Shirley E. Coverdale is the President and CEO of the Family Community Life Center (FCLC) in Riverhead, New York. A graduate of both Hunter College (B.F.A.) and Harvard Business School (M.B.A.), Ms. Coverdale has extensive and broad-based business expertise. As CEO of FCLC, Ms. Coverdale is responsible for implementation and oversight of all the agency’s key strategic and program partnerships. Ms. Coverdale is spearheading the construction of a mixed- use transit-oriented development on 12.5 acres of land owned by The First Baptist Church of Riverhead. The complex includes a major sports and recreation facility for year-round use by all community residents, an early childhood development center, an adult day health program, classrooms, and affordable rental apartments for working families and young professionals. In 2014, the Long Island Regional Planning Council designated the project as a “Project of Regional Significance”. Ms. Coverdale serves on the board of directors of the Long Island Housing Partnership. She formerly served on the Suffolk County Workforce Development Board, and the Riverhead Senior Citizen Advisory Council. In October 2017, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo appointed Ms. Coverdale to the Trustee Board of the Suffolk County Community College, where she currently serves as Chair.
Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church of Riverhead
Reverend Coverdale is the Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Riverhead. He has held his current position since 1982. He also serves as a chaplain for the Suffolk County Department of Corrections. Rev. Coverdale is a graduate of The Lincoln University and the Harvard Business School. He has also studied at Harvard Divinity School, Rutgers University, University of Massachusetts, and Andover Newton Theological Seminary. Rev. Coverdale has considerable experience as a college professor, a consultant, a sought-after seminar leader and speaker. Rev. Coverdale formerly pastored the historic Pond Street Baptist Church in Providence, RI. He recently completed his term as a Trustee of The Lincoln University, Lincoln University, PA.
Retired NYS OMH Business Officer
Mr. Parker is a life-long member and Trustee of the First Baptist Church of Riverhead. Mr. Parker is a graduate of The Lincoln University and SUNY Stony Brook, where he earned a Master’s degree in health care administration. Mr. Parker retired in 2010, after a 36-year career with the New York State Office of Mental Health. During his career, Mr. Parker served in various positions ranging from Health Facility Management Assistant and culminating in Business Officer. Among Mr. Parker’s responsibilities, he was charged with the development of the annual fiscal and capital budgets for several Long Island mental health facilities.
Practice Manager, Shirley Veterinary Hospital
Tara is currently the Practice Manager for the Shirley Veterinary Hospital, a family-owned business. She was formerly a Branch Manager and Assistant Vice President for M&T Bank, with over twenty- five years of banking experience. Tara is a graduate of Briarcliffe College, where she earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management. She is currently on the board of the East End Women’s Network as Treasurer and holds board positions within the Riverhead Business Improvement District, The Butterfly Effect Project, and L’Arche Long Island. Tara is also a member of the Riverhead Rotary and Riverhead Chamber. She previously held positions on the Advisory Board for the Center Moriches School District and Steward Board of St. Mary A.M.E Zion Church.
Building stronger families and a thriving community.
