Piedmont Craftsmen Elects Officers

At their December meeting, the Board of Directors elected the following individuals as officers for 2019:

Keila Coffey, Lewisville, NC – Board Chair
Tomi Melson*, Winston-Salem, NC – 1st Vice Chair
Gary Ljungquist, PhD, Lewisville, NC – 2nd Vice Chair
Maureen Ihrie, PhD, Winston-Salem, NC – Secretary
Sharon Hamilton, PhD, Winston-Salem, NC – Treasurer
Amanda Blackman Phillips, JD, Pfafftown, NC – Immediate Past Board Chair

Keila Coffey is Director, Client Advisor, Alex Brown. Past Board Member of Mental Health Association of Forsyth, Member of North American Truffle Association, and NC Wine Growers Association. She received the Outstanding Women in Business award from Triad Business Journal.

Tomi Melson is an Exhibiting Member in Fiber. She was Piedmont Craftsmen Executive Director from 1999 to 2005 and in 2017 retired as Director of Development and Community Relations for Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina. More than 25 years of experience in non-profit management, BA in Arts Management from Salem College. Honored with a Piedmont Craftsmen Sherpa Award in 2011.

Gary R. Ljungquist, PhD is a Retired Professor at Salem College, long time Piedmont Craftsmen Supporting Member and volunteer, served on search committee for President of Salem Academy and College, Advisory Committee for Division of Arts/Humanities, Forsyth Technical Community College, has volunteered with Sawtooth School for Visual Arts, AIDS Task Force, AIDS Care Services and NCPride. Vast experience in strategic planning.

Maureen Ihrie, PhD,  Retired Associate Professor of Spanish, Elon University 2001-2014 and department chair 2012-2016. With her husband, supports Triad Stage, WS Symphony, Theater Alliance, Second Harvest Food Bank, UNCSA Associates. PhD in Spanish literature from Bryn Mawr College. Has served on dozens of academic committees from the departmental to the University level.

Sharon Hamilton, PhD,  CFO United Way of Forsyth Co (retired). Served as Treasurer of River Run International Film Festival and Sawtooth School for Visual Art, currently serving as Treasurer of Hand On Northwest NC. Served as Piedmont Craftsmen’s Board Chair in 2006 and Treasurer in 2005 and 2007.

Amanda Blackman Phillips, Attorney, Craige Jenkins Liipfer & Walker, LLP.  UNC-Chapel Hill, BA in English; Nova Southeastern University, JD.   Lifetime resident of Forsyth County.  Member of Forsyth County Women Attorneys Association and Reynolda Rotary Club of Winston-Salem. Amanda’s husband, Mike Phillips, has previously served on the board. Amanda served as Board Secretary for two years, and 1st Vice Chair for one year before serving as Board Chair in 2018.