Board of Trustees
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Carolyn Wilson Evans, Esq., Board President, Executive Committee
Law Offices of Anthony J. DiPaula, PA Ms. Evans is an attorney with a general civil practice serving primarily Harford, Baltimore and Cecil Counties. For over 20 years, Ms. Evans has represented clients with a wide variety of legal needs, including corporate formation, purchases and sales of businesses, leases, liquor license applications, trusts and estates, bankruptcy (creditor and debtor), employment, and general contract and litigation matters. Ms. Evans is currently on the Board of Directors of Harford Bank and the Rockfield Foundation. Ms. Evans is a past-president of the Chesapeake Professional Women’s Network, Harford County Chamber of Commerce, and former member of the Maryland Transportation Authority. Carolyn was the Athena Award Recipient in 2016, named one of the Daily Record’s Top 100 Women in 2008 and 2018. From 2014-2021, Ms. Evans was Co-Chair of the Maryland Center for the Arts' Annual Fundraiser, "Dancing for the Arts" with Dr. Mary Teddy Wray. Carolyn was Top Fundraiser for the Maryland Center for the Arts fundraiser in 2013. pc: Robin Sommer, MidAtlantic Photographic |
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Anthony "Tony" Lisuzzo, Vice-President, Capital Campaign Committee
Executive Vice President/General Manager Shipcom Federal Solutions (SFS), LLC Anthony (Tony) Lisuzzo brings industry and government together in the research, design, development and deployment of sophisticated electronic and cyber defense systems; protecting industry and government intelligence, information, navigation and communication, command and control systems. Mr. Lisuzzo currently serves as Executive Vice President and General Manager for East Coast Operations for Shipcom Federal Solutions (SFS), LLC and a recent Silicon Valley Cyber startup company ColorToken. He previously served as the Senior Vice President within the Joint Research and Development (JRAD). Prior, Mr. Lisuzzo was Vice-President of Defense, Intelligence, Strategic Innovation and Advanced Engineering with Booz Allen Hamilton. He developed strategies and business plans for a $250M portfolio. Formerly, Tony served as Senior Executive Service Member with the U.S. Army, Communication-Electronic Research, Development, Engineering Center, Director Intelligence and Information Warfare Directorate with a $1.5B portfolio. Served as Chairman on numerous NATO Technology committees and was awarded NATO’s Science and Technology R&D Award. |
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Cynthia Hergenhahn, Vice-President for Fundraising, Capital Campaign Committee, Dancing for the Arts Gala Co-Chair
Owner, Events by I Did it Myself Cynthia R. Hergenhahn is an Event Planner who specializes in nonprofit events and galas as well as making dreams come true for her clients who are celebrating one of life’s special events. She has been working as an event planner for over 25 years. Her profession has allowed her the opportunity to volunteer in the Harford County community that she and her husband, George, call home. Cynthia serves on the Harford County Library Foundation Board of Ddirectors, The Liriodendron Foundation Board of Directors, and is President of the Abingdon Library Friends. She also serves as the budget analyst for the Harford County Council, district F. She is a former Member of the Year of the Harford County Chamber of Commerce. Cynthia is a proud Harford Leadership Academy Graduate. pc: Amy Jones |
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George Hergenhahn, Treasurer and Executive Committee
George is retired from a long career in financial management. He worked for a variety of non-profit and government agencies. Since retiring he has used his time to support a variety of non-profit organizations, including Special Olympics Maryland, Maryland Center for the Arts, Baltimore County Sailing Center and the Harford County Public Library. Most recently George was the Chief Financial Officer for Special Olympics Maryland where he managed a State-wide budget in excess of $8 million. For the last 13 years George was “Freezin for a Reason” as he participated in the wildest Winter tradition in Maryland – The Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge. Prior to working at Special Olympics George managed large budgets for the Baltimore City Housing Authority, the City’s Office of Homeless Services and the Baltimore County Public Schools. George was born and raised in Baltimore City. For the last twenty years he and his wife Cynthia have lived in Abingdon. They enjoy traveling the world, skiing and volunteering in the community. pc: Robin Sommer, MidAtlantic Photographic |
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Paul C. Balsamo, CPA, Past Treasurer, Capital Campaign Committee
