The NATS Foundation has announced the addition of four new Board members and the election of two new officers. New members serving on the board are Chadley Ballantyne, Kimberly James, Aaron Johnson, and Kari Ragan. The newly elected officers are Sarah Holman, administrative vice president, and Dian Lawler-Johnson, secretary.

The NATS Foundation was founded in 1977 and is separately incorporated and governed from NATS. The Foundation Board is self-perpetuating and elects members from within. The Bylaws of the Foundation Board require having an odd number of members (so that there is no tie), and that all members be members of NATS in good standing. In recent years, the Foundation has selected 13 as the ideal number of full Board members.

Although there is no requirement to have a member from each NATS region, it is important for all parts of the Association to feel represented.  “We considered people who did not hold full-time academic appointments and people who were not solely voice teachers,” said Foundation President Brian Horne. In addition to voice teachers, NATS members represent a variety of professions, including collaborative pianists, speech pathologists, and medical doctors. “We actively sought nominations for individuals who would be considered somewhat atypical given the history of the Foundation Board,” said Horne.

Members of the Foundation Board offered nominations for new members, leading to the selection of four leading candidates. Of the new complete Board, Horne said: “Some have served as liaison members to the Foundation Board; others have served as NATS president. All have been long-time members of NATS and have distinguished themselves in volunteer service to the Association.”

New Members on the NATS Foundation Board

NATS Foundation Board of Directors

Officers
Brian Horne, president
Sarah Holman, administrative vice president
Donald Simonson, treasurer
Dian Lawler-Johnson, secretary

Board Members
Chadley Ballantyne
Torin Chiles
Leslie Holmes
Kimberly James
Aaron Johnson
Barbara Hill Moore
Gale Odom
Kari Ragan
Martha Randall