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Maria Van Laanen

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President and CEO
Fox Cities Performing Arts Center | Appleton

Maria Van Laanen has led the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center since 2014. The downtown Appleton performance venue hosts more than 350 events annually, generating roughly $17.9 million in economic activity each season. The space includes a 2,100-seat opera-style theater, a 350-seat black box-style theater and a 75-person private function space. Van Laanen is a Tony voting member of The Broadway League, where she is a member of their board of governors and various committees.

Education: Bachelor’s, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay

Advice for first-time leaders: “People say it all the time: Make sure that you always surround yourself with people smarter than you, and don’t be afraid to listen to them. And always remain humble and curious. There’s always more to learn.”

Favorite part of the workday: “My favorite, favorite thing is the moment when you can feel the audience – who comes in as a collection of individuals – switch into a collective, sharing an experience. I love experiencing that, when that flip happens.”

The future of your industry: “I think the most powerful thing about the industry and what we do with live performing arts is our ability to transcend the things that separate us and find the things that connect us.”

Definition of success: “For me, it is having that deep-seated inner joy, and part of that comes from knowing that every day you’re doing your best and that you are going through life with integrity, and you’re allowed to do that.”

2022 Wisconsin 275 Profile

Hospitality | Entertainment
President and CEO
Fox Cities Performing Arts Center | Appleton

Maria Van Laanen became one of the first employees at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center when she was hired as its director of marketing in 2001 – a year before the $45 million venue opened its doors to the public.

Since 2014, she has served as president and chief executive officer of the downtown Appleton performing arts center. During her tenure, she has been a part of more than 7,000 events at the center, ushering in 37 Broadway Wisconsin premiers. She’s also overseen the growth of its programming for area students, including the Frank C. Shattuck P.A.T.H.S. Program and Center Stage High School Musical Theater Program, and the launch of The Broadway League’s Family First Nights and Kennedy Center Partners in Education Program. She also helped the center reach its $30 million Keystone Fund fundraising goal.

Hosting roughly 400 events annually, the center includes a 2,100-seat opera-style theater, a 350-seat black box style theater and a 75-person private function space.

Van Laanen is a Tony voting member of The Broadway League, where she is a member of the board of governors, and a member of the National High School Musical Theater Advisory Board and the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and Government Relations committees. She also serves on the YMCA of the Fox Cities board and is a member of Imagine Fox Cities’ Belonging Group.

Education: Bachelor’s, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay

Greg Wesley

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President and CEO
Greater Milwaukee Foundation
Milwaukee

Greg Wesley became president and CEO of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation in August 2024. Wisconsin’s largest community foundation and one of the largest in the U.S., GMF has more than 1,500 funds and more than $1 billion in assets under management. Previously, Wesley served as co-chair of the ThriveOn Collaboration, a joint project among the GMF, Medical College of Wisconsin and Royal Capital. For eight years, he was senior vice president of strategic alliances and business development – and later added the role of interim general counsel – at the Medical College. Wesley currently serves on the boards of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee as immediate past chair, Teach for America Milwaukee as chair, Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, Greater Milwaukee Committee, Black Arts Fest MKE, Milwaukee World Festivals Inc., Trust for Professional Managers, MHS Health Wisconsin and Versiti Inc.

Education: Bachelor’s, Indiana University-Bloomington; J.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison

Highlights from the past 12 months: “The culminating open house for ThriveOn King in October showcased years of hard work by so many people – truly a vision come to fruition with the greatest impact yet to come.”

Advice for first-time leaders: “Develop critical listening skills – listen more than talk. This will help you become thoughtful and a trusted, connected partner.”

Historical figure you look up to: “Frederick Douglas was an inspiring orator and thought leader with incredible perspective.”

Thing to learn this year: “How to lower my golf handicap.”

