The Circus Arts Conservatory Proudly Announces New Leadership

For Immediate Release

July 9, 2025

SARASOTA, FL –  The Circus Arts Conservatory (CAC) is pleased to announce that its board of trustees unanimously elected new officers during its June meeting.  Julie Harris will become the new chair of the board, succeeding Shari Ashman, while Ken Woodworth will serve as vice-chair, a post Harris filled for the past year. The board and staff express profound gratitude for Ashman’s three-years as board chair, during which her steady leadership and love for the circus arts carried the organization to new levels. She will continue to be involved with the board and organization as the immediate past chair.

During Ashman’s term as chair, the CAC laid the foundation for future growth.  The board launched several committees, one focused on Facilities and one to shepherd Investments, which advanced the CAC in their respective areas. The Governance Committee, the Facilities Committee, the Resource Development Committee, and the Finance Committee were instrumental in updating the bylaws, recovering from three hurricanes and acquiring a new home for the CAC administrative offices, maintaining financial strength, growing programs–notably the Sailor Circus and groundbreaking in-school circus arts programs, celebrating the Sailor Circus Academy’s 75th year and the organization’s 25th year.

Incoming board chair Julie Harris was born in Ft. Lauderdale and has lived in Sarasota for thirty-six years. Harris, who studied art at Andrews Osborne Academy in Willoughby, Ohio and attended Jacksonville University, is an avid supporter of the arts and their positive impact on our community. She is currently seated on the Executive Committee and the Governance Committee of the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation and is secretary to the Board of Trustees. She also sits on the Board of Trustees and the Advisory Committee for the Sarasota Ballet Board and Ringling College Board and Executive Committee for Student Affairs.

Ken Woodworth, incoming vice-chair, brings his extensive experience in managing complex operations to the board. He studied mechanical engineering at Rose Hulman Institute of Technology and project management at George Washington University, and oversaw major operations domestically and internationally for Marathon Oil. In addition to sitting on numerous professional boards, he was on the Crawford Memorial Hospital board for years and even served as a volunteer member of the Fire and Rescue Squad in Robinson, Illinois. A longtime supporter of the CAC’s mission, Woodworth is excited to share his expertise as a board member.

With Harris and Woodworth in leadership as chair and vice-chair, the CAC board plans to continue the mission established by CAC’s founders, bringing circus arts performance, training, education and legacy to our local, national, and international communities through our programs, including CAC’s groundbreaking in-school circus arts education programs, youth training that now supports US National Champion athletes, and innovative, collaborative performances like Cirque des Voix and Circus Sarasota.

Knowing that our greatest strength lies in our people, the CAC board is proud to be made up of individuals whose backgrounds span public service, education, marketing, nonprofit leadership, corporate leadership, business, law, and finance. In addition to currently serving board members, they look forward to working with the following officers and members returning for new terms.

Ray Pilon, who will return to the CAC’s board as interim treasurer, was born in Pontiac, Michigan, and attended Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Michigan, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in 1968. After graduation, he moved to the state of Florida in 1979, where he began working as a police officer. In 1996, Pilon was elected to the Sarasota County Commission, where he served until 2000. He then served six years in the Florida House of Representatives.

Deborah Walk, continuing in the position of board secretary for the CAC, is widely recognized as one of the top circus historians in the country.  Walk, with a history degree from The George Washington University in Washington, DC and an MLS from Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida, has a profound connection to the legacy of circus arts in Sarasota. In addition to playing a key role in bringing the CAC to the 2017 Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Walk was the archivist for Rollins College and Assistant Director of Legacy & Circus, Tibbals Curator of Circus and Curator of Historical Documents in her 27 years at The Ringling.

Jack Brown, who begins a new term on the board, previously served for over 12 years, including four years as board chair, during which he oversaw the renovation of the Sailor Circus Arena.  At a crucial juncture in the project, he–alongside the Gulf Coast Community Foundation–provided necessary funding that enabled construction to continue. He then served as treasurer until his term on the CAC board ended. He is very proud of the successes that CAC has realized and happy to rejoin the board for the undoubtedly exciting future of the organization.

Barb Tye, who returns to the board, went to her first Sailor Circus event in 2002, then volunteered on committees for the Gala. Hearing seniors talk about how their experiences in the Sailor Circus changed and enhanced their lives made a huge impact on her. She is a staunch supporter of the Sailor Circus Academy scholarship fund and, seven years ago, she joined the CAC board. Tye brings her experience as founder of Tye Enterprises, an international company providing architectural moulding and displays to retail furniture stores, as well as her extensive experience in nonprofit work. A founding member of the North Carolina chapter of Operation Smile and board member for 20 years, Tye served on mission trips and was key to fundraising for the organization.

As the new fiscal year begins, The Circus Arts Conservatory welcomes Michael Salmon as Chief of Staff & Board Liaison. Salmon, a member of the CAC board for seven years, accepted the position as part of the executive leadership team.  In response to the CAC’s significant growth, the Chief of Staff role was created to ensure strong internal alignment and execution of strategic priorities. In this capacity, Salmon will serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO and President, overseeing strategic initiatives, internal communications, and project management.  Salmon joins the CAC after 15 years at The Out-of-Door Academy where he held various administrative and leadership roles. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Hamilton College, graduating Magna Cum Laude and also winning two national titles as an NCAA Division III diver. 

“The Circus Arts Conservatory continues to move forward in every aspect of our mission, and our new leaders bring the skills and experience that will continue to expand the organization’s impact,” said Jennifer Mitchell, president and CEO. “We look forward to everything our board and Chief of Staff will accomplish in their roles.”