Board of Directors 2008 PDF Print E-mail
Membership on the KAAHC board is educational, enlightening, and hard work. It is also often a lot of fun. After all, we run the business end of a group that encourages people of all ages to enjoy the arts as either a participant or an audience member.  Board members come from varying walks of life, and reflect broad community interests. This diversity helps manage the ‘business’ of art in a manner that benefits all segments of the Greater Ketchikan Area. The variety of visual, literary, and performing arts that the KAAHC provides strengthens the community and adds to the quality of life in Southeast Alaska. A strong Board ensures these programs thrive. If you're interested in getting involved, please contact us!
Officers:

Laurie Thomas, Chair (Elected 2002) Laurie has a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Special Education from Western Washington University and a Master’s degree from University of Alaska, Anchorage. She first moved to Ketchikan in 1982 and has lived here continuously since 1995.  She directs the Early Learning Program at Community Connections, and is the Deputy Director for the organization. She currently serves on the Steering Committee for the White Cliff Center.
Jean Bartos, Vice-Chair (Elected 1989) Jean served on the Board 1996-1998 as Vice Chair, and as Chair from 1998-2000. Jean is a retired computer specialist for the US Forest Service. She is a fiber artist and a wearable artist, and serves on the Steering Committee for the White Cliff Center.
Diane Palmer, Treasurer (Elected 1983) Diane has served on the board as treasurer since 1983.  She is currently a partner in the accounting firm Milner, Howard, Mortensen, & Palmer. She is an avid art collector, flute player, and wearable art creator.
Elaine Patton, Secretary (Elected 2004) Elaine is a Social Worker for Health and Social Services, Office of Children's Services. She and her husband raised three children and encouraged them to become involved in community arts. She feels very strongly that an appreciation for the arts is an essential part in the development of well-rounded and thoughtful individuals. Elaine serves on the Steering Committee for the White Cliff Center.
Members-at-Large:

Laurie Booyse (Elected 2006) Laurie has been the Sales and Service Manager for Allen Marine Tours in Ketchikan since 2003.  She has a degree in Theatre from Emerson College in Boston, MA and an MBA from Binghamton University.  She has lived and worked all around New England, the longest period being 8 years in New York City, where she worked for various non-profit and commercial entertainment companies.  Laurie has lived in Alaska since 2001: 2 years in Juneau and the remainder in Ketchikan.  Her husband is from South Africa and works at the hospital, and they are both very happy to call Ketchikan home. Laurie is the Chair of the Fund Development Committee.

Jessica Clark (Elected 2007) Jessica has a Bachelor’s degree in Writing from UC San Diego and her certification as a Professional of Human Resources. She works at Ketchikan General Hospital as a recruiter and spends her day talking to people about why Ketchikan is a terrific place to live, and she believes that the KAAHC makes her job easy. One of the biggest reasons she lives here is because of Ketchikan’s active arts community. She and her family enjoy attending plays, art shows, and listening to live music She also enjoys volunteering at KRBD as a weekend DJ.

Gerry Knasiak (Elected 1998) Gerry is a former assistant director of Ice Capades, Inc. She retired in Ketchikan from the US Forest Service, Human Resources Department. Gerry has served on the board of First City Players and is an activist in the community. She serves on the Fund Development Committee.

Diane Naab (Elected 2008) Diane is a life-long artist. After majoring in art in college, she took a break to raise a family, enrolled in the Fine Arts Degree program at the Corcoron School of Art in Washington D.C.,  and moved to Seattle before that course of study could be completed! Diane moved to Ketchikan in 1997 and a year later had her first solo exhibit at the KAAHC gallery.  Volunteered and then became office manager for both the arts council and First City Players.  Have participated in many of the arts council exhibits and other local art shows.  Currently co-owner of Exploration Gallery and Frame Shop, KAAHC board member, KVB board member, Chamber of Commerce board member, co-chair of the newly formed Downtown Steering Committee, and serves on various committees associated with these boards and other fundraising organizations. She loves Ketchikan and relishes any opportunity to help develop, enhance, and promote the arts.

Chris Rose (Elected 2008) Chris s haworked for the U.S. Coast Guard since 1991 as an Environmental Protection Specialist including participation on several working groups and committees in varying capacities related to the environmental management field. He earned an Associates of Arts degree in 1982 at Chowan College in Murfreesboro, North Carolina; and then a BFA in 1985 while attending The Atlanta College of Arts, in Georgia.  Most recently he’s been co-teaching children, through private lessons, art appreciation through various drawing techniques.  Chris’s passion for the arts continues with pastel painting and pencil drawings in his journal. 

Advisory Committee                                    Representatives to the Board:
Roy McPherson (Ketchikan Community Concert Band representative). Roy has taught music (band and choir) for 25 years – at the elementary, junior high, high school and college levels. He is co-owner of McPherson Music, and directs three youth bands there. He has been a resident of Ketchikan for 25 years. He is the founding director of the Ketchikan Community Concert Band. He has a Master of Arts in music from Central Michigan University.

Tom LeCompte (The Monthly Grind representative, First City Player representative) Tom has a BA/BS in Elementary Ed. & Physical Ed. Tom has been teaching, coaching and administrating for 28 years. Tom has been one of the producers of The Monthly Grind for 6 years, and has served on the board of First City Players for two years. Hobbies include: reading, surfing (when he can get next to a large body of water), playing music and singing.

Sandy Shepard (Ketchikan Watercolor Society representative). Sandy has been a Ketchikan resident for 28 years. She has been a painter since her teens, with her primary interest in watercolor as well as printmaking and color pencil. Sandy is owner of Fluke Signs.

Karen Pitcher (Sam Pitcher Memorial Fund). Karen grew up in Minnesota and moved to Ketchikan Ketchikan, and the friendly, creative people who live here. She was a commercial power troller for 26 years with her husband, Dave. Their son, Sam, spent summers fishing with them from the time he was just a few months old. She has always enjoyed and supported the arts; she personally likes to draw, but she appreciates all forms of the arts. Karen has a Bachelors of Education degree. in 1972. She immediately fell in love with

Hunter Davis (Bar Harbor Caledonia Society).
Member Organization                           Representatives to the Board:

Steve Kinney (Ketchikan Community Chorus representative) Steve has been the musical director for the Chorus for five years. He has a BA from Olivette College and a M.S. in Zoology from UAF. Steve has retired from his career as a public school teacher and university program coordinator for UAS-Ketchikan, where he ran the Maritime Studies program. Personal interests include commercial fishing, church.

Sharon Thompson (Museum Department: Tongass Hist. Museum, Totem Heritage Center)
TBD (Ketchikan Theatre Ballet)

Susan Weston (Friends of the Library).
 
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