Staff & Advisors

Ashley Giasone

Executive Director

Ashley is a true Florida native, born in St. Petersburg, Florida. Growing up under the Wells household, she was a loving, older sister to Ryan and was very dedicated to

Mike Wells

President

Born in Columbus, Ohio, Mike moved to Seminole, Florida in the spring of 1970 where his family resided for 20 years. In 1977 he graduated from Seminole High and enrolled

Carrie Wells

Secretary / Treasurer

Carrie Wells was born in Indiana but spent most of my life in Florida in Pinellas County.  The oldest of a family of five children, it was only natural that

Tim Dinsmore

Tim Dinsmore was born and raised in Tampa Florida. After graduating from Leto High School he moved to Pinellas County where he attended Clearwater Christian Collage on a basketball scholarship

Chef Chris Ponte

Christopher Ponte began his culinary career at Clearwater’s Pepper Mill Restaurant in 1991 after graduating from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island. Most chefs will tell you

Laura Pearson

Former restaurant manager in the NYC area.  Laura previously owned a high volume restaurant in St. Petersburg, FL.  The operation necessitated 100 employees with 7 full time cooks and 2

Michael Giasone

Board Member

Mike was raised in Sarasota, FL where his family relocated to in 1979. He attended the University of Florida where he graduated with a Business Administration degree

Melissa Nordbeck

After many years in the airline industry, some soul searching made it clear to Melissa that a career change was her new mission. Following a lifelong passion for all things culinary

Pam Preseau

It was Pam’s daughter Aubrey that eventually led her to support the Ryan Wells Foundation. Pam grew up in Jamaica, New York and attended college at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

Fulfill the Dreams of Pinellas County Students

Join us in fulfilling the dreams of Pinellas County high school and vocational students aspiring to be future chefs and leaders in the hospitality industry.

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