Cultural coalition names four to board
The Southeastern Connecticut Cultural Coalition has named four new members to its board of directors, with three of them representing a youth movement.
The new board members are Caleb Bailey, Kia Baird, Regan Miner and Capt. Wes Pulver. All but Pulver are under 35 years old.
"These new board members bring additional talent and energy to our already active and strong board of directors," said Wendy Bury, executive director of the cultural coalition. "We are fortunate to have them join our leadership team as we continue to unite and strengthen the arts, cultural and heritage sector - the creative economy- in southeastern Connecticut."
Bailey, 30, is executive director of the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra. He previously served as orchestra manager of the Lincoln Symphony Orchestra in Lincoln, Neb., and is enrolled in the League of American Orchestra's Emerging Leaders Program.
Baird, who has been recognized in both the "Southeastern Connecticut 40 Under 40" and Connecticut "100 Women of Color" awards, is a singer who models herself after Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Nancy Wilson. Her credits include the African American Opera "Barefoot," the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Chorus and the Historic Harlem Cotton Club. The director of worship at Ledyard Gales Ferry Baptist Church, she just returned from a Magic of Motown tour in which she portrayed Diana Ross and Aretha Franklin.
Miner, 23, just this year received the Rising Star Award from Gov. Dannel P. Malloy for her work with the Norwich Historical Society to help develop the city's attractions into a comprehensive destination and for developing a series of "Walk Norwich" events to tell the history of her native city. She is currently enrolled in a master's degree program in public history at Central Connecticut State University.
Pulver, executive director of the National Coast Guard Museum Association, is a 1987 Coast Guard Academy graduate who also holds a master's degree in engineering from Cornell University. He also was commanding officer of the Coast Guard Barque Eagle from 2012 to 2015 and was the chief of congressional affairs for the Coast Guard from 2010 to 2015.
Bury noted that Julie Menders of Otis Library, a founding coalition board member, has stepped down.
The cultural coalition has been designated by the state Office of the Arts to represent southeastern Connecticut and its local museums, historical societies, performing arts organizations, artists and creative businesses. The nonprofit, which works with the state Department of Economic and Community Development, said it is currently working with more than 430 partners to help improve the local economy and quality of life by advocating for these organizations.
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