debra pflughoeft-hassett

Executive Director

DaWN MOE

Office Manager

Áine Connolly

AmeriCorps Member,
Marketing Specialist

Lucy Welsh

AmeriCorps Member,
Guest Services Coordinator

Kathleen Coudle-King

ETC Managing Artistic Director

MARVIN ROATCH

Facilities Manager

David Kuznicki

AmeriCorps Member,
Technical Services Manager

KAI ZAHUI

AmeriCorps Member,
Guest Services Coordinator

Charity Stegman

Volunteer Coordinator

Matthew Fowler

Music Program Manager

JANICE TANGEN

AmeriCorps Member,
Production Coordinator

Past President

Becca Baumbach
Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks, and Region

"The Empire Arts Center is a well-loved, historical icon in our region. I am proud to serve an organization that promotes creativity, builds community vibrancy, and provides opportunities for engagement across so many different art forms."

PRESIDENT

Mark Schill
Praxis Strategy Group

“The Empire is a critical community institution in Grand Forks. We produce professional theatre, live music, and film events; and our performing arts space lifts the burden of facility operation for our local artists. The Empire makes our community more livable and provides a critical holding environment for public discourse.”

VICE PRESIDENT

Adrian Cummings
Bremer Bank

“Finding a reflection in art is what makes us all human. The Empire consistently provides a variety of programming, that keep those opportunities at the forefront of our community. Helping community members find their place and their voice, keeps us all moving forward.”

SECRETARY

Julie Rygg
Greater Grand Forks Convention & Visitors Bureau

“The Empire Arts Center provides Greater Grand Forks residents and visitors so many opportunities for entertainment, so a strong partnership only helps our community to be a #SimplyGrand place to live, work and play.”

Member

Kristi Hall-Jiran
Altru Health System

“It is truly an honor to serve on the board of directors of the Empire Arts Center. As someone who is passionate about holistic health, I believe strongly in the power of the arts to heal and transform individuals, communities, and ultimately, our world.  EAC is part of this type of healing and transformation every single day.”

TREASURER

Maureen Storstad
City of Grand Forks

“I serve on the Empire Arts Center Board because I see the importance of the Empire as a community asset and quality of life opportunities it brings to the City of Grand Forks and the region. I grew up in a household that recognized the value of music and theatre and this helped develop me into the person I am today. I am proud to be a part of serving on the Empire Arts Center Board.”

MEMBER

Jamie Lunski
HB Sound & Light

MEMBER

Hal Gershman
Happy Harry’s Bottle Shop

“The Empire is the center of the arts and culture in Grand Forks.  I am proud to be a board member of such a dynamic organization.”

Member

Lisa Martinez
Agricultural Utilization Research Institute

“The Empire Arts Center is a historic and wonderful asset to our community. It provides a wide variety of top-notch programming, and the staff and volunteers do an incredible job supporting actors, artists, musicians, and other community organizations and programs.”

Member

Janet Nelson
Grand Forks Air Force Base

“Serving in my community is important to me. That’s why I began volunteering at the Empire years ago and why I continue to do so today.”

MEMBER

Brian Rydell
Rydell Auto Group

“The Empire Arts Center is such a wonderful treasure for our local communities and region. There are so many creative and talented people living among us and having a performance space for them to showcase their skills as well as to watch, learn, interact with and support other artists is critical to helping our local arts community to truly thrive. Working together with others to help more and more people learn about and enjoy the arts in such a beautiful facility is what motivates me to serve on the board of directors.”

MEMBER

Zachary Tomczik
Rosenquist Law

“I moved to Grand Forks to pursue my education and found a community that has become home. The Empire Arts Center plays a key role in enriching our cultural landscape and providing local artists with a platform to thrive. I’m proud to join an organization that brings people together and makes Grand Forks a more dynamic place to live”