Mitessa Jones, CST
Vice President, Florida State Assembly 

It is with great pleasure I introduce myself. I am Mitessa Jones, and I am excited to be your Vice President of the Florida State Assembly.

I am a very positive caring person with a great sense of humor. I have a hobby that doubles as a part time career. I am a performing and recording artist. I am a vocalist in Florida and currently works with a corporate band providing entertainment for major companies and upscale wedding receptions. I enjoy family, the beach, and finding new adventures!

I began my surgical career journey in Dayton Ohio, where I attended Miami Jacobs Career College and received Associates in Applied Science Degree in Surgical Technology. After graduation I worked Digestive Specialist in Kettering Ohio for 3 years as GI Technician/Credentialing Specialist, 2 years as Surgical Technologist at Grandview Hospital, and then returned to Miami Jacobs as a Lead Professor of Surgical Technology. I was assigned to various colleges in the Dayton area under Delta Education providing assistance in repairing curriculum, student remediation, and accreditation maintenance. In 2012, a 3 month assignment turned into acceptance of my first Program Director position in 2013 at McCann School of Business and Technology in Carlisle, PA. While in Pennsylvania, I was able to take 2 large groups for the AST Operating Room presentation for Legislation

Recruited as CST for Florida Hospital Waterman (now Advent Health Waterman) in 2015, where I scrubbed all specialties and became CVOR tech. From central Florida, to Jacksonville area to work on CVOR team at St Vincent Riverside in 2016-2018 and also became Professor of ST at Florida State College at Jacksonville. In 2017, I accepted the Program Director position.

2018-2019, the Faculty and I wrote the curriculum for AS Degree and we implemented the approved program in 2020 during the Covid-19 Pandemic. In August 2020, I was offered the Instructional Program Manager position overseeing Surgical Services and Health Navigator programs. Among the many challenges through the pandemic, I earned my Bachelor degree in Healthcare Management May 7, 2021. The FSCJ new faculty team and I are currently working on expanding the curriculum to offer a new Sterile Processing Technician track within the program and new innovative Labs for Surgical Instrumentation.

I welcome the opportunity to represent a phenomenal group of medical professionals. There is power in numbers, and I want to be instrumental in growing that number and equipping CST/CSFA within Florida to continue the mission and vision of the AST. 

Surgically yours,

Mitessa Jones, CST, AAS, BSHM

Jo Lana Cota, CST, FAST
Treasurer, Florida State Assembly 

It is my honor and privilege to serve the profession that I have been passionate about for over fifteen years.

I graduated from the Surgical Technology Program at Palm Beach Community College in 2004. For over six years, I worked as a CST at Delray Medical Center scrubbing in surgical procedures with a focus in Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, and trauma surgery.

I have been a Program Instructor and the Clinical Coordinator of the Surgical Technology Program at Palm Beach State College since March 2009. Now I am serving as the Department Chair and the Program Director.

My goals as the Treasurer of the Florida State Assembly continue to include supporting all Florida State Assembly members, as well as increasing legislative efforts to mandate certification in the state of Florida, and to lead by example for our future professionals.

In my free time, I enjoy cooking, walking, and listening to all genres of music.

Geoffrey McNeave, CST, CSFA
Secretary, Florida State Assembly 

It is with great pleasure that I am humbly serving as your Florida State Assembly Secretary. I staerted my surgical technology career in 2002 and have been a member of AST ever since then. I joined the U.S. Army in 2003 as an Operating Room Specialist and served in South Korea and deployed to Afghanistan (as well as other stateside assignments). After being honorably discharged in 2011, I returned to Florida where I currently reside. I studied at Meridian Institute of Surgical Assisting and hold an Associated Degree in Surgical Assisting from MISA. I am currently practicing in Riverview Florida as a CSFA and also am the Robotic Surgery coordinator for a Robotic Center of Excellence. I serve on other national boards concerning the practice of CST's and CSFA's.

My wife, two boys and two dogs live in Apollo Beach, Florida (Just South of Tampa). We enjoy boating and fishing as a family, as well as, watching hockey (Go Bolts!)

