SLT Board Elections: Meet the Candidates

* UPDATE: The elections were held May 18, 2015. Elected to serve on the Board of Directors are: Bill Saussaye, President; Tracy Gallinghouse, V.P. Marketing; and Roberta Hazelbaker, At-Large. Their terms begin July 1, 2015.


Slidell Little Theatre is conducting elections to the SLT Board of Directors at the Annual Membership meeting on Monday, May 18, 2015, beginning at 7 p.m.

Vacancies to be filled are: Board President, Vice President of Marketing and Board Member At-Large. The bylaws require SLT’s standing Nominating Committee to recommend candidates for specific offices, but failure to secure the committee’s endorsement should not in any way suggest that the candidate would not serve the organization well if elected to the board.

“We are very fortunate as an organization to have so many well-qualified people step forward to offer their time and talents to our community theatre,” said Wayne Orton, Vice President of Operations and chair of the Nominating Committee. “Regardless the outcome of these elections, I know Slidell Little Theatre will be in excellent hands.”

The following are personal bios submitted by the candidates:

President

Paul Banas

Paul Banas is a senior executive with broad general management, operations, contracts/subcontracts, business development, personnel development, and customer-focused solutions experience in support of U.S. Government and commercial clients. He has demonstrated leadership ability in forging organizational vision and accomplishment of goals through the motivation and direction of others. He possesses effective administrative skills proven by understanding organizational needs, planning and executing strategic programs with attention to detail and accuracy. He also has excellent communications skills.

Paul is currently an independent contractor providing technical, management and business development expertise to Department of Defense and NASA Programs. He was previously the Vice President for Maritime and Transportation Services in the Technology Solutions Group (TSG) of QinetiQ North America (QNA), managing over 180 professional, technical and administrative personnel in eight facilities around the country and over $30M in annual revenues. During his career, he served as the employee representative to the Board of Directors for ten years.

Paul holds an M.S. in Marine Sciences from Louisiana State University, a B.S. in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences from the University of Michigan, He is married to Susan Teggart, has a son Ian and daughter Kathryn, and two grandchildren. He has lived in Slidell, Louisiana for over 35 years. He has been a member of SLT, off-and-on, for over 20 years, and has appeared on stage in several productions (based on work travel schedule).

Paul is running for President of SLT in order to help take the organization to “the next level”. There are many creative people in the SLT organization. However, to reach the next level, it will take a manger and leader to harness all this creativity in order to move forward and achieve our collective goals together.                   

William Saussaye*

William Saussaye, a member of Slidell Little Theatre since 2001, has volunteered his time and talents on stage and off.  In addition to appearing in several SLT productions, he has served on the board previously as Newsletter Committee chair, Vice President of Marketing, Vice President of Productions, and President.  When not at SLT, he works as a computer consultant, and has the honor of being married to the lovely and talented, Ginny-Award winning, Renee Balencie Saussaye.

Vice President of Marketing

Tracy Gallinghouse *

Tracy Gallinghouse is completing her third year as Publicity Chair for SLT.  She considers it her mission to get everyone in to see, and be a part of, the live theatre experience.

At-Large

Roberta Hazelbaker

Roberta Hazelbaker is running for the SLT Board Member At-Large position. She has been a resident of Slidell since 1997.  When her son, Ryan, entered the YATS program in 2000, she became involved with SLT. As Ryan, her daughter, Kristina, and husband, Ken, participated in Main Stage shows, Roberta worked as part of the Production Staff taking the role of Producer, a position in a show she feels is the best job ever! Roberta was a member of the SLT Board for a one year term as Secretary, then became co-coordinator of the YATS program for three summers. Currently, Roberta works with the V.P. of Production with the creation and presentation of the Producers Training Program, assists with Box Office, and produces shows. 

Roberta was honored to be asked to run for a position on the SLT Board. She is thrilled at the prospect of assisting with the management and operations of SLT, which is an organization that is dear to her heart.

Jeremy Himel*

I was born in New Orleans and raised in Slidell since 1984. I attended Northshore High School, and the University of New Orleans.

I have worked in blood banking since 1996, first in the laboratory as a component preparation technician, and then as the Fixed Site Recruitment Manager for The Blood Center. As the recruitment manager I was responsible for the promotional events, direct mail, and the recruitment of 30,000 + blood donors at our 14 area locations throughout South Louisiana and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. After Hurricane Katrina, I moved to the Northeast and accepted a job with the American Red Cross Connecticut Region as a Quarantine and Labeling Technician. Then in 2012 I accepted a position back with The Blood Center in my previous capacity.

I have been a member of Slidell Little Theatre since 2012. I have produced two plays; Fiddler on the Roof, and A Good Old Fashioned Redneck Country Christmas.

·         Entire career has been spent in the non-profit sector

·         Over 10 years’ experience managing a diverse multi-generational team

·         Goal oriented

According to our bylaws, any qualified member can still be nominated for a position from the floor at the Annual Meeting, regardless whether he or she went through the nominating process.

The election will begin with the position of Board President, allowing the candidate with the fewest votes an opportunity to run for another position on the ballot. The terms of office are for three years.

Serving on this year’s Nominating Committee were: Wayne Orton, Allen Little, Don Redman, Scott and Christine Tramel, Sara Pagones and Brandee Krieger.

If you have any additional questions, please email Wayne Orton at vpoperations@slidelllittletheatre.org

*Endorsed by Nominating Committee