OUR Board

BOARD OFFICERS

Chris Petre-Baumer

President
Arts marketing leader and creative director
Flute and Piccolo, Alpharetta Symphony

Chris Petre-Baumer is an arts marketer, creative director, and flutist based in Alpharetta. He is the Director of Marketing and Creative for Boston’s Handel and Haydn Society, the Founder and Creative Director of the arts branding and design studio Peach Bomb Creative, and is proud to serve as the President of the Alpharetta Symphony’s Board of Directors.

He has also worked as a graphic designer, marketer, educator, and fundraiser for Boston arts institutions like the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Juventas New Music Ensemble, Boston University, and the Community Music Center of Boston.

In addition to his work in arts management, Chris is an actively performing musician. He currently plays flute and piccolo in the Alpharetta Symphony, but has performed as a flutist and countertenor in Boston, Atlanta, and Montgomery, AL. Over the years, Chris has studied with flutists Carol Franks, Katherine Evans, Angela Jones-Reus, and Dr. Andrée Martin; piccoloists Nicola Mazzanti and Jean-Louis Beaumadier; and vocalists Dr. Meg Jackson and Aaron Sheehan.

Chris holds a Certificate in Orchestra Management from The Juilliard School, a Master’s degree in Arts Administration from Boston University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Troy University.

Avishay Ben Zvi

Vice President
Senior Director of IT Applications, Verint
Principal Bassoon, Alpharetta Symphony

Avishay Ben Zvi, is a dedicated professional in the high-tech industry for over 20 years, currently serving as an IT Applications Senior Director in Verint. Married with twin daughters who are 13, Avishay has a rich background in music, having played in various orchestras and chamber music groups in Israel. After moving to the US in 2012, he continued his musical journey by joining the Alpharetta Symphony Orchestra in 2017. His commitment to the arts is evident through his roles as a board member, personnel manager, and board Vice President since 2021.

Music Educator of public school, Mrs. Lenz

Christi Lenz

Secretary
Retired Music Educator
Horn, Alpharetta Symphony

Christi Lenz is in her 30th year as a public school music educator and has served in grades kindergarten through high school. Outside of school hours, Mrs. Lenz can be found practicing the french horn, teaching private lessons or performing with local orchestras. She has been a member of the Alpharetta Symphony since 2022.

Mrs. Lenz earned a Bachelor of Music Education from Eastern Illinois University, a Masters in Conducting from Austin Peay State University, and a Specialist in Media and Instructional Technology from University of West Georgia. As the educational outreach liaison, Mrs. Lenz recognizes the importance of music engagement not only in our schools but in the community as well. Mrs. Lenz’s teaching philosophy is exemplified by the quote "The fact that children can make beautiful music is less significant than the fact that music can make beautiful children" (Cheryl Lavender). Strong community music programs can equally make beautiful communities.

DAWN TAYLOR

Treasurer

Dawn Taylor, Chief Credit Officer at BankSouth, is a seasoned banking executive with extensive expertise in credit services and lending. She has demonstrated experience in all aspects of banking, including developing policies, processes and people to support an effective sales and credit culture.

In addition to her professional career, Dawn is a graduate of Leadership Georgia and has held numerous leadership roles in non-profit organizations such as Northwest Georgia Family Crisis Center, NW Georgia United Way, 1st Presbyterian Church of Dalton, Dalton Whitfield Chamber of Commerce, and the GA Board of the Girl Scouts. Dawn says one of her biggest non-profit accomplishments while President of the NW Georgia Crisis Center was the successful raising of public and private funds, including grant funding to build a new multi-million dollar shelter for women and children.

Dawn’s husband, Dean, plays cello in the Alpharetta Symphony and that, along with her love of giving back to the community, has drawn her to be interested in helping the Symphony’s Board. Dawn and Dean live in Dunwoody.

Susan Hanna

Former Board President and current Alpharetta Arts Commissioner

Susan has lived in the heart of Alpharetta for 25 years with her husband and three dynamic daughters. A lifelong violinist, Susan joined the Alpharetta Symphony in 2016 and became Board President in 2021. As President, she has witnessed the exciting growth of the Symphony’s musicianship and watched our community orchestra become an integral part of the Alpharetta arts scene.

Susan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Baylor University, a graduate degree in Public Accounting from the University of Texas at Arlington, and is a licensed CPA. Susan has worked in cost accounting, accounts payable management, and financial reporting. Currently, she works with a local family-owned business providing customer service and product management.

