OUR BOARD
The Board of Directors is made up of members of the community who love the arts. They recognize the need for a performing arts center, and would like to see local organizations and artists work in the venue that they and the community deserve.
Arts Center Task Force is currently accepting new Board Members. To apply, please email board chair, Steve Wiley at hswiley@artscentertaskforce.com. We look forward to meeting you!
STEVEN WILEY
Chair
Steven Wiley is a computational biologist and project manager at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, where he has organized and led a number of multi-million dollar projects. He is a Laboratory Fellow (the highest scientific rank at PNNL) and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Before joining PNNL in 2000, Steven was a Professor of Pathology at the University of Utah. He has been active in community theater since high school and has done sound design with the Mid-Columbia Musical Theatre and video design for the Richland Players. Steven is on the board of directors of Columbia Center Rotary and is currently serving a 3-year term on the Richland Public Facilities District. From 2009-2011, he was President of the Tri-Cities Habitat for Humanity and has been Senior Warden for All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Richland. He has been a member of the Arts Center Task Force since 2012.
RICK WALLING
Vice Chair
Rick Walling has been active in the efforts to bring a performing arts center to the Tri-Cities for about 20 years and has been on the board of the ACTF since its incorporation. Starting out as a performer with Mid-Columbia Musical Theater (formerly Richland Light Opera Company), he’s been active continuously with MCMT for over 30 years as a performer, techie, board member and company president. He also performs with the Mid-Columbia Mastersingers.
Rick works at PNNL, his “day job” for 30 years, as an engineer/technologist in systems engineering, systems integration, and information management, and including assignments as a project manager, line manager, and individual contributor. Rick has a BS in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA.
KAVITA PATEL-STENOIEN
Treasurer
Kavita Patel-Stenoien and her husband own Fast and Curryous, a mobile food vending operation serving the greater Eastern Washington area. She is a West Richland resident, has two children, and currently serves as Treasurer of the Wiley Elementary PTA. Until 2018, Kavita was a financial specialist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory where she oversaw a portfolio of $25M in research grants from multiple government agencies. She had extensive knowledge of PNNL financial operations and worked closely with project managers, scientists, upper management, contracts, and external clients to ensure success throughout project life cycles. Kavita has a B.S. in Biology from the University of Arizona and an MBA in finance from the University of St. Thomas. She worked for five years at one of the country’s premier biomedical research facilities, Baylor College of Medicine, and she was business manager and accountant for Innovative Radiology in Houston, TX. Previously, she served as a Board Member and Acting Director for Greyhound Pets of America in Houston, TX.
REGINALD UNTERSEHER
Secretary
Reginald Unterseher is Music Director and Composer-in-Residence at Shalom United Church of Christ, Richland, Washington. His works are published by Oxford University Press, Walton Music, and on his web site, www.reginaldunterseher.com, through Northwest Choral Publishers. He is Associate Conductor of the Mid-Columbia Mastersingers. He was the Washington State Music Teacher’s Association’s “Composer of the Year” for 2013.
Reginald’s compositions are regularly performed throughout the world and have been featured at regional and national ACDA and MENC conventions in the US as well as at Carnegie Hall in New York City. He currently serves as Repertoire & Standards Chair for Men’s Choirs for the Northwest Division of the American Choral Director’s Association, and is in demand as a choral and vocal adjudicator and clinician. Reginald is a past Artistic Director of Consort Columbia (now Mid-Columbia Mastersingers), founder and past Chorus Master of Washington East Opera, and an active member of Male Ensemble Northwest.
EVA BARONI
Trustee
Eva Baroni is a Project Specialist at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland. She has been with the laboratory for 27 years and holds an MBA from the University of Washington. She has been an active member of the community since coming to the Tri-Cities in 1983, serving in various volunteer capacities. She is Treasurer for the Mid-Columbia Regional Science Fair, a position she has held since 1986. She is an active member of Christ the King Church.
TINA BAUMGARDNER
Trustee
Tina Baumgardner was appointed Market Director of Marketing & Communications for Trios Health & Lourdes Health in December 2020.
