For the past several months, we've had our ears glued to the phone, talking to the art savvy go-getters in our new city-destinations. And, with a short sigh of relief, and utter excitement, we're thrilled to announce that we've finished our search. And here they are - the amazing RAW city directors and event producers for the 2011 season and nationwide launch. From coast-to-coast, they are reppin' their towns, their artists, and their creative communities. We made sure to choose the best of the best to spread the RAW mission statement across America!

KAILA YU - HOLLYWOOD, CA 
A Southern California native, Kaila Yu grew up in Upland, and studied at UCSD and UCLA, receiving a degree in Asian American studies — only to please her parents and be free to pursue the career in entertainment that she had in mind for herself. Currently, she is co-owner of Hello Drama Jewelry and the lead singer for band Nylon Pink. Kaila is a huge foodie and has thrown food events, namely, the Cupcake Showdown which brings together five to ten bakeries to compete for the title of best cupcake.

“I wouldn’t live anywhere else but Los Angeles! I love to travel and love New York and I know that I would love Tokyo but Los Angeles would always be where I would call home,” says Yu, “I am extremely excited about being involved with RAW.”  

When Kaila isn’t busy making music, jewelry or putting on events, she loves to eat, try new restaurants, and travel as much as possible. 

BYRON ARREOLA - LOS ANGELES, CA 
Drawing inspiration from the fences and streets of Los Angeles that he grew up around, Byron Arreola has found that the arts have always been an integral part of his life. He studied Theater at University of California, Irvine. Now as a recent graduate, he is excited to take back the city of L.A. and make it a party of art and creativity.  

“Los Angeles is nothing but an exciting city,“ says Arreola, “I'm proud to be part of a location that harbors some of the most influential and powerful artists out there. Anything can start and happen here, which is why there is more than plenty of creative juices flowing around every corner.” Byron is most excited about drawing attention to the underground arts community that thrives throughout the city. 

Byron is currently starting up a trip-hop band. “I'm a jack-of-all-trades, actually, however my main focus lies in theater directing and performance, as well as music.”  When he's not producing something, you can find me cooking scrumptious food, writing epic music and reading plays and the news.

KIMBERLY MIKLOS - ORANGE COUNTY, CA
Graduating in 2006 with a business degree in marketing and management, Kimmy Miklos has dabbled in just about every creative industry. She worked in the music world for a few years in Los Angeles before moving back to Orange County, CA to work in the art field and is a RAW:artist herself.  

“I love how Orange County has so many little artist communities and great art walks. It is nice to go out and meet other artists who share the same interests and goals as myself,” says Miklos, “ I love that RAW gives the artists in Orange County a chance to build their business and craft. RAW gives them the right tools to become successful artists.”  View some of her work here.

LAUREN HURLEY - SANTA MONICA, CA
Lauren Hurley is a writer and event producer in the entertainment industry. Formerly an event director with Gen Art, Lauren executed national events showcasing emerging talent in fashion, film, music and the visual arts. While at Gen Art, Lauren curated and produced large-scale fashion shows, shopping events, film festivals, gallery exhibitions and product launches. 

“I love sleuthing amazing talent and giving artists a platform to showcase their talent. It’s so important for emerging artists to really put themselves out there in the market. I’m passionate about supporting talented local artists and shining the spotlight on their work.” 

Lauren’s background also includes producing live award shows, corporate events, sporting events for Nike, and urban-adventure race courses for City Chase USA. Lauren is editor of Meetings + Events magazine, and her writing has been syndicated in national lifestyle and industry publications coast to coast.

Born and raised in L.A., Lauren studied communication and business administration at Loyola University in Chicago where she lived for ten years. “Chicago will always be my second home, but I love being back in L.A. with such a phenomenal community of extraordinary artists!”

SARA WILWERDING - SAN DIEGO, CA
Originally from Northern California, Sara Wilwerding moved after graduating to immerse herself in San Diego’s culture. She has been involved in the Event Industry for over five years, working with Wedding Planners in Hawaii, Corporate Meeting Planning, Conference Planning, and has worked at numerous Festivals, Expos, Community Events, and more during her time as the Event Director for a local San Diego Surf & Skate Company. 

Recently, Sara has been volunteering for a local San Diego Non-Profit, The Red Lotus Society, as an Event Planner. Here, she has created an on-going monthly concert series that showcases local musicians to help bring people into their community space. She also worked with The Pink Party, which is an event that showcases performers, artists, musicians, and fashion all in support of under-funded Breast Health Charities. 

