MICHAEL HARTLEY
Executive Producer + President
Michael T. Hartley, CFP® is the Chairman of DKE, Inc, Comprehensive Wealth Counsel, with over 35 years experience in portfolio design and investment management. He was named a Fellow of the Family Firm Institute in 2018. Michael has an extensive background in philanthropy and served on boards of Venice area charitable organizations including the YMCA and Village on the Isle. He served multiple terms as the Chair of the Venice Planning Commission. His book, “Master Plan: Integrating Your Financial Planning, Legal and Estate Planning, and Life Planning,” is used by estate planners and investment advisors nationwide. Michael was the co-founder and funder of the non-profit Venice Institute for Performing Arts that that operates the $15 million Venice Performing Arts Center and currently serves as President of the Board of Directors.
BONNIE HARTLEY
Executive Director, Secretary/Treasurer
Bonnie Brown Hartley, Ph.D., is President of Transition Dynamics Inc, and specializes in leveraging change in enterprise. She is a Fellow in the Family Firm Institute and holds their certificate in family wealth advising. In 2010 she and husband, Michael T. Hartley, released the two-CD series, “Think Ahead.” Her books, “Sudden Death” and “Unexpected Wealth,” were published in 2006. In 2009, she co-au-thored “Family Wealth Transition Planning.” Bonnie co-founded and funded the Venice Institute for Performing Arts with her husband, Michael Hartley, in 2016.
BECCA ELDREDGE
Managing Director + Associate Producer
Becca is thrilled to be entering her fourth season with the Venice Institute for Performing Arts. Becca studied historical costume and scenic design at Shakespeare’s Globe in London. She holds a BFA in Theatrical Design and Production from the University of Michigan and is currently enrolled at the Savannah College of Art and Design in the Business Design and Arts Leadership masters program. Becca spent several years touring the country as an opera stage manager, before settling on Florida’s beautiful sun coast. She loves that her job at VIPA gives her the opportunity to work with both students and professionals on a daily basis, and enjoys helping students have meaningful experiences in the performing arts. Thanks to her family who is forever supportive of her career and passion for the arts. She would like to thank her amazing team here at VIPA for their commitment to our community and our students.
STERLING JASA-PHILLIPS
Director of Artistic Operations + Assistant Producer
Born and raised in Rochester, NY, he is a graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology with focuses fine art, business and marketing. Sterling has a passion for the arts and has a background working in Stage Management with credits including: PSM of American Idiot and PSM of The Normal Heart. He is enthralled to be part of the VIPA family! You can find Sterling working with volunteers, assisting patrons, backstage assisting the talent, or in his office admiring the Florida landscape. With his time outside of the VPAC, all things food, SUP boarding, playing with his cats, and going on romantic adventures with his husband, Angelo. He would like to thank his family and the staff and board members of VIPA for their continued support and kindness, and most of all to the volunteers who tirelessly donate their time to VIPA.
RENO MANNE
Director of Safety & Security
Reno joined VIPA in its first season the fall of 2016. Reno has a passion for ensuring the safety of everyone at VIPA’s shows. This is Reno’s 4th year with VIPA, he has worked hard creating a security template suited to the needs of our loyal and appreciated patronage. With a customer service minded approach Reno and his team offer safety and security for all VIPA events with a customer service minded attitude at all times. This is Reno’s first experience in the performing arts and he has enjoyed learning about this field. Reno’s international experience in security has been invaluable to the Institute’s goal to keep our patrons safe. Reno takes his responsibility to heart, and enjoys creating positive relationships with patrons at each show. He was also a top British junior tennis player and has coached and traveled with 6 world number 1 world-ranked tennis players. Reno loves nothing more than to spend time with his wife and daughter whom he loves very much.
