Gina Naomi Dennis, NMJW Board President, New Mexico Jazz Workshop Board member since 2018, serving on the Executive Committee, the Fundraising Committee, and the Hiring Committee. Juris Doctor (JD) American University 2003, MBA American University 2005, and BA Spelman College 2000. Environmental law attorney and Energy law attorney for 17 years; including federal regulatory work, corporate law, litigation, legislative work, policy development, and public affairs work. Licensed in Washington, DC, Maryland, and two Pueblo Tribal Courts in New Mexico. Currently operates a Tribal Law Firm in two Pueblos in Northern New Mexico. Experience in China 2015, in South Sudan 2013, in Brazil 2011, and constitutional law in South Africa 1998. White House Intern in the Office of the President, Oval Office 1999. Speaks English (native), Mandarin-Chinese and Spanish.
Sandra Liakus Pilcher, NMJW Board Immediate Past President, New Mexico Jazz Workshop Board member since 2009, serving on the Executive Committee, the Fundraising Committee, the Hiring Committee, and the Bylaws Committee, and serving as Board Secretary 2013-2015, VP 2015-2016, President 2016-2018, and Interim President 2020. She is a regular summer table sponsor and has organized and participated in annual events/galas. She has life-long appreciation of jazz and blues music genres and is a proponent of free and accessible music education for our youth. She actively participated in public school bands and choral groups from 5th grade through Senior High. She has been a community supporter and member of various art performance organizations. Professionally, she is a Mechanical Engineer (BS Illinois Institute of Technology) and Chemist (BS UNL) with a primary work history in Chicago area companies. Since moving to Placitas, NM in 2007, she has participated, served on executive boards, and is still active in leadership roles in local non-profits: the Jardineros de Placitas benevolence club, the Sandoval Extension Master Gardeners, the Placitas Garden Tour as Chair, and since 2018 a founding member of the Canyon Blues and Jazz organization, which presents Sandia Chill fundraising concerts in Placitas.
Steven Seifert, MD, NMJW Board Vice President, New Mexico Jazz Workshop Board member since 2016, serving on the Executive Committee and the Hiring Committee. He is a Professor at UNM School of Medicine and the medical director of the New Mexico Poison Center. He has served on a number of non-profit Boards, including the Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault and the North American Society of Toxinology. He has been involved with the jazz scene in Albuquerque since his arrival in 2007. He is a supporter of jazz throughout the city, region, and country and also regularly performs locally.
Charles Palmer, NMJW Board Treasurer, New Mexico Jazz Workshop Board member, serving on the Executive Committee and the Hiring Committee. Accountant in the food industry for 38 years (retired & returned to Albuquerque), trombonist in community orchestras, wind ensembles, big bands, and salsa bands. Currently the finance director at Share Your Care, Inc. NFP since January 2019. Other NFP experience since 2006 includes board directorships, treasurer, fundraising, and strategic planning. Education includes: Master of Business Administration, Bachelor of Music (minor in Accounting and Finance).
Jack Bowers, New Mexico Jazz Workshop Board member since 2016, serving on the Hiring Committee. Jack has been an active NMJW supporter, financially and more. He is a retired newspaper writer / editor who has been writing jazz reviews and opinion pieces for more than 25 years for Cadence magazine, Jazz News, The Jazz Report and other publications and is a senior contributor at the multiple-award-winning website All About Jazz, for whom he has been writing since 1998. He and his wife, Betty, moved to Albuquerque in 2003.
John Dubois, New Mexico Jazz Workshop Board member since 2019, serving on the Fundraising Committee. He is an alumnus of the NMJW high school Honor Band and Outpost Youth Jazz Program. He is a University of New Mexico, Anderson School of Business Alum – who also studied at the Communications & Journalism Department, and the School of Music. He was previously an Advancement Officer for a private school, then transitioning into the world of finance as a banker, moving his way to the position of AVP of Business & Wealth Branch Services. Currently, he is a Business Development Officer for Nusenda Credit Union. Additionally, he is actively sitting on other Albuquerque non-profit boards, and is willing to serve his community where he lives, works, and plays.
Dr. Aurelia B. Harris, New Mexico Jazz Workshop Board member since 2008. She has been a long-time sponsor and supporter of the NMJW and its summer music concerts and programs before and during her tenure as a Board member. Dr. Aurelia B. Harris is an Economist and Program Manager for the USDA Forest Service Southwestern Regional. She has served as a volunteer and Board member for several non-profits in New Mexico including United Way of New Mexico, Sickle Council of New Mexico, National Association of Black Economist, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and the USDA African American Strategy Group. Aurelia is a cantor and choir member at John XXIII Catholic Community. She has also served on the City of Albuquerque Mayor’s Volunteer Board.
Judy Labovitz, New Mexico Jazz Workshop Board member since 2016, serving as Board Secretary for 3 years. She has participated in numerous fundraising activities including home concerts for NMJW. BS Sociology University of Texas, Austin, MA Library Science, University of Southern California, US Public Health Service Post-Graduate Fellowship in Biomedical Information, Wayne State University. Volunteered at both the Outpost and NMJW for many years. She has been very active in the Placitas Community Library. Served as the President of the Placitas Community Library (PCL) from 2005 thru 2009 when the Board raised $1,000,000 for a new library building and facilitated input from stakeholders for the design of the library. Rejoined the PCL Board as Vice-President in 2018 to participate in raising $1.4 million for an addition to the library.
John Trotter, New Mexico Jazz Workshop Board member since 2020, currently serving as the Board Interim Secretary. He has an abiding love of jazz and is very glad to have the opportunity to support jazz performance and education in Albuquerque. He is a scientist, teacher, university administrator, and photographer. He came to Albuquerque in 1978 to take a faculty position in the UNM School of Medicine. During his academic career, he published more than 50 scientific papers, taught medical and graduate students, participated in faculty governance, and served in several administrative positions. Now retired from the University of New Mexico, he remains committed to Albuquerque as his permanent home. Some of his photographic work can be seen at www.johntrotterphotography.com
Advisors
Pete Amahl - Musician
Hannah Best - Former Board Member; Hannah Best & Associates
Joe Gabel - Past NMJW Board President, Serafian's Oriental Rugs
Joanie Griffin - Past NMJW Board President, Griffin & Associates
George Koinis - Past NMJW Board President
Glenn Kostur - Former Board Member; University of New Mexico, Director of Jazz Studies
Bobby Shew - Musician
Michael Anthony - Musician
Larry Schwartz - Past NMJW President, Wells Fargo Advisors
The New Mexico Jazz Workshop Board of Directors meets the fourth Wednesday of every month at 11:30 am. Please contact the NMJW office for more information: 505-255-9798.