Meet the Team
Robert “Bob” Asztalos
Director
Bob Asztalos has served as the Deputy Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs since July 6, 2021. FDVA is a 1,500-member constitutionally chartered State Veterans’ Affairs department with a $220 million annual budget responsible for serving the nation’s third largest veteran population. His role includes overseeing the operation of Florida’s eight state veteran nursing homes and one state veterans domiciliary.
He previously served as the interim Chief Operating Officer for Medical Equipment and Supplies of America, a disabled veteran-owned small business that provides durable medical equipment to Veterans on behalf of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Prior to that, he worked in government relations on health care issues at both the state and federal levels since 1985.
In Tallahassee, Bob served as the Chief Lobbyist for the Florida Health Care Association, representing nursing homes and other long-term health care providers. He spent 15 years as the Government Relations Consultant for Easter Seals Florida. In Washington, D.C., Bob served as the Senior Congressional Affairs Representative for the American Health Care Association, Associate Director of Government Affairs with the American Physical Therapy Association, and a Legislative Specialist with the law firm of Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering.
He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Master’s Degree in Legislative Affairs from George Washington University. Bob completed 29 years active and reserve service in the U.S. Navy and Navy Reserve serving with shipboard and U.S. Marine Corps ground units. He also served 17 years in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary as a small boat commander and Aids to Navigation Verifier. He is a member of the Governor’s Panel on Excellence in Long Term Care, completed a term as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Florida Veterans Foundation, is the President of Fleet Reserve Association, Branch 34, and serves on the Board of Directors of Ladies Learning to Lead and the Pines of Sarasota Rehabilitation & Senior Care Community.
Lorena Fulcher
Deputy Director
Lorena Fulcher currently serves as the Deputy Director of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. She has dedicated nearly 25 years of her career to developing, implementing, and leading programs for individuals with disabilities. Throughout her career, she has shown a deep commitment to advancing programs and policies that support independence, community involvement, and quality of life.
In her prior role with the agency, she served as the Assistant Director of Operations and Programs where she focused on the design and implementation of public policy initiatives related to services for the disability community in Florida. In this role, Deputy Director Fulcher was responsible for the oversight and development of community-based efforts that emphasize person-centered services aligned with the needs of Floridians with disabilities. Earlier in her career, she worked in the exceptional student education field aiding individuals with disabilities in correctional settings.
Deputy Director Fulcher is a graduate from Florida State University and is a lifelong resident of Tallahassee, Florida.
Gina Herron
Chief of Staff
Gina Herron currently serves as the Chief of Staff for the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. She brings nearly three years of experience in this role and previously served as the agency’s Director of Legislative Affairs. Ms. Herron has spent much of her career engaged in the legislative process, advancing policies that support individuals with disabilities across Florida. Her work has also focused on key policy areas such as transportation, education, and economic development.
In her current role, Ms. Herron provides strategic leadership on agency priorities and helps shape policy efforts that promote independence and opportunity for people with disabilities. Her extensive background in legislative affairs has strengthened the agency’s collaboration with state partners and enhanced its ability to respond to evolving community needs.
Ms. Herron is originally from Ohio and holds a master’s degree from the University of South Florida. She has called Tallahassee home since 2019.
Rose Salinas
Deputy Director of Budget, Planning, and Information Technology
Rose Salinas currently serves as the Deputy Director of Budget, Planning, and Information Technology for the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. She has dedicated over 35 years of service to state government in the areas of information technology, budget and finance. Rose has been with APD over 15 years and previously served as the Chief Financial Officer for the agency before moving into her current position.
Rose is dedicated to serving individuals with disabilities by her commitment to effectively managing financial and information technology support so the agency can provide quality services to our clients. She works closely with the Governor’s Office and Legislative staff to ensure agency budget requests are met and that critical agency programs can be operated efficiently.
Rose graduated from Florida State University with an undergraduate degree in Math and Computer Science and a Masters in Adult Education. She is currently completing a doctoral degree in Learning Design and Performance Technology.
Erin Romeiser
Inspector General
Erin Romeiser currently serves as the Inspector General for the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. She brings more than two decades of experience in Florida state government and was appointed to her current role in June 2019 by Chief Inspector General Melinda Miguel.
Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to public accountability and has served in the Office of Inspector General community since 2005. She is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Association of Inspectors General, the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, the Institute of Internal Auditors, and the Information Systems Audit and Control Association. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Florida Chapter of the Association of Inspectors General and previously contributed to the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation Standards Review and Interpretation Committee.
Inspector General Romeiser is a Certified Inspector General, a Certified Inspector General Investigator, and a Certified Fraud Examiner. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Emporia State University and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of West Florida.
Francis Carbone
General Counsel
Francis Carbone currently serves as the General Counsel for the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. Mr. Carbone is a Board Certified Specialist by The Florida Bar in State & Federal Government & Administrative Practice. He has dedicated his entire career to public service, with the past six years as the General Counsel for the Agency. Throughout his career, he has paid a particular focus on protecting and serving the most vulnerable members of our society and state.
Mr. Carbone is responsible for all aspects of legal representation of the Agency. He provides legal advice to the Director and Agency staff. He is responsible for supervising the Office of the General Counsel (Office), which handles legal representation of the Agency with a focus on fair outcomes for clients of the Agency and compliance with Florida Law. The Office represents the Agency in licensing prosecutions, fair hearings, criminal competency proceedings, and before appellate courts. The Office provides day-to-day legal advice regarding operations of the Agency. Mr. Carbone was previously the General Counsel for the State of Florida Department of Elderly Affairs and was a licensing prosecutor at the Florida Department of Health.
Mr. Carbone is a graduate from the University of Miami and has his juris doctor from St. Thomas University School of Law. Mr. Carbone resides in Tallahassee and enjoys spending time with his family.