Your Vote ’24

Paul Sciré has held leadership positions with non-profit organizations for more than 35 years and currently serves as Senior Director of Donor Engagement – Major Gifts with the Sarasota Orchestra. Paul is an advocate for civil and human rights, conservation of the natural world, and support for the visual and performing arts. On alternate Sunday […]

Eric Ryszkiewicz is an applied research scientist dedicated to fostering healthy communities.

Mark Gruder is originally from The Bronx and Queens, New York. In 1994, he and his wife moved to Saratoga County, N.Y., where Mark worked in the food service industry as a chef and chef manager at various food service venues. After attending a Vocational Education Teacher Certification Program through SUNY Oswego, Mark became a culinary arts instructor, teaching at-risk and incarcerated youth at the Glenmont Job Corps for three years. He then taught at the Tryon Girls Center, a secure facility in Johnstown, N.Y., for seven years, after which he became the school principal. In 2018, Mark and his wife retired to Sarasota, Florida. Shortly after settling in, he attended performances at the Sarasota Jazz Festival and became a volunteer with the Jazz Club. This experience led him to serve on the Jazz Club Board of Directors for over two years. Mark has a background in music and played trumpet for over twenty years. He is also an avid jazz fan. While serving on the Jazz Club Board, a fellow board member and WSLR programmer, Carlos Pagan, invited him to try out as a WSLR programmer. Nearly five years later, Mark continues to happily broadcast Jazz and World Music on The Blue Groove, which airs Wednesdays from 11 AM to 1 PM on WSLR. Currently, he also serves as the Vice President of the Centergate Estates Villages, Section II, condo association.

Sebastien Wegeng is a designer based in Sarasota with a focused interest in user experience, information architecture, brand identity & experience, and service design. Sebastien is an advocate for environmental and wildlife conservation, civil rights, and human rights. In addition to volunteering and programming on WSLR, he is involved with the Surfrider Foundation and the […]

Leon Kerber, a central figure in Sarasota’s music and cultural scene, hails from Columbus, Ohio, where he first honed his skills in radio and music. Moving to Sarasota in 2000, he has significantly influenced the local music scene, notably with bands like Fiasco, Tuss Sons, and Big Blu House, the latter commemorated by a painting in Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center. Beyond performing, Leon has contributed to music education through the School of Rock, utilized music therapy for neurodivergent individuals, and managed prominent nightlife venues. His work extends to community radio, enhancing Sarasota’s cultural diversity. Married to Jamee since 2016, Leon’s life is a blend of personal growth, professional dedication, and community service, embodying a legacy of volunteerism and the transformative power of music. [caption id="attachment_28848" align="alignnone" width="2048"] Leon Kerber plays the Rhodes - by Brian David Braun[/caption]