Peggy Brady, Executive Director

Contact for: Government Relations, Media Interviews, Speaking Engagements, Local and Statewide Committees and Task Forces, Communitywide Partnerships, Board Facilitation, The Arts Exchange

E-Mail: peggy@cocanet.org

Peggy supervises all daily operations, programs, staff, and finances, and has been Executive Director for COCA since 1993. She is a transplant from West Palm Beach and was educated both at Wesleyan College in Macon, GA, and at Florida State University in Tallahassee. She spent several years teaching gifted and talented children in Leon County’s Academic Resource Center and as a curriculum designer for both the Florida Department of Education and the Federal Project for Gifted Education, where she created material for teaching critical thinking skills to middle school students. Peggy was also the Executive Director for the Center for the Arts School of Theatre (C.A.S.T.) where she taught and directed theatre with students from kindergarten through high school along with their parents, and created a unique work/study relationship with FSU’s nationally renowned Music Theatre program. As a theatre director she has worked with TCC, FSU and several regional theatres around the country. As a playwright, Peggy has written eight full-length musicals and plays that have been produced in the U.S. and Canada.  In addition to being COCA’s Executive Director, Peggy is also currently the co-writer/director of "The Laughing Stock: Florida's Musically Twisted Political Cabaret," creating musical parodies straight from the daily news.   

Randi Atwood, Associate Director,

Institutional & Project Development

Contact for: TLH Magazine, COCA websites, Artist Directory, COCA Membership, Accessibility Information/Consulting, Technical Assistance in Grantwriting (non-COCA grants), Business Assistance for Organizations, Letters of Support

E-Mail: randi@cocanet.org

Randi oversees programs, publications, and information technology for COCA, as well as providing staff support for the Arts Exchange project and the Access Advisory Committee. She also occasionally teaches theatre courses at Tallahassee Community College and Florida State University. Randi holds a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in Theatre Management, and is the author of Once Upon a Stage: Story-Based Drama with Young Children (Spindle Press, 1998). Prior to her work with COCA, she managed the Union Ticket Office in Tallahassee, and was the Director of Operations for GSD Theatrical Lighting, Sound, and Production Company in New York. In addition, she has been an independent theatrical director, Equity stage manager, grant writer, and website designer.

Erica Thaler, Marketing Director

Contact for: Advertising opportunities, "More Than You Thought" This Week, Thursday E-Mail Blast, COCA Social Media, Technical Assistance in Marketing, COCA Room Rentals

E-Mail: erica@cocanet.org

Formerly a radio executive with more than 20 years of broadcast media sales, integrated marketing, and management experience, Erica expanded her professional skills as the General Manager of the Tallahassee Symphony Youth Orchestras (now known as the TYO) and discovered a passion for non-profit work and a commitment to arts advocacy. Most recently, Erica worked at WFSU-TV and radio (NPR and PBS affiliates) securing corporate underwriting, grants, and event sponsorships. Erica serves as a volunteer for the Tallahassee Bach Parley, providing all publicity for the baroque ensemble, and is also an enthusiastic violin student herself. A graduate of UCLA with a degree in Political Science, Erica is a San Diego native, but proudly calls Tallahassee her home, along with her husband, two kids, and four Hungarian Vizslas.

Amanda Karioth Thompson, Education

and Exhibitions Director

Contact for: Public Art programs, Arts in Education programs, Some Enchanted Evenings, Technical Assistance for individual artists and educators

E-Mail: amanda@cocanet.org

Amanda serves as a liaison with schools, public agencies, private organizations, and community groups regarding arts and heritage education programs and events. She also manages COCA’s Arts in Public Places program and oversees the exhibition jurying process. Amanda curates both the ArtPort Gallery and the City Hall Art Gallery and coordinates special exhibits, events and projects. She is an adjunct faculty member at Flagler College, where she teaches a course on incorporating the arts into K-6 grade classrooms. In addition, Amanda represents COCA on several advisory boards, including the Leon County School’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers and other committees relating to the arts and education. Born and raised in Tallahassee, Amanda attended FSU and earned two Bachelor’s Degrees in Studio Art and Art Education, and a Master’s Degree in Art Education. She also holds a K-12 Florida Art Teacher Certification. She has worked as an event planner in Tallahassee and is a practicing artist working in glass and ceramics.

Holly Thompson, Grants and

Operations Director

Contact for: COCA's Grants Program, Accounts Payable & Receivable, Board of Directors information, Facility, Human Resources 

E-Mail: holly@cocanet.org

Holly manages COCA’s grant programs and provides staff support to the Board of Directors and Executive Committee. In addition, she oversees bookkeeping, record archival, human resources, facility management, and computer support for COCA. Holly earned a bachelor's degree in English Literature from Florida State University. She has worked onstage and off with a number of theatre organizations in Tallahassee and Jacksonville as an administrator, board member, performer, director, stage manager and consultant.

