Governing Board

Jeff Birnbach

Jeffrey Birnbach
President

Jeffrey Birnbach is a licensed investigator, with extensive experience in cyber extortion and computer-crime investigations. Previously he served as an officer and director of several software and emerging technology companies, as well as president of Sarasota Bay Watch; a director of the Sarasota Youth Sailing Program; and, as a director and Commodore of the Sarasota Yacht Club. In addition to his role at SPF, he is currently a member of the board of directors of the Pines of Sarasota, a 240-bed assisted living facility.

Areaka Jewell
Treasurer

Areaka Jewell is an accreditation consultant to law enforcement agencies throughout the U.S. She began her career in law enforcement with the Key West Police Department in 2002, where she served in uniformed patrol, special operations, the training unit, accreditation and information services. Areaka retired as a lieutenant in 2018 and then moved her family to Sarasota to start a second career. Additionally, Areaka has over 20 years of volunteer service and community support, including nine years as the President of the Key West Police Department Love Fund.

Sean Murphy

Sean Murphy
Director, Secretary

Sean is retired from the Sarasota County Fire Department where he worked as a Firefighter/Paramedic for 20 years. During his career with the FD, Sean was a member of the Special Operations Team assigned to a FEMA Disaster Medical Response Team and a Field Training Officer in addition to being an elected board member for the Sarasota Fire Benevolent Fund. Also during his career, he was a sworn Law Enforcement Officer embedded with the Sarasota Police Department Special Weapons and Tactics Team as an Operator/ Tactical Medic. Sean brings firsthand knowledge and experience to the Sarasota Police Foundation and is committed to assisting the officers of the Sarasota Police Department. 

Cori Stannish
Director

Corinne Stannish “Cori” is a consultant to the International Association of Chiefs of Police and Women’s Leadership Institute based out of Washington DC, where she teaches leadership classes to law enforcement agencies nationwide.  After getting her Bachelor of Criminology degree from the University of South Florida, she began her law enforcement career in 1988 with the Sarasota Police Department.  After serving in the Uniform Patrol and Criminal Investigation Divisions, she was promoted through the ranks and became a Captain.  Cori oversaw the Support Services Division and retired as the commander of the Criminal Investigation Division in 2018.  Through her work, she has championed various initiatives in the community, specifically involving human trafficking.  Outside of her professional endeavors, she loves to travel and spend time with her family to include her new grandson.

2023 SRQ Blue & White Gala

Andrea Capek
Director

Andrea Capek is a Sarasota real estate agent with over 22 years of experience. A multi-million dollar producer, she’s currently associated with Exit King Realty. Andrea is also deeply committed to making a positive impact in her community. In addition to her philanthropic work, Andrea actively engages in non-profit endeavors. She serves as the community engagement and grants co-chair for Donors of Distinction, a distinguished role she held throughout 2022 and 2023. Furthermore, in 2022, Andrea took on the position of Community Outreach committee chair for The Real Estate Association of Sarasota and Manatee where she was also granted Humanitarian of the Year for 2022. 

Peter Abbott
Director

Peter earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Hofstra University and began a career with the New York Police Department, rising through the ranks from patrol officer in Brooklyn and finishing his career as an Inspector and Executive Officer in the Office of the First Deputy Commissioner. He witnessed the millennium New Years’ Eve celebration from horseback in Times Square. He was at Ground Zero as a first responder when the second plane struck the South Tower on 9/11. Upon retirement from NYPD, he was appointed Chief of Police of the Sarasota Police Department in November 2002. He earned a Masters’ Degree from the University of South Florida and started with Edward Jones Investments in 2011 and holds the CFP® designation. He also sits on the Boards of Sarasota County Sheriff’s Charitable Foundation, the Tiger Bay Club and the Sheriff’s Activities League. He has been a Downtown Kiwanis Club member since 2003 and is a Past Board Chair at First Step of Sarasota.

Heather Wrigley
Director

Heather Wrigley is an environmental Project Manager with seventeen years of experience performing and managing brownfield site investigations and remedial actions beginning at the investigation stages through redevelopment for private commercial and government clients.  Since moving to Sarasota in 2015, Heather has been an active volunteer in the Sarasota community serving on the board as Vice President of the Sarasota County Medical Society Alliance Foundation, Membership Chair and Jogathon Chair of Southside PTO, Vice President of Communications for the Cotillion Club of Sarasota and Co-Chair of Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation’s Rock the Roof.  Her committee experience includes the Sarasota Yacht Club Youth Sailing Committee, the Shared Decision Making Team (SDMT) at Sarasota High School, and the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation Rock the Roof Committee.  Heather believes that Health and Safety are the cornerstone of our community and she works to support and promote these values through her work as a Project Manager, a volunteer and a Mom.  In her spare time, she enjoys traveling with her 3 boys and husband, going on youth mission trips with the Church of the Redeemer, drawing, weightlifting and volunteering for the Sarasota Police Department.