🔒 Entrepreneurs to Watch: Amanda and Adam Kroener

Carbliss | Plymouth
Founded: 2019 | Employees: 50
Revenue: $83 million YTD
drinkcarbliss.com

Plymouth-based Carbliss manufactures and distributes zero-sugar, canned cocktails across Wisconsin and an increasing number of vendors in the Midwest. In 2018, founders and owners Adam and Amanda Kroener were committed to a low-carb diet but recognized a lack of diet-friendly beverage options for their nightly unwind. The Kroeners’ goal was to introduce a flavorful cocktail without added sugars or carbohydrates to coincide with their diet and thus, Carbliss was born. Five years later, Carbliss, ranking no. 7 on the 2024 Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S., employs 50 people with close to $83 million in revenue, year-to-date.

At what point did you know you would launch Carbliss and what was the biggest hesitancy or concern you needed to overcome to do it?

Amanda Kroener and Adam Kroener, owners: “After following the keto diet and searching for an alcoholic beverage we could still enjoy, we found ourselves mixing our own drinks and getting tired of lugging around our fixings just to have a low carb drink that still tasted good. The seltzer industry was booming so we expected to find something on the market that already existed. We sampled about $500 worth of product and disliked what we found. It was at that point that we decided we were going to launch a product that consumers like us were looking for. The current market outside of Carbliss is full of products that have a good nutritional panel, little to no flavor and a lot of carbonation – or great flavor, little carbonation and are full of sugars, calories and carbohydrates. Carbliss blends those two concepts (flavor and nutrition).”

How has the need in your market changed over time?

“The need in the market has continued to increase since our launch. Consumers are realizing that they are looking for a better nutritional panel and great flavor. They are not looking to compromise. Carbliss offers the consumer the ability to have your cake and eat it too.”

What are the next key steps in the development of your company?

“We are only sold to 15% of the U.S. population. We plan to continue our backyard-to-backyard approach and recognize that the more growth we have, the more we can pour back into the business and gain more ground in a faster time frame.”

What’s the number one thing needed to sustain a culture of innovation and/or growth?

“We need a team that is hungry, humble and smart and can match our level of excitement about the brand with an absolute passion to share our product with the world.”

Jim and Miriam Mulva

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Philanthropists  |  De Pere

De Pere natives Jim and Miriam Mulva have made a significant impact on the greater Green Bay area through philanthropy.

Following Jim’s retirement in 2012 as chairman and CEO of global oil and gas company ConocoPhillips, the Mulvas began partnering with the De Pere Historical Society on an idea that would ultimately become the Mulva Cultural Center. The couple gave the funding for the construction and long-term operation of the new center, envisioned as a destination for the creative arts and cultural programming in the Midwest. Located along the Fox River, the 75,000-square-foot building marks a historic site that was De Pere’s first center of commerce. In addition to the center, the Mulvas have also committed a foundational gift to fund the De Pere Historical Society’s redevelopment and expansion.

Jim served for many years as a board member of M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, General Electric, General Motors and Statoil. Miriam has been active in local Oklahoma, London and Texas initiatives, including serving on several boards related to the Catholic Church, community, the arts, school and USS Swimming.

In 2014, the couple pledged $60 million to the University of Texas at Austin, Jim’s alma mater, to support its business and engineering schools.

Miriam and Jim divide their time between Austin and Wisconsin.

Education:

Jim: Bachelor’s and MBA, University of Texas at Austin

Miriam: Bachelor’s, St. Norbert College

Sarah Pancheri

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President and CEO
Milwaukee World Festival  |  Milwaukee

Sarah Pancheri took the helm of Milwaukee World Festival Inc., the nonprofit producer of Summerfest and manager of the 75-acre Henry Maier Festival Park, in early 2024. This year, the organization hosted nearly 60 events, including Summerfest, Milwaukee’s various ethnic festivals and other live entertainment. The year prior, events held on the park grounds generated $318 million in economic impact to the state and $22.4 million in state and local taxes and supported 4,700 jobs, according to MWF. Pancheri previously served as vice president of sales and marketing for MWF until her promotion to president in 2022 and CEO in 2024, succeeding the organization’s longtime, high-profile leader Don Smiley. She also previously held fundraising and development roles at Marquette University and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee. She currently chairs the VISIT Milwaukee board and serves on the boards of the Sponsorship Marketing Association, Milwaukee School of Art & Design and the Historic Third Ward Association.

