Our Story, Our Mission
The Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation, Inc., a non-profit, publicly-supported 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to "Preserve and enhance our historic places through advocacy, education, technical and financial support, and celebration."
SAHP was incorporated in 1985 in an effort to save architect Dwight Baum's El Vernona Hotel located near the intersection of US 41 and Gulfstream Avenue. The hotel, built in 1925 by renowned developer Owen Burns had come to be known as the John Ringling Towers.
Our highly publicized effort to save the towers during the late 1990s raised the community's consciousness and the ire of those interested in saving the historical integrity of Sarasota, Florida.
The Alliance is comprised of more than 500 residents, visitors, artists, architects, engineers, historians, builders, archaeologists, Realtors, planners, designers, and writers working together to preserve and encourage others to preserve - not only the remaining significant landmarks - but also the contributing structures that define Sarasota County.
We hope you will return frequently to learn about our current activities, and what we and others are doing to preserve our heritage. Thank you for your interest in preservation; we look forward to working with you!
El Vernona Hotel, near US 41 and Gulfstream Avenue was built in 1925 by renowned developer Owen Burns. Over time, it had come to be known as the John Ringling Towers.
Meet Our Amazing Leadership Team
Our board of directors is composed of individuals who, on the basis of their knowledge and experience, make valuable contributions to the overall conduct of the Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation. Board candidates are considered based upon various criteria, including their broad-based business skills, experience in relevant areas critical to our mission, reputation in their professions, social perspective and personal integrity and judgment.
H. LeBaron (Barry) Preston Co-President
SP2 Committee Chair
Mr. Preston is a Founder, Managing Director, and Chief Financial Officer of the Armory Revival Company, the Providence Revival Building Company, and Armory Properties LLC. Mr. Preston has partnered to restore seven historic mills in New England, has developed, built, or rehabbed and managed more than 600 homes - condominiums and rentals, including affordable housing, and has developed three retail marketplaces. He is a past president and a founding member of the Board of Trustees of the Providence (Rhode Island) Preservation Society Revolving Fund; past President of the Providence Preservation Society; member of the Community Advisory Board of Santander Community Development Corporation and a member of the Advisory Board of Sovereign Community Development Corporation, Wyomissing, PA. He is a Yale University graduate with a law degree from the University of Chicago.
Jan Vertefeuille
Co-President
Preservation Committee Chair
Jan is a resident of Venice and very active in Preservation efforts in the city. Her interests and expertise are in policy development and public policy advocacy. She is employed with the World Wildlife Fund, the largest conservation in the world, and leads advocacy campaigns for that organization. Jan owns one of Venice's historic homes and has been using her skills to help protect the Venice Historic Preservation Program from being gutted by pro-business and pro-development forces in the city.
Dave Baber
Immediate Past President
Owner, Historic Preservation Solutions. Mr. Baber has over forty-seven years of experience in activities associated with protecting and preserving historic resources in Virginia, Connecticut, and Florida. He currently serves on the Sarasota County Historic Preservation Board. Mr. Baber was also a director at the Sarasota County Department of Historical Resources. His involvement in the historic preservation field has included the development and management of local historic preservation programs, conducting or supervising the preparation of historic sites surveys, preparing historic designation applications for the National Register of Historic Places and local historic designation programs, and providing oversight and supervision of projects to restore or rehabilitate historic buildings. He was awarded degrees in architectural engineering and historic preservation from Roger Williams University.
Erin DiFazio
SP2 Managing Director
Ms. DiFazio was recently hired by the Board as the SAHP's first full-time employee. She is responsible for managing the Sarasota Preservation Program, which offers historic home repair loans and preservation easements. Erin is a Florida licensed Realtor specializing in selling and marketing historic properties and restoration design. Her experience includes work as a Historic Restoration Contractor in Connecticut, writing and editing for an architectural trade magazine, and a management position for a contracting company specializing in historic restoration and custom design in Connecticut. She also has experience in the acquisition and restoration of historic properties. Erin is a past president of SAHP and has been critical to the growth and success of the Alliance.