Shareholder and President of Balsamo, Stewart, Lutters & Ruth, P.A. Paul C. Balsamo, CPA is a shareholder and President of Balsamo, Stewart, Lutters & Ruth, P.A. Paul graduated from Loyola University Maryland with a B.A. degree in Accounting. He has over 45 years accounting and tax experience, primarily in public accounting, but also including a position as a Controller for a large publicly-held company. Paul specializes in tax planning and compliance for a wide variety of businesses and individuals, including real estate developers, construction contractors and home builders, farmers, professional service companies and many other industries. Paul has extensive experience in assessing proposed transactions and developing tax planning alternatives that will be most advantageous to the client. He has also been greatly involved in the preparation of compiled and reviewed financial statements. He is a former long-time member of the board of directors of Harford County Chamber of Commerce, during which time he also served in various executive positions including Chairman of the Board. Paul has been involved in numerous local charities. He served as the treasurer for Harford Habitat for Humanity, Inc. for six years and also served on the board for the Organization. Paul has previously served as Treasurer and on the board of directors of Harford County Education Foundation, Inc. He is a former Treasurer, board member, and long-time volunteer for Bel Air Independence Day Committee, Inc. He was a past Chair and Treasurer for Kiwanis Club of Harford County. Paul is now a member of the Society of Italian American Businessmen. He is also a member of the Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Paul was born and raised in Baltimore City and has lived in Harford County since 1981. He resides in Bel Air, MD. |
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Claudine Adams, Dancing for the Arts Gala Committee
President & CEO, Bravura Information Technology Systems, Inc. Since founding Bravura in 2014, Ms. Adams has launched the company to successful C5ISR contracts, most notably being awarded the Persistent Surveillance System Tethered Contract, (PSS-T), a $539M single award IDIQ Army vehicle in 2016. Her company has received the Harford County Chamber of Commerce Business Awards in 2020 in the R&D/Technology category. Ms. Adams is Chair of the Board of Directors of the Northern Maryland Technology Council (NMTC), a leading provider of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs for Harford County. She is a Board Chair of the Harford County Education Foundation that provides support and resources to elevate education initiatives to local students. She is also a Board member for the Harford County Community College and serves on the Harford County Public School Advisory board. She received the Visionary Award in 2019 given for significant contributions to the well-being of the total community displayed as a personal commitment. Born in Philadelphia, PA, Ms. Adams graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. She received a Master of Theology from Calvary Christian College in Waldorf, MD. She is a member of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Smithsonian Institution, and previously of the subcommittee of Governor Martin O'Malley of Maryland. She currently serves on the Comptroller Peter Franchot's Business Advisory Council, She was appointed by the Mayor to the Aberdeen Economic Development Commission. |
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Jon Bellantoni, M.D., Construction Committee
Susquehanna Ob-Gyn Dr. Jon Bellantoni returned to his home town of Havre de Grace in 1988 to join the Ob-Gyn practice of his father, Dr. Leopold Bellantoni, and Dr. John Carriere. Under his leadership, Susquehanna Ob-Gyn has delivered over 25,000 future artists, dancers and singers to the mothers of northeastern Maryland. Jon is a graduate of Harford Day School and John Carroll, and he attended college at Yale University and medical school at Johns Hopkins. He has since served on the Boards of the John Carroll School, the Maryland Conservatory of Music, Birthright, and the Society of Italian American Businessmen. Jon and his wife, Michele, have made Bel Air their home for 35 years where they raised three daughters to love the performing arts. Michele and Jon are also 2011 Dancing for the Arts Celebrity Dancer alums. |
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Terri Bostock, Fundraising Committee
