“The mission of the Florida Cultural Group, Inc. is to create, entertain and strengthen an artistic, creative, curious and thriving community by bringing people together.”
Janene M. Amick
CAP®, CFRE
Chief Cheerleader & CEO
Florida Cultural Group, Inc.
Janene M Amick focuses her entrepreneurial spirit at the helm of Manatee Performing Arts Center as CEO. Janene joined The Manatee Players, Inc. in 2005 and leads her team with a philosophy of “Lead with your Strengths”. Her experience spans multiple sectors – arts, marketing, corporate entrepreneurship, and nonprofit management.
Janene M Amick focuses her entrepreneurial spirit at the helm of Manatee Performing Arts Center as CEO. Janene joined The Manatee Players, Inc. in 2005 and leads her team with a philosophy of “Lead with your Strengths”. Her experience spans multiple sectors – arts, marketing, corporate entrepreneurship, and nonprofit management.
Recognized as a grassroots leader in our community Janene will be celebrating her 19th year with the company in June 2024. She is a Past President of the Bradenton Kiwanis Club, a member of the MCR Health Board of Directors, an appointed Commissioner of Bradenton Housing Authority, a recipient of the Ed Hunzeker Hospitality Leadership Award (2019), Lifetime Achievement Award (2017 Presidential Award for community volunteer service), Bradenton Sertoma’s Service to Mankind award (2017) as well as one of the BIZ (941) 2012 People To Watch. Janene earned the designation of CFRE (Certified Fund-Raising Executive) from NCCA in 2016, holds a Certificate in Non-Profit Management from Winchester Center, received her CAP (Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy) designation in January 2020 and an Executive Education Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Harvard University in 2022. She is a member of Bradenton Kiwanis, IWF (International Women’s Forum) VFW Women’s Auxiliary, AFP (American Fundraising Professionals), and the Bradenton Areas Cultural Advisory Committee.
Her passions include nonprofit collaborations, partnerships, and education. She believes in providing people outlets to shine and experience a true sense of community impact.
Rick Kerby
Producing Artistic Director
Rick has been the artistic pulse of the organization for over twenty years. As the Producing Artistic Director, Rick is responsible for the creative direction of the Manatee Players. He has received several Handy and Sarasota Magazine awards including “Master Director” in 2013, is a three-time winner at the South Eastern Theater Conference as Outstanding Director, and two-time winner as Best Director at the American Association of Community Theatre’s AACTFest.
Rick has been the artistic pulse of the organization for over twenty years. As the Producing Artistic Director, Rick is responsible for the creative direction of the Manatee Players. He has received several Handy and Sarasota Magazine awards including “Master Director” in 2013, is a three-time winner at the South Eastern Theater Conference as Outstanding Director, and two-time winner as Best Director at the American Association of Community Theatre’s AACTFest.
Rick Kerby has been seen on the stages in over thirty countries and all fifty states of the US. He appeared on Broadway and in the National Touring Company of A Match Made in Heaven and portrayed the leading role of the famous George M Cohan in the National touring company of Yankee Doodle Dandy. International touring credits include ‘Daniel’ and Dance Captain in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, lead Aggie soloist and Dance Captain in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, and ‘Will Parker’ and Dance Captain in Oklahoma!.
He spent years working onboard numerous cruise lines as a singer/dancer including Royal Viking, Holland America, Royal Cruise Line, Sitmar, Commodore, American Hawaii, Saga, and Norwegian Cruise Lines. He spent time in Las Vegas dancing on the stages of the Aladdin Hotel and at Bally’s Casino. Before his move to Bradenton, Rick was the Entertainment Director for the USO of Metropolitan New York and the organizer of the Miss USO Contest. His USO troupe was featured on the Today Show, Good Morning America, Fox News, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and The Miss America Pageant. The same USO troupe performed as part of the USO Celebrity Tours in the Middle East, Europe, and the Baltic.
