Michael Francis, the music director
of The Florida Orchestra, has had his
contract extended for three more years
by a unanimous decision made by the
Orchestra’s board of directors. This
ensures Michael’s leadership through
at least the 2020-2021 season. Bravo!
Michael is a treasure we all want to
keep.
Jeff Abbaticchio has joined Visit
St. Pete/Clearwater as its director of
community and partnerships.
Harry Costello has become the
chairman of Hill & Knowlton Strategies
in Florida, and Ron Bartlett has been
promoted to the firm’s general manager
in Tampa and Tallahassee.
Josephine Schaff, a multimillion
dollar top producer, has joined Coastal
Properties Group and Christie’s
International, where she will engage a
worldwide audience of high-net-worth
homebuyers in their real estate needs.
Cherie and Steve Wenstrom
celebrated the 25th Anniversary
of Wenstrom Communications in
Clearwater at a party they held at the
Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg.
George Cretekos, the Mayor of
Clearwater, was honored at the Greater
68 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE
The Honorable Bob Schmidt was thanked by Jeanie and Chris Renfrow of Charity Works for hosting
the Sponsors’ Party for their Monopoly Night fundraiser at his Belleair Bluffs waterfront estate.
Tampa Bay Area Good Scout Award
Breakfast by the Boy Scouts of America.
Sherrill Milnes, the famous opera
baritone who lives in Palm Harbor
with his wife, opera star Maria
Zouves, helped host a tribute to the
victims of Orlando’s Pulse Nightclub
shootings that featured 150 opera
singers. The benefit was titled, “One
Voice Orlando: A Celebration in Song,”
and included singers from Opera
Tampa, St. Petersburg Opera Company
and the Sarasota Opera. The event
was held at the Dr. Phillips Center for
the Performing Arts, where Milnes’
presence was appreciated by all the
singers who have admired his voice
over the many years he has reigned as
one of opera’s greatest stars.
Nick Dukas, the local singer/
songwriter, has won a Silver Medal
from the Global Music Awards for
outstanding achievement for his
holiday recording of “Wrap You Up For
Christmas.”
Beth Houghton, executive director
of the St. Petersburg Free Clinic, was
honored with a Humanitarian Award
at the 47th Annual PARC Black-Tie
Gala in recognition of her leadership
in enhancing the lives of those in need
throughout the community.
| NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016
Edward Steinhoff has been chosen to be the
new executive chef at The Straz Center for the
Performing Arts. Steinhoff will be responsible
for creating menus for the Straz Center’s four
restaurants: Maestro’s Restaurant, Maestro’s
Café, Maestro’s on the River and Steam Heat.
He will also develop catering menus for
special and corporate clients and will manage
all aspects of the kitchen’s operations. The
restaurants at the Straz Center make dining
out and seeing a show both entertaining
and convenient; and the Straz Center offers
complete banquet and catering services
for weddings, luncheons, dinners, parties,
receptions, meetings and seminars.
Joe Kokolakis and his wife Anna welcomed
guests to the groundbreaking for their Artisan
Apartment Homes in Dunedin that will have
65 one- and two-bedroom units with garage
parking and first floor retail shops. This
new approach to contemporary living and
innovative market space is being developed
and constructed by J. Kokolakis Contracting
in Tarpon Springs.
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