Elizabeth S. Young, executive director -Elizabeth has an extensive background in both the performing and visual arts. Her experience working with non-profit organizations spans program development, board relations, fundraising, publicity and marketing. She earned her B.A. in Art History and Theater from Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts. After spending nearly a decade in New York City as a Casting Director for film, television and theater she relocated to the Florida Keys in 1987.
Her professional life in the Keys includes being the business manager of Island Wellness for 15 years, and from 2002 to 2007, working in all aspects of the business of the fine art photography gallery of Alan S. Maltz. Additionally, she assisted Mr. Maltz with the completion and promotion of his award-winning coffee table book, Florida… Beyond the Blue Horizon.

Mrs. Young’s volunteer work spans being President of the Board of Directors for the Montessori Elementary Charter School, a current Board Member of Congregation B’nai Zion, working backstage at Nutcracker Key West as the assistant stage manager and as a devoted volunteer La Leche leader for over 15 years.

As Executive Director of the Arts Council, she has expanded her duties to include activities such as serving on a grant panel for ARRA funding from the Division of Cultural Affairs, presenting at the City of Key West’s Ambassador program and for the Board of the Tourist Development Council to being a judge of over 100 children at the infamous Fantasy Fest Children’s Day costume contest.

Liz and her husband, Gary with daughters, Emily and Claire enjoy being a part of the Florida Keys Arts community.

Andrea Comstock, business manager - Andrea received a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Virginia in 1980. She was Regional Activities Coordinator with the National Audubon Society in New York before moving to Key West in 1983. She joined the Florida Keys Council of the Arts in 2001 as office manager, and is dedicated to assisting artists and arts organizations in the Florida Keys. She manages grants, programs, membership services, budget and financial records, and board and committee meetings. She is a current member of the Florida Association of Local Arts Agencies, the South Florida Cultural Consortium, Americans for the Arts and the Florida Association of Public Art Administrators. She serves on the board of the Key West Maritime Historical Society, the Just 4 Kids Art Center Committee and as a hospice volunteer.

Valerie Vaugouin-Smith, administrative assistant - Born and raised in Paris (France), Valerie has been lucky to live in various parts of the world such as Sierra Leone (West Africa), Guam, Japan, Hawaii and Louisiana. Holding a degree in Travel and Tourism Studies, she worked in this field before switching to an arts focused career and has worked in several galleries. Over the years, she has developed her administrative, organizational and computer skills and brings them to the Arts Council. She has been in Key West since 2008 and loves every second of it. She enjoys the arts and in her spare time designs handcrafted jewelry.

Reen Stanhouse, membership specialist - As Reen always says, "I'm out doin' the do." And she does it well. Reen's metal sculptures and ironwork are in collections throughout the United States and the Caribbean. Upon graduating from Syracuse University she traveled to the Florida Keys and never returned to the North or its ways again. She continues to pursue a broad freelance career from graphic arts to social work -- all the while following her passions as a “seawoman” and “soulster of metal”. Private commissions are the continuous thread in her journey, the latest being a 12-foot cigar sculpture for the Gato and Fuentes cigar families.

Michael McCabe, community outreach and public relations - Originally from Seattle, Washington, Michael received his B.A. in Music from Washington College, in Chestertown, Maryland. He served as the Development Director for ArtsWest Playhouse, the Program Manager for the Seattle Opera Young Artists Program, and served as President of the Board of Directors for the Burien Little Theatre in Seattle. In Key West, he spends his time as an actor and singer appearing at the Waterfront Playhouse, Red Barn Theater,Tennessee Williams Theater, The Keys Piano Bar and the cabaret at LaTeDa.