BOARD CHAIR

Kathryn Ervin is a Professor in the Department of Theatre Arts at California State University San Bernardino and is serving as Department Chair. She served on the faculty at Michigan State University. She is a graduate of Wayne State University and Illinois State University. She teaches courses in Directing, Acting, Creative Drama and African American Theatre and Film and Culture. She is a director and has directed drama’s comedies and musicals. She is currently at work devising INVISIBLE a play based on The Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison and HG Wells. Past productions include NO CHILD, THE WIZ, NOVIO BOY, HAMLET:the artist formerly known as Prince of Denmark. She guest directed INTIMATE APPAREL and HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE at UCR and MA RAINEY”S BLACK BOTTOM at Illinois State. Her original production of the hip hop opera KEEP HEDZ RINGIN’ by Rickerby Hinds was a finalist at the American College Theatre Festival in Utah and presented as part of the NYC Hip Hop Theatre Festival in 2002.

She is active in numerous professional organizations including the California Educational Theatre Association, the Association for Theatre in Higher Education and she is a fellow of the California Arts Project. She is a recipient of the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Outstanding Educator Award and an NAACP Pioneer Award. She is a consultant and past president for the Black Theatre Network, the national organization for artists, scholars and individuals with an interest in celebrating the beauty and complexity of black life onstage. In 2010 she received the Black Theatre Network Lifetime Membership Award recognizing her service to the organization. (Lives in San Bernardino)

BOARD TREASURER

In addition to her position as Treasurer of Arts Connection, Dr. Anne L. Viricel is Executive Director of the San Bernardino Symphony, spending her days creating opportunities for visibility for the region’s longest running and most prestigious professional orchestra. In the evenings, she serves as a professor at the University of Redlands School of Business specializing in quantitative operations and strategy coursework. She is also a public servant in her locally elected role as Vice President of the San Bernardino Community College Board of Trustees.

Dr. Viricel is also an author, having published dozens of academic and industry articles and, most recently, collaborated on the autobiography of educator and activist Dr. Margaret Hill. In addition to being a board member of Arts Connection, she serves on the boards of the San Bernardino County Museum Association (Treasurer), the San Bernardino Valley Concert Association (Member), The Unforgettables Foundation (Member), and the Highland Woman’s Club (Treasurer). She is also an active member of the American Association of University Women, the Bonnes Meres Auxiliary of the Children’s Fund, and the San Bernardino Symphony Guild. Her recent awards include Assembly District 40 City of Highland Woman of the Year, League of Women Voters Citizen of Achievement, the Black Culture Foundation’s Black Rose Award, and two University of Redlands Excellence in Teaching Awards.

BOARD SECRETARY

Sandra Espadas is the Community Development Manager with National Community Renaissance. She has extensive knowledge in community organizing, data and policy analysis, building police-community relationships and placed based strategies. Ms. Espadas has worked with various stakeholders in communities throughout the County of San Bernardino to improve their quality of life.

Most recently, Ms. Espadas is helping revitalize Central San Bernardino as part of the redevelopment of Arrowhead Grove, formerly known as Waterman Gardens – a public housing complex. This focuses on implementing a comprehensive, holistic placed based strategy to create neighborhood of choice and involves multiple partners working together to leverage existing resources and seek new funding. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Spanish Literature from the University of California, San Diego.

BOARD MEMBER

Kerry Neal is a seasoned philanthropy professional with 20 years of fundraising experience and has worked in both private and public institutions of higher learning in support of a variety of disciplines, programs, and initiatives. A skilled fundraising executive, Mr. Neal brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the areas of major and principal giving. He has played key roles in several comprehensive campaigns including the historic $6 Billion comprehensive campaign with USC, the $1 Billion campaign with UC Irvine, and other ambitious campaigns with the St. Joseph Health Foundation of Orange, UC Riverside, Claremont Lincoln University, and The Chicago School Education System/Pacific Oaks College. Mr. Neal received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Cal State Fullerton, his Master of Science in Leadership and Management (MSLM) from the University of La Verne, and holds professional certificates from UCLA Extension and the University of Michigan. He is also wrapping up his doctoral studies at Cal State San Bernardino. Mr. Neal is also a graduate of the African American Board Leadership Institute (AABLI) and serves on their Development & Alumni Committee. Additionally, Mr. Neal is a newly appointed board member with the San Bernardino Valley College Foundation and the Arts Connection.

BOARD MEMBER

Victor Suárez is the creative mind behind “Your Silent Outburst”. He has been designing since the age of 17 and has made his passion into a thriving small business. He graduated in 2006 from California State University, San Bernardino obtaining a Bachelors in Art with a concentration in Graphic Design.

As a passionate community leader and volunteer, Victor enjoys utilizing his creative skills and talents to give back to his community. He received the Citizen of Achievement Award from the League of Women Voters and was recognized as a 30 Under 30 Leader by the state assembly for the community impact he created as one of the youngest Executive Directors in one of San Bernardino’s oldest non-profit organizations.

With almost two decades of experience in graphic design Victor recently decided to embark on a new career as a CTE Graphic Design high school teacher to share his love and passion for design with youth. He enjoys seeing students embrace their creative energies and discovering how design and art play a vital role in our society. Victor currently resides in San Bernardino, California with his wife and two daughters

Dyami Ruiz-Martínez is a passionate, community-centered business professional dedicated to the cultural and economic development of San Bernardino County. A native Californian and proud resident, Dyami brings a wealth of experience in finance, government relations, and real estate. His career has focused on sustainable business development, real estate, public finance, and administration, with a proven track record of success.

As a dedicated community leader and scholar, Dyami served on the San Bernardino Community College District (SBCCD) Board of Trustees and contributed to the California Career Education Master Plan. He has also served on key committees, including the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Budget Advisory Work Group and the Working Learners Task Force. He currently serves as Co-Chair of the San Bernardino Valley College Budget Committee and Vice-Chair of the SBCCD Citizens Bond Oversight Committee. His leadership was recognized by the California State Assembly.

As a professional, Dyami has extensive experience in business-to-business transfer of real estate. As the Broker of Top Street Inc., he established partnerships with USDA, HUD, and VA to provide government-specific loan products. He also built a network of private lenders to offer commercial, development, and private lending programs.

Director Ruiz-Martínez believes investing in the arts is essential for economic development and community vitality. "The arts nurture our creativity. In our creativity, we find innovation," he says. He is eager to contribute his financial expertise and passion for the arts to further the mission of Arts Connection and enrich the cultural landscape of San Bernardino County.

BOARD MEMBER