BuzzWorthyitems of note
Jeffrey C. Shannon is joining
the executive team of the Columbia
Restaurant Group as General
Counsel. Jeff has handled all the
Columbia’s legal issues for over 30
years. He has worked with three
generations of the Gonzmart Family
and will help the firm with its current
projects and others that are on the
way. The Columbia Restaurant Group
currently consists of five concepts
including Columbia, Ūlëlē, Cha Cha
Coconuts, Goody Goody and Café
Con Leche Ybor City.
Judy Weitekamp has been honored
by the Morean Arts Center in
St. Petersburg for her generous
support of the Morean by having
a “One Day at the Morean” named
for her.
Scott Daniels has been selected
to receive the Distinguished Alumni
Award by Leadership Pinellas.
Erin Horan has joined The
Florida Orchestra as its first
community engagement director.
Michael “Frenchy” Preston of
Frenchy’s Restaurants was given
the Chamber Hero Award by the
Clearwater Beach Chamber, and
his Clear Sky Beachside Cafe
won “Best Entrée” at the Clearwater
Beach Taste Fest. His Saltwater Cafe won
the Chairman’s Award, and one of their
servers, Kelly “KK” Klotz, was named
“Best Server.” Frenchy’s is an institution
that never disappoints.
Steve Weinberger, the president of the
Clearwater Jazz Holiday Foundation,
was the featured speaker at the Charity
Coalition Luncheon that is hosted by
the Church of Scientology Flag Service
Organization at the Historic Fort Harrison
Hotel in downtown Clearwater. Steve told
how this 37-year-old nonprofit brings
education, culture and economic impact
to the Tampa Bay area while entertaining
thousands of music lovers each year. Jewel
McKeon, a master brand advisor, also
spoke on how to raise funds and increase
volunteerism and visibility for nonprofits.
Michael Heard, the president and
event coordinator for the Florida
Blueberry Festival, reports that the 6th
Annual Festival in Brooksville that is held
68 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE
Judy Genshaft, the president of the USF System, was
presented with the 2016 Malone International Leadership
Distinction Award in recognition of her significant efforts
and contributions to expanding international experiences
and perspectives for students and faculty both here and
abroad. The award also recognizes USF’s growth as a
globally engaged university and its active involvement in a
broad range of national and international organizations and
initiatives. During her 16-year tenure, President Genshaft
has placed a strategic emphasis on the internationalization
of academics and research throughout the USF System.
in association with the Florida Blueberry
Growers Association drew over 65,000
people from all over Florida to Hernando
County and earned over $50,000 for the
events’s charitable partners, such as the
Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis and
Rotary.
Ed Parsons has been promoted to the
position of general manager of The Florida
Orchestra. His new expanded role will
involve coordinating the artistic team’s
vision, overseeing all operations activities,
and working with the Orchestra’s new
Community Engagement Department.
Amy Smith has been named Vice
President of Programming and Marketing
for Big3 Entertainment Group, which
manages the Mahaffey Theater. Bill
Edwards, chairman and CEO of Big3 says
that he expects Amy to usher in an exciting
new era at the Mahaffey.
Grace Sipusic, the chief development
officer of The Florida Orchestra, has
| SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016
appointed Rachel Mentkow, the
institutional giving and events
manager, to help the Orchestra
expand its corporate support and
has promoted Betsy Walch to the
role of development officer, where
she will manage donors and serve
as the liaison to the Guilds.
Melissa Seixas has been promoted
to director of government and
community relations for the State of
Florida by Duke Energy. Melissa has
been the government and community
relations manager for the Tampa Bay
area for the past decade. Jeff Baker
will assume Melissa’s responsibilities
in Pinellas and Pasco Counties. The
Duke Energy foundation has recently
given a $50,000 grant to Clearwater’s
Ruth Eckerd Hall, $25,000 to
the Morean Center for Clay in
St. Petersburg, and $25,000 to The
Florida Orchestra to enhance our
community’s vitality.
Joshua Bomstein, the
president of Clearwater’s Creative
Contractors, has been elected
to the board of directors of the
Florida Holocaust Museum in
St. Petersburg. Josh is a leading
expert on green building and was
instrumental in earning LEED
Platinum Certification for the Largo
Community Center, one of the greenest
and most efficient buildings in the state
of Florida.
Fabrizio and Ingrid Aielli, the
owners of the Sea Salt restaurant in
St. Petersburg’s Sundial, were honored by
the Wine Spectator magazine with its Best
of Award of Excellence in recognition of Sea
Salt’s award-winning wine collection that
offers extensive selections with significant
vintage depth and excellent breath across
multiple regions.
Brad Kendell and his Sonar Crew have
been selected to represent the United States
in the Paralympic games in September in
Rio. Brad and his team have been training
at the Clearwater Yacht Club and the
Clearwater Community Sailing Center.
Joshua Magidson was awarded
“The Barney” for 2016 by The Barney
Masterson American Inn of Court. The
Barney is awarded annually to the lawyer