Board & Staff

Rudy Askew, President

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.

Cheryl Berlon

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.

Tammy Kilgore

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.

Ming Gao

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.

Richard Stoelzel

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.

Ron Blythe

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.

Robert Weitz

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.

Carl Wolaver, Treasurer