2024 Annual Meeting
Welcome to the Pride Bands Alliance 2024 Annual Meeting. The Board of Directors respectfully submits these materials to the Assembly of Delegates ahead of our November Annual Meeting.
Please find below all the information you need to consider for voting during the Annual Meeting to be held Saturday, November 9, 2024, via Zoom. Scroll down to see each item or click one of the buttons below to jump to a specific topic. If you have questions prior to the meeting, please ask the Officers.
Saturday, November 9, 2024
USA: 4 p.m. EST / 3 p.m. CST / 2 p.m. MST / 1 p.m. PST
UK: 8 p.m. GMT / AUS: 7 a.m. AEST Sunday Nov 10
Listed in Eastern Daylight Time
| 4:00 PM | Call to Order / Welcome | David Doan |
| 4:01 PM | Roll Call | Brandon A. Lujan |
| 4:04 PM | Mission Statement | Delegate |
| 4:05 PM | 2024 Special Meeting Minutes | Brandon A. Lujan |
| 4:10 PM | Presentation of Officer Candidates with Q&A | Amy Miller |
| 4:25 PM | Treasurer’s Report | Amy Miller |
| 4:35 PM | Development Committee Report | Amy Miller |
| 4:40 PM | Communications Committee Report | Brandon A. Lujan |
| 4:45 PM | Special Events Committee Report | Courtney von Bergen |
| 4:50 PM | 2025 Inaugural Parade Update with Q&A | Courtney von Bergen |
| 5:00 PM | Band in Formation with Q&A | Len Ulibarri |
| 5:05 PM | Presentation of Director Candidates with Q&A | Amy Miller |
| 5:30 PM | DEIAB Committee Report | Marek Szeszycki / Patrice Mustaafaa |
| 5:35 PM | Membership Committee Report | Len Ulibarri |
| 5:40 PM | Conferences Committee Report | Katy Okamoto / Sam Aquino Pogue |
| 5:55 PM | Open Forum | David Doan |
| 6:00 PM | Adjournment | David Doan |
| Atlanta Freedom Bands | Jason Morley | Chris Sego |
| BandTogether | Jerry Ferris | Kevon Hall |
| Central Florida Sounds of Freedom Band & Color Guard | Joseph Kennedy | Mike McKee |
| Charlotte Pride Band | Jason Maynard | Branden Nicholson |
| Cleveland Freedom Band | Will Legare | Bradley Speck |
| Columbus Pride Bands | Clay Parlette | Kevin Vaselakes |
| D.C. Different Drummers | James Edwards | David McBee |
| Desert Overture Wind Symphony | Kade Barrick | Jesus Gonzalez |
| Desert Winds Freedom Band | Dencil White | Harvey Zuckman |
| Encantada, The Band of Enchantment | Gwen-Marie Lerch | Kathy Morris |
| Flower City Pride Band | Judy Ames | Elizabeth Kirchner |
| Freedom Trail Band of Boston | L.A. Beitenman | Erin Frawley |
| Gay Freedom Band of Los Angeles | Alison Jordan | Justin Raines |
| Houston Pride Band | Chris Foster | Lisa Mace |
| Lakeside Pride Music Ensembles | Jordan Francisco | Brandon Strawn |
| Mid America Freedom Band | Nathan Brown | Lee Hartman |
| Mile High Freedom Bands | Drew LaBonne | Heather Smyth |
| Minnesota Freedom Band | Steve Comingdeer | Matt Streff |
| Oak Lawn Band | Nick Nunley | |
| Philadelphia Freedom Band | Heather Riebeling | Gene Terry |
| Pride of Indy Bands | Tory Alsip | Lindy Crimmins |
| Pride of San Antonio Showband | Christopher Joseph | Jose Peralez |
| Queen City Freedom Band | Christopher Fisher | Jeff Martin |
| Queer Big Apple Corps | Dana Robbins | Julie Walsh |
| Rainbow City Performing Arts | Brendan Byron | Hans Berghoff |
| Rose City Pride Bands | Derek Lougee | Denny Richard |
| San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band | Doug Litwin | Jimmy Santosa |
| South Florida Pride Wind Ensemble | Rick Vaughan | Blake Velde |
| Tampa Bay Pride Band | Joe Bonasera | Laura Foley |
| Triangle Pride Band | Demetrius Adams | Andrew Pridgen |
2024 Special Assembly of Delegates Minutes
2024 Officer Candidates
Please review the bios and videos from our Pride Bands Board candidates below. A question and answer period will be held during the Annual Meeting for direct questions of the candidates by Delegates.
Marek Szeszycki
for Vice President
Denny Richards
for Treasurer
Katy Okamoto
for Treasurer
Marek Szeszycki
Candidate for Vice President
2-Year Term
Marek Szeszycki (he/him) has been a dedicated member of Pride Bands since 2009, proudly playing trumpet with the San Francisco Pride Band and formerly with Chicago’s Lakeside Pride Music Ensembles.
