Columbus, Ohio – The Greater Columbus Arts Council has announced the appointments of Brenda Jo Brueggemann, Kari Kauffman, Charlotte A. Norman, Cheryle A. Russo and Tom Szykowny to the Board. “These new board members bring expertise and community knowledge that will be a great asset to GCAC and its programs,” said Milt Baughman, Interim President of the Greater Columbus Arts Council. “We are pleased that they are volunteering their valuable time to advance arts and culture in Central Ohio.”
Brenda Jo Brueggemann is a professor of English and Vice-Chair of the Rhetoric Composition & Literacy (RCL) Program at The Ohio State University. She is on the associate faculty of Comparative Studies and Women’s Studies, coordinator of the Disability Studies Program, faculty leader for American Sign Language and co-editor, Disability Studies Quarterly. Brueggemann is very involved in the literary arts and higher education communities.
Kari Kauffman is the director of tourism for Experience Columbus. She is a long time advocate and supporter of the arts, and was integral to the establishment and development of ArtsinOhio.com and the ColumbusArts.com partnership with Experience Columbus. Kauffman’s experience in cultural tourism will be a great benefit to GCAC and its constituents.
Charlotte A. Norman is an associate provost at the Columbus College of Art & Design. She is a fiber artist and has shown her work frequently. Norman has been the driving force behind CCAD’s Saturday school, and primarily responsible for the international studies program. She brings a passion for the arts and a strong experience in both art making and administration.
Cheryle A. Russo is an executive vice president with PNC Bank and is the retail banking division market manager for the Central Ohio Market. Russo has spent 26 years in various leadership roles in the banking industry and prior to coming to Columbus in 2009, she was the regional manager for PNC Bank in Lehigh Valley in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Russo was recognized for her outstanding community involvement in Pennsylvania. She was an active volunteer at Community Services for Children, chairperson for Musikfest (a ten-day music festival attended by over one million people), a member of the senior leadership team and Board member of ArtsQuest. During her Board tenure with ArtsQuest, she helped plan for a $45 million dollar arts and cultural center.
Tom Szykowny is a partner in the Columbus office of Vorys Sater specializing in business law. He received his undergraduate degree from Denison and his law degree from The Ohio State University. Board involvement both past and present includes The Griffith Foundation, The Columbus Academy, I Know I Can, Denison University and Buckeye Boys Ranch. Szykowny brings strong background in board governance to the organization.
Board members are elected to an initial one-year term and are eligible to serve two additional three-year terms.
About the Greater Columbus Arts Council: Through vision and leadership, advocacy and collaboration, the Greater Columbus Arts Council supports art and advances the culture of the region. A catalyst for excellence and innovation, GCAC funds exemplary artists and arts organizations and provides programs, events and services of public value that educate and engage all audiences in our community.GCAC thanks the City of Columbus, Franklin County and the Ohio Arts Council for their continued support. Thanks also to Time Warner Cable, alive!, American Electric Power and CD101 for support of the Columbus Arts Festival.
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CONTACT: Jami Goldstein
(614) 221-8492
jgoldstein@gcac.org
