Festival welcomes new staff, board members

SANDPOINT — The Festival at Sandpoint recently welcomed two new members to its team, one full-time employee and one to the Festival’s board of directors.

“We are thrilled to welcome Patrick [Hoffman] to the Festival team,” executive director Ali Baranski said. “After such a successful 2023 season, we are excited to be in a financial position to have six full-time staff members.”

Hoffman will be joining the team as the Festival’s programming and hospitality manager. He brings an extensive background in hospitality and business management, having held previous roles in several high-end restaurants and resorts.

As a musician himself who has attended hundreds of concerts, Hoffman said he has a unique perspective on programming alongside his years of experience in private event coordination and guest experience enhancement.

“Patrick brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our organization that will only better the Festival at fulfilling our mission and serving our community,” Baranski said. “We cannot wait to see the improvements, innovation and thoughtfulness that he will add to the organization.”

The Festival also welcomed Doug Hawkins Jr. as the newest member of the nonprofit’s board of directors. Hawkins is a sixth-generation Sandpoint resident, and he, his wife, and their six children are active in the Bonner County community and enjoy attending the Festival at Sandpoint every year.

Hawkins currently works at Litehouse and has served in numerous roles in sales, marketing, and innovation throughout his career. He brings over 20 years of leadership and marketing experience, including event marketing, fundraising, and project management.

Hawkins has previously served on the Sandpoint City Council and the Bonner County Economic Development Corporation. He currently also serves as the chair of the Pend Oreille Economic Partnership and nationally serves as the chair of the Association of Dressings and Sauces.

Additionally, the Festival bid farewell to Bob Witte after he finished his term on the board. Witte has been a member of the organization’s board of directors for over 20 years but has been involved with the Festival at Sandpoint for the majority of its 40-year history.

Most recently, Witte served as board president from 2019 through 2022.

“Bob took on the presidency during some of the Festival’s most challenging and transformative years and led with kindness and optimism,” Baranski said. “I want to express my deepest thanks for his selfless service and the profound impact Bob has had on the Festival at Sandpoint. His belief in our mission, dedication to our cause and inspiring leadership have left an indelible mark on the organization.”

    Witte

    Hawkins

    Hoffman