Monica McLeod Sawyer, President and Founder

Monica Sawyer founded PATCH in 2005 with friend and business colleague, Cara Edge. She grew up in Central Florida, has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from the University of Florida and also attended the Royal College of Art in London. Mrs. Sawyer built her career in Atlanta, Georgia working as Lead Designer for Coca Cola and the Atlanta Braves Baseball Club. Her first love is traveling, which landed her in Patagonia, Argentina working with the Discovery Channel Eco Challenge Adventure Race. Monica continued her career in Boulder, Colorado where she met her husband, Ryan, and then relocated to Corpus Christi in 2002. She has one amazing daughter, Stella Kathleen (1 year). Monica owns her own company, McLeod Creative, specializing in Graphic Design, Branding and Advertising. She also owns, produces, and publishes The One Bride Guide Magazine. Monica believes that reviving The Ritz Theatre will stimulate the economy, inspire and support the creative class and provide an anchor business downtown. Monica contributes to economic and creative development by serving as the Chair of the Mayor's committee on community Pride and contributes to many other organizations.

Joye LaBarrett, Vice President

Joye Bonner LaBarrett was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. She moved to Corpus Christi in 1996. Having lived throughout the US and abroad, her diverse domestic and international cultural experiences have been numerous and unique. Ms. LaBarrett serves on the City of Corpus Christi’s Arts & Cultural Commission, is a board member of numerous non-profit organizations in which she is a dedicated, active participant, and is the Chairwoman of the annual Festival of the Arts. Ms. LaBarrett has always been a strong advocate for youth, and she believes that the Arts are powerful communicative links that become vitally important in furthering positive community development. Featured in 2005 as a Caller Times “Woman on the Move”, she is a respected enthusiast for nonprofit organizations and is pleased to be an involved supporter of PATCH, believing the revitalization of The Ritz Theatre will promote growth in downtown Corpus Christi, artistically, culturally and economically, which will be most beneficial to the future of our young people and all of South Texas.

JJ Hart, Treasurer

JJ Hart was born in New York City and grew up in New Rochelle, NY. He has a BA in economics from Cornell University and an MBA in finance and accounting from the University of Chicago. JJ has a background in management and financial consulting having worked for the management consulting firm Booz Allen & Hamilton, as well as working directly with the CEO and CFO of Christie’s International auction house. JJ later started a venture capital firm which advised and made investments in several companies in a variety of fields. Eventually, he started and ran his own equity trading company which had several divisions including a privately run hedge fund. JJ has written over two dozen business plans and believes that his consulting experience and entrepreneurial bent will be of great help to PATCH and is excited about the prospect of renovating the Ritz Theatre.

Laura N. Bennett, AIA

Laura N. Bennett, AIA was born in Corpus Christi. She graduated from the Texas Tech College of Architecture with two Masters degrees in Architecture. She spent the first portion of her career working in Lubbock as a Project Manager for Texas Tech and in the private sector. Back in 2009, she moved back to Corpus Christi to join the staff at Naismith Engineering, Inc. as a Project Architect. In 2010, Laura was a Corpus Christi Under 40 Recipient. In addition to serving the local Chapters of the American Institute of Architects and the US Green Building Council, she loves to support the local arts, promote historic preservation, and encourage community development and culture making her service to the Ritz Theatre the perfect outlet for exercising her passions.

Eric Brunkenhoefer 

Eric Brunkenhoefer was born in Corpus Christi and raised in Portland, Texas. Eric worked for the family automotive business right out of High School for 15 years. After a stint in Culinary School, Eric decided to enter the Real Estate field and worked with multiple real estate agencies for 4 years. Recently Eric graduated from RTFCs Firefighter training academy and is currently employed w/RTFC as a Firefighter. Eric has been married to his beautiful wife, Wimberley, for over 6 years and have been blessed with two healthy boys Cash, 3 and Caden 18mo. Eric also has a Daughter, Madeline who is 12 and resides in Corpus Christi. Eric brings a unique drive, knack for working with people, and a creative mind to the Board of Directors.

Jacqueline Chrobocinski 

Jackie is a native of Edmonton, Alberta Canada who has resided in Corpus Christi for the last 15 years. She is a critical care registered nurse who is currently working as a surgical nurse/manager at The Vein Centers of Texas. Jackie is very happily married to her wonderful husband, fellow nurse and community activist, James Chrobocinski. They reside in Padre Island with their three boys Tyler (19), Cameron (11) and JJ (4). Having loved, lived and breathed theatre from childhood until completing college, Jackie was very excited when she heard about the renovation of The Ritz Theatre. She felt compelled to join PATCH and become part of the renovation effort after participating in a weekend cleanup project with PATCH and the Junior League. "There's just something magical about a classic theatre. The Ritz is a jewel; one that we must restore to her original brilliance for everyone in Corpus Christi to experience and appreciate."

Evon Kelly  

PATCH board member Evon Kelly is a mother of two teenagers. Evon and her husband, prior Corpus Christi City Councilman Bill Kelly, enjoy volunteering with various organizations in the Coastal Bend area. In addition to her interest in PATCH, Evon serves as Secretary for the Corpus Christi Concert Ballet Board of Directors, treasurer for the Corpus Christi Concert Ballet Guild, and a is member of the Flint Hills Community Action Council. She is also active in the Corpus Christi Barrios Association and Northwest Business Association. Evon serves as a City of Corpus Christi Planning Commissioner.

Mark Rushton 

Mark Rushton has 22 years of management experience for various industries including restaurants, lighting, transportation, construction and restoration. Mr. Rushton, who moved to Corpus Christi from California, was Director of Field Operations, Education and Design for Lumenyte International, specializing in fiber optic lighting design and product development. He has won a host of awards including three for his lighting design for Harrah's New Orleans. He currently works for the Hooks Baseball Club. Mr. Rushton brings a myriad of experience to the table and can take on any challenge. When he is not restoring historic buildings, Mr. Rushton enjoys family, rodeo, scuba diving and woodworking.

Cara Edge, Honorary Board Member and Founder 

Hi, my name is Cara Edge. My involvement with PATCH simply began because of a great fondness for The Ritz Theatre. I had always fantasized about re-opening The Ritz with the same concept as the Alamo Drafthouse theatres. Needless to say, I was thrilled when founder, Monica Sawyer, expressed an interest in the old theatre Although her ideas for the theatre far exceeded anything I could have dreamed up, I was in awe and happy to be involved in any way I could. I love downtown Corpus Christi and really feel that the revitalization of the Ritz theatre would serve as a boon to the local economy and the aesthetics of the downtown area. Since the arrival of my two young sons... most of my involvement with PATCH currently is serving as liaison between my father, Clifford Edge, (who serves as the historic theatre adviser) and PATCH board members.

Dr. Clifford Edge, Adviser

Dr. Clifford Edge, a former teacher and minister, has been involved in the preservation of historical theatres since long before such a practice was widespread, let alone a vocation. Television, suburban development, and other factors seemed to doom downtown theatres, but Edge was one of the pioneers in seeing them as catalysts for urban renewal. For decades he traveled into every state except Alaska, working with local preservation groups. He was a director and convention chairperson of the Theatre Historical Society, the initial focus group which brought together many who shared the same interests. He was also active in the League of Historical Theatres, which has developed solid business and operational plans for these theatres.He came out of retirement as an advisor with the Ritz when his daughter Cara Edge joined with others in seeking Corpus Christi urban renewal and opened a business downtown; and saw the Ritz as a strategic factor in linking DTown with the SEA District, because of the theatre's conspicuous location.