CASSIE TUMLINSON - SAN FRANCISCO, CA
Cassie Tumlinson, has lived with her family in the Bay Area for about seven years. “I love the diversity and natural atmosphere of the area,” says Tumlinson, “as well as the abundance of art and artists in the area.”

For a brief two years, Cassie and her husband moved to Munich, Germany where her husband studied. While there, she took advantage of the opportunity to travel, extensively studying art. After returning to Berkeley, she focused on her oil paintings and various volunteer activities in the Berkeley area. Cassie is an active participant and patron in the art community in San Francisco,  and enjoys contributing as much as she can.  

MANDOLIN KADERA-REDMOND - BERKELEY, CA
In one way or another, Mandolin Kadera-Redmond has been involved in the arts her whole life. She grew up backstage at the Cleveland Institute of Music where her mother, a costume designer, worked. As a professional, Mandolin has eight years of experience as part of an artist management team, label manager, and studio manager. 

She is excited about RAW in Berkeley, a city she calls home and a place where, as she describes it, the “do-it-yourself” attitude thrives. Mandolin looks forward to providing opportunities for beginners. “[I am excited about] knowing what to tell young folks who ask me to make them a star,” she says. “I’m excited about bringing to light artists who, otherwise, may be looked over.” 

When Mandolin isn’t busy working or producing events, she likes to be in the garden, with her daughter, or training for the half marathon. 

 AARON MYERS & MARCHON VAN VOOREN - SACRAMENTO, CA
Growing up in various cities around Northern California, Aaron Myers has found himself back in Sacramento, where he once lived and now attends school. “I love that Sacramento has not been over-exploited,“ says Myers. “We have this raw talent that hasn’t lost its edge or originality due to over-consumption or mainstreaming. Sacramento is a city that struggles to make its identity known amongst larger cities to the south. Although, Sacramento has talent exploding at the seams, we are often overlooked and ignored. RAW gives artists of Sacramento a chance to expose some of that overlooked originality.”  

In his free time, Aaron is looking for ways to help foster children with everything from emancipating independently to handling the challenges of adult life. He also spends most of his time watching movies,  working on finishing his Bachelors of Science in Business, and hanging out with his girlfriend Marchon, who will be his teammate in running RAW:Sacramento. “She is a great woman and has provided me with much support. She is my motivation for everything,” says Myers. 

MIKE SURBER - PORTLAND, OR
Growing up in rural Eastern Oregon, Mike Surber always had a bit of the “city bug” so, after a couple years of college at Eastern Oregon University, he moved to Seattle to start a band and make movies. He wore paper hats while working at Dick’s Drive-in at night, and worked on projects during the day. Eventually, marketing his own band and films turned into a skill that he could use for other people. He founded Cold Coffee Media, a web development and creative marketing company based out of La Grande, Oregon.  

“Portland has a cool community vibe,” says Surber, “In the same way that the grunge era spawned from bands influencing and fueling each other, the current art scene seems to be perpetuating itself, with local artists, drawing inspiration from local artists. It creates a friendly congruence. I love the concept of crossing genres. It‘s an exciting experience for the artists and the viewers.” 

Mike plays in a band called Sons of Guns, and is working on a second full-length album. He does graphic design, writes and directs movies, and collects and writes on old typewriters.

EVE BOYER - SEATTLE, WA
Born and raised in Chicago, Eve Boyer spent most of her childhood climbing trees and running amuck in the greenroom where her mother directed plays. After realizing she was never going to be a famous sidewalk chalk artist, she went on to graduate from Loyola University, Chicago in 2008 with a BA in History and minor in Anthropology. Through college, Eve worked as an event coordinator. She soon realized she needed a change of pace, sold her car for a little extra cash and was on her way to Seattle with her four-legged companion Mellow. 

“Seattle’s lackadaisical vibe has worn off on me," says Boyer, "and instead of spending my time getting lost in the hustle and bustle of city life, I frequent art shows, music venues, and chat up the local talent at my favorite coffee spots. Seattle’s creative community is thriving with young, rogue artists that continue to surprise and excite me,“ says Boyer. “Seattleites share their ideas, views, and concepts on life with one another in a way that I have not found anywhere else.” 

