Kamwana Hobbs (President)
Over 10 years as an arts administrator, manager, educator, and designer. Experienced in collaborating to successfully bring small and large-scale performances to life onstage, with a proven track record directing multiple projects with overlapping schedules and deadlines, while consistently being on or under budget.
A key member of Jon Lehrer Dance Company from it’s inception, as the Production Manager and Resident Lighting Designer, working with Jon on various projects and company development. Originally from Buffalo NY, Kamwana is currently the Director of Production at Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, NY.
Dave Jansen - CCP, PMP, RMP, LGC
Dave Jansen is a professional manager with over fifty years’ experience in engineering, construction, estimating, scheduling, EVMS project controls and project management. He has managed hundreds of projects start to finish, including conceptual design development, design programs, independent reviews, independent cost estimates, and project schedules. Dave has managed numerous simultaneous projects and construction teams and has enterprise management skills. Dave has implemented numerous project control systems utilizing EVM techniques in the nuclear industry as well as the commercial/industrial industry. Dave has worked extensively with major industry leaders including Intel, Honeywell, Motorola, Southwest Airlines, Bechtel, Parsons, AECOM, Shaw, CB&I, Granite, Orbital Science, and numerous city, county, state and federal agencies and has spent much of his career managing high-tech, design–build projects.
As a key manager in the commercial construction industry, along with his strong experience in the DOE complex, Dave has been intimately involved with developing construction contracting strategies, preparing budgetary/planning assessments, conducting life cycle cost analyses, performing bid/proposal analysis and performing monthly performance assessments on multiple projects. His Construction Management Skills are extensive both in high tech, or high finish (museum quality) type projects.
Mr. Jansen is a Certified Cost Professional (CCP) through AACE-International, Professional Project Manager (PMP) and Professional Risk Manager (RMP) through Project Management Institute and has an extensive background in development of cost estimates, alternatives analysis, cost modeling, integration of schedules and estimates, and project baselines. He is also a Licensed General Contractor, having held licenses in several states. Dave has worked on numerous projects that required implementation of DOE-O 413.3B related to completion of the various Critical Decision Points (CD-0 through CD-4).
With his strong contracting background, Dave brings extensive experience in the area general contracting methods, construction management, and project management and EVMS project controls. He is a vital asset in reviewing contractor claims, requests for equitable adjustments, assessment of Earned Value management systems and supporting the client with factual, analytical and relevant information necessary to enable them to evaluate, review and assess disputes or claims.
Ashley Peters (Treasurer)
Ashley Peters is a Financial Operations Team Lead at ArtsPool Services, Inc.. Previously the General Manager of Beth Morrison Projects (BMP) and a senior staff member of the PROTOTYPE Festival, an annual opera-theater and music-theatre festival showcasing new works in NYC.
As a professional dancer, Ashley has toured Germany with Jon Lehrer's "Shadows in Motion", been a featured soloist with the Balasole Dance Company, as well as performed at Jacob’s Pillow with Melanie Aceto Contemporary Dance Company. In 2012, she was presented an Award of Distinction in Research from the University at Buffalo on her thesis regarding the history and applications of jazz dance. Prior to joining the new mom club, she was an active company member with The Moving Architects, a female-centric dance company based in the NYC Metropolitan Area.
Formally the Senior Administrative Manager at Gibney Dance, Ashley spearheaded the development and implementation of a custom rental software platform that streamlined the studio space rental process for the industry. She has a passion for Arts Administration and is excited about the future of opera and bringing it to a broader audience. Ashley holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University at Buffalo.
Juia McWest (Secretary)
Julia is an Early Childhood Special Education Specialist for the Community Action Council of Howard County, Maryland. Originally from Newark, Delaware, she has a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and Cultural Anthropology and a dual Masters of Education in Early Childhood Education and Special Education from Lesley University. Julia strives to be a supportive, cheerful, spiritually grounded and globally minded citizen. She creates culturally responsive, strengths-based and universally designed systems that educate and grow children and families, bringing them closer to their personal goals. Julia’s greatest accomplishment is the trust and love she has gained from her family, friends, neighbors, students, clients and colleagues. She enjoys dancing, laughing, traveling, learning, and being run by her dog.