Education: Bachelor’s, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Advice for first-time leaders: “Keep a diary of important decisions, with a focus on your individual process.”

Thing to learn this year: “Pickleball.”

Favorite movie: “Any movie by John Hughes, including ‘The Breakfast Club,’ ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,’ ‘The Great Outdoors,’ etc.”

First and most recent concert: “One of my first concerts was Boy George at MECCA. My most recent was Pitbull at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater. Both were excellent!”

Joel Plant

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CEO
Frank Productions  |  Madison

Joel Plant is chief executive officer of Madison-based Frank Productions, one of the largest concert promotion companies in the country. Frank Productions has a national footprint, producing and promoting events in arenas, performing arts centers, theaters, clubs and other venues across the U.S. The company manages Madison-based FPC Live and Nashville-based National Shows 2, and it has offices and venues in Madison; Nashville; Columbia, Missouri; and Charleston, South Carolina.

FPC Live is currently developing a 4,500-spectator capacity venue in Milwaukee, south of Fiserv Forum in Deer District, on the northeast corner of the vacant lot once occupied by the Bradley Center. The $70 million venue is expected to open in late 2025.

Plant was previously chief of staff in the Milwaukee Police Department, an aide to former Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz – a role in which he was responsible for public safety and neighborhood issues – and Madison’s first alcohol policy coordinator. While working in the mayor’s office, Plant helped develop downtown Madison’s annual Freakfest celebration, which served as his introduction to Frank Productions.

Plant has also worked as a research assistant for the Center for Problem-Oriented Policing, a crime analyst in the Tempe (Arizona) Police Department and a teaching assistant and adjunct professor. He also has criminal prosecution experience.

Education: Bachelor’s, Marquette University; master’s, Arizona State University; J.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison

2022 Wisconsin 275 Profile

Hospitality | Entertainment
CEO
Frank Productions | Madison

Joel Plant joined Madison-based concert venue promotion company Frank Productions as its chief executive officer in early 2017. He was previously the chief of staff in the Milwaukee Police Department, an aide to former Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz with a focus on public safety and neighborhood issues in the city, and Madison’s first alcohol policy coordinator. While working in the mayor’s office, Plant helped develop downtown Madison’s annual Freakfest celebration, which first introduced him to Frank Productions. Plant has also worked as a research assistant for the Center for Problem-Oriented Policing and as a crime analyst in an Arizona police department. He has criminal prosecution experience.

With a national footprint, Frank Productions provides oversight to two brands, Madison-based FPC Live and Nashville-based National Shows 2. It has produced national tours for the likes of Metallica and Red Hot Chili Peppers. In 2019, FPC Live entered a preferred promoter agreement with Summerfest’s parent company, Milwaukee World Festival Inc., through which FPC has preferred booking rights to national touring shows during non-Summerfest dates at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater and BMO Harris Pavilion.

That partnership grew into a proposal late last year from FPC to develop a new concert venue complex near the Summerfest grounds in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward. Following opposition from neighborhood residents, FPC dropped those plans, and days later announced a new proposal to instead build a $50 million concert venue complex at the former Bradley Center site in the Deer District in downtown Milwaukee. Once it opens, the complex is expected employ about 18 full-time staff and hundreds of part-time workers,

Education: Bachelor’s, Marquette University; master’s, Arizona State University; J.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison

Amy Lindner

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President and CEO
United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County  |  Milwaukee

Amy Lindner is the president and CEO of United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County. During Lindner’s tenure, the organization has raised more than $300 million through its annual community campaigns and prioritized the initiatives of ending family homelessness, reducing barriers to employment and advancement, ensuring digital equity and improving mental wellness among teens. Previously, Lindner was president and CEO of Milwaukee-based nonprofit Meta House and a partner at Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren.

