The team at Sapphire Creek looks forward to exceeding your expectations.
President/Owner
KATHLEEN BIRKEL DANGELO
Kathleen received her Bachelors of Arts, Summa Cum Laude, from The University of Akron and her Juris Doctor, Summa Cum Laude, from Cleveland State University, John Marshall School of Law. In addition to practicing law, Kathleen worked with her late husband, Andy, to develop The Ohio Valley Group, Inc – one of northeast Ohio’s premier landscape design/build companies. Kathleen was able to combine her legal and business acumen, developed from years of practicing law and managing The Ohio Valley Group, and her love of travel and architectural spaces to create Sapphire Creek embodies modern aesthetics, coupled with a warm and inviting atmosphere, outstanding gardens and world class wine and food. Sapphire Creek truly brings the Napa experience to northeast Ohio.
Contact Kathleen at Kathleen.Dangelo@Sapphire-creek.com.
General Manager & Executive Chef
RICK BENNETT IV
Chef Rick is a Ravenna, Ohio native who began his culinary career at 14 years old when he started washing dishes at “Cipriano’s” at the Windmill Lakes Golf Course. He graduated from Ravenna High School a year early to join the United States Marine Corps as an enlisted man. After leaving the Marine Corps, he attended Kent State University for Applied Mathematics/Probability and statistics before deciding to take a different path. He attended Northeast Ohio Culinary Institute. Upon graduation, he moved to Baltimore where he worked at Oceanaire Seafood Room training under Ben Erjavec. He returned to Ohio to work for Brandt Evans at Blue Canyon in Twinsburg. He then made the move to Cleveland where he worked at Lola Bistro under Michael Symon and Derek Clayton. He also credits his success to three-time James Beard Award semifinalist (pastry) Cory Barrett.
Contact Rick at Rick.Bennett@sapphire-creek.com.
Director of Finance and Operations
Jarrod Barber
Jarrod grew up in Ravenna, OH. While attending Kent State University, he decided to turn a life-long love of movies into a career and in 2001 began working with Cinemark theatres. In 2007, he began his career as a General Manager running the Cinemark Theatre in Aurora, OH, and in 2011 moved to the Cinemark in Strongsville, OH. During his years as a General Manager, Jarrod handled various responsibilities and was featured twice in company training materials for his exceptional Guest Service. After spending nineteen years in theatre exhibition, Jarrod has joined Sapphire Creek Winery and Gardens as Manager of Finance and Client Relations. Jarrod lives in Kent, OH with his three children.
Contact Jarrod at Jarrod.Barber@sapphire-creek.com.
Assistant Manager, Finance and Operations
Julianne Junglas
Julianne graduated from The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business in 2017 where she specialized in Operations Management. Julianne went on to accept a position at The Ohio State College of Optometry, where she analyzed statistics for a research study. After two years, she wanted more direct experience with patients and became an Optometric Technician where she acquired guest service, leadership skills and her close attention to detail. In 2019, Julianne married her husband Alexander and in 2021 they moved back home to Bainbridge.
Contact Julianne at Julianne.Junglas@sapphire-creek.com.
Assistant General Manager
Matt Meyer
Born in Kentucky and raised in Auburn, Ohio, Matt has worked in the service industry since he was 19. After graduating from Kenston High School, Matt attended Clemson University with a major in chemistry. During his time there, he managed a liquor store as well as served and bartended at the country club during the summers, opening his eyes to the wonderful world of cocktails. Upon returning to Ohio in 2016, he bartended at Blazin’ Bills for two years. He moved to Crumb & Spigot in February 2018 where he bartended for two years before being promoted to beverage manager in November 2019. Through a very diverse restaurant background, Matt brings a new, interesting perspective to the bar.
Contact Matt at Matt.Meyer@sapphire-creek.com.
Wedding Manager
MEGHAN WEIGAND
Meghan’s career began in the marketing industry and after being introduced to Sapphire Creek as one of the wedding day coordinators in early 2019 she soon came to realize she wanted to take a deeper dive into the event industry.
Her fresh perspective, attention to detail, and love for planning and people are all the elements needed to be a success in the wedding and event industries. Meghan has managed numerous weddings since joining the team and is entrenched in all the ins and outs of what makes a successful wedding at Sapphire Creek Winery – making her a perfect fit for this role.
Meghan graduated from John Carroll University in 2018 and is excited to continue building her career with Sapphire Creek Winery.
Contact Meghan at Meghan.Weigand@sapphire-creek.com.
Private/Corporate Events Manager
DANIELLE ZUPP
Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Danielle has been in the service industry since she was 16. After graduating from high school, Danielle attended Gannon University, where she completed her undergrad and Master’s program in Business Administration. During her graduate studies, she began her career in Restaurant Management and continued on that path until starting at Sapphire Creek. She worked as a server and event butler until accepting the role of Event Coordinator for both Sapphire Creek Winery & Gardens and The Orchid House Winery. Through her experience on both the service and management side of events, Danielle brings a unique perspective that makes any event one-of-a-kind.
Contact Danielle at danielle.zupp@sapphire-creek.com
Assistant Manager
BEN Ellis III
Ben was born in Georgia and lived in Kentucky before moving to Ohio. He earned an honors degree from Kenston High School and graduated cum laude from Cleveland State University with a BS in business administration and minors in accounting and finance. His food service path began at a Domino’s Pizza and has wound through Subway, Aladdin’s Eatery, Jimmy Dadonna’s, and Village Martini and Wine Bar before culminating here at Sapphire Creek.
Contact Danielle at danielle.zupp@sapphire-creek.com
Assistant General Manager
ANDREW F. DANGELO
Founder & Past-President
Andy graduated from The Ohio State University at Wooster in 1985 with a degree in Horticulture and Landscape Design. He later received his arborist certification from The International Society of Arboriculture. Andy had a life-long passion for the outdoors. He started The Ohio Valley Group, Inc. in 1987 and, along with his wife Kathleen, grew the company to one of the premier design/build and landscape maintenance companies in northeast Ohio. Sapphire Creek Winery reflected his passion for gardening and architecture and his unique grasp of how to create amazing outdoor spaces. Andy’s legacy lives through his family and businesses much beyond his life on earth.
Assistant General Manager
DAWN CORSO
Dawn brings over fourteen years of industry experience to Sapphire Creek Winery. Dawn has an extensive background in wine and brings this passion to her role at Sapphire Creek. Dawn’s wide-ranging experience in all aspects of hospitality makes her uniquely suited to ensure Sapphire Creek’s guests’ experience exceeds their expectations.
Contact Dawn at Dawn.Corso@sapphire-creek.com.
Administrator
LEE CAIN
As Office Administrator, Lee coordinates the many tasks that keep our office running smoothly. Lee graduated with a degree in Sociology form University of Arkansas. Originally from Texas, Lee moved to the Chagrin Valley with her husband and four children three years ago. Her corporate background includes retail buying and merchandising. In her free time, Lee enjoys volunteering with local organizations in the Chagrin Valley.
Contact Lee at Lee.Cain@sapphire-creek.com.