Pops Board and Staff
Jack Barnett, President
- Board member since 2013 and board president since 2016
- Former federal executive holding a variety of senior administrative positions with the Department of Army and Department of Housing and Urban Development
- Over 26 years of active and reserve service in the US Army, retiring in 1996
- Consultant to over a dozen federal government departments and agencies specializing in continuity of operations, resource management and personnel
- Past member and officer of numerous professional, neighborhood, condominium and non-profit boards
- Percussionist with the Pops Orchestra
Walter Row, Vice President
- 35 years Asset Management
- Yale University, BS Business
- Harvard University, MBA
- Eaton Vance Mgt – 1996-2015
- Securities Analyst – Healthcare
- Director of Equity Research
- Fund Manager
- Director Structured Equity
- First Literacy – Past Director
- Spirit American Cowboy Fnd – Past Director
- Hamilton, MA Board of Health – Past Director
- NSUU Handbell Choir, Danvers, MA
- Amateur Guitarist
- Loving husband, father, and grandfather
Kris Hoekman, Treasurer
- Board member since 2024
- Prior owner/operator Income Tax Service
- 25 year nursing career in various local and national administrative positions
- 4 year volunteer services for Guardian ad Litem
- Volunteer boards including HOA, Healthy Start, Voices for Children
- Registered nurse
- Masters in Business Administration
Jennifer D. Lewis, Secretary
- Educator, Writer, Amateur Musician, Former Lawyer and Child Advocate
- Juris Doctor degree (University of Miami School of Law)
- F.A. in Creative Writing (National University)
- Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude, (Howard University)
- Secondary teacher for the School District of Manatee County and Adjunct instructor for the Department of Language of Literature of the State College of Florida
- Cellist (2009-present) for the Pops Orchestra of Bradenton and Sarasota
- Classically trained in piano, violin, and cello
- Active Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Bradenton/Sarasota (FL) Chapter of The Links, Inc.
Sharon Francis-Campbell, Director
- Board member since 2019
- Owner of It All Adds Up Bookkeeping Services, LLC, providing bookkeeping services to small-mid size businesses and individuals.
- Bachelor of Science in Business with a Concentration in Accounting, Graduated from University of Phoenix with Honors, GPA 3.85
- Advanced Certified Quickbooks ProAdvisor
- Lifetime Member of the National Business Honor Society
Joel Gilbert, Director
- Chief Software Architect and Co-Founder of Apogee Interactive, Inc.
- Directs the design and development of energy analysis applications
- National consultant with over 200 gas and electric companies
- National consultant with over 100 industrial and commercial firms
- Bachelor in chemical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
- Master’s degree in chemical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
- Master’s degree in management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
- Licensed professional engineer
Dr. Jane Hoffman, Director
- Member of the Board since 2014
- Doctor of Musical Arts from State University of New York at Stony Brook
- Adjunct Flute Professor at State College of Florida
- Principal flute with The Pops Orchestra since 2012
- Founding member of Trio Voila
- Performed with Sarasota Opera, Venice and Charlotte Symphonies and the Craig Turley Orchestras
- Adjunct instructor of flute, saxophone, clarinet at Booker Middle School and Riverview High School
- Director of The Hecht School of Music 1999-2007 and Faculty Member at Humboldt State University 1984-1992
Ben Johnson, Director
- Born in Worcester, England and moved to Florida in 2011
- Graduated in 2017 from Manatee School for the Arts where he was President of the Tri-M Music Honors Society
- Graduated in 2019 from State College of Florida with an A.A Degree focused in Music Education
- General Manager & Part Owner of SeaBreeze Vacation a Family Owned and Operated Vacation Rental & Property Management Company on Anna Maria Island
- Plays both Trumpet and Percussion in the Pops
- Pops Board Member since 2020
Lynda Menuez, Director
- Resident of Florida and Ohio.
- Voice major at Capital University in Columbus.
- Owner of Jack & Jill Boutique, a children’s clothing store.
- Member of both the choir and handbell choir at St. Armand’s Key Lutheran Church.
- Volunteered with Southeastern Guide Dogs, All Faith’s Food Bank. Save & Serve Ministry, and the Love Center Food Pantry.
Amy Schachter, Director
- A native New Yorker who with her late husband Oscar made Sarasota their home in 2017. They were drawn by the depth and breadth of the performing arts options.
- Lifelong music appreciators, rock and roll for me and classical music for Oscar, we loved the whole concept of The Pops Orchestra, the perfect synthesis of community engagement, diversity of musical styles and a passion for excellence.
- Graduate of Hofstra University
- Retired management consultant helping client management teams comply with federal Affirmative Action laws and manage an ever-changing human resource landscape
Brianne Reck, Director
- Classically trained pianist and flutist.
- Tenured graduate faculty member and program coordinator in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at University of South Florida.
- At USF, she served as Executive Director for the Florida Center for Partnerships in Arts Integration (PAInT) for five years.
- Recently served for seven years as a trustee/director and Vice Chair/Vice President for Education and Outreach on the board of the Perlman Music Program Suncoast
Carol Whitfield Matthews, Director
- Organist/Choir master, St. Mary Magdalene Church, Lakewood Ranch
- Music Director, Key of Sea Chorus, Longboat Key
- Teacher for Manatee and Sarasota counties
- Graduate of Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, PA
- Graduate studies at Pennsylvania State University, Bloomsburg University, Westfield State University and South Florida School of Theological Studies
- Former board member of the American Guild of Organists
Staff Members – Ex Officio
Robyn Bell, Music Director
Gayle Williams, Executive Director
Terry Fazio, Box Office and House Manager
The Pops!
“Music You Love,
Musicians You Know.”
Thanks to Our Corporate Sponsors!
Thanks to Our Community Sponsors and Partners!