Education: Bachelor’s, University of Wisconsin-Madison; J.D., University of Notre Dame

Highlights from the past 12 months: “In December 2023, we announced that as part of our Safe and Stable Homes work, we have met all of the criteria from the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness to be able to say we’ve ended family homelessness in both Milwaukee and Ozaukee Counties.”

What would you do if you could choose another career: “I have the best job in town. But I do think I would have loved to be a Foreign Service Officer for the State Department.”

What would you like to change about Wisconsin: “Like everywhere, we’d be closer to solutions if we leaned in on solving real problems in our community instead of looking at who to blame for where we are.”

Your secret talent: “I’m learning how to rhythm roller dance – basically dancing on roller skates. But I can’t seem to stop talking about it, so maybe it doesn’t count as a secret?”

2022 Wisconsin 275 Profile

Nonprofits and Education
President and CEO
United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County 

Attorney and nonprofit leader Amy Lindner was selected in 2018 to succeed Mary Lou Young as United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County’s president and CEO. Since then, Lindner has overseen the organization’s ambitious plan to end family homelessness in metro Milwaukee and has leveraged a $25 million gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott to advance United Way’s racial equity efforts.   

Education: Bachelor’s, University of Wisconsin-Madison; J.D., University of Notre Dame 

First job: “Murf’s Frozen Custard on West Avenue in Waukesha. Importantly, I learned I do best in a fast-paced environment with lots of new challenges. Less vitally, I learned a ‘Black Cow’ made with orange soda is a ‘Florida Cow,’ and it’s delicious.”  

How would you spend a one-year sabbatical: “Six months of travel to new places, six months on a great beach with a never-ending stack of books.” 

Nonprofit cause that has special meaning to you: “It feels like cheating to answer this one, but yes, the work of United Way and the incredible people who choose to support our work both help to ensure that tens of thousands of people across our region have the day-to-day help they might need today and that we’re collectively working to solve big problems that we need and deserve solutions for.”  

As you enter your office, what would you choose to be your walk-up or theme song: “Bill Withers, ‘Lovely Day.’ Because whatever else is happening, every day has beauty and is a gift.”  

🔒 Entrepreneurs to Watch: Marla and David Poytinger

Bars & Recreation | Milwaukee
Founded: 2012 | Employees: 90
barsandrecreation.com

Bars & Recreation is the operator of several activity bars and event spaces in the Milwaukee area. Founders Marla and David Poytinger grew the business from a single paint-and-sip shop to what’s now an enterprise of six different immersive entertainment concepts, including AXE MKE, Nine Below, Amped, Game Show MKE, and NorthSouth Club, with a seventh concept opening in West Allis in 2025. The company made waves earlier this year when it took over the former Punch Bowl Social space in Deer District to launch its latest venture, The New Fashioned, featuring Wisconsin-centric food, drinks and games.

What do you consider your biggest breakthrough so far?

Marla Poytinger, CEO, and David Poytinger, chief innovation officer: “There are three pivotal moments in the history of the company to date. One, opening Nine Below in 2016. Going from one location (Splash Studio) to two, immediately meant that we were forced to have systems and processes in place. We didn’t realize it at the time, but that’s when we really started on the path from being just a small shop to being a company where people can build careers.

“Two, consolidating under Bars & Recreation in 2020. As luck would have it, we rolled out this new vision and brand for the company to our employees the evening of March 15, 2020. The next 18 months were absolutely devasting for the hospitality industry – especially experiential entertainment. However, because we had the vision for the new direction that we wanted to go in, we used the rebuilding period as an opportunity to essentially start the company over again with the knowledge of the mistakes we had made in the past. Three, opening The New Fashioned in 2024. Taking over the 24,500-square-foot space in the heart of Deer District has pushed Bars & Rec forward by leaps and bounds.”

