Meet The Board
Jan Ritter
President
I was born and raised in the Southwestern Michigan town of Dowagiac. After graduating from high school, I moved to Orange County, California where I attended several junior colleges, as well as Long Beach State. I stayed in Southern California for 15 years before moving to Southern Oregon. Here I met and married my wife Marla Cates and raised a son Jesse who also has volunteered at Britt.
My pastimes include golf, fly-fishing and a little guitar picking. I think that everybody should contribute some of their time and resources to community service, and the Britt Society is one of the best options available. I am sure you all think so, too.
Sharon Williams
First Vice President
"I was born in Minnesota, grew up in California, lived in Medford for 32 years, and recently moved to Grants Pass. I retired in 2003 as an Office Manager from the Medford School District. I have served on the Britt Society Board since October 2006 as the Recording Secretary. My 17 years with Britt as an Usher and Head Usher provide me with the experience to be an objective and effective liaison to all of our Britt Volunteers. I attempt to look at “the big picture” when the Board is making decisions about changes and policies so that our volunteers have a meaningful & enjoyable experience on the Hill."
"My husband Ron and I have three boys who have blessed us with five grandchildren! When we’re not spending time with our families, we love to travel in our 5th wheel, take trips to Puerto Vallarta, snowmobile, salmon fish and read."
Carolyn Trottman
Second Vice President
"I was born inOklahoma, lived in Iowa 13 years and Colorado 25 years. In 2003, I retired from Colorado State University after 25 years with Housing and Dining Services as Assistant Director of Residence Life. I moved to Oregon with my husband in 2004. We have a son, a daughter, three grandsons and one granddaughter. Along with volunteering at Britt, I am a Master Gardener, reader, quilter, rafter and I volunteer for Friends of the Ruch Library. As Head Usher and Usher I find that volunteering at Britt has been one of my most rewarding experiences. The volunteer team, Britt staff, the music and wonderful environment on the Britt Hill is a combination that can’t be beat."
Bob Williamson
Treasurer
I was born in Oakland, California, but have lived in Southern Oregon most of my adult life. I graduated from Southern Oregon University in 1981 with a degree in accounting. Back then it was Southern Oregon State College. Prior to my college years, I was a nanny in The Netherlands from July 1976 to July 1977.
This is my 19th year as a volunteer with Britt. I have been on the Britt Society Board since the early 1990’s. I served two years as President, and then become the Treasurer in 1996. I have also served on the Associate Board of the Britt Festival organization.
Outside of Britt (yes, I do have a life outside of Britt), I have been an Oregon State employee for 27 years. My main passion is my Golden Retrievers; Amber, Casey, Jasper and Annie. Jasper and Annie have now had three litters of puppies. Other hobbies include league bowling and motorcycle riding. Yard work keeps me busy as well.
Linda McGuire
Corresponding Secretary
I moved to the Rogue Valley in the 1970s after being raised and educated in Southern California. I began volunteering for Britt in the 1980’s when my youngest child was in High School. Within a couple of years I joined the Britt Society Board and have been on the Board ever since, holding every office but Treasurer. My husband, Mike, joined Britt and volunteered more than 15 years. I love working at Britt every summer. I have worked almost every position on “the hill.” The volunteers are some of the nicest people you can meet. I also love to hear all the different types of music. I have taught music in the schools and still play the pipe organ for churches. About 20 years ago, I changed the focus of my teaching and began to work in the school library. I first worked at the High School level, then 10 years at Middle School, and now over 10 years in the Elementary School. Mike and I have three children and 6 grandchildren.
Jim Holder
Recording Secretary
I grew up in a small farming community in North Arkansas. I attended Arkansas Tech University where I graduated with a degree in theoretical mathematics and an ROTC commitment. I completed a successful 30-year career as a commissioned officer in the Regular Army where I was privileged to command aviation troops and hold unit leadership and management positions at every grade level. During my military assignments, I earned Master Degrees in electronic engineering and in public administration. I flew helicopters in combat units and served as a test pilot and electrical engineer. I completed my career as a research and development program manager responsible for providing airborne electronic warfare equipment to Army and Marine Corps aircraft during the Persian Gulf War.
After retiring, I returned to college and completed my PhD degree, where I studied management styles, financial planning practices, and business models of private and public colleges and universities. I then worked as Assistant to the VP for Enrollment Management at Webster University in St. Louis, MO, before moving to the Rogue Valley in 1997.
My wife, Linda, and I have housed visiting classical musicians since 1999 and have been Britt Festivals members since 2001. I first volunteered to work "on the hill" in 2002. Except for one assignment as a gate usher that first year, I have worked in Security (now Event Staff) during every assignment since. I recognized early that the volunteers' efforts and achievements were the glue that tied all of the activities on the hill together. I have worked pre- and post-season clean-up and have seen first-hand the level of effort and dedication of Britt Society members. With my total experiences over the past seasons, I feel that I can be a responsible representative of that membership, and at the same time contribute in a professional manner to the activities and actions of the board. I have enjoyed my work with Britt management, staff, and volunteers over the years. I want to do more for Britt and feel this is a way that I can do that.
