Kathleen Birkel Dangelo
President/Owner
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@taproothospitality.com
Jarrod Barber
Director of Finance
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@taproothospitality.com
Julianne Junglas
Finance Manager
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@taproothospitality.com
Leo Hines
Director of Operations
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@taproothospitality.com
Meghan Weigand
Director of Events and Marketing
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@taproothospitality.com
In Memoriam
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.
George Anthony Matos
Executive Chef
George has been fortunate to work with some fantastic individuals in the 25+ years of his food industry journey. Being a part of over twenty restaurant/venue openings in four different states. Both cooperate/large scale operations and independent/community driven operations. George’s father was in the Military, and he moved frequently. He has called Northeast Ohio his home for over 15 years but has lived in several different states and countries including New York, Texas, California, Pennsylvania, France, and Germany.
Experiencing different food and cultures was a large part of his career choice of being a part of the hospitality industry. The opportunity to partake in all aspects of another culture and locations in the world was priceless and ultimately a calling for him to join the hospitality lifestyle. George believes that it is a privilege, and an honor to be able to cook, host, teach, and overall just be involved with people’s experience on any given occasion. Opportunities with Every Guest Every Meal are a driving factor for him and his team. The instant gratification of feeding and helping others along their culinary journey is paramount and the basis of his philosophy of leadership and empowering others to join this amazing and rewarding lifestyle as well........ and see where it leads them.
Contact George at George.matos@taproothospitality.com