How has the need in the market you are addressing changed over time?

David Poytinger: “There are a lot of companies out there right now that think the market needs to push more into the virtual space. We continue to believe people crave time together and away from screens, so we’ve leaned into projects that require synchronous social activity like axe-throwing, mini golf and shuffleboard. While we’ve largely stayed away from the virtual world, we’re constantly exploring ways to integrate technology into our facilities to enhance our experiences. Amped is a high-tech karaoke facility with a game show studio inside of it. We upgraded all of the bowling lanes at The New Fashioned to feature tech-forward HyperBowling, and we built one of the largest self-pour tap beverage walls in the state.”

How do you manage working with your spouse?

Marla Poytinger: “We drive each other crazy most of the time, but I’ve always said that I can’t imagine running a business without my spouse. The major advantage is that we understand the pressure and the sacrifice that entrepreneurship requires. If I were married to anyone else, I think that person would be incredibly frustrated by the long hours and the roller coaster of emotions. Not only does David understand it, he’s on the ride with me.”

Dominic Ortiz

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CEO and general manager
Potawatomi Casinos & Hotels | Milwaukee, Carter

Dominic Ortiz was named chief executive officer and general manager of Potawatomi Casinos & Hotels in 2021. Since then, he has led the casino through reopening after the COVID-19 pandemic and championed and executed on a $190 million master plan to upgrade and modernize Potawatomi’s Milwaukee casino offerings. A top employer in Milwaukee, Potawatomi has more than 2,400 employees.

Earlier this year, the Milwaukee casino opened a new 200-seat, Las Vegas-style retail sportsbook, which replaced the 500-seat Northern Lights Theater and the Fire Pit Sports Bar & Grill. With capacity for nearly 420 people, it is the largest retail sports betting venue in the Midwest.

In September, the casino reported recovery in its gaming revenues, reporting a net win of $430 million for the first time since 2019. That figure represents the amount the house gains from gamblers at table games, sports betting and the casino’s 3,000 slot machines.

The casino’s signature charity program, Heart of Canal Street, has awarded more than $21 million in donations to nearly 350 children’s charities since its inception.

An enrolled member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation of Kansas, Ortiz previously served as chief financial officer of Soaring Eagle Gaming Properties and Corporate Services in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. He also previously worked in casinos in Kansas and Texas.

Education: Bachelor’s and master’s, University of Kansas

Michael Johnson 

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President and CEO
Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County  |  Madison

During his 14 years at the helm of Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County, Michael Johnson has grown the organization’s donor base and cultivated public-private partnerships, resulting in a new workforce center on Madison’s southwest side. Johnson led the $35 million campaign in support of the McKenzie Regional Workforce Center, a partnership with the Madison Area Builders Association that aims to train young people for careers in the skilled trades. The campaign received a seven-figure challenge grant from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott.

Throughout his tenure, Johnson has helped raise more than $50 million for the organization, expanded its operations in Fitchburg, Madison, Verona and Sun Prairie and acquired the Boys & Girls Clubs of Walworth County. BGCDC serves more than 7,500 young people across ten locations, including eight school-based sites and two traditional club sites.

Johnson was previously deputy commissioner of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and executive director of Lutheran Child & Family Services of Indiana and Northern Kentucky, among several other nonprofit leadership roles.

Education: Bachelor’s, Chicago State University; MBA, University of Phoenix

2022 Wisconsin 275 Profile

Nonprofits and Education
President and CEO
Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County | Madison

Michael Johnson leads Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County, an organization that serves more than 7,500 young people at 10 locations. During his 12 years at the helm, the organization has emphasized public-private partnerships and recently raised nearly $40 million to create a regional workforce center that will introduce young people to the trades.   

Education: Bachelor’s, Chicago State University; MBA, University of Phoenix 

One book everyone should read: “‘Action Has No Season’” by Michael Roberts. He is a self-made billionaire from St. Louis, a personal mentor of mine, and the book focuses on taking action no matter the season or circumstances.” 