I am honored to serve the state of Florida and will push for higher education standards, certification legislation and equal pay for all CST's within the state of Florida and the nation. We have unfinished business Florida and I am very excited to represent your voice at the national conference in Denver this coming year (2024). Thank you for the privilege to serve and represent you!



Charles Spencer Robinson, CST, CSFA
Director, Florida State Assembly

My name is Charles Spencer Robinson, I prefer to be called (Spencer). I have been a member of AST and Certified since 1995. I'm new to Florida (as of 2021) and new to the Florida State Assembly of Surgical Technologists. 

Teresa Librizzi, CST, FAST
Director, Florida State Assembly

My name is Teresa Librizzi CST, FAST.  I am originally from NY and have been in Jacksonville since 2002.

I have been a CST since 1998 and a member of AST for just as long. I currently serve as Vice President for the Florida State Assembly.  I take great pride in our profession and I am very dedicated. 

Currently, I am employed in the main OR at Baptist Medical Center, in Jacksonville. I have also worked a few years in Labor and Delivery, which I loved.

I am co-chair of our Unit Council and a member of the Magnet Committee.

In the very near future, I will hopefully be working towards my First Assist Certification.

My hobbies are crafting and baking cakes for all occasions.

I have a heart for missions and have been blessed to have served on many trips. I have been to Costa Rica, Honduras, Colombia, Ecuador, and Zimbabwe. Some have been surgical, some medical, and some church related.

Thank you for allowing me to represent you on the Board of Directors of the Florida State Assembly.

Suyapa Soto, CST, CSFA
Director, Florida State Assembly

My name is Suyapa Soto. I was born in Miami,Florida and I have been a Certified Surgical Technologist
since June 1999. I was accepted to the University of Central Florida and graduated with a bachelor’s
degree in biology. I attended Meridian and became a CSFA in 2017. It has been an honor and a
privilege to serve for over twenty years in the profession that I have a passion for.

I love animals, I have 4 dogs and a love bird, and I have been married for six years. I enjoy the outdoors
such as camping, swimming, fishing, cooking and playing softball and volleyball. I love to travel and visit
places and learn about their cultures and history. I have taken on travel assignments throughout the
United States and was privileged to participate on mission trips. I am a well-rounded surgical
technologist in all specialties with a great interest in Orthopedics, Neuro and Oncology Gynecology.

I have been with AST for many years, and I hope that now that I am serving on the Board of Directors
that my knowledge and experiences throughout the years can make a difference for the future. I look
forward to the upcoming year ahead!




Skylar Resindiz, CST
Director, Florida State Assembly

Well hello there! 

Kathy Sandmoen, CST, CSFA
Director, Florida State Assembly

My name is Kathy Sandmoen, and I am honored to serve as a member of the Board of Directors for the Florida State Assembly Association of Surgical Technologists. 

Here is a brief introduction about myself:

I began my career as a surgical technologist over 35 years ago. After being honorably discharged from the Marine Corps, I pursued a career in the medical field and continued my education. Following the 9/11 attacks, I returned to duty as a Naval Corpsman Reservist while working as a CST and received various awards and commendations for my service.

After completing my military service, I continued my education and obtained certifications as an LPN, CSFA, BAS-HAS, and AS in surgical first assisting. I worked as an LPN before transitioning to the position of an educator in 2018. I have since climbed the ranks to become the Director of Surgical Services at South Florida State College, where I established two accredited surgical tech programs in Florida.

As an educator and leader in our profession, I am passionate about promoting professionalism and recognition for the role of surgical technologists. I currently serve as the Chairman of the Education and Professional Standards Committee and am committed to addressing any concerns that arise.

I have been a member of the AST for 35 years and am dedicated to serving my patients, students, and fellow CSTs. I am currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration to continue growing in this field.

Thank you for allowing me to serve on the Board of Directors of the Florida State Assembly.

About Your Florida State Assembly
The Florida State Assembly of the Association of Surgical Technologists, Inc. (FSA) is the local state branch of the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST). Membership in the AST automatically conveys membership in the FSA. The FSA became one of the first chartered state assemblies in the year 2000. We strive to represent the interests of our members at both the state and national level.

Are you a Surgical Technologist practicing in the State of Florida?

You owe it to yourself to REGISTER now!  Click Here…to Join the AST.