Mike Freeman
Director
I grew up in San Francisco, and lived in the Bay Area until the mid 80's when my career in retail led to what ended up being a back and forth journey across the country. We moved to Dallas in 1983, then to Connecticut, back to California, up to Southern Oregon (the first time from 1994 to 2000 and we became Britt patrons), out to Florida (for a brief stint), back to California (again) and finally coming back to Southern Oregon in 2005 to rejoin our daughter and grandson. My wife, Karen, and grandson, Michael, are also volunteers at Britt so it's a real family affair for us. Karen and I started in 2006 and Michael joined us in 2010. I've worked on Cleanup and as an Usher, but most of my hours are on Event Staff. My hobbies include golf and I hope to return to glassblowing. As a volunteer, I feel that giving back to our community is essential and what better way than supporting the arts and music here in the Valley. As a board member, I strive to make sure Britt Festivals actions include consideration of our volunteer community which is relied upon to keep the Festival running as smoothly as it does, and will continue to keep that focus while helping Britt Festivals grow and evolve.
Lucy Pylkki
Director
I was born and raised in the San Francisco bay area and have lived in Southern Oregon for a little over 20 years. I graduated from Stanford University's Physician Assistant Program in 1985. Before moving to Oregon, I worked as a Physician Assistant in emergency medicine for 8 years and I have worked for Asante Health Systems, as a Physician Assistant, in the Occupational Medicine Department for a little over 18 years.
I have volunteered at Britt Festivals for 10+ years. The first couple of years I tried all the positions on the hill but found "Security", now known as Event Staff, to suit me the best. I have also filled in as the EMT (First Aid volunteer) when needed. I really enjoy my time at Britt especially working with the other volunteers. They are a great group of people and I have made a lot of new friends. I also enjoy experiencing the different types of music and artists who perform at Britt. I especially appreciate the work that Britt does with our schools and young people in promoting musical education.
My husband, Ron and I live in the Griffin Creek area on some small acreage and raise a flock of registered Katahdin sheep along with 2 dogs and 3 cats. I love to garden and raise vegetables in the summer and hope to one day go through the Master Gardeners Program.
Laurin Parker
Director
I was born and raised in Riverside, CA. My parents put a strong focus on appreciation of all types of cultural events, so I was fortunate to be introduced to Broadway musicals, dance and classical music at a very early age.
I went to Pitzer College, Claremont, CA, where my major was French and French philosophy.
I married my husband Michael in 1984. We moved to Oregon in 2005, where we live on 78 acres in the Applegate Valley, overlooking the Siskiyou Mountains, with 5 horses, two dogs, a cat and 2 large exotic birds.
I have been self employed most of working life, including owning an exotic bird store, The Pecking Order. I bred miniature horses and exotic birds, including macaws and cockatoos. I was the Marshall of the Wee Wheelers, a miniature horse driving group, which was featured for ten years in the Rose Parade, in Pasadena, CA on New Year's Day. I successfully competed at the National level in many horse events - dressage, driving, and vaulting (gymnastics on horseback), winning National Championships. I currently compete with my dog, Docker, a Champion Portuguese Water Dog, who was the 2007 National Superdog. We compete in water work, agility, and obedience.
My other passions are gardening, travel, theater and music. I am totally committed to volunteering at the Britt as I believe in what it offers to the community. We are so lucky to have access to a full philharmonic orchestra and other world class musical entertainment in such a magical setting. I thoroughly enjoy the company of the other volunteers who donate so much time and energy to enhance the Britt experience.
I have found my "home" on the Britt Hill in the Gift Booth, where I love interacting with the Britt patrons and helping them purchase the best that we have for sale. I also enjoy working on the Britt Bash, donating both time and auction items.
Mike Mace
Director
Born and raised in Glendale, Calif. Graduated from Glendale High School in 1960. Attended El Camino College 1960 – 1961, Glendale College 1962 – 1963. Married in l963 and relocated to San Francisco bay area 1964. Worked as children’s shoe store manager 1964 – 1979 and attended College of San Mateo part time, while raising four children. Became partner in children’s shoe stores in Fairfield and Sunnyvale, Calif. 1979 – 1989. Lost wife to cancer in 1986. Reconnected with family friend Mary Webster and together we relocated to Rogue Valley in 1989, and married in 1990. Went to work at Norris Shoes in 1989 and am still employed there. Mary worked for a surgical group in Ashland until 2009 when she retired. She volunteers at Ashland Community Hospital Auxiliary and Central High School in Medford. Two of my daughters have followed me in the shoe business. Darcie, my youngest, is now owner of Little Feet Childrens Shoes in the Harry and David Center, while her sister Danielle is a sales person at Nordstrom in Pleasanton, Calif. Together Mary and I account for six children, five of whom married and presented us with sixteen grandchildren, spread over an area from Beaverton Oregon to Porterville, Calif. Mary and I have enjoyed our years of being Britt members and volunteers, and plan to contribute as many more as we are able.
Christopher Shockey
Director
I grew up in a small Missouri farm town devoid of music festivals. After high school graduation my family began a ten year, four state migration west. In Arizona I sat behind a pretty girl in a college humanities class and she took a shine to me. Twenty-four years later she still does, though at the end of the Britt season she is a little happier when all of us return to the farm. The first half of my career was with HP and no, those expensive ink cartridges don't cost much to make. In 2006 I left and had the best summer working as the nighttime groundskeeper for Britt. That's when I fell in love with the Hill and the volunteers. My son Kelton is a more cheerful groundskeeper now so with my sons Jakob and Dmitri I have volunteered since. In the second half of my career Kirsten and I have built a local cultured food business, Mellonia Farms, producing organic apple cider vinegars, sauerkrauts, pickles and the like. I am also the operations manager of a non-profit college program for vulnerable students.