bob gebhardt
BOARD CHAIR
Educated at Princeton and Harvard, Bob has extensive experience in international trade and strategic planning. In addition to the Footlight Players Board of Directors, he has served on numerous European, North and South American corporation boards, and as a director of various Charleston cultural and educational organizations. His lifelong interest in the arts began as a member of his prep school drama club and as drummer in a cover band playing for the USO and retirement homes. And while his career as a rock star was short-lived, he has been known to occasionally perform as a Willie Nelson impersonator. He and his wife have two mixed-breed rescue dogs but have given up trying to qualify them for the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
DAVE KOWERT
IMMEDIATE PAST BOARD chair
Putting his Master’s Degree in Film Direction to good use, Dave spent many years directing and producing special effects for film and television, building high tech attractions for Disney, and pioneering the Family Entertainment Center industry. His love for theater kept him in the director’s chair in both professional and amateur theaters throughout the Chicago area, including The Bridge View Theater and The Four Seasons Players. A serial entrepreneur, Dave has founded and built companies in politics, human resources, real estate, technology, and now operates a strategic consulting practice in Charleston. In addition to his board service for the Footlight Players, Dave is a certified first responder, sailing instructor, and 100-ton Master Captain who regularly competes in sailing competitions on the east coast.
tom blomquist
VICE CHAIR
Tom is an award-winning television writer, producer, and director whose credits include QUANTUM LEAP, FARSCAPE, THE A-TEAM, HUNTER, RIPTIDE, WALKER TEXAS RANGER, CHRISTY, HARDCASTLE & MCCORMICK, SWAMP THING, STINGRAY, FAME L.A., THE WHITE SHADOW, SHEENA, and NBC’s late-night TOMORROW WITH TOM SNYDER; in addition to the feature film BLOOD PAGEANT starring Snoop Dogg. He has also directed music videos, documentaries, commercials, and the stage play EINSTEIN! and been Creative Executive on the HALLMARK HALL OF FAME movies. As an educator, Tom is Professor Emeritus at California State University Long Beach, where he was honored to be named Most Valued Professor in the College of the Arts upon his retirement in 2018. He is now enjoying life as a novelist and Footlight board member in Charleston.
CHRIS HANDAL
treasurer
Chris is a Senior Business Analyst at MIL Corp, a privately held company that provides cyber, engineering, financial, and IT services to the federal government. A graduate of the University of South Carolina, he previously worked as a reporter for The Rock Hill Herald newspaper and as a Payroll Consultant at Benefitfocus and Cambar Software. Chris is a longtime supporter of the arts in Charleston, having supported the Footlight Players for many years, held board memberships at the Charleston Ballet Theatre and What If? Productions, and volunteered as a Street Marshal for the Historic Charleston Foundation's SPRING TOUR OF HOUSES AND GARDEN, which benefits important preservation, advocacy, and education initiatives. In his free time, he enjoys attending and hosting wine tastings with his wife Leigh.
SHANNON HORN
secretary
Shannon has been a passionate arts educator and advocate for 26 years. She has a Master’s Degree in Theatre Production and Bachelor’s in Music Performance and Education, and now teaches theatre at Charleston County School of the Arts. She has directed over 100 school-based productions, in addition to THE GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE & MURDER, THE ADDAMS FAMILY, DIAL M FOR MURDER, and THE MISS FIRECRACKER CONTEST, among others, for the Footlight Players. Shannon serves on the national Advocacy Leadership Network, has been recognized as the SCTA Outstanding Theatre Educator, EdTA’s Volunteer of the Year, SCSTA’s Communication Arts Teacher of the Year, and as a SCISA Master Teacher. She has been a member of the Footlight Players Board of Directors for seven years.
BOB HOLMES
member at large
A U.S. Army veteran with two mathematics degrees, a Bachelor’s Degree from Norwich University and a Master of Arts from the University of Maine, Bob began his 44-year career in fundraising as Vice President of Development at the University of Maine before joining the University of Central Florida as Vice President for Alumni Relations and Development, and CEO of the UCF Foundation. Among his accomplishments at the school was his pivotal role in the school’s first capital campaign, which raised $366 million and resulted in the UCF College of Medicine and Bright House Networks Stadium, among other campus additions, and the launch of a second campaign of $500 million. Bob’s commitment to non-profit fundraising and teambuilding makes him a welcomed addition to the Footlight Board.
PHIL LEFFEL
member at large
Having developed an affinity for theatre as a young man working backstage on summer stock productions, Phil went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University's School of Speech and MBA from Harvard University's Graduate School of Business Administration. Though a life in show business was no longer his dream, his successful career in financial management, operations, and business consulting resulted in his being featured in a Fortune Magazine article about the value of MBA degree programs in America. A tireless entrepreneur, Phil owned and operated several small businesses before relocating to Mount Pleasant with his wife Liz. His interests include real estate, woodworking, furniture refinishing, book restoration, and the Footlight Players. He is also determined to read every book ever written.
Bob mcferran
member at large
Bob brings a diverse array of professional experiences to the Footlight Board of Directors. A graduate of Ohio University with a BFA degree in Music Education, he began his career as a public-school Orchestra, Band, and Choir Director beforeeventually transitioning into banking. After rising to Branch Manager and Assistant Vice President, he harnessed his entrepreneurial spirit as the owner of three restaurants in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. His subsequent move to the Charleston area soon lead to a successful third career in real estate, which included building homes in Mt. Pleasant and Murrells Inlet. Bob never ventured far from his artistic roots, however.
He and his wife have been active volunteers at various Low Country venues, including our very own Queen Street Playhouse.
troy sTrother
member at large
Troy is a small business owner who has devoted his time and energy to serving the needs of children and families. Having earned a Master’s Degree in Education from New York University and Bachelor of Fine Arts from the College of Santa Fe in New Mexico, he also received certification as a Peer Support Specialist from the Addiction Professionals of South Carolina and mediator training from the South Carolina Bar Association. Troy’s work in youth mentorship and support for parents, foster parents, and other caregivers has included such organizations as the Boys And Girls Club, Parents Anonymous of South Carolina, Father to Father, and the Rotary Club of North Charleston. He has been a member of the Footlight Players Board of Directors for seven years.