Board & Staff

Rudy Askew holds a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering from The University of Virginia and has worked in sales, marketing, and management within the scientific instrumentation industry, including founding two companies and serving as President of ILMVAC LP. A former 1st chair baritone horn player in the Virginia All-State Band, he has numerous musical achievements from his high school years. Rudy resides in Punta Gorda, is an active member of several clubs, and enjoys hobbies like scrimshaw, glasswork, photography, and boating.

Ron Blythe has had a distinguished career, including senior leadership roles at Stanley-Bostitch and Atlas/Sharon/Philstone, before founding his consulting firm, Ron Blythe & Associates. A certified USGA golf rules expert, Ron has officiated numerous tournaments and served on the USGA Junior Championship Committee and New Hampshire Golf Association Board. He holds a BS in Mathematics from the University of Rhode Island and served in the Army National Guard. Ron and his wife Cindy are avid supporters of the arts, particularly theater, opera, and symphonic music, and are enthusiastic about the future of the Florida Philharmonic.

Carl Wolaver’s expertise in acoustics spans forty-three years in the field. He solved noise problems for OEM manufacturers of trucks, tractors, recreational vehicles and boats, medical equipment including respiratory and sleep apnea), office and electronic data processing equipment. In addition, he also solved noise problems from construction equipment, military and commercial ships, and airplanes. Carl has also served as a consultant for houses of worship regarding architectural acoustics.

He received his undergraduate degree in engineering from the University and Cincinnati and a graduate degree from the University of Florida. Carl is the author of “Application of Acoustical Materials to OEM Equipment” published in the Journal of Acoustical Society of America (1986, 1988, 1994).

Carl is a member of the Acoustical Society of America; Institute of Noise Control Engineers; Scottish Rite; Dayton Bicycle Club; Criterion Club; 100+ Men; Optimist Club of Dayton; YMCA of Delaware; and A.N.A.’S (Abused, Neglected, Abandoned) Friends (a.k.a. Guardian ad Litem). His vast interests range from Lionel trains to old children’s toys. music and dancing, fishing, bowling, and biking.

Mr. Weitz received Fine Arts degrees from both Rutgers University and the University of Chicago. Prior to receiving
full-time employment he studied and worked in the Conservation Department of the Art Institute of Chicago; and was one of the recipients of a Ford Foundation Grant in Museum Studies from the Art Institute. He also worked part-time as a Photo-journalist for CBS network news.

Robert developed a gallery program for Chicago State University; became its Curator for 30 years and for 16 years was the also the Chairperson of the Department of Art and Design. After working collegiately for 34 years he retired to Punta Gorda.

In Chicago he was a Board Member of the the Prairie Avenue Gallery; the Hyde Park Art Center and the Latin School.
In Punta Gorda he was a Board Member of the Visual Arts Center for several years.During all this time he has continued to create large-scale photographic panoramas.

Richard Stoelzel, Artistic and Music Director of The Florida Philharmonic, has had a distinguished career as both a performer and educator. His global performances as a trumpeter and leadership roles, including at McGill University's Schulich School of Music, highlight his influence on musical ensembles and education. His advocacy for new music and success in mentoring students further solidify his impact on contemporary classical music and brass performance.

Ming Gao is the Concertmaster of The Florida Philharmonic and Associate Concertmaster of the Naples Philharmonic, with past leadership roles in the Nanjing Experimental Orchestra and Eastman Philharmonia. He has performed with numerous symphony orchestras, including the Youngstown, Harrisburg, and Chautauqua symphonies, and participated in music festivals across the U.S., Germany, and China. Ming also teaches as an adjunct violin professor at Florida Gulf Coast University and has performed as a soloist with orchestras such as the Naples Philharmonic and Jiang Su Provincial Symphony Orchestra.

Cheryl Berlon has been deeply involved in numerous non-profit organizations, relief efforts, and political campaigns, beginning with her endowment of the Hands Up Grants fund at the Charlotte Community Foundation in honor of her late husband. This fund helps individuals facing financial hardships due to unforeseen expenses, and Cheryl has continued to bring people together for fundraising and support. Recently, she joined the Board of Directors of The Florida Philharmonic and looks forward to contributing to the region’s musical future.

Isaac James is an accomplished classical pianist who has toured extensively throughout the United States, captivating audiences with his artistry. Renowned for his interpretations of Brahms and Rachmaninoff, Isaac has collaborated with orchestras and instrumentalists across the country, earning a reputation for his insightful and expressive performances.

In addition to his musical achievements, Isaac is a dedicated community advocate. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce, where he works to support and promote the local business community.

Originally from New York, Isaac moved to Punta Gorda in 2018 and quickly fell in love with the vibrant Punta Gorda and Charlotte County communities. His passion for the arts and his commitment to community development are evident in his dual roles as the Executive Director at the Military Heritage Museum and the Music Director at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Punta Gorda.

Through his leadership and artistic vision, Isaac continues to enrich the cultural fabric of the community he now calls home.

Kathy Kelle received the Bachelor of Science degree in Education from the State University of New York Oswego before embarking on an illustrious 23-year career in product development, Human Resources, and Marketing with First National City Bank, later known as Citicorp. As part of a three-member team, she developed an electronic cash management system and recruited pilot customers from Fortune 500 companies including Xerox, 3M, and General Foods. In addition, Kathy wrote the customer user manual and trained the initial Sales staff for the product roll out to the entire bank.

Kathy also served as Human Resources Manager for the Correspondent Banking Department responsible for three Divisions in New York City, Boston, and St. Louis. In this capacity, she created and implemented Human Resources Audits, developed an Incentive Pay Program for Lending Officers, as well as managed the staff. As Vice President of Marketing, Kathy created an International Services Training Program for Relationship Managers.

After settling in Florida, Kathy became a consultant for IMPAC, training the international sales and operations staff. In addition, she was one of the recruiters for IMPAC University’s first MBA class.

Tammy Kilgore, a two-time Salisbury University graduate, served as Chairman of the Salisbury Symphony Orchestra Advisory Board before becoming its manager, her dream job. Passionate about classical music, she is excited to join The Florida Philharmonic’s Board of Directors and bring her extensive experience in music and marketing to Punta Gorda’s arts scene. She and her husband, Brian, own Eastern Shore Coffee & Water, and their sons, Troy Cash and Jordan Kilgore, both work professionally in the performing arts.