About Bridges International

Father Charles Brown currently serves in two capacities as Senior Vice President for Bridges International and Christian Prison Ministry, bringing vast experience in prison reentry, faith based programming, and treatment curriculum development for offenders, prisoners and substance abusers. Soon after his ordination in 1999, which was largely influenced by Bishop Frank Costantino, Father Brown became a Priest in the Charismatic Episcopal Church. Father Brown is uniquely qualified to provide the road map and spiritual guidance for these men placed in Bridges International’s care and supervision. As a young man, he was incarcerated and sentenced to prison, and he has lost several family members to substance abuse. These experiences give him the vision that he uses to mentor offenders who are trying to find their way back to society. Father Brown has pioneered reentry and aftercare programs that focus on spiritual, intellectual, emotional and social growth to combat the high rate at which ex-offenders commit crimes and return to prison. After completing coursework at Barry University, Father Brown attended the International Seminary in Plymouth, Florida. He is a Certified Addiction Professional with the Florida Certification Board. He is also certified as an International Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ICADC) with the International Certification of Reciprocity Consortium. In 2003, Father Brown was recognized as FADAA’s “Man of the Year” for his groundbreaking efforts in creating the Bridges International substance abuse treatment programs. 

Yolanda Dorsey is a certified Human Resource Professional with over 20 years of experience in personnel and talent management. Ms. Dorsey completed her studies at Virginia College and Villanova University. Ms. Dorsey has a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resource Management with a minor in Business Management and is a current member of Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM). She holds over 10 years of experience working with the Department of Defense and 6 years of experience working within the Criminal Justice industry. Ms. Dorsey joined Bridges in 2011 and has since been promoted to Vice President and Chief Human Resource Officer in 2017. During her tenure with BI, Ms. Dorsey has developed and implemented various successful strategic practices including, but not limited to; payroll administration and systems management, compensation management, employee engagement, compliance, workers compensation, benefits and more. In addition, Ms. Dorsey has played a crucial role in the procurement and management of employees and HR functions both nationally and internationally at all recently acquired facility locations. Ms. Dorsey continues to strategically implement employee recognition and building tools and systems in order to create and maintain a positive and safe work environment for all BI staff. She has been honored in the past with various awards to include “Employee of the Year” while working with the Department of Defense. 

Michael Smith has been providing financial service solutions in the greater Orlando area for over twenty years. Mr. Smith was the Senior Vice President who joined BB&T’s commercial lending team in April 2005 as a Relationship Manager. His former responsibilities involve the growth and management of a diverse clientele of manufacturers, distributors, real estate developers, municipalities and other providers of consumer goods and services. Mr. Smith served his clients by understanding their business needs and providing financial solutions that assist them in achieving their business and personal goals. Mr. Smith joined Bridges International as its Chief Financial Officer where he is responsible for the day-to-day operation as well as strategic financial outlook of the organization and its affiliates. Prior to coming to Bridges International and his role as Sr. VP of BB&T, Mr. Smith was an Area Executive in Seminole County, Florida and was instrumental in the successful development of Southern Community Bank into one of central Florida’s premier community banking companies. Mr. Smith previously enjoyed an eight-year tenure with SunTrust Bank as a member of the company’s Corporate and Investment Banking team focusing on the healthcare industry. Mr. Smith is a graduate of the University of Florida where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Degree.

In October 2015, David Harris was promoted to Florida State Executive Director for Bridges of Florida. He previously served as Chief Operating Officer for Bridges of Florida, Quality Management Director of Operations and Facility Director of the Orlando Bridge Transition Center and Community Release Center. Mr. Harris has 27 years of correctional experience with the Florida Department of Corrections. During his career, he advanced his way through the ranks of Sergeant, Captain, Major, Colonel, Assistant Warden, Regional Assistant Warden, and Warden. In 2011, Mr. Harris retired from the Department as the Region Four Interim Regional Director of Institutions. Mr. Harris is a Certified Instructor for the Florida Department of Corrections and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement in the areas of Basic Recruit Training, Fire Arms, Self-Defense, and Cultural Diversity. He is also a graduate of the Certified Public Manager Program through Florida State University. His professional memberships include the Florida Council of Crime and Delinquency and 5000 Role Models of Excellence. 

Mrs. Htay Htay was promoted to Chief Financial Officer of Bridges of Florida in April 2014. She joined the Bridges of America team in 2004 as a Staff Accountant and was promoted to Comptroller in 2007. She has spent over 30 years as a “hands-on” operational accounting/financial professional in various types of businesses, including a civil engineering firm, a technology firm, and an international trading company. Mrs. Htay is responsible for the company’s finances, corporate financial policies, and upholding Florida Department of Corrections contract standards. Her primary objective as CFO is to focus on the company’s cash flow and efficiency, while providing timely and accurate financial information to assist senior leadership in making informed business decisions. She believes the value a CFO brings to the table is how she manages the assets of the company, while meeting the strategic objectives of the organization. Mrs. Htay holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from the University of Central Florida, as well as a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physics.

Diana Larsen has over 35 years of experience in the field of law in both the United States and Europe. Her legal experience includes working in entertainment litigation, corporate law, estate planning, family law, criminal defense, insurance defense and bankruptcy, real estate, and state and local government law. In addition to working in law, she comes to Bridges also with experience in administration, marketing, event planning, travel, accounts receivable, supervising, project management and much more. Diana is a Notary Public for the State of Florida and an alumnus of the Executive Women International Academy of Leadership. She is a trained Stephen Minister and Stephen Minister Leader.  Diana has a passion for philanthropic organizations and giving back to the community.  Over the years she has been awarded numerous awards including the Appreciation Pin and Thanks Badge from Girl Scouts of the U.S.A.   She is a past Board Member of Executive Women International, past President of Executive Women International Orlando Chapter, past President of Women’s Executive Council of Orlando and is currently serving in the capacity of Secretary on the board of Healthy Start of Orange County.