Columbia Festival of the Arts Welcomes New Board Leaders and Staff

Embracing innovative changes and a new "Arts for All Seasons" year-round Festival format, Columbia Festival of the Arts welcomes new Board leadership and staff.

Ron Nicodemus of Nicodemus Communications Group will serve as President during FY 15-16, and Tom Coale of Talkin & Oh, LLP will serve as Vice President. Former Festival Programming Manager, Robert Neal Marshall returns to CFA as Marketing and Communications Director, and Lisa Yerrid is the new Box Office Manager.

"Great not-for profits need great people," said Todd Olson, CFA Executive Director. "We surely have that with this new installment of energy and ideas."

ABOUT THE STAFF:

RON NICODEMUS, President Nicodemus Communications Group - In his diverse career, Ron has produced national television programming in the arts, education and business for PBS, CBS Cable, Showtime, Time Warner, The New York Times, Business Week magazine and other outlets. He produced the first and only live telecast from Broadway of the hit musical Sophisticated Ladies. Ron directed two NYC- based corporate communications businesses that developed product, communications, and training strategies for Fortune 100 clients such as AT&T, American Express, GE, Pfizer, Sony and IBM, including high-impact marketing events for the NFL at the Super Bowl.

As one of the pioneers who launched the Disney Institute adult learning community, Ron created a special events business that eventually changed the way that Disney marketed the entire Disney Institute product. With the encouragement of Michael Eisner, he created a breakthrough conference business that examined critical issues in healthcare, education, peace, business, environment and science. In doing so, Ron created collaborations with the U.S. Department of Education, the Jane Goodall Institute, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month Campaign and the New Yorker magazine, among many others.

TOM COALE, Vice President - Tom was born and raised in Howard County. After attending law school at Georgetown, he moved back to the County with his wife in 2007. Since then, he has worked tirelessly to enhance the quality of life for all Howard County citizens, whether through his service on non-profit boards, County panels, or local governance on the Columbia Council. In 2011, at 30 years of age, Tom was awarded the inaugural Leadership Council Award from the Community Foundation of Howard County, created to "to recognize a next-generation person who serves as a member of a non-profit board in Howard County and has exemplified leadership and commitment to the organization and the community." Tom believes in the power of smart government to make a positive impact in people's lives without interfering with an honest day's work. He also understands that the public trust is dependent on good government that operates transparently and with prudence for taxpayer dollars. Finally, in order to get where we need to be, Tom will continue to advocate for community engagement to make sure that Maryland's solutions are your solutions.

ROBERT NEAL MARSHALL, Marketing and Communications Director - Robert returns to Columbia Festival of the Arts in a new capacity as Marketing and Communications Director. A 23 year Columbia resident, Robert was previously Programming and Publications Manager for the 2012-2013 Festival Season. With experience in the West End of London as Assistant to the Producer on several hit shows including ME AND MY GIRL, HIGH SOCIETY and THE ENTERTAINER. While in the UK Robert produced and directed the successful West End debut of the Craig Carnelia musical "IS THERE LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL?" at the Donmar Warehouse.

As a playwright, Robert's new work 41N 50W based on the 1912 Titanic US Senate hearings had early workshop productions presented at the new St. James Theatre in London and Seacity Museum in Southampton, home port to the RMS Titanic. His play will have a new reading as part of Columbia Festival of the Arts upcoming British Invasion. With extensive experience as Production Manager, Producer and Director, Robert was also Casting Associate with Pat Moran and a member of the team to win an Emmy® for casting GAME CHANGE starring Julianne Moore and an Emmy® Nomination for Season 1 of VEEP starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus, both for HBO. Robert has several independent DVD documentaries under his belt including "THREE QUEENS-AN INTERNATIONAL RENDEZVOUS" about the historic Cunard liners and bio pic MR OCEAN LINER. His latest documentary BACK FROM THE LIGHT about the Aftereffects of surviving a Near Death Experience screened recently at the IANDS National Annual Conference and is being cultivated for Festivals and distribution.

LISAYERRID, Box Office Manager - Lisa Yerrid has been a Columbia resident since 1970 and has had the pleasure of watching this city grow and thrive. She has been a long time member and supporter of many arts programs throughout Howard County as far back as belonging to one of the first groups of students to attend The Columbia Center of Theatrical Arts and up to her current position at Howard Community College's Horowitz Center Box Office. Her passion for the arts and her love of this community have led her to the doorstep of Columbia Festival of the Arts where she is looking forward to managing the Box Office, lending a hand and contributing where ever she is needed in order to help bring quality programs and performance art to the city she loves so dearly. She strongly believes in the CFA mission to bring affordable and diverse fine arts events to our area and looks forward to joining such a wonderful team of people!

Columbia Festival of the Arts - Founded in 1987, Columbia Festival of the Arts is Howard County's largest ongoing arts event. Columbia Festival of the Arts presents four weekend-long arts festivals throughout the year, comprised of both free and ticketed events, featuring world-class performances, exhibitions, concerts, family activities, master classes, workshops and community dialogues. The Festival brings together the arts community, businesses, local schools, and individuals to create events that shine a spotlight, not only on the arts, but also on the Howard County community as a Maryland showplace. For more information, visit www.columbiafestival.org.