KELSEY SIMPSON
Brand Manager + Graphic Designer
Kelsey joined the VIPA team in June of 2017, starting as a graphic design intern. With a background in communications and art & design, Kelsey has the ability to weave all of her career passions into one at VIPA. She truly enjoys being a part of the team she gets to work amongst everyday. Kelsey is the only Sarasota native on the VIPA team and she takes great pride in this beautiful "small" town. She is grateful for the opportunity to bring both cultural entertainment and arts educational programming to the same community in which she grew up. When not in the office, Kelsey can be found painting, catching sunsets, traveling, playing with her German Shepherd, learning new recipes, or discovering new restaurants around town. Kelsey would like to thank the rest of the team, VIPA board members, and her family for their continual support, encouragement, and confidence.
MICHAEL MURPHY
Technical Director
Michael’s initial calling to the stage was as a musician, performing in scholastic ensembles from Middle school through College where he studied Music Performance and Education. After graduating Michael continued performing and eventually began composing and performing his own work. In 2009 he co-founded Finch House Records and began engineering sound and producing records, in 2011 he and his sister opened a small venue in Sarasota to showcase local and emerging artists. Michael has since worked with The Ringling Museum (Ringling Underground), University of South Florida, Ringling College of Art and Design, New College of Florida, Sarasota Film Festival, and the Harvey Milk Festival as a technical consultant or event specialist. Michael has continued to develop new work and tour with various projects performing in 42 states, managing and booking some 20 tours from 2006 to 2016. Michael lives in Sarasota with his partner Kelsey and their dog Maisy. He joined the VIPA team in July of 2019 and is excited to help educate the next generation of young minds.
LOUIS DUCHIN
Production Assistant
Living in Florida his whole life, Louis is a graduate of the University of South Florida (Go Bulls!)
where he majored in Theatre Arts and Mass Communications for Television. In his time at USF
and shortly after, Louis worked closely with the theatre program as an actor, technician,
playwright and booking agent. From there, he went on to intern at Film Tampa Bay where he
traveled all around Hillsborough County taking pictures of different locations for movies to film. Louis then worked for the Power Station Film Studio in Ybor City as a location scout and
casting associate. Louis is passionate about all things arts and especially comedy. In addition to
his college degrees, Louis also has a clown college degree from the Toby the Clown Foundation. Louis is known to write sketches, plays and TV shows as well as perform stand-up at the occasional open mic. He is absolutely ecstatic to join VIPA as a Production Assistant and he hopes he can do all he can to make patrons smile and enjoy their time at the VPAC. Louis would like to thank the rest of the VIPA team, his family and all his friends for their trust and support.
TROY MESSNER
Box Office Manager
Originally from Lakeland, Fl, Troy graduated from Lakeland High School in 1986, then joined the US Marines soon after graduation for a four year tour as a Marine military musician stationed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. After the Marines, Troy went to school at the University of South Florida where he studied horn with Ralph Froelich, conducting with Dr. Mallory Thompson and graduated in 1995 with a Horn performance degree. After graduating, Troy enjoyed freelancing with several different orchestras and performing groups in Florida. In 1999 Troy won a position with the West Point Band, a special band with the US Army. While in the band Troy played for countless high ranking politicians and dignitaries, some highlights are marching in President George W. Bush’s inauguration parade, performing with the NY Philharmonic on numerous occasions in Avery Fisher Hall, and at opening day at the new Yankee Stadium. In 2014 Troy retired as a Master Sgt from active duty service and moved to the Sarasota area and enjoys performing with various groups including the Venice Symphony, South West Florida Symphony, the Sarasota Opera and the First Brass of Sarasota. Along with being the Box Office Manager for VIPA, he is also the Director of Operations for The Pops Orchestra in Sarasota.
2019 Board Members:
Michael Hartley
Bonnie Hartley
Jane Goodwin
Jess Fronckowiak
Beatrice Holt
Fellowship Recipients:
SENIOR FELLOWS
2016-17
Miles Mowry
Casey Trascik
2017-18
David Monagas
Brittany Smith
2018-19
Evan Ackerman
Kelsey Simpson
2019-2020
Jonathan Case
STUDENT FELLOWS:
2016-17
Talia Ursel
2017-18
Anthony Desalvia
2018-19
Andrew Eason
Crystal Fox
2019-20
Megan Roos
Jonathan Fenton
