Behind the Scenes

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

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 and recently served as Executive Director for several years.

DEREK BLANKENSHIP

Executive Director

Derek joined VIPA in 2022, first serving as the Director of Education and General Operations. In this role, he served over 2,000 students through the VIPA Apprentice Program, his work with the VHS Fine Arts programs, as well as in the greater Sarasota area through events at the VPAC. He has also helped to bring first-class entertainment to the Venice Community by running the Venice Performing Arts Center. Derek’s education includes degrees in Trumpet Performance from Appalachian State University (BM), The University of South Florida (MM) and post-graduate studies as a Doctoral Fellow at The University of Oklahoma. He performed professionally as a trumpeter and taught all levels of students for over twenty years, throughout the United States and abroad, before pivoting into education and arts management full-time.

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RENO MANNE

Executive Director 2021-2023

Reno Manne passed away on Friday, March 3, 2023. Mr. Manne joined VIPA for its first season in the fall of 2016 as the head of security. He was appointed Director of Operations in 2020 and Executive director in 2021. He learned the functions of every VIPA department, and helped design and implement volunteer, apprentice, and intern training programs. Mr. Manne was an accomplished leader with a real passion for bringing the arts to our community. He was an invaluable asset to the organization and his legacy continues to benefit VIPA and the broader arts community. He is missed.