Johanna Fisher Stewart, MTC President, is a Morgantown attorney who serves as administrator for Bar/Bri of West Virginia and also owns and operates Vandalia Legal Research. She has been involved with Hillary Phillips' theatre program since her daughter Ida's enrollment as a sixth grader in 1994. Over the years, Johanna has been delighted to experience the myriad joys of MTC as a parent volunteer. She is honored to have the opportunity to contribute to MTC's continued growth and success as a member of the Board of Directors.
John A. Garlow, MTC Vice President, is a Morgantown High graduate and from a long line of Garlows here--presently living on the family farm that was a land grant from King George in 1760 to Christopher Garlow. After graduating from Harvard College in 1967 he studied engineering and architecture for three semesters. John has always loved music since his mother, Ruth, taught piano and encouraged her sons to study music and perform in a singing trio. He was a member of the Harvard Glee Club and went on several tours including a summer long round the world concert tour. Musicals and plays have always been a big part of his life, participating in Pajama Game in college, and as Charles Mason in Riversong for the last two years. His two children, Ry and Coretta, have blossomed and thrived in this program. He has helped on set construction, using his resources as a builder, and has been impressed by the spirit, diversity, and value to the community of this theater company.
Phil Shuman, MTC Vice President, is a landlord and property manager of downtown Morgantown real estate. His daughter was involved with Hillary's theatre group for 12 years. He has been a long-time supporter of MTC and active in its annual fundraiser.
Jodie Jackson, MTC Treasurer, is Director of Research for the WVU Office of Rural Health. Prior to moving to West Virginia in 1990, she worked as a nurse doing home health and hospice work in Tennessee, North Carolina and Washington D.C. and completed her Masters in Public Health at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. She became acquainted with MTC Director, Hillary Phillips, in 1996 when her daughter (who was then age 6) participated in the production of the play Oliver!. Her daughter did not miss a semester with MTC between the ages of 6 and 18!
Sheila Saab, MTC BOD Secretary, is the Chief Writer/Editor at WeSave, Inc., an exclusive savings community for state and public employees at wesave.com. Prior to joining WeSave in August 2008, she was the Public Relations Manager at PACE Training and Evaluation Center, Inc., (PACE TEC) a Community Rehabilitation Program for adults with disabilities in Morgantown. Since 2001, Sheila has been a member of the adjunct faculty at the P.I. Reed School of Journalism at WVU. She currently teaches an introductory public relations course through WVU’s Extended Learning Program.
Sheila has nearly 20 years’ experience in PR and business development throughout the state. She received a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from the P.I. Reed School of Journalism in 1992 with an emphasis in Public Relations, Psychology and English.
She is an alumna of both Leadership Monongalia and Leadership West Virginia (2002). She is an active volunteer in the greater Morgantown area and has volunteered at the MTC since 2004.
Stephen L. Cook, is an Associate Professor with the Institute for Labor Studies and Research at West Virginia University. His undergraduate and graduate degrees are in Industrial Relations and Personnel Management and he has done extensive additional graduate work in Political Science at WVU. A native Iowan, Steve and his family came to West Virginia in the late 1960's. A long-time political activist, he is currently serving his third term as a member of the Monongalia County Board of Education. His previous public service includes nine years in the West Virginia House of Delegates and four years in the State Senate representing Monongalia and Marion Counties. After a brief stint as Governor Rockefeller's Labor Commissioner Steve spent sixteen years as the Assistant Business Manager for the West Virginia Laborers' District Council. Steve's three children attended University High School and WVU and he has grandchildren that are attending public schools in the County. Steve looks forward to expanding and enhancing the type of after-school opportunities that MTC provides for our youth.
Jennifer Fauley is a software developer for Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, a leading provider of diagnostic testing and clinical information. She is a key player in the development of software products that enable doctors to order lab tests and review results over the Internet. Although Jennifer is originally from Maryland, she is the daughter of native West Virginians and, after living in several states, returned "home" to Morgantown and West Virginia. Jennifer was impressed by MTC from the very beginning when she saw her daughter in a speaking role in her first MTC production at age 8. Her daughter, now in high school, has continued to benefit, in her personal growth and development, from her involvement with MTC. Jennifer is happy to be supportive of Hillary and MTC knowing what a significant contribution they make to the young people in our community.
