Richard K. Payne is the President of the Board of Directors of the Valley Performing Art. Richard is also on the Board of Directors for the United Way for the Mat-Su Valley. He is the proud father of four and is madly in love with his beautiful wife Tyan Payne DC. They are both Wasilla Main Street small business owners: Tyan at the Back and Neck Center and Richard at Denali Law. They have made Wasilla their home and love to serve and live in this community

Kathy has been involved with Valley Performing Arts for the past several years.  She has served on the Board of Directors as Vice President, has worked on the fundraising committee and has done the PR for numerous VPA productions.  She has shared the stage twice with her daughters Aubrey and Lindey.  Kathy has degrees in Child Development and Speech Pathology and has spent the majority of her career working with deaf children and their families.  She is currently helping her husband Mike run his business, Alaska Center for Dentistry, and working as a chauffer for her daughters and their friends!

Originally from the province of Ontario, Marcia moved to Alaska in 1996 to teach English and Theatre in the Copper River School District. In 2002 she moved to the Mat-Su and was delighted to continue her passion for theatre by becoming involved with VPA. In addition to serving on the Board, she is looking forward to directing.

As a CPA with the public accounting firm of Swalling and Associates, Janet brings a strong background in finance and business. Together with her three children, she has participated in several VPA productions including Scrooge!, The Sound of Music, It’s A Wonderful Life, and Wait Until Dark. Her goal as Treasurer will be to continue to ensure the financial stability and the strategic planning for VPA, a truly valuable community asset.

Paul R. Beer is a Senior Business Relationship Manager with Wells Fargo for just over 5 years, with over 20 years banking experience. An University of Anchorage Alaska graduate. Paul enjoys getting involved in the local area through volunteer work with various non-profit organizations like United Way, Rotary, and Valley Performing Arts to help build and strengthen the local community. Having been on the Valley Performing Arts Board Development Committee for several years, Paul was excited about his nomination to the "big" VPA Board. When not working or volunteering the Alaskan born enjoys basketball, softball, mountain biking, fishing, hiking, camping, and spending quality time with his wife and 5 kids.

Steve Brown is a manager in the Real Estate and Commercial Lending Department at Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union. He is the past board president of three different local non-profit organizations and is enjoying his recent involvement with VPA. He is currently on the capital project committee and is helping with the initial stages of planning for a new community theater. He also ventures on stage from time to time with his most recent involvement in VPA's production of Agatha Christie's Spider's Web.

As Advertising Sales Manager for the local bureau of the Anchorage Daily News and with prior experience as the Ticket Sales Manager of the Portland Opera Assoc., Cherie offers years of experience in promotion and marketing to the board. She uses these skills as an active member in many community and charitable organizations. Cherie and her husband, John Shue III, have been long time VPA season ticket holders and though she doesn't perform, she has a great admiration for those who do.

My husband, Mike, and I moved to Alaska from Indiana, where I received my degree in Entomology, and taught science. I am currently a science teacher at Wasilla High School. I have two young sons, and have been actively involved in different community theaters for 18 years. Before VPA, I was technical theatre director at Frankfort Senior High in Indiana, and was theatre director at Houston High School for 3 years. I have been with VPA for nearly two years now, and did the light design for Beauty and the Beast and Absurd Person Singular. I have also filled in as House Manager for the last two shows of this past season, and been a member of the Board Development Committee. I am looking forward to continuing as a volunteer for the theatre and will be the executive director for the one acts in Season 32.

Fay Von Gemmingen was born and raised in Anchorage, and moved to Palmer in 2006. She currently is a member of Valley Performing Arts Board of Directors , and chair of City of Palmer Board of Economic Development. Fay is a Certified Public Accountant and served on the Anchorage Assembly from 1995 to 2004, Chair for 2 years. Fay has been active in many organizations including: Soroptimist International of Cook Inlet, Anchorage Estate Planning Council, Alaska Society of CPAs, Anchorage Chamber Athena Society, Alaska Municipal League, Alaska Women's Political Caucus, and Rainbow Girls. She is married to Pat, and they have two children and two grandchildren.

A Southwestern United States native, Stu is a much better stagehand than actor.  (And, in order to serve on the board of directors, he did have to sign a pledge to never sing within 100 yards of any VPA event.)  Stu is the membership director for The Alaska Club Mat-Su Valley locations and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from New Mexico State University.  A former Air Force officer and 20+ year Alaska resident, Stu specializes in community relations, marketing and project management and enjoys helping out behind the scenes at VPA.

Larry Bottjen acted in VPA's first play ever in 1976 and was also a member of VPA's original Board of Directors, where he has served four, three year terms. Larry has participated in dozens of VPA's productions from light board operator to director. Larry directed the award winning production Of Mice and Men and more recently Everybody Loves Opal. Larry holds a BS and MA in Education and directs VPA's touring wing Education Through Inspiration.

Originally from Texas, Garry Forrester found his way to the Valley Performing Arts several years ago when he auditioned for, and received, a leading role in VPA's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. Since that time, Garry has found himself involved in additional productions and has brought his two wonderful children Albree and Donald into the theatre as well. Garry is now the theatre's Executive Director and looks forward to the years ahead with a vision of great progress and a bright future for the Valley Performing Arts.

VPA is glad to have Margaret “Sam” Hanson on our team. Sam is a long-time Valley resident with a wealth of experience and a heart for the arts community. A hard working wife and mother, she spends her days helping us as we prepare for Season 35 and beyond at VPA. “The Valley has always been my home and I am very excited about being part of VPA’s staff. My degree is in Marketing and I have experience in corporate partnerships and promotions. I was attending VPA performances in the 80’s when it was located in the Church on the Fairgrounds. As Season 35 approaches I look forward to assisting with the celebration and working on promoting VPA in our community.”

Jessica Mothershead was born and raised here in Wasilla. She’s never actually been in a production at VPA but loves watching the performances, and has always been enthused about community theatre. She is an active member of her church and charitable organizations. Jessica is currently enrolled in University of Anchorage and is planning on majoring in Criminal Justice. In her spare time she spends it with her husband Nick and her dog Otis. She is ecstatic about VPA and its productions to come.