Meet the TWLOHA Staff

Jamie Tworkowski (Founder, Creative Director)
Jamie grew up around surfing and the surf industry and later fell in love with music and writing. TWLOHA began as his attempt to tell a story and help a friend. The idea for TWLOHA t-shirts was inspired by Jamie’s years working for Hurley and Quiksilver (A Coldplay concert may have also played a part). Beyond raising money for Renee’s treatment, Jamie felt like there was room for meaning and change in the realm of both t-shirts and MySpace. These days, he spends most of his time on the road inviting people into our conversation. Part of his inspiration comes from the streets and people of New York City, a place he’s starting to call home. His favorite parts of his job are the creative elements—writing, speaking and bugging James about design. Jamie’s favorite things are his family and friends, U2, surfing, Jon Foreman, Donald Miller, Coldplay, Australia, Dr. Pepper, Orlando Magic, France, California, Red Bull, Ryan Adams, Jeff Buckley and coffee. Not many people know this, but he is an introvert.

Rich Sullivan (Director of Operations)
We hired Rich to run our Heavy and Light event in January 2009, and we knew we couldn't let him go after that.  As a long time friend of some of our originals, he had been involved with TWLOHA from the start. Although his responsibility began as the Director of Music and Events, he has since transitioned into being our Director of Operations, though Events are still a major focus.  He has his hands in a bit of everything working with the rest of us to keep our programs focused and guiding us along the way. He has been married to his wife Elly for seven years, and they have two crazy, awesome, beautiful children Liam and Estella. His and Elly’s home has become the unofficial gathering place for our TWLOHA family get-togethers. Rich loves cooking, photography is his therapy, and he knows his way around a drum set.  Sometimes when in his office, we have to shout in order to be heard over the music from Rich's vinyl collection.

Jessica Haley (Operations Coordinator)
Jessica’s heart has been with us since day one. She has watched her brother Jamie’s passion to help one person turn into hope and inspiration for thousands. She admired the impact from afar at first. After receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Administration from Florida State University, she accepted a job in hotel management. Soon after, she married her high school sweetheart Sean in August 2007. After Jessica and her husband returned home, she joined our team as our Operations Coordinator. In the midst of managing our office, she stays busy with our finances, grant opportunities and getting us ready for the road. She is the lone lover of country music on our staff and will, therefore, probably never book our tours. But she hopes that one day she can get Brad Paisley and the rest of Nashville, Tennessee on the TWLOHA bandwagon. We are thankful for the optimism, laughter and love she brings to our team.

Chris Youngblood (Director of New Media)
Chris’s face is one you may see pop up on our Facebook every now and then. He moved down to Cocoa in the Fall of 2007 as our first intern. At that time, Chris had only ever left Georgia once, to help out at a TWLOHA event in South Carolina. Fast forward two years and this southern boy is not so sheltered. He has made a few trips around the USA managing the TWLOHA tents and team on Warped Tour, not to mention his travels across Australia representing TWLOHA on Soundwave 2009. Chris’s role on our team as the Director of New Media gives him the responsibilities of creating online campaigns to grow our supporter base, raise donations and network with others to get the word out on the issues. Ask him about The Big Bang Theory, the TV show, and you'll have an invitation to his heart. Ask him to go for a run, and you'll have a friend for life.

Denny Kolsch (University Relations / Booking)
After graduating from Florida State University with a B.A. in Humanities and Philosophy, he joined our team where today he does everything from booking to directing the UChapters program.  He is currently working on a Master of Arts in Theology from Wheaton College. Denny has experience in communities such as L’Abri Christian Fellowship and Taizé Monastery in France.  He seems like a quiet philosopher when you first meet him, but after spending an hour with him his unique sense of humor and insight shine through.  Road trips without Denny just aren’t worth it. He has dreadlocks, loves surfing and film, and enjoys wearing dress slacks, make-shift linen pants, and black socks.  P.S.—Those socks come with sandals.

Katie Nakken (Event Coordinator)
Katie from Kalamazoo (yeah, it’s a real place in Michigan – just ask Derek Jeter) came to Florida in early 2008, but never expected to stay long in this quiet town. We decided immediately however, that she wasn’t going anywhere. Katie has a knack for keeping people (ok, Jamie) organized, so she’s in charge of his crazy schedule. As our Event Coordinator, she keeps everyone on task and things running smoothly for everything ranging from Jamie’s speaking events to Heavy and Light. Katie also handles artist relations and works to build such relationships because we believe musicians can have a powerful voice, even when not performing. Three things you can always count on with Katie: her toes are painted, she smells like cookies and Brand New is playing. Oh, and if superlatives were awarded in the office, she would easily win “Best Hair”.

