Board Members

Doug Haines - President
Doug has been involved as a performer and as a promoter/host with other music festivals. He is new to the northeastern Michigan area and would like to be more involved with the local music scene. He is eager to build, promote and contribute to the growth and development of the music scene in this region.

Alisha Allen - Vice President
Alisha is a Social worker with Child Protective Services and a business owner.
She also is on the Thunder Bay Folk Fest Programming Committee.

Katie Hubbard - Secretary
A native Yooper, she attended NMU and graduated with Bachelor and Masters degrees in writing, teaching, and film studies.
She moved to Alpena three years ago after spending ten years below the Mason Dixon where she taught collegiate English courses in North Carolina and East Texas. She has worked with numerous open mics and musicians and has volunteered for several Thunder Bay Folk Society events. She is active with the Alpena Civic Theatre and has interests in acoustic and folk music, having recently endeavored upon learning the mandolin, fiddle, cajone, and cigar box guitar.

Jeff Kowalski - Treasurer
Jeff has a lot of experience with planning and was on committees the first two years of the Thunder Bay Folk Festival.
He is very supportive of the community as a citizen and as a business owner of Latitudes Tavern.
Jeff is the out of the box thinker and brings many ideas to the table with fundraising and planning events.
He believes that the Thunder Bay Folk Society organization benefits from fresh thinking to keep growing and thriving. Jeff would love to have your support to join the folk society board.

Stephanie Sexton - Trustee
Stephanie has been an active supporter of the Thunder Bay Folk Festival since the first year. She is very interested in participating in the Festival’s future success. She has many connections with the community, musicians and potential volunteers, and ACC’s Granum Theatre.

Mike Matthes - Trustee
Mike has been involved with the Thunder Bay Folk Festival since the establishment of the organization. He feels it has been a wonderful experience and takes pleasure working together and serving on the board.
Mike’s interests lie in Public Relations, Special Events and Festival Operations.

Rich Rider - Trustee
Local artist, musician, and carpenter, I have been involved in the music scene in Alpena since I moved here 14 years ago. I run a local open mic night here in town. I’ve tried to stay involved with the community as much as pos sible. I feel I’m well known in Alpena and I’m proud of that. My artwork hangs in business es throughout town. And my carpenter skills can be seen in several as well.

Shawn Sexton - Trustee

Bob Weinkauf - Trustee








