Meet Our Newest Board Members

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We are honored to welcome four exceptional leaders to the SOS Children’s Villages Florida Board of Directors. Their experience spans business, philanthropy, and community leadership, bringing new perspectives and valuable expertise to help drive our mission. As we continue to expand our impact, their guidance will help strengthen our work, and support the children, and young adults who have aged out of foster care, to have the foundation to reach their full potential.
Board Praveen Headshot

PRAVEEN KATEPALLY

Chief Revenue Officer at MTX Group Inc.

Praveen Katepally is currently serving as Chief Revenue Officer at MTX Group Inc. a global IT services company and is also CEO of Sevenx Consulting Inc., bringing over 21 years of experience in leading transformative IT and infrastructure initiatives for state and local government. Throughout his career, he has been recognized for his expertise in modernizing public sector operations and driving strategic, citizen-focused solutions, earning awards such as the Distinguished Service NYC Award and the Best of NYC Award.
He holds a Master of Business in Information Systems and is deeply committed to applying his leadership in technology and governance to support the vital mission of SOS Children’s Villages Florida.
BEN J. KOPPENHOEFER

BEN J. KOPPENHOEFER

Founder and CEO

Ben Koppenhoefer is the Founder and CEO of Elite Marine A/C, Southern Marine Supply, Spot Zero Reverse Osmosis, and Spot Zero EU, four industry-leading marine companies serving the global yachting market.
He is an active community leader and a founding member of the Fort Lauderdale chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace, an organization dedicated to providing beds for local children in need. Ben is also a member of YPO and serves on the Board of Directors for the YPO Fort Lauderdale Chapter. He believes in leading by example, both in the workplace and in the community.
Board M Munckniki

MICHAEL A. MUCHNICKI

President and Chief Executive Officer, Triple-S

Michael serves as President and CEO of Triple-S, the largest insurance company in Puerto Rico and an independent licensee for the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Triple-S also operates in the U.S. Virgin Islands healthcare market and is a subsidiary of GuideWell, a not-forprofit mutual holding company that includes Florida Blue, Florida’s Blue Cross and Blue Shield plan
Michael has always made community service a priority throughout his career and has served on non-profit Boards of Directors such as The American Association of Health Plans (AHIP), American Red Cross of Louisiana, Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Louisiana, Make-A-Wish of South Florida, Open Hand of Atlanta, and The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio.
Board Brett headshot

BRETT ROSE

Founder and CEO of United National Consumer Suppliers (UNCS)

Brett Rose is the Founder and CEO of United National Consumer Suppliers (UNCS), a global consumer distribution platform operating across 34 countries and serving more than 160,000 retail locations annually. UNCS has been recognized on the inc. 5000 list of fastestgrowing companies.
He is deeply committed to community leadership and philanthropy. He founded the UNCS Cares Foundation and previously served as Chair of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida, He has also served as Board Chair and current Board Member for Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, Memorial Hospital Foundation, and Broward House. He is a proud member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO).
Brett also serves as the 2026 SOS Gala Chair.

JASON SMITH

Business Founder and Developer

Jason is an entrepreneur who led his family’s business, Hopper Radio, to become one of the largest refurbishers of consumer electronics, supported the launch of the Memorex consumer electronics brand, and facilitated a Disney licensing agreement that brought Disney consumer electronics products to most major U.S. retailers. Jason spearheaded the sale of Hopper Radio to Imation, a public company, and has since focused on commercial real estate, environmental businesses, and philanthropic endeavors.
He currently serves on the board of Stand Among Friends, an organization that supports people with disabilities, and previously served on the board of FriendFinder Network.

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