Tina comes to Lourdes and Trios from Edmonds, Wash. She served nearly seven years as the Director of Marketing, Communications & Business Development at the Edmonds Public Facilities District/Edmonds Center for the Arts where she was responsible for the marketing, communications, public relations, advertising, community engagement and business development for the organization.
Prior to her role at the Edmonds Public Facilities District/Edmonds Center for the Arts, Tina was the Investor Relations and Administration Manager for Economic Alliance Snohomish County and the Director of Investor Relations and Operations for the Economic Development Council of Snohomish County, where she gained valuable knowledge, skills and experience working with key industry, political, workforce and community stakeholders, investors and businesses of all sizes.
Tina has over 30 years of experience in the private, non-profit and public sectors and a breadth of experience in relationship building, community engagement and partnerships, administration, business development, event planning, communications, sales and marketing.
Prior to relocating to the Tri-Cities, Tina was active in the community and committed to the economic vitality of Snohomish County, WA. She served on the Board of Directors for Soundview School, where she chaired the Governance committee, served on the Marketing and Development committee and the Annual Fund committee. She was a 2013 candidate for the KSER Foundation Board of Directors. Tina is an alumnus of the Leadership Snohomish County program and served six years as chair of the Business and Economic Development Education Day for the Leadership Snohomish County program and also served on the Board of Directors prior to relocating to the Tri-Cities.
Tina earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre from the University of Washington and speaks Norwegian fluently.
KELLY PRECECHTEL BRIGHT
Trustee
Kelly Precechtel Bright is the owner and manager of the award-winning Tri-Cities winery, Market Vineyards. She joined the ACTF board of directors in September of 2022 after volunteering on the Fundraising Committee for a few months. Kelly is excited to offer her business management knowledge and her ability to engage a diverse group of professional connections to Arts Center Task Force's efforts to build the Performing Arts Center.
JEFF BROWN
Trustee
Jeff Brown is an IT Analyst at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, and has been with them for 37 years. He received a BA in History and Concentration in Computer Science from Carleton College. He has been an active member of the community since coming to the Tri-Cities in 1983, an active Board member of the Mid-Columbia Regional Science Fair Association since 1986, served on several professional society boards, and is a past member of a Richland School District committee.
JOEL ROGO
Trustee
Joel Rogo is the owner of the Tri-Cities Academy of Ballet and Music and director of the non-profit Mid-Columbia Ballet. He is active in the community, as a member of the Columbia Center Rotary and serving on the Richland Public Facilities District Board for 10 years.
Joel comes to the Tri-Cities with an extensive background as a dancer and stage manager. He began his professional career as a dancer and stage manager touring the East Asia and Australia with DISNEY ON PARADE. It was while working as a dancer and stage manager on the original Australian production of A Chorus Line that he met his wife. Before moving to the Tri-Cities, Joel was the stage manager for 42ND STREET starring Peter Marshall and Constance Towers.
SHIRAH THIETJE
Communications Committee Chair
Shirah is driven by a belief that behind every thought-provoking question is an even more fascinating story to tell. Having served in various communications and project management roles during her six years at PNNL, Shirah has followed an intrinsic drive to make connections that paint big-picture insights about the world around us. With an education rooted in the social sciences, she understands the ripple effect belief and perception can exert and is passionate about presenting information that captivates and compels audiences to make more informed decisions in their daily lives. Shirah is excited to join the Arts Center Task Force team and use her communications skills and experience to help make the Mid-Columbia Performing Arts Center a reality.
JOHN VEYSEY
Trustee
John Veysey is a senior manager with leadership experience in the management of large nuclear fuel, chemical, pulp and paper facilities. He has been employed at Areva in Richland since 2008. John is a Past President of the Academy of Children’s Theater (ACT) Board of Trustees and is a founder of the IMPACT Day program for Habitat for Humanity (H4H), as well as an industry advisor for Tri-Tech Skills Center.