Branch Manager/AVP First National Bank A Harford County native, volunteering and working in this community makes her happy. Terri is "very passionate about the arts" and has daughters Ashley and Shannon who are musicians and visual artists, including drawing and photography. She has been an active volunteer for many community organizations, serving the Maryland Center for the Arts for several years, including as a "Celebrity Dancer" in the 2020 Dancing for the Arts Gala. In Banking for about 13 years, Terri has been Branch Manager AVP, for First National Bank, Abingdon, for the past six years. She brings to the Board her expertise as a Personal Small Business Banker who "loves to help businesses grow." |
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Amy Jahnigen, Music Festival Committee
Coldwell Banker Amy Jahnigen is a Real Estate agent with the Stellar Home Team of Coldwell Banker. She prides herself on helping people fulfill their dreams of homeownership. Prior to her career in Real Estate, Amy had a successful career at FICO with 20 years of experience in the world of data analytics and technology. Amy is a long-distance runner and greatly enjoys competing in races. She also loves travel, yoga and all things fitness. She has three boys – 14 year-old twins Adam and Noah and 9 year old Luke. Amy has a passion for community service and is involved in several non-profit boards including the Rockfield Foundation, the Al Cesky Scholarship Foundation and she is a recent Past-President of the Bel Air Rotary Club. She is also involved in the Harford County Board of Realtors Legislative committee. Amy is a 2021 graduate of the Harford Leadership Academy. She was one of the Top Fundraisers for the Maryland Center for the Arts Dancing for the Arts fundraiser in 2019. Amy is a Harford County native, a C. Milton Wright High School alum, and she graduated from the University of Maryland Baltimore County with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Computer Information Systems. Amy has a passion for the arts and loves to seek out cultural experiences to enjoy with her boys. pc: MidAtlantic Photographic |
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Katherine Kelly, Dancing for the Arts Gala Committee
Community Relations Liaison, The Kelly Group Katherine represents The Kelly Group in Harford County through her commitment to community service and substantial involvement in philanthropic activities. An integral part of The Kelly Group from its inception in 1997, she plays a key role in helping the firm maintain and enhance its high-profile presence as a caring, family-oriented firm with small town values. Katherine holds a master’s degree in education and serves on the Board of the Harford County Library Foundation. Born in Baltimore, Katherine and her husband, Bryan, who is founding partner of The Kelly Group, live in Darlington. In 2022, she won "Best Dancer" and was one of the Top Fundraisers for the Maryland Center for the Arts Dancing for the Arts. pc: MidAtlantic Photographic |
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Jon Kohler, Fundraising Committee
Chef/Owner, Pairings Bistro Jon Kohler is a graduate of Johnson and Wales University with an Associates Degree in Culinary Arts and a Bachelor of Science in Food Service Management. Jon began perfecting his craft in various Maryland hotels and restaurants. He also worked as a manager for a fine wine distributor, allowing him to travel extensively in America and overseas and broadening his taste and knowledge of the grape. His culinary expertise has evolved to include a strong Belgian influence which he developed during frequent visits to his wife, Sandy’s family in Brussels. Besides managing his popular restaurant, wine shop, and catering business, Jon is a long-time supporter of Harford County charities. |
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John V. Mettee, IV, Construction Committee
Senior Vice President and Director of Surveying at Frederick Ward Associates Since assuming his role at FWA, an engineering and architecture firm in Bel Air in 2015, John has increased the surveying department’s revenues while also helping to bolster the company’s business development initiatives and integrate the next generation into broader roles within the company. John credits his business success to his desire for relentless learning and self-improvement, stating, “Once someone makes it to a business ownership and/or leadership position, it is then more than ever when they need to continue their education. If someone thinks that they no longer need to learn, then they need to get out; there are always improvements that can be made.” As a community leader, John serves as a Board Member of the Cecil County Chamber of Commerce, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford and Cecil Counties, and the Harford Leadership Academy, of which he is a graduate, and is the Chair of the Maryland Society of Surveyors’ Susquehanna Chapter. John and his wife, Jamila, danced in the MDCFA's 2019 Dancing for the Arts Gala and reside in Colora with their five children. |
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Larry Noto, Executive Committee, Capital Campaign Committee
