Board Members
Theresa Reed
President
A founding member of the Fairbanks Light Opera Theatre in 1969, Theresa performs, directs and designs costume for FLOT. She has been invited to other Alaska communities to direct, and she taught music in the schools for many years. She serves as the local coordinator of the Festival’s Opera Theatre program, and currently serves as president of the Board of Directors. (Since 1989)
Don Gray
Vice-President
Don and his wife, Carolyn, came to Fairbanks in August of 1970 as K-12 teachers. He retired from teaching in 1992 and went on to a career as an Investment Executive with Wedbush Morgan Securities. Don’s knowledge of people and the state and his financial experience provide great assistance to the Festival. (Since 2002)
Joy McDougall
Secretary
Joy and her husband, Robin, are long-time Fairbanks residents and are both retired teachers. As Guest Services Chair, Joy arranges the logistics and details for guest arrival times, guest housing and courtesy cars. Joy has also served as the local coordinator for cabaret classes and “ACS Winter Edition” classes. (Since 2000)
Dave Stephenson
Treasurer
A graduate of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Dave has been an accountant since 1975. He earned his CPA certification in 1997 and is the owner of his own firm. Dave oversees the financial accounting of the Festival, and provides accounting counsel for the Corporation. Dave serves as the Treasurer of the Corporation. (Since 1984)
Glenn Brady
A member of several non-profit Boards, Glenn Brady is probably most noted as Co-Founder/CEO of Silver Gulch Brewing and Bottling. While Glenn has no artistic talent whatsoever, he carries a deep respect and admiration for the talents of artists, and profoundly appreciates the value that arts bring to the community, in terms of quality of life and cultural/social enrichment.
Jaunelle Celaire
Jaunelle is the Associate Professor of Voice at UAF and received her DMA from the University of Michigan in 2003. She then moved to Fairbanks in August 2003 where she also serves as the music director at Zion Lutheran Church. She stays busy with her voice studio at UAF along with conducting the University Chorus on campus. Other classes include voice methods and singer's diction. Jaunelle is a recitalist and recently debuted with the Anchorage Opera, singing the role of Micaela in Carmen.
Sandy Clark
Patty Kastelic
Until her retirement in 1999, Patty served as the Executive Director of Human Resources for the University of Alaska System. She is a Certified Mediator from the National Association for Collaborative Negotiations and has had extensive experience in all aspects of management from hiring to strategic planning. (Since 1999)
Doug Lange
Doug Lange moved to Fairbanks in 1998 to teach music after having taught in Unalaska and Nome. As a founding member of the Fairbanks Community Jazz Band, he directs as well as plays in this 16 piece band. Doug came to the festival in 2005 after Jo Scott had brought Bobby Lewis to sing at a school assembly the previous winter. (Since 2008)
Rebecca Morse
Having taught for 33 years as an educator, Rebecca does her part for the arts. She served as Executive Director of Adult Learning Programs of Alaska for 17 years. Currently Rebecca is Vice President of the Fairbanks store, If Only…., she is a Board member of Fairbanks Convention and Visitors Bureau and co-founder of Greater Springfield, VT, Habitat for Humanity. (Since 2009)
Susan Stitham
Susan Stitham retired in 2003 after 30 years of teaching high school students in Fairbanks. She was a dedicated teacher, and she received many accolades for her work during that time including a Milken National Educator Award and the BP Teacher of the Year. In addition to Advanced Placement classes, Stitham worked with remedial students studying Shakespeare where she learned first hand the Bard's amazing ability to connect with everyone.
Jo Scott
Founder and Director Emerita
A Fairbanks resident for the past 57 years, Jo Ryman Scott is known as a passionate educator. She has received numerous awards for her contributions to arts and education including two Governors Awards for the Arts and an honorary Doctorate from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. She was selected to be inducted this year in the Alaska Women's Hall of Fame. Jo began her teaching career 63 years ago in a little country school in South Dakota. She retired last summer after founding and producing the 30th season of the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival. She is grateful to her husband, Dick, for his support all these years.
Richard Scott
Emeriti
Although Dick has retired from his business as the Branch Manager of a Seattle brokerage firm, he remains an integral part of the operation. He continues to contribute the use of equipment and supplies. Dick and Jo also generously provide office space and utilities in their home. For years, Dick provided financial counsel to the Board. (Trustee since 1979)
Eddie Madden
Emeriti
Jo Scott met Eddie Madden in 1972 when he was teaching summer classes for the UAF Music Department. She decided Eddie might help her realize her dream of founding an arts Festival in Fairbanks. In 1980 the time was right for the plans to come to fruition showcasing Jazz Festival ’80 in April. Festival will always remember Eddie’s critical role in its founding.