Eve has done everything from managing one of Chicago’s largest dog daycare and boarding facilities to working as an Event Coordinator for Highlife Adventures, a Chicago social club. When not busy producing events, she drinks coffee, takes care of her niece and nephews, runs her own small dog walking business, Walk Me, and enjoys concerts, art shows, playing pinball with friends, and hiking through the trails of Cougar Mountain.

TIA OSO - PHOENIX, AZ

MIKE BLECHA - DENVER, CO
A musician for most of his life, Mike Blecha went to college for a year at Colorado State University before deciding that the music industry was a better fit for him than law school. Three years ago, he founded Kinnon Entertainment, an event production and management company, which has expanded regionally through his management of Aftershock stages owned by CarToys. He still tours with his band Synthetic Elements every year. A year ago, Mike started a non-profit in Denver called The House that Rock Built, an organization aimed at raising awareness and funds to open a free music education center for underprivileged and high risk youth.  

“Denver is a great artistic city, it feels to me that it has just as much music and art in it as much larger cities like LA, Chicago, and NYC,“ says Blecha, “It makes for a great scene and I’m very lucky to be apart of its uprising!” 

When Mike isn’t busy making music or producing events, he enjoys spending time with his five year-old son, staying in shape, sports and the gym, drinking wine and watching DVR re-runs of Wings, Two and a Half Men and CSI:Miami. 

DAWN TOLEDO-WALSH - NEW YORK CITY, NY
Originally from downtown Manhattan, Event Planner Dawn Toledo-Walsh has worked in the fashion industry and been a supporter of local arts for years now. She found her way into Event Production after planning her own wedding a year ago. Already part of the arts community as a long-time member and benefactor of the not-for-profit organization Gen Art, she figured she had a great leg up on producing events in both arenas. She is currently organizing the first bridal shopping party event in New York City called Everything But the Dress - a  fun alternative to the conventional Bridal Expo. 

Dawn has a strong appreciation for the arts and for artists. “I know how difficult it can be to pursue a dream like that,” she says, “so they get a ton of respect from me. I’m looking forward to giving an artist a chance to shine who may not have thought having their own showcase would ever even be possible.” She is excited to be able to offer the opportunity RAW represents to artists in her city. "Art can be found almost everywhere you look in New York. Art is part of the life of this city and it’s fantastic.”

Dawn currently resides with her husband in Astoria, NY. 

FREDERICK CALALANG - PHILADELPHIA, PA
Frederick Calalang, a producer with a corporate event marketing background, has produced national experiential events and campaigns for the better part of 15 years. He is currently working on a large outdoor concert with 12 bands, turning Philly’s Love Park into a huge concert venue - Locals Live Philly. 

Also a commercial actor, Frederick finds he has the artistic outlet he needs to balance all the event production. “It’s nice to be able to switch between the two roles, it gives me a lot of empathy for the [artist] as well,” he says. 

Frederick knows Philadelphia well. “The creative community is very committed, and our city is the perfect backdrop to embrace this passion,” he says, “I’m looking forward to bringing some continuity to our community.  I believe this will be a great catalyst in bringing our artists together and allowing them to actualize their crafts into more than just a performance or show here and there.  It’ll be great to hear people say: ‘See you at the next one!’”

AMANDA HERDINA - NASHVILLE, TN
Right out of high school, Amanda Herdina got the itch to head from small town, Minnesota to the big city lights in Los Angeles.  Soon after, she became heavily involved in a non-profit organization that introduced her to the wonderful world of events, fundraising, PR, and marketing.  After five years as Director of the charity, Planet Hope, she decided to take her love and passion for helping others and planning events onto a broader scale, more involved in the Entertainment industry.  Producing celebrity events, fundraising galas, and coordinating media and talent for red carpets, Amanda kept her agenda pretty full for two years. 

Feeling yet another urge, Amanda picked up her things, hit the road AGAIN, headed for Nashville and followed after her true love for music. It's in Nashville that she intends to take RAW by the reins and truly spread its mission throughout Music City, USA. “The talent and artistic passion that lives, thrives and seeps through this city's heart is indescribable,” says Herdina. “Around each corner is another avenue and opportunity where artists are expressing their musical, photographic, art, film, fashion, and performing talents. The way this community just reaches out to one another is so extremely inspiring, and definitely an enlightening characteristic. I feel RAW is such an original and unique concept that it's truly going to benefit undiscovered artists and bring them out in this talent-saturated city.”

MEGHAN JONES - AUSTIN, TX