Owner, Joe Noto's Music Land Larry Noto is the owner of Music Land, recently awarded "One of the Top 100 Music Stores" and "Best Store Turnaround" by the National Association of Music Merchants. Larry's father, Joe Noto, founded the store in Bel Air in 1971 and ran it until his passing in May 2015. Larry left his Baltimore. tourism marketing career to carry on his father's legacy. He had previously served as the Director of Marketing and Communications for the National Aquarium, Harbor Magic Hotels and worked for Visit Baltimore. Larry is also a professional stand-up comedian who has performed in New York and Las Vegas with headliners such as Brian Regan, Richard Lewis, Robert Klein and Brad Garrett. He is the author of the book "The Opening Act: Comedy, Life and the Desperate Pursuit of Happiness" which was co-written by long-time Baltimore Sun columnist and author Kevin Cowherd. Larry also serves on the Harford County Cultural Arts Board, Scottfield Theatre Company Board, and is a member of the Society of Italian American Businessmen. |
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Robert G. Rich, Construction Committee
Realtor, Rich and Rich Group of Exit Preferred Realty Mr. Rich is a realtor with his wife, Linda Greco Rich, with the Rich and Rich Group of Exit Preferred Realty. He was formerly a jeweler at Bel Air’s Saxon’s Diamond Centers, and was in the industry for 25 years. He has served on the Maryland Center for the Arts Gala Committee for the past 3 years. He and his wife, Linda, were the top fundraisers for the 2015 Dancing for the Arts Gala. Prior to moving to Harford County, Mr. Rich was an active volunteer at the Stamford Museum and Nature Center, Boy Scouts of America, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church Community Outreach in New Canaan, CT., as well as St. Luke’s Community Center in Stamford, CT. |
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Deborah Smith Williams, Dancing for the Arts Gala Committee
Vice President of Commercial Lending at APGFCU Ms. Williams is the Vice President of Commercial Lending at APG Federal Credit Union, and former vice president of commercial banking at Howard Bank. With a strong presence in Harford County, Williams serves as Chair for the Board of Directors for Harford County Chamber of Commerce, Chair-elect of the Rockfield Foundation Inc. Board of Directors, and an Emeritus Board Member having served on the Harford Community College Foundation Board for 20 years. She is also a member of the Harford County Public Library Foundation Board and ambassador of the Harford Leadership Academy Alumni Association. She has received many awards, including the Small Business Administration’s Financial Service’s Advocate of the Year, Paul Harris Fellow, Athena Award, Harford Leadership Academy’s Top 20 in 20 and The Daily Record’s Maryland Top 100 Women, where she was inducted into its prestigious Circle of Excellence in 2010. Williams danced in the 2018 Dancing for the Arts Gala and received the 3rd place for the Judge’s Choice Award. She also raised over $26,000 and was named the Top Fundraiser for the 2018 Dancing for the Arts Gala. |
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Dr. Mary Teddy Wray, Board Member, Dancing for the Arts Gala Co-Chair
CEO, Laurel Bush Family Dentistry Dr. Wray is the CEO and owner of the Laurel Bush Family Dentistry in Bel Air, MD. She received her DDS from Georgetown University in Washington DC. In addition to serving as Board Vice President at Center for the Arts, she also serves on the Board of Trustees for S.A.R.C. of Harford County and Harford Friends School. Dr. Wray is committed to mentoring women and young children, and partners with many nonprofit organizations to help raise awareness for their cause and fundraising needs. Dr. Wray has received several awards for her volunteer service including The Top Fundraiser Award for the Maryland Center for the Arts' Dancing for the Arts Gala (2010), The Daily Record Health Care Hero Finalist (2011), the Top Student Newcomer by Delaware Valley Invitational (2012), The Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser Award given by the Association for Fundraising Professionals (2014), The Athena Award (2014), and The Maryland's Top 100 Women by the Daily Record (2014). She enjoys raising her children, ballroom dancing, Ravens football, and volunteering. |
Honorary Board of Trustees
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Jim Butcher
Founder, Artist Richard Chisolm Cinematographer, Director Mrs. Virginia M. Dresher* Philanthropist, The Dresher Foundation Clarisse B. Mechanic* Owner, Mechanic Theater Philanthropist, Morris A Mechanic Foundation Johnathon Schaech Actor, Writer, Producer Beatrice Ward Philanthropist & Arts Advocate *Deceased |
Tobias Musser
Director Emeritus |