MSAC Board of Directors

Metro South Arts Council

(MSAC)

Board of Directors

(updated March 7, 2007)

JoAnn Sestric Raisch, Chairperson

JoAnn is currently retired, but still very active. She is a former business owner and elected official, and has held various offices in community and school organizations. She coordinated and chaired various campaigns, including one as co-chair of a successful bond issue for Affton Schools. She has chaired various fund raisers for the Work Activity Center (Sheltered Workshop in Affton) and served on the board as well as doing publicity for them. JoAnn was a co-founder of Affton Community Theater (ACT), the predecessor of Affton CenterStage Theatre. Her main interests today are her family, reading, theater, travel and “fighting City Hall” for those who require that assistance.

Ed Grooms, Vice Chairperson

Ed retired from teaching Speech, Drama and Gifted after thirty years. He holds a Bachelors and Master Degree in Theatre. Currently he serves as a Fine Arts Coordinator for Webster Schools and as an adjunct faculty member for the University of Missouri St. Louis. During his teaching career he served as the Missouri State Thespian Director and taught at the Missouri Scholars Academy. He also received the Outstanding Teacher Award and the Emeritus Award from the Speech and Theatre Association of Missouri. His wife Susan is a music teacher in the Clayton District.

Linda Mohesky-Aiken, Secretary & Administrative Assistant

Linda has worked in the advertising and printing industry for 14 years. She has a B.S. degree with an Art minor and an A.A.S. in Commercial Art and Advertising Design.

Debbie Fanning, Treasurer

Cheryl Jett, Executive Director

Cheryl enjoys working with small and/or emerging organizations whose focus is the arts or history. Recently retired from Cahokia Mounds Museum Society, she has been involved in the arts all her life and spent many years as a music teacher. She holds a B.A. and an M.A in American History, with a minor in Art. Currently, she serves on the board of the Illinois Chapter of the Trail of Tears Association.

Judy Rethwisch, Artistic Director

Judy has been involved in the Performing Arts area for over thirty-six years. She recently retired after teaching at Affton High School for 36 years. She is currently the Fine Arts Coordinator for the Affton School district. Affton High School honored Judy recently by naming their auditorium after her.

Scott Clark

Scott Clark is an art teacher at Point Elementary in the Mehlville School District. He is a graduate from Webster University with a B.A. in Art and certification to teach K-12 Art and is currently finishing his masters degree in Administration from Lindenwood University. Scott Clark enjoys traveling, bookmaking, and video editing.

Debbie Genovese

Dr. Fran Irwin

Fran received her Doctorate in Education, and is a musician and retired music educator. She is currently the International President of Mu Phi Epsilon Professional Music Fraternity. Mu Phi Epsilon has college and alumni chapters all over the United States and professional musicians worldwide.

Harry Irwin

Harry has been associated with the retail music business for many years, most recently as general manager of Ludwig Aeolian Music Stores and president of Irwin Music Co. He is currently owner of Classic Keyboards of St. Louis.

Jim Meady –Web Site Manager

Jim has been involved with community theater for over thirty years, both in Massachusetts and Missouri. He has worked in all areas, both on stage and behind the scenes (director, designer, stage manager, producer, etc.) He has also served on several Boards, both as Chairman and Treasurer. He is currently Production Manager and a Board member of The First Run Theatre Company, the only theater group in St. Louis dedicated solely to presenting premier full-stage productions of plays by St. Louis area playwrights

Bill Milligan

Co-founder of Call Newspapers, Bill Milligan has received more than 50
awards for writing, photography, graphic arts and general excellence from
his peers in the Missouri Press Association, including best feature writer
in Missouri for 2005. He looks forward to helping Metro South Arts Council
provide exposure to the arts and opportunities for residents of south
county.

Sandra Mims

Sandra is an Art teacher for the Melville School District.

Patti Mudd

Patti is currently Chairperson of the Bayless Fine Arts Department.

Julie Norton, Director – Arts Program

Julie teaches Elementary Art at the Bayless Elementary School. She also a faculty advisor and instructor for an after-school Drama Club sponsored by the Metro South Arts Council.

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