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
Jacquie Kuhen, Vice President
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Board member since 2024
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Former prosecutor and criminal defense attorney in state and federal court
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Former public and private sector instructor specializing in criminal justice, constitutional rights, legal writing and litigation skills
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Past member and officer of numerous nonprofit organizations
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Cofounder of Louisville Philharmonia – the Musicians’ Orchestra
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String Bassist with the Pops Orchestra and the Bradenton Symphony Orchestra
Walter Row, Treasurer
- 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
Joel Gilbert, Secretary
- 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
EmmaLee Holmes, Director
- AA degree, State College of Florida
- Bachelor degree in business management, USF
- SIE, Series 7, and Series 66 certifications
- Registered financial professional
- Client Service Associate, Milestone Financial
- Loves music, her community, and her family
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
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
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.
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
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
Staff
Dr. Robyn Bell, Managing & Artistic Director
Ben Maynard, Administrative Assistant
Terry Fazio, Box Office and House Manager
Andrea Vella, Operations Manager
Caryn Hodge, Marketing & Media Manager
Elyza Wylder-Wilcox, Social Media Manager
Matthew Freeman, Graphic Designer
Nikki Rinsema, Concertmaster
The Pops!
“Music You Love,
Musicians You Know.”
Thanks to Our Corporate Sponsors!
Thanks to Our Community Sponsors and Partners!
