The Sarasota-Manatee Originals are Looking to the Future with a Newly Appointed Staff
Sarah Firstenberger takes the reins as Executive Director for The Sarasota-Manatee Originals
Sarasota, FL, June 19, 2017 — The Sarasota-Manatee Originals announces the promotion of Sarah Firstenberger to Executive Director, the hiring of Maggie Wood as Event Manager and the re-election of Michael Harb as Board Treasurer. The Sarasota-Manatee Originals is a member organization with nearly 60 locally owned and independent restaurants throughout the Sarasota and Manatee counties.
Executive Director: Sarah Firstenberger
Sarah Firstenberger has recently been promoted from Marketing Director to Executive Director. Sarah has been dedicated to increasing the Originals reach throughout the community. Sarah said, “As a native, I’ve always been passionate about promoting the unique and vibrant qualities of the Sarasota-Manatee area. I believe that the future of the Sarasota-Manatee Originals is very bright and I’m looking forward to working closely with our amazing members to help our organization reach new heights. Local and independent businesses are the backbone of our community and the Originals are committed to helping those businesses thrive.”
Event Manager: Maggie Wood
Maggie Wood has come on board in the newly created position of Event Manager. Maggie has been the Events Director of the Sarasota Film Festival for the past three years, and has previously managed Key Culinary Tours. Maggie said, “I’m so excited to be a part of the Originals! This is an amazing opportunity for me to be able to blend my two passions of events and cuisine. I’m also a Sarasota native, so I have always followed the Originals and share their sentiment to shop, dine and live local!”
Board Treasurer: Michael Harb, Owner of Fast N Fresh and Plated Modern Kitchen
Following the annual Member Meeting in May, Michael Harb, Owner of Fast N Fresh and Plated Modern Kitchen, was unanimously re-elected as Board Treasurer. As Board Treasurer, Michael Harb has been instrumental in the continuing success of the Originals. Michael said, “As the owner of family run businesses, I’m committed to not only serving the community, but being a part of it.”
Beth Owen-Cipielewski, Board President of The Originals states, “Since becoming President, the Board and I have reevaluated what our true mission is. We realized that our main goal for our members was to market them to the best of our ability. We had an extremely talented Marketing Director already on our staff. Sarah Firstenberger’s ability to interact with members and come up with outstanding new marketing concepts is exactly what we were looking for. We also made a mission to add additional special events to our program, but in order to do that we needed a top-notch Event Manager. We searched for the best and found Maggie Wood. We are so excited to have her as part of our team, and look forward to her taking care of all of our events, as well as our new addition, a Craft Beer event in 2018. The Originals is on a mission to grow and to be a recognized name in independent restaurants. With this new staff we feel strongly about the extent of growth that we have to come.”
The Executive Board of Directors includes:
- Beth Owen-Cipielewski, Co-Owner, Siesta Key Oyster Bar (Board President)
- Josh Halbrucker, Marketing and Business Consultant, (Board Vice President)
- Emma Kate Silvestri, Marketing Director, Venice Pier Group (Board Secretary)
- Michael Harb, Owner, Fast N Fresh (Board Treasurer)
At Large Board Members include:
- D’Arcy Arpke, Co-Owner, Euphemia Haye
- Greg Campbell, Executive Chef and Manager, Pier 22
- Steve Harner, Owner, The Crow’s Nest
- Liza Kubik, Marketing Director, Seafood Shack
- Michael Klauber, Co-Proprietor, Michael’s On East (Founding Board President)
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About the Sarasota-Manatee Originals
The Sarasota-Manatee Originals is a group of locally owned restaurants who share a passion for dining excellence and commitment to our community. With nearly 60 member restaurants the group has become the go-to resource for an “Eat Like a Local” experience. For more information, call 941-365-2800 or visit www.dineoriginal.com.
