President, Linda Lipke – Linda is an art/music advocate working as a community volunteer to raise funds to support the arts. She has over four decades of experience producing live events and supporting film and video crews throughout the Pacific Northwest. She served on the Washington State Arts Comission for two terms along with Rick Epting and on the Lincoln Theatre Board of Directors. Linda has been a tireless advocate for exposing children to art at an early age and is making a difference in our community.
Vice President, John Sollie Holmes – A retired Software Developer who has lived in Skagit Valley most of his life. He is a musician and songwriter and currently performs in The Holmes Shea Band, Phantom Hippies and Pacific Twang. He also has a home recording studio which has thrived on the creative energy and friendships of local musicians. He first met Rick Epting when Rick wanted to do a CD project at the studio and was touched by his ever-positive and enthusiastic energy for supporting and preserving the arts in the Skagit Valley and the greater Pacific Northwest.
Treasurer, Sara Holahan – Sara is a librarian, music fan and community activist. She has served on the boards of Mount Vernon Library Foundation, Anacortes Food Coop, Fidalgo Bay Aquatic Reserve Committee, Skagit Valley Soccer Association and Anacortes High School PTSA. She has volunteered with the Lincoln Theatre and Anacortes Community Theatre. She also adores dancing, theater and literary arts. She says her artistry is only expressed through her gardens and mosaics and is in awe of the diversity and talent of artists in Skagit County.
Secretary, Ranger Kidwell-Ross – Ranger Kidwell-Ross is a Master’s level economist who is president of Skagit County-based American Proofreading Co. Long an advocate of giving back for the greater good, Ranger was a founding member of an early Skagit County-based environmental group, Habitat Watch. He served on the Citizen’s Advisory Board for the Environmental Element of the Washington State Comprehensive Plan, as well as spent a year as a member of the Advisory Board of the Skagit Valley Herald.
In addition to his enduring interest in music, Ranger is a sculpture artist who has designed and built a number of large-scale, whimsical sculptures on his wooded Skagit County property. He is also involved in the U.S. art car community, and displays his art truck “Toynota” at numerous public events throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Trustee, Chris Terrell – Chris currently sits on the Board of the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce, Honorary Board member of Skagit Symphony, Co-founder and Board Member of Charlie Randall Pet Foundation, Member of the Mainieri Foundation Jazz Committee, and Member of the Depot Arts and Community Center committee. Chris not only dedicates his tireless energies to these foundations and boards but in his position as CEO of How It Works he has contributed countless dollars worth of his company’s services to non profit fund raisers in the form of graphics, printing, posters, consulting and ad copy.
Trustee, Debra Crowe-Vitale – Debra appreciates music, dance and the arts. She is currently active in her community volunteering at REFA events. Debra has been involved with music since childhood, playing clarinet and saxophone in her early years. She enjoys dancing, hiking and essential oils. She is a safety professional by trade. Prior community outreach endeavors include Homeward Pets and the American Society of Safety Professionals.
Trustee, Mark Warren – Mark is a co-founding member of REFA. He is a retired Pulp and Paper worker of 28 years and local. Mark is a husband, father and grandfather to wife Jacky, their 4 children and 13 grandchildren. He was a former member of Rick Epting’s crazy, original rock group, The Future Pastures Band. Mark is not only a patron of the arts, but has performed locally in Skagit County’s music scene since he was 15 years old. Mark’s passion for the arts and lifelong ties to the community helps fulfill his roll on the board to help create opportunities for others to enhance the quality of life in Skagit County through the arts.
We also want to give our THANKS and APPRECIATION to our previous Board Members
Steve Clarke, Kathleen Faulkner, Steve Stolpe, Sandra Benton, Jamie Shea, Thaddeus Hink, Bobbi Krebs-McMullen, Elfa Gisla, Will Bard, Regan Robertson, and Rusty Robertson for the time and energy they contributed to this organization.