James Likeness (Graphic Designer)
After earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design from Florida State University, James co-founded a band called Copeland, playing both the bass guitar and the role of resident designer. After six years of traveling the world in cramped vans, minivans, RV's, planes, trains, boats, helicopters, hovercrafts, canoes, rickshaws and tour buses, James decided to focus on spending time with his wife Brooke and expanding his design career. Today, James is our resident graphic designer. And he likes it. A lot. Since he works mostly from Tampa, we look forward to the days when he visits the office.  Having a case of the Mondays is impossible with James around.  Oh, and he collects awesome designer vinyl toys (not figurines!).  Because they’re awesome.

Lindsay Dick (Intern Program Director)
After participating in internships at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington D.C., an advertising agency and The Mary Brogan Museum of Arts and Science, she completed her undergraduate education at Florida State University, with a dual degree in Bachelors of Arts in Communications and Art History/Criticism. Now back in her hometown of Rockledge, she serves as our Intern Program Director. She provides structure and care for the interns each term, while constantly recruiting new additions to the team. Lindsay is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Art Administration from Savannah College of Art and Design. Visiting galleries and museums all over the world fulfills Lindsay’s passion for art and traveling. She enjoys reading a good book, painting, a cup of Earl Grey, finding honeybees on clover flowers, dance parties and standing in the sun.

Chloe Grabanski (Street Team / Benefit Coordinator)
With a heart for people and a passion for helping others, Chloe made her way to us as an intern in the fall of 2008. Her commitment and enthusiasm to our mission has been evident from the beginning, and she joined our staff the following spring. She manages our Street Team, serves as Benefit Coordinator, handles our mail and donations, trains our incoming interns, and even works some of our events. Some may say she’s a jack-of-all-trades; we say she is incredible. In addition to her work load, Chloe is currently pursuing a degree in Communications from the University of North Dakota. She believes music is powerful, a good book can change your life and traveling the world is absolutely necessary. She will tell you Chuck Palahniuk is a genius, and her favorite book is The Great Gatsby. Chloe also claims to admire Rob Pattinson, not because he plays Edward Cullen, but because of his witty and genuine interviews which she says speak to his sweet nature and humble character.

Chad graduated from the University of Virginia in May 2008.  Seconds after filling out his last scantron, he loaded his car and moved to Cocoa for the summer of our first Intern Program.  Rumor has it that while he was interning, he became a master of fondue, a talent which none of us can confirm (hint, hint Chad).  Nowadays, Chad is often found on the road working our booth at festivals and events and, while not entirely verifiable, many believe that he runs purely on Americanos.  Not a day goes by where he isn’t thinking of new ways to reach our supporters and live out our vision.  He also serves as the resident voice of wisdom for Jewish philosophy, Biblical History, and a cappella.

Damion Suomi (Assistant to Everyone, Resident Musician)                                      Born (but not raised) in Michigan, Damion has spent most of his life in Florida. In 2006, he participated in our first tour. Currently, Damion acts as direct support to our entire staff by completing tasks and projects that arise on a day-to-day basis. He also spends his time researching and developing projects for the future. We are fortunate enough to claim him as our very own in-house music guy, and we hope you’re lucky enough to catch a performance at one of our events. As a musician and songwriter, he draws from relationships, experience, and anything he finds inspiration in. Live from the storage closet, it’s Damion Suomi... let’s just say we don’t plan on getting satellite radio anytime soon.       Hear for yourself at myspace.com/damionsuomi

Janet Tworkowski (Bookkeeper)
During a road trip to Nova Scotia, Janet eloped with her high school sweetheart, Joe. Over 35 years later she is now the proud mother of Jamie, Jessica and Emily. She is our Bookkeeper, Treasurer and always Jamie’s number one supporter. In addition, Janet works full-time as the Bookkeeper at the same elementary school where Jamie gave his 6th grade graduation speech . . . the first of many to come. Gardening and genealogy, two of her favorite things, always seem to be last on her priority list, as her selfless nature puts everyone else first. We love her for being “mom” to any staff members or interns who may be missing home. With Jamie calling New York home these days, we expect more hugs than usual.