Jason Harper has worked at Mylan Pharmaceuticals since 1995 and is currently the Director of Marketing. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing and an MBA, both from WVU. Jason spearheaded the efforts to develop the MTC logo and is looking forward to using his marketing skills to promote the wonderful programs of MTC. As the proud father of two small children, Jackson and Evie, Jason recognizes the service MTC provides to the community by offering children exposure to positive role models and caring relationships.
Josh Knotts graduated with a Bachelor of the Fine Arts from West Virginia University in May 2004. Since then, Josh has performed over a thousand shows in 18 different states, and six different countries. Josh Knotts Productions, LLC came to life at the end of 2007. Josh Knotts Productions, LLC is a promotion business bringing top names in entertainment to Morgantown, WV. Since its birth, Gallagher, Ralphie May, Kutless, Dave Mason, and Stevie Starr have come to entertain in Morgantown, WV. Josh Knotts set out on course to bring entertainment to West Virginia through illusions, and the biggest names in comedy and music.
Charlene Marshall is currently the delegate for the 44th district. She was elected to the WV House of Delegates in 1998 and served two terms. Before serving as a delegate, she was the mayor of Morgantown for 7 years. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Valley Health and the Boys and Girls Club of America and previously served on the Board of the American Red Cross. She is currently the Chair of the WV Human Rights Commission and serves on the Advisory Board of the WVU School of Nursing. She has been a long time supporter of MTC and after-school programs, in general. In 2000, she advocated for the West Virginia Arts grant that enabled MTC to build the stage and seating platforms that are now utilized in MTC's new studio space.
Renée Saggio Moore, MD is Professor of Pediatrics & Vice-Chair for Education in the WVU Department of Pediatrics. She also works as a Pediatric Hospitalist at WVU Children's Hospital. Renee and her husband, Charlie, have 3 children. All have participated in various MTC productions and activities over the last 8 years, with current continued performances from their youngest. With lots of first hand knowledge, Renee is enthusiastic in saying that the MTC "experience" is tremendously beneficial for the growth and development of all who participate. She knows that once you do that first MTC production, you're hooked! As a Morgantown resident for the last 28 years, Renée can see the many changes that have taken place in and around town. She feels that in addition to the positive influence it has on the kids, promoting good after-school activity choices, self esteem and confidence, MTC is also a real asset to the Morgantown community. She is dedicated to the continued growth and success of Morgantown Theatre Company.
Judith A. Sedgeman, M.A., is the Education Director of the West Virginia Initiative for Innate Health at the Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center of West Virginia University. An Assistant Professor, she teaches in the Public Health program at West Virginia University Medical School. She is also a mentor in the Teaching Scholars Program, Leadership Director of the Center for Excellence in Women's Health, and Vice-Chair of Women in Science and Health at the WVU School of Medicine. A graduate of Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA, she received her M.A. degree from Trinity College, Hartford, CT. She has also been an award-winning newspaper reporter and editor, an entrepreneur and a business consultant. For the past 20 years, she has focused on the redefinition and deeper understanding of health, developing programs and fostering work to support interest in seeing health as an infinite human possibility and a state of being that transcends the "absence of illness."
Maria Watson-Gaddis, a native of Beckley, WV is the daughter of Tuskegee Airman, John M. Watson and niece of deceased Tuskegee Airman Paul E. Moss. She is married to John B. Gaddis, City Councilman (2nd Ward) and owner of Gaddis Consulting Group. She is a graduate of WVU with a BA in English and an MA in TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language). She has taught courses for international students as well as courses in African-American Literature and Women's Studies at WVU, and was Senior Program Coordinator for Retention where she developed and implemented programs and course curricula. She is currently an academic advisor. Maria has a passion for planning and organizing social gatherings which lead to the start of her full service event planning business, Gaddis Event Planning, LLC. Her 16 year old niece has been involved, off and on, with MTC since she was 5. Maria is pleased that we have so many talented children in the Morgantown area and amazed at how MTC is able to corral this talent and present such wonderful performances.