New Executive Committee For FY16-17 at The Commission
From Anne B. Pope, Executive Director —
The TN Arts Commission is fortunate to be governed by a strong board of dedicated individuals. Each member is appointed by the Governor to serve a five year term, and the Executive Committee rotates yearly by popular vote. At the quarterly Commission meeting on May 25, the Board cast a unanimous vote on those who will fill the leadership positions for fiscal year 2016-2017. They are: Chair, Lisa Bobango; Vice-Chair, Ritche Bowden; and Secretary, Jan Ramsey.
Chair Lisa Bobango was appointed to the Tennessee Arts Commission in 2013.
An active community leader, Lisa has been involved in numerous nonprofit organizations. She has served on the board of the Memphis Literacy Council, the Junior League of Memphis, the Germantown Women’s Club, is past president of the Memphis Bar Auxiliary and is the former Sustainer Director for the Junior League of Memphis.
She has also taken part in several arts-related organizations in Memphis. Lisa and her husband, John, were founding members of ‘Young at Art’ at the Dixon Gallery and Gardens and have supported the Orpheum Theater and ArtsMemphis. Additionally, Lisa is a member of the Suburban Garden Club of the Tennessee Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc.
Lisa received her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, and her MBA from the University of Florida. She received her law degree from the University of Memphis.
Vice-Chair Ritche Bowden was appointed to the Tennessee Arts Commission in 2013.
Most recently, she has served as the chief operating officer for Colonics of Memphis and she currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Memphis Symphony Orchestra.
As community leader, Ritche has numerous philanthropic involvements. To share a few, she has been on the University of Arkansas Black Alumni Association Board of Directors, Lausanne Collegiate School Board of Directors and the University of Memphis Alumni Association. Ritche is also a member of the Tennessee Medical Association Auxiliary and Bluff City Medical Auxiliary. She has taken part in the National Civil Rights Museum “Keepers of the Dream” Campaign Steering Committee and has served as co-chair of the Special Gifts Division for St. Mary’s Capital Campaign, 2004-2005.
Ritche received her bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and a master of business administration, with an emphasis in health care economics, from the University of Memphis.
Secretary Jan Ramsey, a Cheatham County native, was appointed to the Tennessee Arts Commission in 2013.
Starting her career as a legal assistant in Nashville, Jan then moved on to the insurance business and has now been active with several civic and non-profit organizations in Chattanooga including the Republican Women’s Club, the PTA, and the Ronald McDonald House. She enjoyed helping to establish the Read 20 program and is presently serving on the Advisory Council for The Next Door Chattanooga. Jan also serves on the board for ArtsBuild in Chattanooga.
Jan is a member of Bayside Baptist Church. Her husband is Claude Ramsey, former Tennessee Deputy Governor and Hamilton County Mayor. They have two children and five grandchildren.
We are all looking forward to what will be achieved for the arts in TN during this upcoming year of new leadership.
On behalf of the staff, I would like to extend a warm and heartfelt thank you to the outgoing executive board: Chair Stephanie Conner, Vice-Chair Lisa Bobango and Secretary Connie S. Weathers. With their leadership, the Commission accomplished many projects and goals.
