Patrice Bryant Akers joined Horse Protection Association of Florida in 2021 as Treasurer. Ms. Bryant Akers is owner and operator of “A Bryant Company”  which assists corporations with their accounting and bookkeeping needs. A Bryant Company proudly spans services from the East to the West Coast. Ms. Bryant Akers brings three decades of financial management experience in both the private and nonprofit sectors, with a focus on corporate growth and productivity. She oversees all aspects of the corporation’s finances including development and management of budgets, preparation of financial statements and reports to the Board and to the public.

Patrice is passionate about the mission of Horse Protection Association of Florida. She and her husband, Rick rescued all five of their horses. Two of the five, Daysia and Emma Jean, were rescued from Horse Protection Association of Florida. Patrice is an avid student of Natural Horsemanship and enjoys seeing the transformation that takes place when horses become confident and learn to trust.

“I am captured by hope and uplifted by the amazing work of our team at HPAF. Our Farm Manager, Lisa Mandley, who intakes the wounded and works side by side with our Executive Director, Christine Massinger. They work tirelessly with our team of equine care associates and so many amazing volunteers. They suit up and show up each day, loving the horses in a way that rebuilds broken trust. Our Board is exemplary. Each Board Member has such a heart for our Mission Statement. I feel extremely grateful, honored, and blessed to be a part of this amazing leadership team.”

RALPH A. DEMEO is a Shareholder in the Tallahassee-based firm Guilday Law, where he specializes in environmental, land use, administrative, and animal law. He is widely recognized as one of the leading environmental and animal law practitioners in the State of Florida and throughout the USA. He received his B.A. and M.A. from Stetson University, studied post-graduate creative writing and literature at The University of Florida, and received his J.D. from FSU College of Law. He is an Adjunct Professor of Animal Law and Environmental Law at FSU College of Law, Florida A&M University, and Tallahassee Community College, and has published over 40 law review, journal, treatise, and textbook articles and chapters. He frequently lectures law students, lawyers, humane advocates, judges, and others statewide on matters relating to animal law, and is a registered lobbyist for The Florida Bar Animal Law Section. He is recognized as a top lawyer in respected national lawyer ranking services including Martindale-Hubbell (top rating 5.0 Preeminent); Florida Super Lawyers (top 5% of Florida environmental lawyers; Chambers USA (top 10 Florida environmental lawyers); Best Lawyers in America; and Who’s Who Legal USA. He is past Chair of The Florida Bar Animal Law Section; Environmental & Land Use Law Section; and Florida Bar Journal & News Editorial Board.  He regularly represents animal owners in court on animal welfare cases.  He represented the Animal Legal Defense Fund and The Florida Bar as a member of the “Greyhound Dream Team” that lobbied and litigated against greyhound racing and breeding interests and successfully placed the ban on racing on the statewide Florida ballot, which ended greyhound racing in Florida, with a corresponding ripple effect throughout the USA. 

With respect to his animal welfare activities, he is a life-long animal lover and advocate. He co-founded Pets Ad Litem, Inc. a 501c3 charity dedicated to humane education and advocacy; The Tallahassee Animal Shelter Foundation (dedicated to supporting the Tallahassee Animal Service Center); and Geoffrey Bear Foundation (dedicated to veterinarian welfare). He is also a long-time member and advisor to the Leon County Humane Society and other animal welfare organizations. He serves on the City of Tallahassee Animal Crimes Task Force where he advises the city on animal law, and on the Tallahassee Police Department Citizens’ Advisory Council, where he advises   law enforcement on human and animal crimes. He has a special love and appreciation for horses, having rescued, rehabilitated, fostered, and adopted multiple horses.