The  Ohio Arts Professionals Network has announced 11 new board members to its Board of Directors, including Shelbyville’s David M. Finkel.

Finkel (photo), Executive Director of the Strand Theatre in downtown Shelbyville, was elected to a two-year term.

The new board members range from executive directors and managers of prestigious theaters to agents and artistic directors who are influential industry experts and arts-enthused individuals.

Each new board member will bring a wide variety of experiences to the organization which will positively impact Ohio’s and surrounding areas’ performing arts.

Finkel will join the following individuals elected by OPAN membership to serve a two-year term starting Jan. 1, 2023:

• Abe Ambroza, CEO, Veterans Memorial Civic and Convention Center
• Dr. Margaret Carlson, Producing Artistic Director, Verb Ballets
• Edward Schoelwer, Founder/President at Red Shell Mgmt
• Page McDonald, Associate Director, Stroede Center for the Arts
• Antoinette Kula, Senior Manager, Ticket Sales & Service, Playhouse Square
• Erin Cameron Miller, General Manager at Cain Park
• Erika Finley, Director of Marketing, Live on Stage, Inc./Live Arts & Attractions
• Sharon Edmond, Receptionist, Saint Luke’s Foundation
• Jerry Ross, Agent, Harmony Artists
• Margo Ohlson, Director, E.J. Thomas Hall, The University of Akron

Six board members continuing their service in 2023 include:

• David Mitchell, General Manager, Performing Arts Center, Kent State University at Tuscarawas
• Kevin Cornell, Artist, Educator, Mister C. Learning Science is Fun
• Gary Minyard, Vice President of Education and Engagement, Dayton Live
• Amber Hansen, Midwest Consultant/Agent, BiCoastal Productions
• Dr. Elaine Richardson, Artist, Educator, Dr. E., Ohio State University Professor of Literacy Studies
• Heather Clow, Executive Director, Marathon Center for the Performing Arts

“I am thrilled to welcome such a diverse and large group of new board members to fill out every single open board seat. We now have representation from key presenter organizations in Ohio including Playhouse Square, Cain Park, EJ Thomas Hall, Stroede Center for the Arts; plus presenters from outside of Ohio; agents from L.A., New York and Nashville; as well as long-standing Cleveland non-profits like Verb Ballets and St. Luke’s Foundation,” said Jessica Rosenblatt, OAPN’s Executive Director, in a media release. “These newly-added board members will complement and ignite the work already started by our current outstanding board of directors.”