Gloria Freeman Joins Hennepin Theatre Trust's Board

Hennepin Theatre Trust today announced the election of Gloria Freeman, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Minneapolis-based Olu's Home, Inc. and Olu's Center, to its Board of Trustees. Freeman joins a board with extensive experience in the arts, philanthropy, politics, communications, real estate, corporate business, law and finance. Trustees serve staggered three-year terms and help move forward the Trust's mission.

In 1999, Freeman founded Olu's Home, a licensed organization that provides residential and in-home services to the elderly and persons with developmental disabilities or mental illness. The company operates ten group homes in the Minneapolis area. Freeman launched her business when she saw a critical need for community-based services and dedicated her career to helping fill that need, in the process becoming a successful entrepreneur. She has been involved in programs including the Small Business Administration's Emerging 200 and the Initiative for A Competitive Inner City's 100. She is also an active member of the Minnesota Black Chamber of Commerce.

"We are honored to welcome Gloria Freeman to our prestigious Board of Trustees," said Tom Hoch, President/CEO of the Trust. "As we enliven the downtown Cultural District with activities and programs in and around our four theatres and serve the broader community, her expertise and professional perspective will be invaluable."

The Board of Trustees for the Trust includes: Travis Barkve, Judy Blaseg, Scott Benson, Daniel Pierce Bergin, Ralph W. Burnet, Sonia Cairns, Andrea Christenson, Dan Cramer, Gloria Freeman, Kathleen Gullickson, Thomas L. Hoch, Linda C. Ireland, Jeannie Joas, Barbara Klaas, James Linnett, Mark Marjala, Annette Thompson Meeks, Jay Novak, Jann L. Olsten, David Orbuch, Daniel Pfeiffer, Thomas J. Rosen, Ann Simonds, Julie Beth Vipperman and Tom Vitt.

HENNEPIN THEATRE TRUST, owner of the historic Orpheum, State, Pantages and New Century Theatres, is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to arts-inspired community cultural development. We achieve our mission by presenting a rich mix of live performances, creating inspiring arts education experiences and advancing a thriving Cultural District in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota.