Hillel Academy of Tampa Bay

Judges

Robin is the Executive Curator at the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, where she acts as both chief curator and co-leader. She is also a contributing writer for The Artisan Magazine, as well as Creative Pinellas’ Arts Coast Magazine. She has an MA in Photographic Preservation and Collections Management through a joint program between Ryerson University in Toronto and the George Eastman Museum in Rochester, New York. She was formerly the Curator of Photography at the Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg, Florida and has also worked with the Keith Haring Archive in NY, the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, the George Eastman Museum, the Tampa Museum of Art and the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art.

Florida artist and art educator, Debra Campbell, taught in both public and private schools for 19 years and was an adjunct professor at the University of South Florida School of Art and Art History.

Debra is now a full time artist. She loves the complexities of collage and mixed media and uses altered papers to give texture and layers to her pieces, altering them with solvents and acrylics or tissue papers that she stains.

Debra has always used photography as a reference for her paintings until several galleries requested the photographs themselves. That began a new creative path where she uses photography to catch strong emotions and scenes that give voice to social commentary.

When Debra taught at Hillel Academy of Tampa, she was privileged to have had Jacob as her art student and in yearbook class. He was a quick study in every medium but Jacob excelled at photography and became the Photography Director for yearbook.Debra hopes this contest and show honoring Jacob will inspire, heal and give voice to others.His humor, warmth and talent will be remembered.

Jeffrey is the proud father of Jacob Ari Kamis and loved spending time with his son. Jeffrey and Jacob enjoyed traveling together, cooking, and was part of the journey as Jacob pursued his dream of becoming a pilot, taking flying lessons for several years. Jeffrey also enjoyed attending Jacob's volleyball matches and watching his photography hobby grow. Jeffrey is excited for everyone to see Jacob's amazing photography and to showcase other talented students in the Tampa Bay area through this contest.

Jeffrey hails from Pennsauken, New Jersey and moved to Florida after his graduation from the University of Pittsburgh and has called Tampa home for nearly 25 years. Jeffrey has nearly three decades of experience in Public Relations, Marketing and Community Relations. Jeffrey currently serves as Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations for the award-winning chicken concept PDQ, and has worked with other brands like Streetlight Taco and Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar. Jeffrey was part of the executive team that defined the PDQ brand from inception to today, helping to launch the concept prior to the opening of its first location in 2011. He also worked with many of the nation’s elite athletes, coaches and teams during a 25-year career in sports. Jeffrey spent a decade in the National Football League with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Communications Department. As the Director of Public Relations, Jeffrey led his staff during the Buccaneers’ 2002 Super Bowl title and under his leadership, his department to the 2002 Pete Rozelle Award as the NFL’s top Public Relations group.

Jeffrey is active in the local community, serving on the Board of Directors for the Bullard Family Foundation and the Tampa Bay Sports Commission. He has also been a part of the Public Relations team for 16 years for the Dick Vitale Gala, which benefits The V Foundation for Cancer Research.

Katherine's journey spans over 25 years of financial management across private, government, and non-profit sectors, including executive roles at prestigious organizations such as the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers, The Straz Center, Veredus Corporation, and luxury designer brand Bugatchi Uomo.

Known for her financial proficiency and strategic acumen, Katherine has a proven track record of delivering substantial cost-saving results and developing strategic business analytics for small to medium-sized businesses. Her commitment to organizational growth and excellence has earned her recognition as an expert and entrepreneur with an exclusive client base.

A California native, Katherine found her home in Florida after graduating from San Diego State University. Her passion for the arts and travel are deeply intertwined with her personal journey, especially in light of her late son, Jacob Kamis. Jacob, an avid photographer and traveler like his mother, shared her love for capturing the beauty of the world around him.

To honor Jacob's memory, Katherine established a memorial foundation dedicated to supporting mental health awareness, education, and care assistance. Currently serving as the CFO of Boca Helping Hands, Katherine's dedication to serving her community and supporting causes close to her heart is a testament to her compassionate nature and unwavering commitment to making a difference.

John has spent his professional career in the Computer Sciences focused on Business Analytics. He originally attended school majoring in Art History with Computer Science as a minor. Having chosen a career in the Computer Sciences he has remained active in the arts on a personal level. And has been an avid art collector and oil painter off and on throughout his life. John had inspired Jacob to use art as a creative and emotional outlet. Teaching him how to draw, oil paint and work with clay. And making sure that his art conveyed his message. Some of the best times they shared were moments of creativity. Especially the moments where Jacob was so creative that John was not only impressed by his artwork, but impressed by how he managed to get paint on the ceiling. As Jacob grew in his creative skills, he found a single focus of passion in photography. He understood what it meant to capture a moment. So much so that Jacob was now teaching John. As a creative mentor to Jacob as well as a student of Jacobs', John is honored to participate in judging this competition.