Juneau Symphony Board of Directors

Bev Smith, President - Bev Smith has lived in Juneau for over thirty years. She taught mathematics at Floyd Dryden Middle School and JDHS. Following that she worked as the math coordinator for the Alaska Department of Education. She is married to Kurt Smith, an avid photographer. They both enjoy playing tennis, hiking, boating and traveling. Tanzania and Russia were their latest destinations. Although Bev does not play an instrument, she is passionate about the Juneau Symphony, and is excited about planning for the Symphony’s 50th Anniversary season in 2012-2013.

Stan Lujan, Vice President - Stan Lujan was born in Colorado and came to Alaska in 1978 following two years in the Peace Corps in East Africa. He worked as an educator in a variety of school districts around the state, retiring as Superintendent of Schools in Nome, Alaska. Stan has served on our Symphony Board for the past three years and currently is our Vice President. He met his wife Amy, at UC Berkeley twenty-two years ago when they both were getting their MBAs in business and finance. Stan also serves as a Board member with the Alaska Association for the Education of Young Children (AEYC) and is on the Literacy Council for Juneau. He works as part-time professor at the University of Alaska supervising student teachers in their graduate MAT Program. In addition, Stan provides contract services to other educational organizations. Stan enjoys hiking, kayaking, and loves playing tennis with friends at the Alaska Club. He and Amy, who is a cellist in the Symphony, volunteers with the Juneau Visitors and Convention Bureau, advising and greeting travelers coming to our great state of Alaska. Since retiring, they love to travel and have recently visited China, Costa Rica, Greece, and Turkey.

Mary Borthwick, Treasurer - Mary Borthwick, a retired math teacher, is serving her second stint on the board. She plays percussion when an extra set of hands is needed. She was first recruited because she could read music and count, and received what training she has from her fellow section members.

Judy Knight, Secretary - Judy Knight joined the Symphony's Board of Directors in the fall of 1998. She has served first as Treasurer and now as Secretary for a number of years, providing sound fiscal leadership to the organization. She has been an innovative and tireless fundraiser. Judy created the Symphony's fall silent auction, overseeing the growth of this popular event from somewhat modest beginnings to what is now the Symphony's second largest fundraising event. She also created the Symphony's whale watching/chamber music cruise, and with her many friends and contacts in the community, Judy consistently sells an astounding number of raffle tickets every year. She initiated efforts to increase the number of local businesses donating to the Symphony and purchasing ads in our concert programs - efforts that have more than doubled the value of local business donations and ads over the past several years. Judy is a lifetime member of the Juneau Symphony.

Elizabeth Agnew - Liz Agnew, a 5th grade teacher, is serving her first term on the board. Music has always played a vital role in her life. Her favorite composers are Aaron Copland, Frederick Chopin, and Ludwig van Beethoven. She plays the piano, oboe, and recently added the violin to her repertoire. Liz shares her love for music with her students, and adamantly believes it's never too late to pick up an instrument.

Tamara Cook - Tam first came to Alaska in a 1959 VW Bug with two large dogs via the unpaved ALCAN during the pre-pipeline spring of 1972. On that trip, she never made it to SE Alaska or to the Interior, but did get through Anchorage and went as far as Homer. After three months she was set to spend the winter, but her mother wisely suggested that she finish college. So Tam drove back to Oregon during the first heavy snow of October, carefully spacing the tires of her VW Bug inside the muddy ruts made by trucks. About seven years later, she returned to the state, this time to Juneau, with a degree in English, a degree in Law, and two large dogs. She married Greg Cook and found a home along the North Douglas Highway. Tam spent 30 years providing legal services to the Alaska Legislature through the Legislative Affairs Agency. She is now retired and still lives in North Douglas with her husband and two dogs, but the dogs have gotten small. She serves on the Juneau Airport Board as well as the Juneau Symphony Board. Greg and Tam are both avid music lovers. Their daughter, Corinna, played clarinet for the Juneau Symphony from time to time while attending JDHS and later while on breaks from college. The Symphony is a wonderful community asset and the community must take good care of it.

Mark Hickey - Mark Hickey moved to Juneau in 1976 after completing an undergraduate degree at Georgetown University. He worked 15 years in the field of transportation for the State of Alaska. Assignments included managing the purchase of the Alaska Railroad and serving as DOT/PF Commissioner for 4 years. Mark has run his own lobbying and consulting business since 1991. He is married to Susan Hickey, co-owner of Hearthside Books. Passions include travel, photography, reading, music and baseball. Mark coached youth and high school baseball in Juneau for nearly 20 years. He has served on the Symphony Board since 2010.

Rosie Humphery - Rosie Humphery is a life long Alaskan. She moved to Juneau in February 2009 and manages three health centers across Southeast, Alaska. Rosie began learning piano at age 5 and since then music has been an integral part of her life whether she is performing, learning or teaching. Since living in Juneau, Rosie has performed with the Juneau Pride Chorus, Juneau Bach Society, Juneau Douglas High School and the Juneau Symphony. Rosie has also been the musical director for several shows most recently "Title of Show" performed at Perseverance Theater in 2011.

Mark Hunt - Mark Hunt moved to Juneau four years ago after spending 17 years in Nome. He is a Registered Nurse who has worked in clinics, Emergency Departments and as a Flight Nurse. He currently is employed part time at both SEARHC & Bartlett. His full-time job is caring for his 2 year old son Donovan (who attended his first JSO concert when he was three weeks old!) Mark's wife Shannon is an Optometrist employed by the U.S. Public Health Service at SEARHC. Although he dabbles a bit with a harmonica, Mark's primary musical background is singing. He has sung with the Juneau Bach Society, Juneau Lyric Opera & the Juneau Symphony Chorus.

Mary Lou Madden - Mary Lou Madden has held positions in the Alaska Department of Education, Sheldon Jackson College and the University of Alaska Southeast. She currently provides evaluation and program planning services to state government and higher education through Madden Associates. With no musical talent of her own, she is an avid listener to and appreciator or music in all of its forms.

Kevin Ritchie - Kevin Ritchie started his career in public service as a VISTA Volunteer with the Tacoma Urban League. He has a Masters of Public Administration degree from UAS. He has been the City and Borough Manager of Juneau, Executive Director of the Juneau Economic Development Council, and Director of the State of Alaska Division of Personnel/EEO. He retired as Executive Director of the Alaska Municipal League/Alaska Conference of Mayors, and as a Commissioner on the federal Denali Commission. He is currently the Coordinator for the Western Municipal Association, a member of the Western Governors Association Western Renewable Energy Zone Technical Committee, member of the National Fire Protection Association 1710 Review Committee, Treasurer for the Juneau Economic Development Council, Membership Chair of the Juneau-Gastineau Rotary Club, board member of Catholic Community Service, board member of the Juneau Symphony, and an organizational consultant.

Debbie Tillinghast - Debbie Tillinghast is a new board member. She has played with the Juneau Marching Band, and sung with the Symphony Chorus, but mostly enjoys the many wonderful musical offerings of Juneau from the audience.

Board meetings occur mostly on the third Tuesday of each month at the Symphony office. Check our home page for the date of the next meeting. New board members are elected at our annual meeting in the fall.