Board of Directors / Annual Reports
Did You Know?
The costs of maintaining the historic Smith Opera House far exceed the revenue from ticket sales, concessions and other goods and services. The Board of Directors spearheads the fundraising efforts that keep the doors open and the lights on.
Officers and Directors
Rebecca (Becky) Burditt, Chair
Becky joined The Smith’s Board in 2018 after serving on its Film Committee since 2016. She programmed the Voting Rights Film Series and has collaborated with Hobart and William Smith Colleges faculty to bring course-related films to The Smith. Becky teaches advertising history, global musicals, and media theory at HWS.
Becky joined The Smith’s Board in 2018 after serving on its Film Committee since 2016. She programmed the Voting Rights Film Series and has collaborated with Hobart and William Smith Colleges faculty to bring course-related films to The Smith. Becky teaches advertising history, global musicals, and media theory at HWS.
Rebecca (Becky) Burditt, Chair
Martha Bond
Martha and her husband Jerry have lived in Geneva for 20 years, with deep Finger Lakes roots. A Mt. Holyoke graduate, she worked in healthcare administration before joining Hobart and William Smith Colleges as Director of Grants, retiring in 2016. Martha joined The Smith’s Board in 2014 and chairs the Grants Committee.
Martha and her husband Jerry have lived in Geneva for 20 years, with deep Finger Lakes roots. A Mt. Holyoke graduate, she worked in healthcare administration before joining Hobart and William Smith Colleges as Director of Grants, retiring in 2016. Martha joined The Smith’s Board in 2014 and chairs the Grants Committee.
Martha Bond
Shanelle France, Vice Chair
Shanelle is the Associate Director of Disability Services at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. A 2011 graduate of William Smith College, she studied African Studies, Education, and Women’s Studies. After teaching Special Education at Geneva Middle School, she moved to Colorado in 2021 but returned to Geneva, where she truly feels at home.
Shanelle is the Associate Director of Disability Services at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. A 2011 graduate of William Smith College, she studied African Studies, Education, and Women’s Studies. After teaching Special Education at Geneva Middle School, she moved to Colorado in 2021 but returned to Geneva, where she truly feels at home.
Shanelle France, Vice Chair
Mara O’Laughlin
Mara joined the Smith Board after retiring in 2013. She previously served as a Social Studies teacher and was Director of Admissions and Assistant VP for Advancement at Hobart and William Smith. The Colleges recognized her service with its highest honor: Doctor of Humane Letters in 2013.
Mara joined the Smith Board after retiring in 2013. She previously served as a Social Studies teacher and was Director of Admissions and Assistant VP for Advancement at Hobart and William Smith. The Colleges recognized her service with its highest honor: Doctor of Humane Letters in 2013.
Mara O’Laughlin
Anthony (Tony) Shelton
Tony joined the board in 2016 and serves on the Grants Committee. A long-time supporter of The Smith, he previously served on the Geneva Concerts Board and the Geneva School Board. An Emeritus International Professor at Cornell, Tony directed a USAID-funded project in Bangladesh. He enjoys sailing, fishing, and biking in the Finger Lakes.
Tony joined the board in 2016 and serves on the Grants Committee. A long-time supporter of The Smith, he previously served on the Geneva Concerts Board and the Geneva School Board. An Emeritus International Professor at Cornell, Tony directed a USAID-funded project in Bangladesh. He enjoys sailing, fishing, and biking in the Finger Lakes.
Anthony (Tony) Shelton
Paul Perrotto (Treasurer)
Paul is a member of Mr. Twistee’s LLC, a local ice cream business. He retired after 40+ years as CFO and senior management for Rochester/Finger Lakes nonprofits, including Hillside Family of Agencies and Newark Wayne Community Hospital. Paul holds a BS and MBA from Syracuse University and is a retired CPA.
Paul is a member of Mr. Twistee’s LLC, a local ice cream business. He retired after 40+ years as CFO and senior management for Rochester/Finger Lakes nonprofits, including Hillside Family of Agencies and Newark Wayne Community Hospital. Paul holds a BS and MBA from Syracuse University and is a retired CPA.
Paul Perrotto (Treasurer)
Annie Bickham
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Annie Bickham
Robb Flowers
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vivamus ut consectetur leo. Fusce vitae consequat nibh. Praesent et bibendum diam. Phasellus in maximus purus. Cras tellus augue, pellentesque id tincidunt sit amet, volutpat hendrerit mi. Aenean sed urna luctus, porta neque at, egestas tellus.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vivamus ut consectetur leo. Fusce vitae consequat nibh. Praesent et bibendum diam. Phasellus in maximus purus. Cras tellus augue, pellentesque id tincidunt sit amet, volutpat hendrerit mi. Aenean sed urna luctus, porta neque at, egestas tellus.
Robb Flowers
Sarah Tuttle
Sarah (she/her) is an educator turned wine student, and has just moved to Geneva after living in NYC for over a decade. Sarah grew up in a town much like Geneva with a historic theatre much like The Smith, and is eager to support the arts the Smith Opera House as a new member to
Sarah (she/her) is an educator turned wine student, and has just moved to Geneva after living in NYC for over a decade. Sarah grew up in a town much like Geneva with a historic theatre much like The Smith, and is eager to support the arts the Smith Opera House as a new member to
Sarah Tuttle
S. Ford Weiskittel
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vivamus ut consectetur leo. Fusce vitae consequat nibh. Praesent et bibendum diam. Phasellus in maximus purus. Cras tellus augue, pellentesque id tincidunt sit amet, volutpat hendrerit mi. Aenean sed urna luctus, porta neque at, egestas tellus.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vivamus ut consectetur leo. Fusce vitae consequat nibh. Praesent et bibendum diam. Phasellus in maximus purus. Cras tellus augue, pellentesque id tincidunt sit amet, volutpat hendrerit mi. Aenean sed urna luctus, porta neque at, egestas tellus.
S. Ford Weiskittel
Kelby Russell
Kelby is the owner and founder of Apollo’s Praise, a winery on Seneca Lake. As a global ambassador for New York wines, he shares the region’s unique flavors and stories with audiences around the world.
Kelby is the owner and founder of Apollo’s Praise, a winery on Seneca Lake. As a global ambassador for New York wines, he shares the region’s unique flavors and stories with audiences around the world.
Kelby Russell
Doug Wood
Doug is a Research Analyst at Syracuse University. He and his partner are the founders of Geneva Tango, which meets weekly in The Smith’s dance studio to celebrate the art of tango.
Doug is a Research Analyst at Syracuse University. He and his partner are the founders of Geneva Tango, which meets weekly in The Smith’s dance studio to celebrate the art of tango.