Board Members

Station Manager: Arlene Sweeting
Arlene Sweeting, Station Manager. Arlene taught public school for 7 years in Manatee County and was a Candidate for the Florida State House of Representatives in 2000 and 2002, receiving the endorsement of the Sierra Club, the local Green Party, the Florida League of Conservation Voters, the Manatee Education Association, and the Florida Consumer Action Network. She has served as County Chair of the Environmental Lands Management and Acquisition Committee and was appointed to serve on the Steering Committee of the County’s Visioning Process.

Board Member: Jason Boehk
Jason Boehk, WSLR Board Member. Jason has a B.A. in History from Brown University (1991). His professional experience includes energy conservation auditing, environmental media production, and political campaign management.  A volunteer environmental health advocate, Boehk founded the Florida Alliance for Safe Foods, a grassroots advocacy organization that educates consumers on the hazards of genetically engineered foods.
In 2002, alarmed about our increasingly imperiled civil liberties, Boehk initiated a community effort in Sarasota to have the city government pass a resolution opposing portions of the so-called “USA PATRIOT Act.”  The multipartisan coalition succeeded, and on October 20, 2003, the City of Sarasota became the 181st jurisdiction in the US to approve such a resolution. Boehk’s grassroots activism continues, and he believes that WSLR will play a vital role in improving our community and giving a voice to our people.

Board Member: Capt. Wayne Genthner
Earns his living as a charter fishing and Eco-touring boat proprietor. His business interests include promoting environmentally sustainable practices with an emphasis on regional water quality enhancements. Wayne has been intimately involved with radio from the age of two, when he first heard his dad on the air.

Board Member & Chairperson: Julie Morris
Julie Morris is the Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs at New College of Florida. She divides her time between general academic administration and work at the New College’s Environmental Studies Program, where she has coordinated and directed programs since 1981. Julie lives within walking distance of WSLR, and has been active in local community councils and advisory boards since the late 1970’s. She is married to Jono Miller, and they have a college-aged son, Corley. Julie has explored most of the south west Florida coasts and rivers by canoe, and relaxes by watching birds and studying local plants.

Board Member: Terry Binder
When she accepted a seat on the WSLR board of directors this summer, Terry Binder extended a long tradition of service to Sarasota’s community radio scene. That’s because Binder is the third member of her family to volunteer time and effort to WSLR. Her husband, Mark Binder, popular host of Yesterday’s Dead Today (airing Mondays from 7-9 pm), is an original WSLR programmer, while their 14-year-old son Thomas, is one of the station’s youngest programmers (Saturday Morning Collision, which airs the 5th Saturday of the month).
Terry, a physical therapist by profession, arrived in Sarasota from New York City with Mark back in 1982. Over those 26 years she has remained exceptionally active in a range of community activities, mostly focusing on peace, politics, environmental and sustainability issues, not to mention serving as a general WSLR volunteer since the inception of the station in 2005. Along with her work for WSLR, Terry is a member of her neighborhood homeowners association board.
Terry’s aim as a WSLR board member is to raise awareness of the station through fundraising and other programs locally as well as outside the area through the Internet. “My goals are to continue to expand the WSLR audience, increase its diversity, maintain and increase the quality of both music and public affairs and to keep the station true to its mission statement,” she says. “I feel WSLR is very important for the soul of Sarasota and will try my utmost to keep WSLR vibrant and relevant to the community.”.

Board Member and Vice Chair: Gary Olson

Gary Olson holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications and a Master of Science degree in Radio and Television from the University of Illinois. During and after college Gary worked for 3 major universities and 2 television stations writing, producing and directing programs as well as performing facilities planning and program development functions prior to switching into sales of television components. He then moved into positions in marketing and sales management with Sony, Panasonic and NEC. After working for these leading corporations he formed his own company to act as a sales rep selling video products to business, educational, medical and CATV customers in 7 Midwestern states.
Gary has worked on planning events and activities for a local boys shelter, taught computer classes, acts as treasurer for his homeowners association and plays Senior Softball. He serves on the Board of Trustees for the YMCA Foundation of Sarasota and the Board of the Banyan Theater Company as well as on the Board of WSLR.
Gary hopes to remain on the Board of WSLR in order to utilize his experience and knowledge of business and the broadcasting industry to help nurture WSLR to a stronger and more prominent position in the Sarasota community.

Board Member and Treasurer: Caroline Chambliss
Chambliss attended New College from 1979-1982 where she earned her political science degree. Today, as Special Projects Manager for the YMCA, she oversees fundraising for foster care. Since the YMCA took over foster care from the state, Chambliss has been performing a valuable community service. When asked why she wanted to be a board member, Caroline explained that opportunities for collaboration are what nonprofits are all about. She is also a regular listener-supporter; her favorite shows include Truly Sustainable Sarasota, The Revolution Starts Now, The Jumping Mullet, and Democracy Now.
Chambliss has seen Sarasota go through much growth. She hopes that Sarasota’s history will not be diluted by these abrupt changes. “As Sarasota grows, it is important to maintain our community spirit—what is unique. WSLR gives a voice to our community spirit,” she says. Caroline also hopes to support and strengthen ties between WSLR and New College. She maintains many contacts in the area from her undergraduate days. She favors holding more benefit events on campus and supporting local music and student bands.

New College Student Representative: Dylan Robitaille

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Board Member:  Bill Ewell

WSLR’s role as a progressive alternative to mass media drew my interest in becoming a member of its board of directors. I was born in Baltimore in 1947. In 1969 I received a B.A. in English from Oberlin College in Ohio. In New York I was involved with two non-profit arts organizations. From 1972-8 I worked for the Jazz Composer’s Orchestra Association, which produced concerts and recordings. Later I was with Dia Art Foundation. In 1979 I earned a J.D. from New York Law School. For twenty years I practiced law in Maryland and Florida.

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Other Staff:

Volunteer Coordinator:  Joe Hendricks

A former VISTA volunteer with the station, Joe now serves as our volunteer coordinator. 

AmeriCorps*VISTA member serving with the Digital Arts Service Corps: David Beaton

David Beaton was one of the founders of WSLR. David worked as an adjunct Professor in Film at Manatee Community College. He is the founder of Media Process Group, a Chicago video production company, a former member of IBEW Local 1220, and has been a college and NPR board operator at Michigan State University, Western Michigan University and the College of William and Mary.  He is currently serving as a Digital Arts Service Corps Member through the Transmission Project, helping WSLR to grow the power of community-based media in Sarasota.

The Transmission Project (formerly CTC Vista) amplifies the power of public media and technology.   For nearly ten years, they have worked to build the capacity of nonprofit organizations that use media and technology to strengthen communities. The Transmission Project fulfills its mission by supporting a diverse network of partner organizations that provide services to benefit communities nationwide.

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