Tom McArdle
Secretary & Treasurer
SP2 Committee
Mr. McArdle has an M.A. in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Iowa. He has over thirty years of experience in commercial real estate valuation, acquisitions, dispositions, multi-family and commercial mortgage financing, investment analytics & reporting. He retired from New York Life Investment Management in 2010.
Ron Kashden
Assistant Treasurer
Ronald brings a wealth of financial and technological expertise to SAHP. With an extensive background in finance, accounting, and software development for hedge funds and investment partnerships, Mr. Kashden possesses exceptional skills that would be invaluable to the organization's financial oversight and strategic planning efforts. Key Qualifications: ●Over 20 years of experience in finance, investment management, and accounting. ●Founder and Chief Financial Officer roles in major financial firms, including Tiedemann Investment Group and SAC Capital. ●Experience as a board member and officer for the Laurel Park Neighborhood Association and the Coalition of City Neighborhood Associations. ●Strong background in governance, financial planning, and technology. ●Passion for Sarasota’s historic preservation and commitment to the city’s balanced growth. Given his deep knowledge of finance and governance, Mr. Kashden would be a strong asset to SAHP, particularly in roles related to financial management and strategic oversight.
Myriam Springuel
Director
Myriam Springuel retired in 2024 as Director of the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service and Smithsonian Affiliations, where she led nationwide programs reaching more than 40 million visitors annually. Previously, she served as President of Springuel Consulting, advising more than 70 cultural organizations in the United States and abroad on governance, strategic planning, organizational change, and community engagement. Her Sarasota-area work includes founding the Sarasota Science and Environment Council, managing the County’s first public art projects, and helping create Tour Sarasota Architecture, the first driving tour devoted to the Sarasota School of Architecture. Her extensive experience in cultural leadership and her commitment to Sarasota’s architectural heritage strongly complement SAHP’s preservation mission.
Nancy DeForge
Director
Ms. DeForge is a retired teacher and is a member of the Preservation Committee of the Venice Area Historical Society. She has been involved in civic organizations in Vermont and Venice, including the Secretary of the Lockvernese Homeowners Association in Inverness, Florida, and the Early Childhood Board in Lamoille County, Vermont. She is Chairman of the Garden Committee of the Laurel Hollow H.O.A., is a Summer Springs Sweet Adaline’s Board member in the Ocala area and does marketing & publicity for the Venetian Harmony Sweet Adaline’s Chorus. Ms. DeForge is the SAHP's representative on the History and Preservation Coalition of Sarasota County.
Jan Hetland
Director
Jan is a recently retired attorney. who specialized in Federal tax credit programs and syndications, including historic and low income tax credits. Jan lives in downtown Sarasota and splits her time between here and Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Christine Meyer-Oertel
Director
Christine offers extensive experience in corporate communications, strategic messaging, and nonprofit engagement. Her background in high-level corporate affairs and her leadership of a communications agency make her an excellent candidate to support SAHP’s outreach, fundraising, and event planning initiatives. Key Qualifications: ●17 years as Vice President of Corporate Affairs at American Express. ●18 years leading Avenue 3 Creative Group, a communications agency specializing in corporate and nonprofit messaging. ●Significant board experience, including serving on a New York City co-op board and Dance New Amsterdam. ●Active involvement in Sarasota’s nonprofit community, including Manatee County Habitat for Humanity and the Lord’s Warehouse charity thrift shop. ●Commitment to SAHP’s mission, having been an active member since 2024. Ms. Meyer-Oertel’s expertise in communications and fundraising will enhance SAHP’s public engagement efforts, event management, and strategic planning.
Tony Gibbons
Director
Communications Chair
Tony retired recently and lives in Sarasota County. He holds a Master's degree in Library and Information Science and was a certified project manager during his career. Tony brings his passion for organizational excellence to the Alliance.
Join Our Team
We have Board and Committee seats available! Our team is active, engaged, and persevere in the face of challenges, and have creative problem-solving skills. If this sounds like a good fit, please contact us today. We are in specific need for legal expertise and social media management.
Board Meetings take place monthly with Zoom access available. Some committees meet once or twice per year, and others meet monthly.
