational institutions. Leon’s greatest strengths are his creativity, his passion, his drive and his leadership abilities. He thrives on challenges, particularly those that allows him the opportunity to expand his community outreach abilities and utilize his critical thinking skills and problem solving techniques. Born and raised in Olney, Maryland, Leon now lives in Boynton Beach, Florida with his wife and best friend Katrina and their daughter Jordan. In his free time, Leon likes to play the guitar, golf, ride his bicycle and take long walks.

Leo Mendez
Corporate Internal Auditor

Leo Mendez
Corporate Internal Auditor
Leo Mendez is a graduate of Roosevelt University, Chicago where he received his business degree. His professional career includes seventeen years in banking in Chicago and Orlando, six years of computer project management for a group of companies in the Caribbean, and twenty five years in the healthcare industry. He also taught business courses, and was contracted by two Orlando CPA firms to assist with audits at Orange County, the City of Orlando, small neighborhood banks, and other Florida businesses. Mr. Mendez recently turned his focus to real estate investment.
A former Rotarian and member of the Board of Neal & Massy (Trinidad) Credit Union, Mr. Mendez also chaired the Board of Orange County Research and Development Authority where served from 2005 to 2015, and he is Past President of the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce of Florida. In addition, he is Grand Councilor Emeritus of the Rosicrucian Order, with prior responsibility for the Southeast and Florida Region, and he held various leadership positions within the Orlando Chapter of the Rosicrucian Order.
In 1994, Mr. Mendez founded Nirvana Health Services, an Altamonte Springs based home care company, and was the chairman of that multi-million dollar corporation. The Medicare Certified agency realized steady growth over the years, providing specialty nursing and therapy services in Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Sumter and Volusia Counties. In 2012, Mr. Mendez established Pipiol Angels Foundation to facilitate charitable activities locally and in the Caribbean. In 2014, he started Nirvana Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Services to provide outpatient therapy services to patients to ensure continued care upon discharge from home health services. Finally, in 2018 Mr. Mendez embarked upon an adventure into real estate with the establishment of AALMA, LLC.
A health enthusiast, Mr. Mendez enjoys taking long walks in his community and attending yoga, tai chi and physical training classes. He loves mentoring youths and is an avid supporter of healthcare and similar projects in the underserved communities of the Caribbean and Florida. He coordinated the shipments of dozens of donated hospital beds and healthcare supplies, as well as 37 sewing machines to countries of the Caribbean.