Other directorial credits include numerous shows at the Surflight Theatre in New Jersey, Theatre By the Sea in Rhode Island, The Arundel Playhouse in Maine, Wolford Hause Dinner Theater in Virginia, New London Barn Playhouse in New Hampshire, Stage Door Canteen Theatre at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, Westbank and Duplex Theaters in New York City and on many cruise ships. He has served on the faculties of Wagner College on Staten Island and The Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts in New York City. Rick is the past president of the Florida Theatre Conference, the Florida Association of Community Theaters, and formerly served on the Executive Committee of the American Association of Community Theatres.
Jeff Evans
Comptroller
The Comptroller is responsible for preparing financial statements, processing deposits, and payments, maintaining cash controls, managing the payroll and human resources administration, audit preparation, and maintaining all financial accounts.
The Comptroller is responsible for preparing financial statements, processing deposits, and payments, maintaining cash controls, managing the payroll and human resources administration, audit preparation, and maintaining all financial accounts.
Jeff is retired from a 45-year career in the financial services industry which encompassed senior and executive management roles in banking, brokerage, and mutual fund servicing.
Jeff, his wife, Nitza, and daughter, Alina, moved to Florida from New Jersey in 2005. When Alina first appeared in one of our shows in 2009, Jeff got involved as a tech volunteer. He has since been a Board member and served as our Treasurer and Board Chair. He has been the Comptroller since 2017.
Kristin Ribble
Production Manager
The Production Manager is responsible for coordinating the rehearsal schedules, technical needs and budget of all in-house produced productions. The Production Manager acts as the liaison among the production team and between the production team, including Guest Directors, and the Producing Artistic Director.
Kristin started her current position as the Production Manager for Manatee Players in July of 2008, celebrating her 10 year anniversary this year! She has been involved, either onstage or behind the scenes, in over 130 productions since the age of 12, and she has Stage Managed over 60 productions here at MPAC! Most recently she served as Stage Manager for our productions of HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, THE PRODUCERS, BOYNTON BEACH CLUB, LITTLE SHOP, ASSASSINS, and 42nd STREET! Some of her favorite stage management experiences here include INTO THE WOODS, TARZAN, SHREK, LES MISERABLES, MISS SAIGON, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, MY ONE AND ONLY, EVITA, ANYTHING GOES, WHITE CHRISTMAS, AIDA, SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS, CRAZY FOR YOU, WILL ROGERS FOLLIES, GYPSY, OKLAHOMA, CHICAGO, DAMN YANKEES, BIG RIVER, ELEPHANT MAN, and PIPPIN. She was also proud to be the stage manager of the AACT award winning productions of SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE and SWEENEY TODD. Kristin graduated with a BS in psychology with honors from University of Florida and worked for several years as a social worker and case manager serving at-risk youth in Manatee County. Although Kristin has been involved with many other theatre companies, she considers MPAC to be her second home and is proud to be a part of the staff of such a wonderful company! “Thank you to the many volunteer crew members, hard-working stage managers, and dedicated staff members who make coming to work a treat!”
Dan Yonko
Director of Communications
Dan is a seasoned cause-driven leader in both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors with a combined total of seventeen years of executive-level management experience. Known for getting superior results achieved regardless of challenges and when resources are limited. He is a nationally-certified faculty member in fiscal management and budgeting, as well as other leadership courses. Additionally, he is internationally certified in health and safety training with Ellis & Associates. He also works as an executive coach, team-builder and offers other professional services.
Dan earned his Bachelor of Science degree at the Pennsylvania State University in Exercise and Sport Physiology with minor studies in Business and Psychology. He is a servant leader at heart being involved with service organizations such as Rotaract, Rotary, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Fraternity, Golden Key Honor Society, and Association of Professional Directors and was recognized by the Missouri Governor for his efforts in the rebuilding efforts after the riots in Ferguson, MO. He was the first recipient of the Community Service Award for his leadership with the Gateway Region YMCA in St. Louis.
His areas of expertise include social media, marketing, communications, CRM, HR and financial management systems, sales and leads management, customer service, and financial development.