2023 Annual Meeting
Welcome to the Pride Bands Alliance 2023 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 4, 2023, 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.
USA: 4 p.m. EDT / 3 p.m. CDT / 2 p.m. MDT / 1 p.m. MST/PDT
UK: 8 p.m. GMT / AUS: 7 a.m. AEDT Sunday Nov 5
Listed in Eastern Daylight Time
| 4:00 PM | Call to Order / Welcome | Robb Blackwell |
| 4:02 PM | Roll Call | Zef Hernandez-Hersh |
| 4:09 PM | Mission Statement | Delegate |
| 4:10 PM | 2023 Special Meeting Minutes | Zef Hernandez-Hersh |
| 4:15 PM | Presentation of Officer Candidates | Jessie Davis |
| 4:20 PM | Officer Candidates Q&A | Candidates |
| 4:30 PM | Officer Ballot Distribution / Voting | Len Ulibarri |
| 4:35 PM | Treasurer’s Report | Amy Miller |
| 4:40 PM | Membership Committee Report | Kevin Taylor |
| 4:45 PM | DEI Committee Report | Marek Szeszycki / Patrice Mustaafaa |
| 4:50 PM | Development Committee Report | Cliff Norris |
| 4:55 PM | Officer Vote Results | Len Ulibarri |
| 5:00 PM | Presentation of Director Candidates | Jessie Davis |
| 5:05 PM | Director Candidates Q&A | Candidates |
| 5:15 PM | Director Ballot Distribution / Voting | Len Ulibarri |
| 5:20 PM | Communications Committee Report | David Doan |
| 5:25 PM | Conference Committee Report | Zef Hernandez-Hersh |
| 5:30 PM | Special Events Committee Report | Jessie Davis |
| 5:35 PM | Director Vote Results | Len Ulibarri |
| 5:40 PM | Adjournment | Robb Blackwell |
| Atlanta Freedom Band | Chris Sego | Lesa Chadderdon |
| BandTogether | Kevon Hall | Fred McClintic |
| Central Florida Sounds of Freedom Band & Color Guard | Michael McKee | Mike Dibler |
| Charlotte Pride Band | Branden Nicholson | |
| Cleveland Freedom Band | Bradley Speck | Will Legare |
| Columbus Pride Bands | Tim Yanok | Daryl Wylie |
| D.C. Different Drummers | David McBee | Charlotte Volpe |
| Desert Overture Wind Symphony | Jesus Gonzalez | Mark Martinez |
| Desert Winds Freedom Band | Dean McDowell | Dencil White |
| Encantada, The Band of Enchantment | Kathy Morris | Gwen-Marie Lerch |
| Flower City Pride Band | Judy Ames | Laura Whitbeck |
| Freedom Trail Band of Boston | Erin Frawley | L.A. Beitenman |
| Gay Freedom Band of Los Angeles | Chris Torres | Joseph DiLiello |
| Houston Pride Band | Mary Beth Alsdorf | Nicolas Droger |
| Lakeside Pride Music Ensembles | Katy Okamoto | Abdo Timejardine-Zomeño |
| Mid America Freedom Band | Rameka Jennings | Nathan Brown |
| Mile High Freedom Bands | Brian Stecker | Heather Smyth |
| Minnesota Freedom Band | Laura Holland | |
| Oak Lawn Band | Jonathan Harvey | Nicholes Nunley |
| Philadelphia Freedom Band | Gene Terry | Heather Riebeling |
| Pride of Indy Bands | Tory Alsip | Lindy Crimmins |
| Pride of San Antonio Showband | Rene Echávarri | George Flores |
| Queen City Freedom Band | Samantha Searls | Greg Holdiness |
| Queer Big Apple Corps | Julie Walsh | Brian Luke |
| Rainbow City Performing Arts | Damien Hall | Brendan Byron |
| Rose City Pride Bands | Gretchen Scholl | Mary Watts |
| San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band | Julie Williamson | Doug Litwin |
| South Florida Pride Wind Ensemble | Blake Velde | Rick Vaughan |
| Tampa Bay Pride Band | Lorrie Foley | Joseph Bonasera |
| Triangle Pride Band | Andrew Pridgen | Demetrius Adams |
2023 Assembly of Delegates Minutes
2023 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.
David Doan
for President
Brandon A. Lujan
for President
Zef Hernandez-Hersh
for Secretary
David Doan
Candidate for President
David Doan, PhD, MBA, RN, BCMAS, PMC-II, PMP, CSM, CSPO has been actively involved with the Pride Bands Alliance community since his first exposure in 2010 while attending his first Annual Conference in Indianapolis. Since then, he has participated in 12 Pride Bands Annual Conferences and three Gay Games. Previously, he has served for six years as President of the Gay Freedom Band of Los Angeles (GFBLA) and Officer of Ceremonies for the Federation of Gay Games. He currently is the Co-President for Ascend Los Angeles Metro Chapter, VP of Programs for Project Management Institute – Los Angeles Chapter, Board Member for APLA Health, Board member for San Francisco Hep B Free – Bay Area, Board member for HIV League. David has served on nonprofit Boards over 20 years and understands the inner workings, challenges, and opportunities with nonprofit organizations.