Business leaders you would like to have dinner with: “Jay Z and Jeff Bezos, and (I’d) ask them for transformational major gifts.”  

Toughest business challenge you’ve ever faced: “Laying off 700 people when I was (deputy director of Philadelphia’s department of) Parks & Recreation and coming up with my first fundraising campaign to raise millions to keep people employed and the Parks & Recreation Center open in Philadelphia.”  

Top of your bucket list: “To organize a stadium concert with 60,000-plus people that would raise millions for local kids.” 

 

🔒 Innovators to Watch: Waukesha County Technical College

Pewaukee | Founded: 1923
Employees: 1,500 (including staff, faculty and adjunct instructors)
wctc.edu

Waukesha County Technical College opened its new Applied AI Lab this fall. The space is an investment in artificial intelligence and AI education that WCTC is looking to further expand. In August, WCTC and its foundation kicked off a $6 million fundraising campaign to support this expansion.

What was the point where you knew you would launch the Applied AI Lab and what was the biggest hesitancy or concern you needed to overcome to do it?

Rich Barnhouse, president, and Laura Krohn, chief of staff: “When we were going through the academic program development process in 2021 and 2022 (for the AI certificates and AI associate degree, which began in fall 2023 and 2024, respectively), we met with groups of employers and they were talking about the huge demand for AI talent. Certainly, there was a growing need, but there was an even bigger current need in helping employers solve business problems using AI. We were building a future talent pipeline, but also building a solution-driven lab where businesses could come to us for help and support. There really was no hesitancy to do this, but there was also no blueprint, so WCTC had to forge our own path.”

Why is investing in artificial intelligence important for the region?

“We’re either going to springboard forward or we’re going to be slowly in decline and then we’ll be in precipitous decline. We are developing AI at WCTC based on the college’s role in community prosperity. It’s an economic development need, ultimately. The economic competition for our small and mid-sized businesses is growing rapidly, and they have to stay competitive to thrive or even survive in the state.”

What are the next key steps in the development of the Applied AI lab?

“Before the lab even opened its doors in fall 2024, the college had already begun planning a second phase – a second floor – and launched a $6 million fundraising campaign, because the need for AI is so great in the region. Additionally, WCTC will continue to expand its offerings in the lab to include more open enrollment workshops along with more customized contract training opportunities and access to specialized robots and super computers. We kicked off our work with AI entrepreneurs and startups this fall and will expand programs and services in 2025.”

What’s the number one thing needed to sustain a culture of innovation?

“A tolerance for risk taking, but also, to know what you’re driven by. At WCTC, we’re driven by our students’ success, our employers’ success and community prosperity. It’s critical to have buy-in from leadership at all levels.”

What could local, regional or state leaders do to better support innovators?

“There’s no doubt that guardrails need to be in place, but government at all levels could help us by setting in place a base set of laws that leave room for flexibility and don’t strangle innovation.”

Mark Niehaus

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President and executive director
Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra | Milwaukee

Mark Niehaus has led the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra since 2012. The largest cultural institution in Wisconsin, the MSO employs 83 full-time professional musicians, who perform more than 130 classics, pops, family, education and community concerts each season. The orchestra generates an estimated $44 million in economic activity each year.

Under his leadership, the MSO completed a years-long project in 2021 to restore and renovate the Warner Grand Theatre in downtown Milwaukee to become the Bradley Symphony Center. The $89 million project has catalyzed further development on West Wisconsin Avenue.

MSO serves 30,000 children and their families through its Arts in Community Education program, youth and teen concerts, family series and Meet the Music pre-concert talks. The ACE program provides arts education amid budget cuts that have eliminated programming in schools.

Niehaus previously was principal trumpet of MSO from 1998 until his appointment as president and executive director. He started his career at age 18 while a freshman at The Juilliard School as he played principal trumpet for the New Haven Symphony.

Education: Bachelor’s, The Juilliard School

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