Over the past two years, Marek has had the privilege of serving on the Pride Bands Alliance Board of Directors as Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Access, and Belonging (DEIAB) and an active member of the Membership Committee. Highlights over his term include leading the DEIAB committee to create and promote the DEIAB Playbook resource for Member Bands, organizing member-led Campfire Chats to help address gender equity and attendance at Pride Bands conferences and special events, and facilitating our recent Membership Forum about Managing Growth.
In addition to his work within Pride Bands, Marek has held key leadership roles in both his professional and volunteer life. He served on the Board of Lakeside Pride Music Ensembles, focusing on marketing, member outreach, and recruitment. In his peer-nominated and elected role on the Artistic Advisory Committee for the San Francisco Pride Band, he championed member feedback and collaboration to improve the membership experience. His professional background spans leadership roles at Wayfair, Wells Fargo, and Gap Inc., where he has successfully led design teams and contributed to multi-million-dollar cost-saving initiatives.
During his career, Marek has built a reputation for championing collaboration and inclusivity by facilitating remote collaboration activities resulting in holistic solutions to organization challenges. Marek’s colleagues and direct reports note his collaborative nature and ability to lead teams effectively. Peers describe Marek as a “moderating force” in meetings who builds consensus. Direct reports describe Marek as a leader who “inspires [them] to perform at [their] best”
Marek’s passion for community extends beyond music. As a top fundraiser and co-captain for AIDS/LifeCycle’s New Bear Republic team, Marek helped raise over $500k for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and LA LGBT Center during two socially distant seasons. His ability to inspire, collaborate, and lead has made a lasting impact on his peers, both professionally and within Pride Bands.
Living in Oakland, CA, with his spouse Jae and their dog, Airis, Marek is excited to bring his vision, dedication, and experience to the role of Vice President of Pride Bands Alliance. LinkedIn Profile
Denny Richard
Candidate for Treasurer 2-Year Term
Candidate for Director 1-Year Term
if not elected as Treasurer
Denny Richard is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and vibrant community through the arts, and is a passionate and accomplished administrator with extensive experience in music and nonprofit management. With a proven track record in concert production logistics, Denny brings exceptional organizational skills and a keen attention to detail to every project.
As a front-to-back producer of various events, ranging from local fundraisers to national productions, Denny excels in overseeing budgets, managing communications among venue staff, artistic teams, and AV/Tech personnel. Their commitment to equity and inclusion is at the heart of Denny’s personal mission, ensuring that all voices are represented and celebrated in the arts.
With a strong background in finance and accounting, Denny ensures the financial health of the organization while mentoring volunteers and staff to cultivate their leadership potential. Through strategic event planning and a collaborative approach, they create spaces where creativity thrives, and community connections flourish.
“I believe that music and the arts are powerful tools for change, and I strive to amplify queer voices and foster a supportive environment for all artists and audiences. My mission to celebrate diversity and creativity in the arts!”
Katy Okamoto
Candidate for Treasurer
2-Year Term
Katy Okamoto pronouns: any
- Member of Pride Bands Alliance Board of Directors since January 2024
- Member at Large on DEIAB and Development Committee
- Co-Director of the Conferences Committee
- Served as a Delegate for Lakeside Pride Music Ensembles (Chicago) at almost every conference since 2015
- Served as Treasurer for Lakeside Pride Music Ensembles from 2015 – 2017, including serving on Development Committee
- Graduated from Simmons School of Management with an MBA in 2014
- Undergraduate BA in Asian Language and Literature and American Studies from Smith College in 2006
Fun facts: Main instrument is percussion, and my hobbies include fiber arts and collecting and using stationery supplies; also board and video games! Always down to get food!
2024 Director Candidates
Please review the bios and videos from our Pride Bands Board candidates below. A question and answer period will be held during the Annual Meeting for direct questions of the candidates by Delegates.
Charles Roth
for Director
Denny Richard
for Director
if not elected as Treasurer
Len Ulibarri
for Director
Marita Begley
for Director
Sam Aquino Pogue
for Director
Charles Roth
Candidate for Director
2-Year Term
Charles Roth (he/him) is the 2025 Guest Drum Major for The Queer Big Apple Corps and former Marching Band Artistic Director for DC’s Different Drummers. Under his leadership, DCDD expanded its presence in and around our nation’s capital, featuring high-profile performances including the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade, Smithsonian Institute, World Pride 2019 and two special appearances at the Naval Observatory, home of Vice President Kamala Harris. Charles also currently serves on the Board of Directors for Team DC, where he oversees the LGBTQ+ Student Athlete Scholarship Program and has been part of the committee and leadership team since 2018.