In his current term on the Pride Bands Alliance Board of Directors, David is the Director of Conferences Committee. Previously, he has served as the Chair of the Membership, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI), Partnerships, and Stories & Visibilities Committees. Together with other various Committee members, David has developed the DEIAB Playbook, led the Future of Conferences Task Force, created the 2025 Conference Manual, and managed up to five conferences along with other Committee members. David is a member of the Pride Bands Alliance Presidents Circle.
David is passionate and committed to the following social and environmental causes: arts, culture, sports, LGBTQ+, marginalized communities, health equity, social justice, DEI, social responsibility, and climate action.
David earns a Doctor of Philosophy in Health Services, a Master of Business Administration, a Master of Science in Health Services Administration, a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. He is a Registered Nurse and has earned the following certifications: Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS), Pragmatic Marketing Certified – Level 2 (PMC-II), Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Scrum Master (CSM), Certified Product Owner (CSPO), Agile Certified Professional, AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, and Salesforce Health Cloud Accredited Professional. David is also an Expert ERG Certified Trainer through the ERG Leadership Alliance. He delivers DEI trainings, workshops, masterclasses, ERG learning labs to many corporations and other DEI and ERG leaders across the country.
Brandon A. Lujan
Candidate for President
Brandon A. Lujan is a passionate band geek who joined the Mile High Freedom Bands (MHFB) in 2005 and was quickly elected to the board of directors just a year later. Two years later he attended his first Pride Bands Alliance conference Silver in St. Louis back in 2007 and has been hooked ever since. In his time with both MHFB and Pride Bands he has served in the following positions.
- MHFB Secretary: 2006-2008
- MHFB Vice President: 2008-2009
- MHFB President: 2009-2011 and 2016-2021
- Pride Bands Alliance Director: 2019-Present
- MHFB Business Manager: 2021-Present
Brandon currently serves as a Director on the Pride Band Alliance Board of Directors and sits on the Membership and Conference committees. He recently was one of the conference Co-Coordinators of this year’s 2023 Pride Bands Alliance Conference Rocky Mountain Dreams in Denver, Colorado.
Brandon is a rare native of Colorado growing up in the Denver area. Music has always played an important role in his life from his early school days all the way to today. He is a man of many talents and plays several instruments within the MHFB. He plays several different instruments including Horn, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, and Tenor & Bari Saxophone. Currently you can find him honking on the bari sax.
In 2015, Brandon met his husband Zephaniah, who is also a member of the MHFB in the Horn section. In his spare time, he loves to cook for family and friends. Brandon is a classically trained chef and in 2012 earned his culinary degree from the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts in Boulder, Colorado. While you will not see him working in the kitchen any longer, you can still eat his food at most MHFB events.
Brandon was nominated for President of Pride Bands Alliance.
Zef Hernandez-Hersh
Incumbent Candidate for Secretary
I have been in a long-term relationship with Pride Bands Alliance since 2013. My involvement with our organization has taken me across the continent participating with different member bands during Pride festivals, regional events, special events, and milestone anniversaries. I have only missed our annual conference in 2016 due to grad school and 2017 due to Hurricane Harvey. During the global pandemic, I even participated virtually in Tutti.
I have been playing trombone and spinning flags since 1994. Most recently, I performed in the DCDD winter guard’s historic WGI season culminating with a standing ovation during the Colorguard World Championships in Dayton, OH.
I currently serve as the Secretary, Director of Special Events, and on the Membership Committee with the Pride Bands Alliance Board of Directors. In my tenure, I have also served in the following roles across our organization:
- Member at Large, Queen City Rainbow Band
- Treasurer, Queen City Rainbow Band
- President, Queen City Rainbow Band
- Member at Large, LGBA Board of Directors
- Inaugural Member, Presidents’ Circle
- Director of Special Events, Oak Lawn Band
- Secretary, Atlanta Freedom Bands
- Director of Special Events, Pride Bands Alliance
- Secretary, Pride Bands Alliance
I am no stranger to leadership roles in and out of our organization, and I look forward to continuing to put in the long hours as an Executive Officer. I hope to live up to our Mission Statement and continue to serve as a champion for bringing Pride and Understanding through Music.
I currently reside in Atlanta, GA and to say that I travel frequently is an understatement!
Professionally, I work in Human Resources with Lockheed Martin where I manage corporate headquarters’ Enterprise Intern and Co-Op Program in Washington, DC. In my role, I am responsible for visiting different LM work sites, school campuses, and attending year-round national diversity conferences.
2023 Director Candidates
Richard Cassidy
for Director
David Doan
for Director
if not elected as President
Brandon A. Lujan
for Director
if not elected as President
Patrice Mustaafaa
for Director
Kevin Taylor
for Director
Courtney von Bergen
for Director
Richard Cassidy
Candidate for Director
Richard Cassidy (he/him) is a proud North Carolinian living in the Raleigh area, growing up in the very small town of Lenoir, NC.