2010-2011 Board of Directors Executive Committee

John Lawrence (Chair) (john@cocanet.org) began his career in education teaching biology at Lincoln High School and Godby High School. He was appointed assistant principal at Godby in 1969 and principal in 1973, becoming the first African-American principal at a predominantly white high school in Tallahassee. Lawrence went to work for the Florida Department of Education in 1978, eventually becoming bureau chief of adult and community education. He worked with Florida A&M University to support a graduate program in adult education and traveled several times to Washington, D.C., meeting with the first President Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush. Lawrence is now CEO of consulting firm JVL Education, Inc., and his wife have two sons and two grandsons.

Kay Stephenson (Vice Chair) (kay@cocanet.org) is Co-Founder, President & CEO of Datamaxx Group, Inc., a leading technology company focused on the law enforcement, criminal justice, public safety and homeland security marketplace. Over its twenty year history, Datamaxx has built a prestigious client base including the New York City Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and many agencies of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, including a world-wide deployment for the U.S. Department of State. Datamaxx Group received the Florida Governor's Business Leadership Award, the Innovation in Technology Award from the International Association of Chiefs of Police and most recently recognized as one of fifty Top Women-Led Businesses in Florida 2011. Kay currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Florida State University Research Foundation as well as an Advisor to the FSU Computer Science Department.

Johanna Money (Treasurer/Secretary) (johanna@cocanet.org) is the President of The Williams Group, a commercial real estate firm in Tallahassee that manages over 550,000 sq ft of commercial and industrial real estate. Born and raised in Tallahassee, she has always had a passion for art. She attended Savannah College of Art and Design and graduated Suma Cum Laude with a BFA in graphic design. She worked for Siriex in New York City as an Art Director and Production Coordinator then worked in product development at Ralph Lauren before moving back to Tallahassee to learn the family business. She is very active in the Tallahassee community and is the former President of the Tallahassee Network of Young Professionals and is on the Greater Tallahassee Leon County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and United Way of the Big Bend.

Anne Mackenzie (Immediate Past Chair) (anne@cocanet.org) is the former Director of the Florida Legislative Research Center & Museum at the Historic Capitol. As a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 1982 to 1998, she chaired several committees and served as the first female Majority Leader and chair of the Rules Committee. In addition, she served on numerous boards and committees in her hometown of Fort Lauderdale before relocating to Tallahassee permanently in 1998 where her community involvement has continued through associations with United Way (Power of the Purse), Capital Tiger Bay, the boards of Healthy Start and COCA, and several cultural organizations. 

Susan A. Stratton (Executive Committee Member At-Large) (susan@cocanet.org) is the Museum of Florida History's Cultural Commerce Manager of gift shops and online store, though she is best known as the founder and organizer of the Downtown Marketplace. For 18 years she was the owner of Care Packages, a local gift shop specializing in art, gifts, and gourmet baskets, and was a founding member and president of the Downtown Merchants and Business Association. She was also an elementary and middle school teacher in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Alachua counties and holds a Bachelors of Education. Susan has received the National Council of Jewish Women's Hannah G. Solomon Award, was named a "Woman of Distinction" in the category of business, and won the American Association of University Women Award. She has served on several community boards and is currently a member of Capital Tiger Bay Club. Susan is married to Charles Stratton, an attorney with Broad and Cassel, and they have three children.

2010-2011 Board of Directors

Ramon Alexander (ramon@cocanet.org) has a strong track record of public service and is recognized on a local, state, and national level as an advocate for human rights, civil rights, access, and diversity. Tallahassee Community College recognized him in their 6th Annual African American History Calendar, the Tallahassee Chapter of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators recognized him with the Student Leader of the Year Award, and the Florida Federation of Alpha Chapters recognized him as the 2006 State Oratorical Champion. Ramon was also instrumental in organizing the historic March For Justice for Martin Lee Anderson. Ramon earned a degree in political science and public administration at Florida A&M University where he was also elected as student body president. He served as Community & External Affairs Aide to the Mayor of Tallahassee, Florida; and is currently the National Program Director for Distinguished Young Gentlemen of America, Inc. and Senior Enrollment Coordinator in the Office of Enrollment Management at FAMU.

Fely Curva (fely@cocanet.org) is principal partner at Curva and Associates LLC, a private consulting firm. She currently serves as the Coordinator of the Budd Bell Clearinghouse on Human Services (an advocacy organization that brings to bear some 150 health, human services, and educational organizations on current legislative issues). Her areas of technical expertise include research and evaluation, lobbying and advocacy, grant writing, staff development and training. Dr. Curva received her Ph.D. from the Florida State University, Department in Reading and Multilingual/Multicultural Education; a Masters of Science degree in Education and Research and Evaluation; and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Valdosta State College. She served as President of the Tallahassee Ballet in 2000-2001 and again in 2008-2009 and currently serves on the Ballet board. She has been serving as the Secretary for the FL Center for Fiscal and Economic Policy for the past 2 years. She also served on the board of numerous state and local organizations including serving on the Board and as Secretary for the Florida Council on Aging (2007-2009), Secretary for the Southeast Evaluation Association (2003-2005), and member of the Board of Directors for the Alzheimer Resource Center of Tallahassee, Inc.  She was appointed by Leon County Commissioner Cliff Thaell as a Board Member of the Leon County Housing Finance Authority (1997-1999).  She was also a member of the Leon County Exceptional Student Education Advisory Council (1997-1999).

