About Us
The Staff
Carmen Godwin, Executive Director carmen@riversideavondale.org
Carmen Godwin has served as the Executive Director of Riverside Avondale Preservation since March 2008. Under her management, RAP has expanded its successful efforts in the community while improving the infrastructure of the organization. RAP launched a new website with abundant historic resources, underwent its first Strategic Planning process; and took on the most ambitious and successful project in our community in decades — the Riverside Arts Market. In 2010 the American Planning Association recognized Riverside Avondale as one of the Top Ten Great Neighborhoods in the nation, the first neighborhood to receive this honor in the state of Florida.
Godwin is the Board President of PB&J (Party, Benefit and Jam) and the immediate past Vice-President of the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation. She serves on the Fishweir School Advisory Committee and is past Chair of the Florida Association of Museums Foundation.
Prior to her employment at RAP, Ms. Godwin served as Director of the Amelia Island Museum of History for six years. Under her direction, the AIMH joined forces with the Library of Congress through the Veterans’ History Project and was nominated by U.S. Congressman Ander Crenshaw for the IMLS National Medal for Museum and Library Service.
Godwin holds a B.A. in American history from Rutgers University, summa cum laude, and an M.A. in American history from the University of Florida. While at Rutgers, she helped coordinate the Rutgers Oral History Archives of WWII and served as a Research Fellow in the Special Collections and University Archives. The University of Florida recognized her with the Linda Vance Award for her thesis on Eartha White, a prominent African American philanthropist from Jacksonville, Florida.
Godwin lives in West Avondale with her husband, Raef, and two children.
Krysten Bennett, Riverside Arts Market Director director@riversideartsmarket.com
A native of Jacksonville, Krysten Bennett is a graduate of Douglas Anderson School of the Arts and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on the Fine Arts from Emory University in Atlanta, GA.
Krysten began her career in the development office at Atlanta Ballet and also worked with Georgia Shakespeare Festival before returning to Jacksonville in 2001. She has since worked with The Jacksonville Children’s Chorus and as a Senior Public Affairs Consultant with Langton Associates, Inc., securing State and Federal funds for local government projects, including park development and historic preservation initiatives for the City of Jacksonville.
Most recently, she served as the Director of The Women’s Board of Wolfson Children’s Hospital. Krysten sits on the Board of Directors of the Douglas Anderson School of the Arts Alumni Association and The 5 & Dime, A Theater Company, and is a proud urban core resident who resides in Murray Hill, our neighbor to the northwest.
Torrie Parrette, Volunteer and Membership Coordinator volunteers@riversideartsmarket.com
Torrie expertly recruits, trains, schedules, feeds and waters the volunteer corps for both Riverside Avondale Preservation and the Riverside Arts Market. Her friendly, outgoing and thoughtful personality makes her the perfect person to manage the hundreds of volunteers who graciously donate their time each year. Additionally, Torrie serves as the liaison to the Membership Committee, coordinating membership meetings, programs and events.
Torrie is a Jacksonville native who possesses over 20 years experience as a successful sales professional with an emphasis on excellent customer service. She has worked in sales for a variety of fields, including medical, plumbing, and electrical supplies, and also has a background working with AT&T and GE.
Torrie became involved with RAP as a volunteer during the Tour of Homes and was brought on board because of her excellent organizational and interpersonal skills. She ensures that a volunteer’s placement best matches their skill set and that they have a positive and enriching experience.
Crystal Floyd, Financial Manager crystal@riversideavondale.org
Crystal serves as the Financial Manager for Riverside Avondale Preservation. She works with the Treasurer and Accountant to ensure finances and reporting for Riverside Arts Market and Riverside Avondale Preservation are accurate and timely. Crystal has over 10 years experience in financial & office management after working as legal assistant and office administrator for a busy family law firm.
She is a Jacksonville native and has lived in the heart of Avondale for the past 13 years. In addition to her business knowledge, she is also an avid adventurer, gardener, nature lover and artist who creates works in a variety of mediums. As one of the earliest tenants of CoRK Arts District, Crystal spends her spare time working in her studio and filling the role of Event Coordinator at CoRK. Sharing a common vision for our unique neighborhood, she looks forward to working with RAP and its current and growing membership on the collaborative effort to support the sustainability of one of the most beautiful and historic preservation districts in the southeast.
Kate Coughlin, Preservation and Education Coordinator preservation@riversideavondale.org
Kate our liaison to the Design Review Committee and the City of Jacksonville’s Planning Department, Historic Preservation Section. She works on projects related to the Historic Preservation goals outlined in RAP’s Strategic Plan, including developing a comprehensive educational program focused on historic preservation; compiling approved and compatible products for restoration and replacement in historic homes; and creating an accreditation program for contractors focused on historic preservation.
She is a native to Jacksonville and lives in the neighboring historic district of St. Nicholas with her husband, baby boy, and two dogs. She has her Bachelor’s degree from UNF in Communications, Public Relations and Education. Prior to working for RAP, Kate taught for 8 years in both public and non-profit sectors. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, attending local events, watching sports, and crafting.
Kim Schnepf, Riverside Arts Market Operations Manager info@riversideartsmarket.com
Kim Schnepf is thrilled to join the RAMily as their new operations manager for the 2013 season. Kim earned her BFA in Stage Management from the University of Central Florida and will graduate with her Master’s degree in Leadership and Organizational Development from Jacksonville University in May.
Before coming back to Jacksonville, Kim enjoyed success as an Event Designer and Entertainment Manager at Walt Disney World before pursuing her dream to open her own event production company, KIS Events (www.kisevents.com), which she still owns and operates. In addition to Walt Disney World, Kim has also worked in the entertainment industry for companies like Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio and Busch Gardens in Tampa, FL. Kim was recently honored by the Jacksonville Business Journal as one of their “40 Under 40” in 2012.
