SSTCi New Board of Directors

Silver Spring Town Center Inc announces the election of a new board of directors and officers. Brandon Felton was elected president, Ethan Balis as Treasurer, Wanda Whiteside as Secretary, and David Fogel remains on the Executive Committee as the new Vice President having previously served as Treasurer. Founder of Blessed Coffee, the nation’s second B-Corp, and organizer of the Silver Spring Ethiopian Festival, Tebabu Aseka now serves as an At-Large Board member on the Executive Committee.

 “We embrace the opportunity to take what has been built and present it to the community in new ways. SSTCI will be a part of the community conversation, while continuing to be a part of the cultural exchange,” says SSTCi’s new president Brandon Felton, who also works as Director of Membership & Digital Communication at Public Access Corporation of DC (DCTV).

 Long-time board members who have recently completed their service include: Alan Bowser (past-president), Sheryl Brissett Chapman (past vice president), Mary Ann Zimmerman (past secretary), WWII Veteran Jack Hewitt, Graciela Jaschek, and Aurelia Martin, as well as Jon Lourie who previously also served as president and architect consultant of the design of the Silver Spring Civic Building. Dr. Chapman and Ms. Zimmerman were among the founding members of SSTCi.

 Now serving on the Executive Committee as Secretary, Wanda Whiteside, is the final founding member on the board, who was also instrumental in the selection of the Civic Building’s architectural design firm. Ms. Whiteside says she is “looking forward to working with the new SSTCi board members and moving into this exciting next phase of the organization.” As Artistic Producer for the Live Garra Theatre, Inc. at the Bonifant Theatre Space in Silver Spring, Ms. Whiteside has produced numerous events since 2010.

 The remainder of the SSTCi Board of Directors includes Mary Amato, Donald Berkemeyer, Gloria Bonilla, Mark Kozaki, Lorrie Knight-Major, Rickey Payton, and Beth Wong. Silver Spring Regional Center Director Reemberto Rodriguez also serves as a non-voting member.

 Lisa Martin who has served as Executive Director of SSTCi since 2011 works closely with the board of directors to produce over 70 programs and events at the Silver Spring Civic Building and on Veterans Plaza throughout the year, includingTwilight Tuesdays andWednesday Night STARZ plaza performances, An Evening with the Stars on Oscars Night, SSTCi’s monthly Arts Salon, SSTCi’s Film and Lecture Series, SPARKLE Senior Program, Jefferson Café® as well as the Silver Spring Blues Festival and A Tribute to America’s Veterans Concert.

 Newly-elected Treasurer Ethan Balis, CFO/COO at Silver Sprng-based Elysian Energy, says, “As a musician and someone who lives and works in Silver Spring, I am very excited to be able to contribute to SSTCI. This organization continues the great tradition of Silver Spring as a place where cultures come together and engage in wonderful, artistic experiences.”

 Vice President David Fogel is owner of XCulture, a creative agency. “Silver Spring is good and on the verge. It’s SSTCi’s time to help make it great and continue its forward momentum,” he says. “Ideally with some sriracha.”

Visit Silver Spring Town Center Inc website to learn more.

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