Richard is a classically trained vocalist and instrumentalist, receiving degrees in English & Vocal Performance from Appalachian State University. Richard also holds degree in Communications with emphasis in Public Relations and Print Media from the University of Mount Olive. Active in the Raleigh performing arts scene, he enjoys singing high in the Tenor section of the Triangle Gay Men’s Chorus and playing low in the Tuba section of the Triangle Pride Band.
Professionally, Richard is an educator, currently teaching 6th grade English/Language Arts at a triangle area charter school, where he assists in the Music department, and is working with the administration and teachers of the school to create an instrumental music program.
Richard has previous experience serving on the board of community organizations, and currently serves as the Social Media/Booking Guru for Oak City Saxes, an up and coming sax quartet in the Raleigh area. Outside of music, as if that is a thing, Richard enjoys traveling, spending time with friends, and exploring local breweries and foodie places! Richard would like to thank the members of the Triangle Pride Band and Oaklawn Band for their support and helping with his growth within the Pride Bands community.
Patrice Mustaafaa
Incumbent Candidate for Director
I have, with great passion and love been serving and volunteering in this community for 7 years. As a Gay American Muslim of African Descent, I use She Her Hers, as my pronouns. As a flautist, I have used my instrument to infuse color with my rainbow-colored flute collection. I have shared in the musical missions of several ensembles.
San Francisco Lesbian Gay Freedom Band
Volunteer and Musician – Symphonic Band, Pep band and Marching Band – 2014
Board – Member at Large, Director of Development – 2015 – 2018
Committees – Inclusivity, DEI, Dance Along Nutcracker, Pride – 2015-2018
Lakeside Pride Music Ensemble
Volunteer and Musician – Symphonic Band, and March Band – 2018-2021
Board – Member at Large, Member Resources Officer
Committees – DEI, Pride and LGBA Conference 2022
Affinity Groups – Social Justice Book Club and Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC)
Lesbian Gay Band Association
Palm Springs, CA – 2016
Houston, Tx (registered, booked) 2017 – cancelled
Kansas City, MO – 2018
Orlando, FL – 2019
Portland, OR – (registered, booked) 2020 – cancelled
Houston, TX – 2021
Chicago, IL – pre-registered, booked
Single, living, and working in New York area. I have 18 years as an executive assistant in investment banking. I have a 17 yr. old rescue dog. I have lived in 11 states and 27 cities.
I have also been very visibly involved and vocal about social justice. I have contributed to multiple DEI workshops and trainings, as well as affinity groups. I will join the DEI committee and continue the work toward equality and inclusivity for every human being.
Kevin Taylor
Incumbent Candidate for Director
I would like your vote to be re-elected to the LGBA Board of Directors. I am currently chair of the Membership Committee and a member of the Communications Committees. I look forward to continuing to give back to an organization that has been such an important part of my life.
LGBA
- 1990- First conference in Denver
- 1993- Organizer of Dallas conference
- 1996- Planning Committee San Antonio Conference
- 2000-2006- LGBA Board of Directors
- 2017- Planning Committee of Houston conference
- 2017 to present- LGBA Board of Directors
- 2021- Planning Committee of the Houston conference
Local Bands
- 1989-2001- Member of the Oak Lawn Band. I was on the board for most of my time there with several terms as president, and several as Treasurer
- 2001-present- Member of the Houston Pride Band. I was on the board for about twelve years where I served multiple terms as president. I have also headed the Concert Planning Committee and served as Section Leader
Personal
- Born and have lived in Texas my entire life
- Organizer of SaxWorx, the Houston Pride Band’s saxophone ensemble
- Principal Travel Functional Consultant for SAP Concur
- Member of the Burning Band at the annual Burning Man festival
- Avid professional soccer fan and amateur soccer player
Courtney von Bergen
Incumbent Candidate for Director
Education/Background:
BS Cell/Molecular Biology, California Polytechnic State University
Kappa Kappa Psi
MS Pharmacology, University of Colorado
Profession: Global Oncology Clinical Trial Manager
Extra Curriculars:
- Denver Concert Band
- Castle Rock Orchestra
- Denver Women’s Chorus
- Colorado Swing Dance Club
- Englewood Summer Theater Program
- Various other sub positions in local community music programs.
Although my formal education has primarily centered around science and healthcare, I have been fortunate to keep music in my life for nearly 30 years. Currently I spend my extra curricular time working with various local community bands, orchestras, and choirs in addition to running a lindy hop swing dance scene and directing a city-sponsored theater program. I live in Denver, CO with my two cats, enjoy the outdoors, and travel as much as possible
Since joining Pride Bands Alliance, I have worked on the Rebranding Committee, 40th Anniversary Committee, Special Events Committee, and Development Committee. I am also currently serving as the organization’s delegate to the Federation of Gay Games. If re-elected to the Pride Bands board, I intend to continue working to make the organization’s name more visible to the community at large and to promote LGBTQAI+ music.
2023 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.
