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Comings & Goings
Marriott, Karsting accept new positions
The Comings & Goings column is about sharing the professional successes of our community. We want to recognize those landing new jobs, new clients for their business, joining boards of organizations and other achievements. Please share your successes with us at: [email protected].
Congratulations to Michael Marriott in his new position as director of Digital Marketing Strategy for The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA). In his new role he will focus on the strategic development, coordination and oversight of digital marketing platform enhancements while tracking and reporting on the effectiveness of marketing campaigns.
“With this recognition and new responsibility, I’m able to showcase my years of experience,” Marriott said. “In this role, I’m tasked with bridging the gap between data and marketing efforts. But, the most exciting part is that I’ll lead a new digital marketing team. I’m fortunate to have had wonderful mentors in my career, and I’m looking forward to being a mentor to others.”
Prior to being with ICBA Michael was with the Education Writers Association as their Multimedia & Web Manager. He has also worked for the American Academy of Nursing, The American Political Science Association, and the YWCA of Greenville, S.C. He has volunteered with the 2016 Democratic National Convention Committee in the area of digital communications and websites and with the Wheaton Hill Civic Association.
Marriott attended the Greenville Technical College receiving his Associate of Arts with Honors and was a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, Greenville, S.C. He received his bachelor’s in political science with a concentration in public policy from the George Washington University in D.C.
Congratulations also to Phil Karsting in his new role as interim president and CEO of the World Food Program, USA, the nonprofit organization working to generate financial and in-kind resources for the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and to develop policies necessary to alleviate global hunger.
“WFP’s work has never been more critical to so many across the globe,” he said. “WFP USA has an incredibly strong team, committed to supporting WFP’s efforts and to making a difference in the fight against hunger. I am honored to call them colleagues and lead them through this important transition.”
Karsting previously served as the administrator for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service, as well as in several key positions on Capitol Hill, including chief of staff to Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wisc.), then chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development and Related Agencies.
Some others who deserve our congratulations are: Michele Zavos for being the recipient of the D.C. Bar’s William J. Brennan Award, which is given every two years to a D.C. lawyer for a lifetime of civil rights work. This is the first time it has been given to someone who has done work in the LGBT community, particularly around family issues. She is a partner with Delaney McKinney LLP.
Rehoboth Beach
Rehoboth Summer Kickoff Party set for May 15 with Ashley Biden
The Washington Blade’s 19th annual Summer Kickoff Party is scheduled for Friday, May 15 in Rehoboth Beach, Del.
Ashley Biden, daughter of President Joe Biden, has joined the list of speakers, the Blade announced. She will accept an award on behalf of her brother Beau Biden for his LGBTQ advocacy work as Delaware attorney general. (Her appearance was rescheduled from last year.)
The event, to be held this year at Diego’s (37298 Rehoboth Ave. Ext.) from 5-7 p.m., is a fundraiser for the Blade Foundation’s Steve Elkins Memorial Fellowship in Journalism, which funds a summer position reporting on LGBTQ news in Delaware. This year’s recipient will be introduced at the event.
The event will also feature remarks from state Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall. New CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director Dr. Robin Brennan and Blade editor Kevin Naff will also speak. The event is generously sponsored by Realtor Justin Noble, The Avenue Inn & Spa, and Diego’s.
A suggested donation of $25 is partially tax deductible and includes a drink ticket and light appetizers. Tickets are available in advance at bladefoundation.org/rehoboth or at the door.
District of Columbia
Curve magazine honors Washington Blade publisher
Lynne Brown named to 2026 Power List
Washington Blade Publisher Lynne Brown has been named to the 2026 Curve Power List celebrating LGBTQ+ women and nonbinary individuals in North America who are blazing trails in their chosen fields.
“From sports and entertainment icons to corporate leaders and lawmakers, these individuals are breaking barriers, challenging norms, and shaping the future,” Curve Foundation/Curve magazine said in announcing this year’s list, which includes ABC newscaster Robin Roberts, comedian/actress Hannah Einbinder, and singer/actress Renee Rapp, among others.
Brown has worked for the Washington Blade for nearly 40 years. She was named publisher in 2007 before becoming a co-owner in 2010.
“I am honored to be recognized by Curve magazine during Lesbian Visibility Week,” Brown said. “Receiving this Curve honor is twofold. I was an early subscriber to Curve. I enjoy the product and know its history. Its journalism, layout and humorous features have inspired me.
“As an owner/publisher, receiving recognition from a similar source acknowledges my work and efforts, with a sincerity I truly appreciate. Franco Stevens, the publisher of Curve, is a business person of duration, experience, and purpose. The fact that they are in the media business, and honoring me and my publication makes it a tiny bit sweeter.”
Nominations for the Curve Power List come from the community: peers, mentors, fans, and employers.
Curve explained the significance of the list in its announcement: “An annual, publicly nominated list of impactful LGBTQ+ women and nonbinary changemakers is crucial in current times to counter discrimination, legislative rollbacks, hostility, and the invisibility of queer women within mainstream and marginal spaces and endeavors. Such a list also fosters encouragement and solidarity, and elevates voices and achievements—from high-profile roles to under appreciated areas of life.”
Rehoboth Beach
Auction of Rehoboth’s Blue Moon canceled
Details on sale of iconic bar, restaurant not disclosed
The Blue Moon in Rehoboth Beach, Del., has been an iconic presence in the local LGBTQ community for four decades but its status remains murky after a sheriff’s auction of the property was abruptly called off on Tuesday.
The property was listed for sale in December. At that time, owner Tim Ragan told the Blade that he is committed to preserving its legacy as a gay-friendly space.
“We had no idea the interest this would create,” Ragan said in December. “I guess I was a little naive about that.”
Ragan explained that he and longtime partner Randy Haney were separating the real estate from the business. The two buildings associated with the sale were listed by Carrie Lingo at 35 Baltimore Ave., and include an apartment, the front restaurant (6,600 square feet with three floors and a basement), and a secondary building (roughly 1,800 square feet on two floors). They were listed for $4.5 million.
The bar and restaurant business is being sold separately; the price was not publicly disclosed.
But then, earlier this year, the Blue Moon real estate listing turned up on the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office auction site. The auction was slated for Tuesday, April 21 but hours before the sale, the listing changed to “active under contract” indicating that a buyer has been found but the sale is not yet final. As of Wednesday morning, the listing has been removed from the sheriff’s auction site.
Ragan didn’t respond to Blade inquiries about the auction. Back in December, he told the Blade, “It’s time to look for the next people who can continue the history of the Moon and cultivate the next chapter,” noting that he turns 70 this year. “We’re not panicked; we separated the building from the business. Some buyers can’t afford both.”
The identity of the buyer was not disclosed, nor was the sale price.
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