The team at Sapphire Creek looks forward to exceeding your expectations.
Executive Chef
RAYVON TAYLOR
From a young age, Rayvon has had a passion for cooking for his family and friends. After high school Rayvon struggled to find a career path that excited him. While working at a small Irish pub as a dishwasher his head chef, Bill Fullop, seemed frustrated on shift. Rayvon offered to assist that day cand this became first day as a line cook. Rayvon then moved on to help open the Hard Rock Rocksino as a Prep cook. With his leadership skills and eagerness, he grew to Sous Chef in less than a year. In the 9 years at Hard Rock, he worked in every restaurant venue in the building, making his way back to running the Hard Rock Cafe as The Executive Chef. He also assisted with opening TAP Sportsbar in Las Vegas, as the Executive Chef.
Over the years, Rayvon involved himself in catering and found a passion for weddings and events. Through all of his experiences, Rayvon is excited to bring his talents to Sapphire Creek to help grow and enhance the culinary vision.
Contact Ravyon at office@sapphire-creek.com.
Wedding Event Manager
ALEXIS LIMER
Alexis spent her childhood in Norton, Ohio. She is passionate about and committed to helping people create memories that will last a lifetime. In and out of her professional life, she is always finding herself in the middle of planning fun and memorable events for the people around her. Alexis worked her way up within The Monven Group advancing quickly from Restaurant & Events Manager at M Italian to Event & Wedding Manager at Gleneagles Golf Course. Before coming to Sapphire Creek Winery, Alexis worked for Red The Steakhouse as their Director Of Events. All things wedding related make her so happy and full of life, bringing the perfect amount of pep to your new journey!
Contact Alexis at Alexis.Limer@sapphire-creek.com
Assistant General Manager
Emily Chiancone
Emily grew up in Mayfield Heights, Ohio. While pursuing a degree in Human Resource Management at the University of Akron, Emily discovered a passion for working in the hospitality industry. Through the years, Emily’s love for providing excellent guest service, coupled with her drive to constantly improve her skillset, has propelled her career forward. Emily began working as a server and bartender at Red Lobster and the Hard Rock Cafe before progressing to roles of greater responsibility. She further refined her skills, gaining experience as a trainer and manager at Leo’s Italian Social, M Italian, and Burntwood Tavern. During her career, Emily has also contributed to the successful openings of several new restaurants. Each of these rich experiences has offered Emily the opportunity to further refine her craft. With over 14 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Emily is a dedicated professional with a passion for delivering exceptional dining experiences.
Contact Emily at office@sapphire-creek.com
Assistant General Manager
MARK TERWILLIGER
Born and raised in Chardon, Ohio, Mark started in the service industry scooping ice cream at 16 years old. While having a passion for travel, Mark enlisted in the United States Navy and saw much of Europe. After his service he re-joined the restaurant business bartending and eventually moving to South Florida where he started managing popular concepts in the Florida market. The love of northeast Ohio winters and local sports brought him back to the area where he managed at The Winking Lizard Tavern and J. Alexander’s. Mark brings over 25 years of hospitality experience to Sapphire Creek Winery & Gardens.
Contact Mark at office@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 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.
Director of Events and Marketing
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.
Finance Manager
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.
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.
Director of Operations
LEO HINES
Leo is a Director of Operations with over 30 years’ experience in the hospitality industry. With long term tenure at Bravo/Brio Restaurant Group as an Executive Chef he gained experience in several New Restaurant Openings participating and leading the training teams.
In his time with Monven Group he helped grow same store sales and reduce turnover in several locations as a Regional Director of Operations. Now, with Tap Root Hospitality Group he will be focusing on growing a sales building culture through training and operations.
Contact Leo at leo.hines@sapphire-creek.com.
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.
General Manager
JENNIFER CONLEY
Jenn Conley grew up on a horse farm in Green, Ohio where she rode horses competitively for eight years. Since age 15, Jenn has been in the Hospitality industry but has relocated multiple times. She began her journey at the University of Akron and continued her education at the University of Washinton in the Washington State Accounting Program. She also achieved a minor in Non-Profit Business Administration. During her time in Washington, Jenn began work for a family-owned and operated brewery, where she gained knowledge of beer and expanded her bartending experience. Jenn spent a short time living in South Florida then moved to Cary, North Carolina to work for Jasper’s Bar and Grille. There, she found her passion for bartending, culinary creations, and event planning. After an internal promotion to management, Jenn began overseeing the open of multiple locations, including Short North, Columbus and Dublin, Ohio. Prior to joining the Sapphire Creek team, Jenn spent 14.5 years working with The Ram Restaurant and Brewery.
Contact Jennifer at Jennifer.Conley@sapphire-creek.com