Charles is an active music educator in Alexandria, Virginia, where he teaches band at an International Baccalaureate, Title I, school. In his time there, he has increased student engagement, tripled the size of the band program, founded the schools music booster organization, led the band to multiple festivals and competitions with a legacy of success, and assisted/led the schools Gay Straight Alliance (GSA).
Charles’ professional affiliations (present and past) include Pride Bands Alliance, the National Association of Music Education (NAFME), the Ohio Music Educators Association (OMEA), Virginia Band Orchestra Directors Association (VBODA) and the North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA). Charles holds degrees from Miami University of Ohio (BME), and the University of Kentucky (MA) in Arts Administration among other certifications.
Len Ulibarri
Incumbent Candidate for Director
2-Year Term
Len Ulibarri (he/him)
I live in Thornton, Colorado with my partner, Juan, and our cat, Strut. I have been a member of the Mile High Freedom Bands, in Denver, Colorado, since 2008. I play soprano, alto, tenor, and bari sax with the bands. I have served on the board of directors twice, filling multiple roles. I served as Vice-President/Membership from September 2009 to June 2012, President from June 2012 to August 2013, Member-at-Large from September 2016 to June 2018, and Nominations Chair from July 2018 to June 2021. I am also part of the Rocky Mountain Dreams Pride Bands Alliance 2023 conference team, serving as the co-chair for the registration team.
My first LGBA/Pride Bands conference was the Deliciously Wicked conference in New York in 2008. Since then, I have attended 10 additional conferences and look forward to attending every year that I can.
I have served as a director on the Pride Bands Alliance board since 2022, in that time I have been a part of the DEIAB Committee and the Membership Committee. I am currently the Director of the Membership Committee, which I would plan to continue to do if I am elected for another term. I will also look for any way to help out with any other committees as needed.
I am honored to have had the opportunity to serve on the board and work to help give back just a little of what band, and the Pride Bands Alliance, have given to me. And I would like to continue to serve for another term. Thank you.
Marita Begley
Candidate for Director
2-Year Term
Marita Begley (she/her)
Artistic Director and Drum Major
Queer Big Apple Corps Marching Band (formerly Lesbian & Gay Big Apple
Corps and, before that, the New York Gay Community Marching Band)
Since joining the New York band in 1982, I have had the honor of serving as artistic
director of the marching band (1990-1992 and 2004-present) and as drum major (1986-
1995 and 2001-present). In the years before I became an artistic director, I was
frequently a member of the New York band’s Board of Directors, where I served several
terms in various roles, including President, Vice President, Fundraiser, Head of Donor
Relations, and Director of Public Relations.
I have been marching in bands for more than 50 years and directing or drum majoring in
bands for almost 40 years, during which time I have had the honor of serving as artistic
director and/or drum major for Pride Bands Alliance and my hometown band, the Queer
Big Apple Corps, on a couple of momentous occasions (brace for the brag…!):
- Marching Director and Drum Major, NYC’s Queer Big Apple Corps, in two historic
performances in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade as the first LGBTQIA+ band
to perform in the Virtual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (2020, during the
COVID pandemic) and in the in-person Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (2022). - Drum Major, LGBA Massed Band, 1st Presidential Inaugural Parade for Barack
Obama (2009); assisted in music selection and led rehearsals of the 170
musicians, color guard, and twirlers from 32 bands across the US in LGBA’s
history-making performance as the first LGBTQIA+ band to march in the Inaugural
Parade. - Artistic Director and Drum Major, LGBA Massed Band, 2nd Presidential Inaugural
Parade for Barack Obama (2013); selected music and uniforms, selected and
guided artistic leadership (assistant director, drum majors, captains), and led
rehearsals of the 240 musicians, color guard, twirlers, and honor guard. - Drum Major for the Opening Ceremonies of Gay Games in Chicago (2006); taught
a challenging field show to 200 musicians from 34 bands from the US, Canada,
and Australia in three days, culminating in a thrilling standing ovation
performance at Soldier Field before a crowd of 60,000. - Artistic Director and Drum Major, LGBA Massed Band, in the Greenwich Village
Halloween Parade during the Deliciously Wicked Conference in New York City
(2008); selected music, costumes, and routines and led rehearsals for a parade
performance that brought together 180 musicians from bands across the country
to perform as one unit, executing routines and dance steps, in New York City’s
largest and most celebrated nighttime parade.
Sam Aquino Pogue
Incumbent Candidate for Director
2-Year Term
2024 Committee Reports
Please review these reports from our Pride Bands Alliance committees. These documents serve as formal reports to the Assembly of Delegates. A question and answer period will be held during the Annual Meeting for any concerns from Delegates. To expedite that Q&A period, please email the committees directly.