JULIE WILEY
Fundraising Committee Chair
Julie Gephart Wiley has been involved in the Tri-Cities' arts, business, and education since 1979. She grew up in Kennewick and graduated from Kamiakin High School and Washington State University. Julie was an award-winning communications specialist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory for 30 years and was named the Laboratory's Woman of Achievement in 2000. She has also served as vice president of Mid-Columbia Musical Theatre (formerly RLOC), and she has directed and performed in many community musical and theatre productions. Julie is on the pastoral care team at All Saints' Episcopal Church in Richland and is on the Board of Columbia Center Rotary in Kennewick.
BOYCE BURDICK
Mid-Columbia Symphony Representative
Boyce Burdick serves as the treasurer of the Mid-Columbia Symphony Society Board of Trustees. He is a theoretical physicist/nuclear engineer who retired from AREVA in 2010. Since arriving in the Tri-Cities in 1978, he has enjoyed singing with the Columbia Chorale, Oratorio Chorus, Yakima Valley Opera Company, and is currently a member of the Mid-Columbia Mastersingers Symphonic Chorus and the Shalom United Church of Christ choir.
Before coming to Richland, Boyce was a Senior Theoretical Physicist at United Technologies Research Center in East Hartford, Connecticut. He has previously served as president of the Vernon Connecticut Youth Hockey Association and board president of the Mid-Columbia Center for Theological Studies. Boyce holds an MS and doctoral degree from Yale University and a BA in physics from Carleton College.
JESS HOWARD
Mid-Columbia Musical Theatre Representative
Jess Howard serves as the secretary of the board for Mid-Columbia Musical Theatre. Their passion is in handling background details, to allow artists to focus on the art, across a broad section of local theatrical companies. Jess also brings their own art to the stage in the creation and management of props. Their recent involvement includes productions for MCMT, Richland Players, The Rude Mechanicals, Richland High School, and Princess Theatre.
By day, Jess solves technology and facility issues for Educational Service District 123.
EMILIA KEENER
Mid-Columbia Mastersingers Representative
Emilia currently serves as vice-president on the Board of Mid-Columbia Mastersingers. A Tri-Cities native, Emilia has performed across Eastern Washington in operas, light operas, musical theatre, choirs, and as a soloist for various churches. She has performed with Washington East Opera (Die Fledermaus), Mid-Columbia Musical Theater (Guys and Dolls), Mid-Columbia Mastersingers, Inland Northwest Opera (Carmen), and Spokane Civic Theater (Little Night Music, Kiss Me Kate). Emilia has studied voice performance with Cynthia Vaughn and now with Molly Holleran.
Emilia is proud to be a part of Leadership Tri-Cities Class XXVI. When not singing or performing, Emilia is the Market Senior Director of Physicians Services and Trios and Lourdes Health.
WALTER TIMMONS
Arts Foundation of the Mid-Columbia Representative
Walter joined the Arts Foundation of the Mid-Columbia board in 2015 and serves as Treasurer, a post he has held since 2016. He was first introduced to AFMC as a member of Leadership Tri-Cities’ Class XX, whose class project, in partnership with AFMC, was the genesis of TRI Art for Giving. While his passion for the arts is primarily as an observer, he brings a breadth of knowledge and expertise to the organizations he serves from his 17 years in banking.
Walter currently works as a Commercial Banking Relationship Manager at Banner Bank, and he is a graduate of Washington State University in Pullman.
AL WELLS
Mid-Columbia Ballet Representative
Al grew up in a family that have been patrons of local and regional arts communities and has brought his enjoyment of the arts to Richland, WA where he has attended and help produce art for more than 40 years.
Al has been a Board Member of the Mid Columbia Ballet for many years and an active behind the scenes support person for many of the Mid Columbia Ballet performances. Al sincerely believes that the Tri-Cities needs a modern dedicated theater facility that will provide a venue for local, regional and world class performances. In addition to providing excellent venue for the Arts, the Vista Performing Arts Center will be an excellent training ground for many local students considering careers in the many aspects of the performing Arts.
Al currently works for Framatome, Inc. where he has been employed for for more than 40 years as a Nuclear engineer/physicist and R&D project management.