Howard County Arts Council Announces New Board Members

The Howard County Arts Council (HCAC) welcomes five community leaders to its Board of Directors. Deborah Chen, Larry Collins, Brian C. Rosenberg, Janet M. Schreibstein, and Sharonlee J. Vogel join a dynamic group led by Board President Steve Poynot, Senior Vice President at Howard Bank.

In welcoming the new members, Poynot said, "The Arts Council's stature as a model multi-purpose arts agency and advocate for the arts is due, in large part, to the enthusiastic and thoughtful efforts of its Board. In the coming year, I look forward to working with the new and existing Board members to foster the arts in Howard County and provide opportunities for people to engage in and connect with the arts."

The new members bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the Arts Council Board:

Deborah Chen | Community Liaison

Deborah Chen works in the Information Technology Department of the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. An instrumentalist and active member of the Washington Chinese Traditional Orchestra, Chen has also lent support to a number of arts organizations, including a Howard County-based dance troupe.

Larry Collins | IT Business Developer

Larry Collins, who joined the Board in May 2013, has 25 years experience in sales, marketing, and business development. Collins served four years as Executive Director of the Howard County Economic Development Authority's Howard Technology Council.

Brian C. Rosenberg | Principal, Offit Kurman, Attorneys at Law

A graduate of University of Maryland Law School, Brian C. Rosenberg serves as Chair of Offit Kurman's Banking and Finance Practice Group, primarily counseling clients with respect to real estate matters. He also assists financial institutions in connection with all aspects of commercial lending.

Janet M. Schreibstein | Community Liaison

Currently an ESL Program Developer in the English Language Center at Howard Community College, Janet M. Schreibstein has held a number of leadership roles, including serving as President of Maryland TESOL (Teachers of English as a Second Language), and has volunteered her time at the Arts Council for a number years.

Sharonlee J. Vogel | Community Advocate & Visual Artist

Sharonlee Vogel has a long history of community advocacy. In addition to the Arts Council, her current affiliations include the State of Maryland Commission on Aging, Howard County's Public Transportation Board, and the Columbia Association's Senior Advisory Committee. Vogel has worked on several films, won numerous awards for her advocacy work, and is an active painter.

The Arts Council's Board of Directors is a volunteer governing Board that is legally and fiscally responsible for the organization. The Board hires the Executive Director, makes strategic decisions, and sets policy to ensure programs and operations are consistent with the Arts Council's mission. The new Board members join the Arts Council at an exciting time with a new season of programming and the kick-off for the annual Celebration of the Arts in Howard County fundraising campaign just underway.

For more information on the Arts Council and its programs, visit www.hocoarts.org or call 410-313-2787.

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