FORT PIERCE — Indian River State College (IRSC) Foundation has appointed three distinguished community members - Ret. Col. Scott Caine, Bert Culbreth and  Richard Mellin - to its Board of Directors. Caine and Mellin represent Indian River County, and Culbreth represents Okeechobee County.

“As the IRSC Foundation modernizes to meet the rapidly changing higher education marketplace, I am pleased to welcome these three distinguished individuals as the newest foundation directors,” shared Michael Hageloh, IRSC interim vice president for institutional advancement. “These strategic appointments bring with them a vast array of expertise, experiences and networks that will undoubtedly assist the Foundation in accelerating our efforts to fulfill the District Board of Trustees’ vision of ‘fulfilling one hundred percent of qualified need.’”

Col. Scott Caine (Ret., U.S.A.F.) is a 30-year military veteran and recognized speaker and expert on topics including China, air and space strategy, the military and global threats. A former A-10 combat pilot with more than 3,400 flight hours, Caine participated in numerous combat missions, including over Iraq during Operation Southern Watch and over Bosnia supporting Operations Deny Flight, Decisive Endeavor and Deliberate Guard. Col. Caine’s service has ranged from aircraft maintenance officer to staff officer to fighter squadron commander to USAFCENT Combined Air Operations Center Deputy Director and Battle Director. He retired from the U.S. Air Force as Vice Commander of the 9th Air Force, Air Combat Command at Shaw Air Force Base. He is the recipient of the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Aerial Achievement Medal with two silver oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Air Force Achievement Medal and Army Achievement Medal. Caine earned a Master of Science in Management from Troy University, a Master of Airpower Art & Science from the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, and a Master of Strategic Studies with Academic Distinction from the Air War College.

Bert Culbreth is a multi-generation Okeechobee County resident and business leader who is invested in the future growth of the Okeechobee region. He is the owner of the Gilbert Family of Companies, whose primary businesses include Gilbert Ford, Gilbert Chevrolet, Gilbert Oil and Gilbert Outdoors. Culbreth’s past and current board service demonstrates his dedication and passion for the Okeechobee community. His service includes the Okeechobee County Economic Development Corporation, past Chair; Okeechobee Masonic Lodge No. 237, current President; Flagler Park Design Review Committee, Vice-Chair; Florida Petroleum Marketers Association, Director; Ford Dealer Council, Orlando Region Delegate; and Seacoast Community Bank, Heartland Region Board Member. Culbreth is a licensed Florida Real Estate Broker and private pilot.

Richard Mellin of Vero Beach served 33 years as a founder and managing partner of Mellin & Associates, LLC—a property management firm specializing in condominium associations. The company recently merged with REI Property & Asset Management, Inc. — forming the third-largest property management firm in Connecticut. Before starting Mellin & Associates LLC, he held sales and leadership positions with Dictaphone, Remington Rand and Xerox. Mellin graduated from Lafayette College with a B.A. in Economics and earned an M.S. in educational research and evaluation from the Graduate School of Education at the University of Pennsylvania. Mellin continued at the University of Pennsylvania as a Ford Foundation Fellow, conducting graduate work evaluating federally funded educational programs at the School District of Philadelphia. Here he gained valuable insight into educational programs, student challenges, and changes needed in education.

About IRSC Foundation

Since 1965, the Indian River State College Foundation has enhanced access and quality of education for IRSC students. Its focus is to attract and manage private contributions from individuals, organizations, businesses, and private foundations to support IRSC’s mission. Managed by a voluntary board of directors of business and civic leaders from all four counties served by IRSC, the Foundation is a private non-profit entity recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and by the State of Florida as a direct-support organization for the benefit of IRSC. As a partner in building a better community, IRSC Foundation promotes higher education with student scholarships, support of instructional programs, technology grants, and new and improved facilities.