Spring Hill, FL – On Thursday evening, April 24th, U.S. Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) hosted his annual Heroes Among Us Congressional Awards ceremony at the Elks Lodge 2582 in Spring Hill. The ceremony celebrated individuals who have graciously devoted their time and efforts by volunteering with nonprofits and organizations throughout Citrus, Hernando and Pasco Counties. Among the honorees were four Habitat Board members: Charles Rogers, Mika Rotunda, Frank Starkey, and Heidi Tuttle-Beisner.
“We are so proud and honored to see four of our Board members recognized with Heroes Among Us Awards by Congressman Bilirakis,” said Mike Sutton, President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside. Sutton was recognized with the same honor a year ago by Congressman Bilirakis. “Our Board members are committed to the Habitat mission and taking our message into their communities to find future homeowners, sponsors, and build our donor base. We are grateful to Charlie, Mika, Frank, and Heidi for all their efforts to help guide Habitat to building more homes in our community, anchoring families, and making a lasting impact on the Tampa Bay region.”
About the Honorees
Charles “Charlie” Rogers
Charlie Rogers has been on Habitat’s Board of Directors since July 2022. A lifelong advocate for education and health, Charlie has brought that experience and passion to Habitat as we continue to find solutions for affordable homeownership in Pinellas and West Pasco Counties.
Charlie is a key member of Habitat’s work to build more affordable homeownership opportunities in West Pasco and Hernando Counties. He has assisted in organizing special build days with local elected officials and continues to make vital community connections to grow the affiliate’s presence. Charlie has continued to build relationships with local government members and stresses the need for private and public partnerships. As Habitat’s footprint continues to grow in our service area, Charlie Rogers will keep pushing the mission and the vision that everyone deserves a safe place to call home.
Mika Rotunda
Born and raised in Brooksville, Mika Rotunda is a dynamic professional with a background in media and real estate. With years of experience in broadcasting and content creation, Mika has developed a unique ability to connect with her audience, community and customers. Her passion for people and the desire to empower others, translates seamlessly into her real estate career. Combining her media expertise and real estate knowledge, Mika has broad a unique perspective to the Habitat Board, which she was voted onto in 2024.
Habitat Tampa Bay Gulfside has been working to create lasting relationships in Hernando County. Mika has played a key role in making introductions and working alongside our Hernando Executive Director to provide information and dispel myths about the Habitat mission.Mika has used her social media platform of over 100k followers to help spread Habitat’s mission and promote the Habitat program to Hernando County individuals and families. Mika has worked with Habitat’s external relations team to create social media videos to promote major events and invite people to apply to the Habitat program.
Habitat will celebrate the completion of its first home in Hernando this June. When that happens, Mika will be one of the first in line to congratulate the new homeowner and welcome them to the area.
Frank Starkey
Frank Starkey is the President of People Places, LLC, and is the Vice Chair on the executive committee of Habitat’s Board of Directors. Starkey has been involved with Habitat since high school when his local pastor introduced him to the mission.
As an architect, Starkey loves to build things and build up places and people. One of his passions has been seeing Downtown New Port Richey come to life with various projects in recent years. With a deep understanding of real estate, Starkey is helping Habitat take on the challenge of improving and revitalizing neighborhoods throughout West Pasco County. Starkey is regularly part of Habitat advocacy groups that go to the State Capitol in Tallahassee to speak with representatives and senators, asking for support and funding for future housing projects in our service area.
Throughout his career, Frank has been at the leading edge of New Urbanism, serving the Boards of The Seaside Institute and National Town Builders Association, and participating in various conferences, symposia, steering committees, and summits related to walkable urban development. He currently serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Congress for the New Urbanism. A licensed architect and member of the American Institute of Architects, Frank holds undergraduate and professional degrees in architecture and urban design from Rice University, is CNU (Congress for the New Urbanism) Accredited, and a member of CNU, Urban Land Institute, and Leadership Florida (Class XXVII President). He uses these platforms to help move Habitat’s mission forward.
As Habitat grows in West Pasco County, Frank Starkey will play a key role in building more homes, communities, and hope.
Heidi Tuttle-Beisner
Heidi Tuttle-Beisner, CCIM is the Broker/Owner of Commercial Asset Partners Realty in New Port Richey. She is an ambitious commercial real estate executive with over thirty years in the brokerage of commercial-investment real estate. She has been consistently recognized as a top producer and is highly involved in industry and legislative issues to maintain the integrity of the profession. Heidi leads a high-performance team of professionals specializing in taking on challenges pertaining to leasing and selling industrial projects, office buildings, retail centers, investment properties, and land. Community Involvement has been a consistent priority and focus throughout her career as well as the encouragement of staff and agents to “make a difference where you live and work.”
Heid is a pillar of the Pasco community, serving on multiple boards between real estate, affordable housing, and cancer research. Heidi believes a successful community is one that provides opportunities for all individuals and families, especially when it comes to owning a home. She has seen the continued rise in the cost of living in Pasco County.
As a Habitat board member, Heidi is instrumental in advocating for more property acquisition and support for the Habitat mission on the state and local level. She has also supported Habitat’s annual gala by having her company serve as an event sponsor. As Habitat continues to build in West Pasco County, Heidi will be a significant supporter and voice in the community rallying businesses and identifying individuals and families that could qualify and become homeowners in the near future.