Jon Lehrer (Board Member)
Bio Here
Over 10 years as an arts administrator, manager, educator, and designer. Experienced in collaborating to successfully bring small and large-scale performances to life onstage, with a proven track record directing multiple projects with overlapping schedules and deadlines, while consistently being on or under budget.
A key member of Jon Lehrer Dance Company from it’s inception, as the Production Manager and Resident Lighting Designer, working with Jon on various projects and company development. Originally from Buffalo NY, Kamwana is currently the Director of Production at Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, NY.
Dave Jansen - CCP, PMP, RMP, LGC
Dave Jansen is a professional manager with over fifty years’ experience in engineering, construction, estimating, scheduling, EVMS project controls and project management. He has managed hundreds of projects start to finish, including conceptual design development, design programs, independent reviews, independent cost estimates, and project schedules. Dave has managed numerous simultaneous projects and construction teams and has enterprise management skills. Dave has implemented numerous project control systems utilizing EVM techniques in the nuclear industry as well as the commercial/industrial industry. Dave has worked extensively with major industry leaders including Intel, Honeywell, Motorola, Southwest Airlines, Bechtel, Parsons, AECOM, Shaw, CB&I, Granite, Orbital Science, and numerous city, county, state and federal agencies and has spent much of his career managing high-tech, design–build projects.
As a key manager in the commercial construction industry, along with his strong experience in the DOE complex, Dave has been intimately involved with developing construction contracting strategies, preparing budgetary/planning assessments, conducting life cycle cost analyses, performing bid/proposal analysis and performing monthly performance assessments on multiple projects. His Construction Management Skills are extensive both in high tech, or high finish (museum quality) type projects.
Mr. Jansen is a Certified Cost Professional (CCP) through AACE-International, Professional Project Manager (PMP) and Professional Risk Manager (RMP) through Project Management Institute and has an extensive background in development of cost estimates, alternatives analysis, cost modeling, integration of schedules and estimates, and project baselines. He is also a Licensed General Contractor, having held licenses in several states. Dave has worked on numerous projects that required implementation of DOE-O 413.3B related to completion of the various Critical Decision Points (CD-0 through CD-4).
With his strong contracting background, Dave brings extensive experience in the area general contracting methods, construction management, and project management and EVMS project controls. He is a vital asset in reviewing contractor claims, requests for equitable adjustments, assessment of Earned Value management systems and supporting the client with factual, analytical and relevant information necessary to enable them to evaluate, review and assess disputes or claims.
Ashley Peters (Treasurer)
Ashley Peters is a Financial Operations Team Lead at ArtsPool Services, Inc.. Previously the General Manager of Beth Morrison Projects (BMP) and a senior staff member of the PROTOTYPE Festival, an annual opera-theater and music-theatre festival showcasing new works in NYC.
As a professional dancer, Ashley has toured Germany with Jon Lehrer's "Shadows in Motion", been a featured soloist with the Balasole Dance Company, as well as performed at Jacob’s Pillow with Melanie Aceto Contemporary Dance Company. In 2012, she was presented an Award of Distinction in Research from the University at Buffalo on her thesis regarding the history and applications of jazz dance. Prior to joining the new mom club, she was an active company member with The Moving Architects, a female-centric dance company based in the NYC Metropolitan Area.
Formally the Senior Administrative Manager at Gibney Dance, Ashley spearheaded the development and implementation of a custom rental software platform that streamlined the studio space rental process for the industry. She has a passion for Arts Administration and is excited about the future of opera and bringing it to a broader audience. Ashley holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University at Buffalo.
Juia McWest (Secretary)
Julia is an Early Childhood Special Education Specialist for the Community Action Council of Howard County, Maryland. Originally from Newark, Delaware, she has a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and Cultural Anthropology and a dual Masters of Education in Early Childhood Education and Special Education from Lesley University. Julia strives to be a supportive, cheerful, spiritually grounded and globally minded citizen. She creates culturally responsive, strengths-based and universally designed systems that educate and grow children and families, bringing them closer to their personal goals. Julia’s greatest accomplishment is the trust and love she has gained from her family, friends, neighbors, students, clients and colleagues. She enjoys dancing, laughing, traveling, learning, and being run by her dog.
Jon Lehrer (Board Member)
Bio Here