Stephen Hogge (stephen@cocanet.org), a member of the Florida Bar, has 25 years combined experience as former Director of Government Relations and local government lobbyist for the Florida Association of Counties, and senior legislative director for the Florida House of Representatives in an unparalleled range of policy areas. As the Director of Government Relations for the Florida Association of Counties, a major statewide association of elected county commissioners from all 67 counties, Stephen was part of the association’s top management team and widely credited with dramatically increasing the organization’s stature and effectiveness. While employed by the Florida Legislature, Stephen served as policy advisor to House Speakers and served as a senior staff director for numerous legislative committees and councils. As someone who takes community service seriously, Stephen has contributed thousands of hours of his personal time to improve the State of Florida and the Tallahassee community. He has held board and leadership positions with many civic and non-profit organizations including the Blueprint 2000 Citizens Advisory Committee, LeMoyne Center for the Visual Arts, Florida Council on Arts and Culture, Department of Elder Affairs Advisory Council, Council of Neighborhood Associations and Sustainable Tallahassee. Stephen has received several honors for his service, including Volunteer of the Year and finalist for Leader of the Year. He and his wife Udora are raising three wonderful children—Grace, Chloe, and Ford.

Spencer Ingram (spencer@cocanet.org) is the owner of Ingram Accounting & Consulting LLC. He received his acceptance as a Certified Public Accountant from the State of Florida Board of Accountancy in 1997. He went on to become a member of FICPA and the AICPA. He is a graduate of Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University’s School of Business and Industry, receiving his Bachelor of Science in Accounting, as well as a Master of Business Administration degree from Florida State University’s College of Business.

Karen Lambert (karen@cocanet.org) graduated from FSU in 1990 with a bachelor’s degree in Business with a minor in Hospitality Administration. She has worked in the hospitality industry in the capacity of reservationist, concierge, banquet/sales liaison, sales administrative assistant, director of sales, assistant general manager and general manager progressively in the nineteen years since. She is currently General Manager for the Cabot Lodge Thomasville Road in Tallahassee. Previous professional affiliations include Tallahassee Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassador; Tallahassee Area Chamber of Commerce Professional Women’s Forum Chair; Tallahassee Society of Association Executives Community Involvement Committee Chair; Tallahassee Society of Association Executives Associate Member of the Year; Society of Government Meeting Professionals Florida Capital Chapter Treasurer; and Tallahassee Area Convention and Visitors’ Bureau Executive Committee/ Chair.

Miguel A. Olivella, Jr (miguel@cocanet.org) or Mike as he is also known, is a practicing attorney in Tallahassee representing companies on a nationwide basis as their National Counsel. Mike has also been a photographer since 1971. In 2005 he joined the photo staff of the Florida State University Athletic Department and continues to shoot in that capacity to this day. In 2008, he became one of two Featured Photographers for Unconquered Magazine and a stringer for the Associated Press. Mike serves as a photographer for the Tavistock Cup, the USTA Challenger Pro Tennis Tournament (TLH), and has photographed the action at NFL games, Wimbledon, U.S. Open (tennis), Masters (golf) and the Tour de Georgia (cycling). His images are regularly published on ESPN.com, The Sporting News and various newspapers and magazines nationally. His images have also been featured on Comcast's Top Photos of the Week. He has the unique distinction of having a permanent exhibit of sports images in FSU's University Center. Mike's wildlife and travel images have garnered numerous awards and have been exhibited in various joint and one-man gallery shows. As for studio work, Miguel engages in the creation of fashion, glamour and high concept images at his photography studio, BaselineShots Photography Studio.

Longineu Parsons (longineu@cocanet.org) has been hailed by critics internationally as one of the world's finest trumpet players. He is also a master of recorders, flute, and percussion, sings the blues, and has performed in more than thirty countries all over the world. Over his 25-year career, Longineu has shared the stage and recording studio with Cab Calloway, Nat Adderley, Cecil Taylor, Nancy Wilson, Joe Williams, Herbie Mann, Frank Foster, and many others. He has played with the Palm Beach Pops Orchestra, the Tallahassee Symphony, the Gainesville Symphony, the Augusta Symphony, the University of South Carolina Symphony, the Savannah Symphony, and the St. Johns River City Band. Longineu is Associate Professor of Trumpet at Florida A&M University, where he also obtained his Bachelor of Music degree. He also coaches the trumpet section of the celebrated Florida A&M Marching 100 Band. Longineu earned his Master of Music in classical trumpet from the University of Florida and pursued supplementary jazz studies at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. He is the founder of Tribal Records.

Mark Ravenscraft (mark@cocanet.org) is the Founder and Managing Director of The Ravenscraft Group, a consulting practice specializing in media communications and program evaluation. He is a graduate of the Program for State and Local Executives at the JFK School of Government at Harvard University, and served from 2002-2004 on the faculty of the University of South Florida. He is a certified mediator, and for 17 years he served as an elected official in both city and county governments in Summit County, Akron, Ohio.