Board of Directors and Advisors

Carl Topilow

Conductor and Music Director

Shirley Morgenstern

President and CEO

Board of Directors

* Past Chairman
**Lifetime Board Member

James M. Stone

Chairman

"I have been on the Pops Orchestra Board since 2004 and have enjoyed it immensely. I wanted to be on the Board to contribute to the Pops, most currently as current Chairman, to help our outstanding musicians, Board, and patrons, and especially Maestro Carl Topilow and President Shirley Morgenstern. The Cleveland Pops have such a tradition of performing with their special flair light classical, popular, Broadway and Movie music, with such emphasis on the music of the various traditions that make up our musical heritage, including the music of Black America, Latin America, and various European sources. And getting to be part of our return to Severance Hall makes the 2021-22 season even more special!"

Ann Marie Hawkins

Vice Chair

Russell H. Grindon

Secretary

Michael A. Shemo*

Treasurer

"My wife, Penny, and I have been subscribers and supporters of the Pops for over 20 years. Carl Topilow and the orchestra never fail to provide us and our guests with a delightful, relaxing and entertaining evening."

Donald Messinger

Immediate Past Chairman

"I support the Cleveland Pops Orchestra, because my wife Sally and I understand the value provided to our community of having this world-class orchestra for the current and future generations. The Cleveland Pops Orchestra is an essential contributor to the rich quality of life in Northeast Ohio, as well as a provider of important arts education for our children and young adults. I am honored to serve on its Board of Directors."

Branden E. Blackmur

Sondra M. Boyd

Austin G. Carr

"It’s an honor to be a board member of the POPS, I enjoy the music, but most importantly, I like our direction we are going, in our community, trying to make a difference."

Jared Chaney**

David J. Elk

Edward H. Gabelman, M.D.

Edward H. Luecke

Ryan T. Marrie

"I love supporting local organizations including local arts organizations. I became involved with the Pops after watching how they interact with their subscribers and concert goers as well as watching the great work they do in the community. My family and I support The Pops both personally and through our company."

Lisa H. Michel

R. Justin Mistovich, M.D.

"I grew up playing viola, and have a deep appreciation for both classical and pops music. While I’m not playing professionally, the arts are extraordinarily important to the value of life in Cleveland. It’s an honor to serve on the Board of the Pops, and help add to the vibrancy and culture of Northeast Ohio."

Michael J. Occhionero

"I support the Pops because of my lifetime love of music and because it is so easy to support such dedicated people like Carl and Shirley."

Lydia U. Parker, M.D.

Thomas J. Scanlon*

Randall L. Solomon

"I support the Pops because it brings exciting and entertaining music from a variety of genres to diverse audiences. It is the hidden gem of the Cleveland music scene."

Adrienne L. Stemen

“I joined a board focused on the arts, because the arts are a building block of any great society. The arts enable expression, learning, and sharing of diverse perspectives. I joined the Board of Directors for the Cleveland Pops because it is an outstanding musical arts organization that expertly performs a wide variety of musical genres, which affords a broader opportunity for shared experiences, outreach, and education.”

Salvatore (Sam) J. Totino

“I was excited to join the board of the Cleveland Pops Orchestra because the Pops are an undeniable force in Cleveland’s culture – joining the board was a great opportunity to contribute to an organization that has created incredibly fun and lasting memories for so many people.”

Anthony T. Visconsi

Keith M. Warner, MD, FACS

"I am at a point in my life where I may indulge in my appreciation and fondness of classical interpretation of popular music. I became aware that they offer concerts in Elyria and I am excited to help promote them."

Robert B. Weltman

“I am a proud supporter of the Cleveland Pops because of their commitment to offering great music to the public. I appreciate the dedication and all the hard work from the entire staff.”

Evelyn Wright

“I love being on the board to help extend and encourage this wonderful organization to reach the masses. A toast to the Pops!”

Advisors

Art Falco
Marshall Griffith
Louis Lane (d)
Carl “Doc” Severinsen

“There’s an exciting future in Cleveland for lovers of Pops.”
– John A. Newburger, Past Chairman, Cleveland Pops Orchestra Board of Directors

Associate Board of Directors

Jasmin Grindon

President

"A Cleveland native and long-time patron of the Cleveland Pops Orchestra, I have always found their blend of orchestral pop, Broadway, and jazz music exciting. As the acting President of the Cleveland Pops Orchestra Associate Board, I am overjoyed at the opportunity to lead the Associate Board and support the Cleveland Pops Orchestra’s mission to entertain, enrich, and educate."

Peter Barrett

Vice President

As a young professional in Cleveland and growing up in Cleveland Heights, I have strived to become a greater contributor to the community and cultivate relationships with other motivated individuals. As members of the Associate Board, we have the ability to champion the arts, further our careers and develop relationships with other passionate professionals in Northeast Ohio.

Austin Corthell

I was drawn to joining the Associate Board by two forces: a lifelong enjoyment of musical theater and a desire to connect with others who share the same interests.

Michael Murtaugh

I joined the pops associate board because I think it’s important that our generation preserves Cleveland’s rich cultural assets for generations to come. I like that the pop’s brings new life to music that we are all familiar with.

Emily Topilow

I joined the Associate Board because I believe that music is a universal language. We’re able to connect to music on another level, and that is a joy that should be shared with everyone. I want to spread the power of music through this amazing organization that does so much for the community. I’m truly proud to be a part of it!