BOARD MEMBERS

JOHN HIPES

Alpharetta City Council member and passionate arts advocate

John Hipes has been a part of Alpharetta since 1989. He graduated Wake Forest University in 1981 and Georgia State University law school in 1988. John has practiced law for 38 years and is Of Counsel with the law firm Mahaffey Pickens Tucker, LLP in Alpharetta. John is an Alpharetta City Councilman, serving since 2018, and is the liaison to the Recreation, Parks & Cultural Services Department and the Alpharetta Fire Department. John has been an active member of the Alpharetta Rotary Club since 1997 and served as president in 2008-2009. He is also a member of the Leadership North Fulton class of 2000.

John currently serves on the boards of the Alpharetta Symphony and the Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau. John is a past board member of North Fulton Community Charities, Alpharetta Methodist Church board of trustee, Alpharetta Rotary Foundation, Alpharetta Public Safety Foundation, Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, Ed Isakson Alpharetta YMCA, and North Fulton Bar Association. John lives, works, and plays in downtown Alpharetta where he resides with his wife Karen and their dog Murphy.

ANDREA G. MARKUM

Founder and CEO, The Markum Center for Emotional Wellness

Andrea G. Markum, MBA/MHSA, LPC., is the Founder/CEO of The Markum Center for Emotional Wellness. A Mental Wellness Boutique: A Unique Psychotherapy and Coaching Practice for Women.

Andrea is passionate about community engagement and believes in the power of the arts to enrich lives. As a board member of The Alpharetta Symphony Orchestra, she aims to leverage her operational expertise and commitment to community service to help expand the orchestra’s reach and impact. She envisions the orchestra as a vibrant cultural hub that fosters connections, provides educational opportunities, and celebrates the beauty of classical music.

Andrea is proud to be an active resident and small business owner in Alpharetta. In her free time, she enjoys attending performances and is dedicated to supporting initiatives that promote the arts in her community.

Lisa Musich

Development Committee Chair
Founder, LM Consulting, and Product Leader

Lisa Musich has lived in Alpharetta since 2017, drawn to its charming downtown and easy access to Atlanta’s tech innovation and community arts scenes. In her corporate career, she has directed strategic planning, product management, marketing, and go-to-market functions in many local companies, including Equifax, LexisNexis, and Cox Automotive. Through her consulting company, Lisa has impacted the growth of many high-tech solutions.

Lisa’s interest in community arts began at an early age. After earning her B.A. in music from UCLA, she held roles with the Independent Composers Association and the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s conductor training program, where she learned she had a knack for the business side of the arts. She went on to earn an MBA from California State University, Northridge. As Development Committee Chair for the Alpharetta Symphony’s Board of Directors, she draws upon her love of the arts and her business expertise to aid in growing its foundation of support so it can better serve the community.

BOB ROTHMAN

Alpharetta community leader

A long-time resident of Alpharetta, Bob Rothman is a prominent community leader and forward-thinking real estate investor and developer dedicated to fostering an environment where the arts can thrive alongside commercial growth. He has spearheaded significant local developments, including high-impact renovations and the revitalization of historic properties in downtown Alpharetta to create vibrant collaboration and dining venues. His work often bridges the gap between commercial architecture and community enrichment, transforming existing office spaces into cultural hubs.

A dedicated advocate for the local arts, Bob serves as a member of the Board for the Alpharetta Symphony, where he leverages his business acumen and decades of strategic leadership experience to steer the symphony’s mission of bringing high-quality, accessible musical performances to the region. He is recognized as a forward-thinking collaborator who values the role of non-profit organizations in building a connected and thriving city. Whether through his professional background in design or his personal dedication to volunteerism, Bob remains a steady hand in guiding Alpharetta toward a future where both business and the arts can flourish together.

Erik Rowen is a lover of music and president in the hospitality industry

ERIK S. ROWEN

President, McKibbon Places and President of Development and Renovation Services, McKibbon Hospitality

With more than 30 years of experience in architecture, real estate development, and hospitality, Erik Rowen currently serves as President of McKibbon Places, where he leads development strategy, project execution, and design oversight for a diverse portfolio of hospitality and mixed-use projects across the United States. Since joining the organization in 2003, he has held progressive leadership roles including Vice President of Development and Project Manager, contributing to the successful delivery of dozens award-winning hotels, residences, and mixed-use developments.

A Registered Architect in the State of Georgia and member of the American Institute of Architects, he brings a unique blend of design expertise and business acumen to complex development projects. His portfolio includes many of the nationally recognized hospitality brands such as Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, and Kimpton, with projects that have received multiple industry awards for design excellence, innovation, and development impact. Prior to McKibbon Places, he held project leadership roles with Hardin Capital and Pieper O’Brien Herr Architects.

In addition to his professional work, he is deeply engaged in civic and industry leadership. In addition to the Alpharetta Symphony Board, he also serves on the McKibbon Companies Board of Directors, the City of Alpharetta Design Review Board, and the Alpharetta Business Council Board. He is also an active guest lecturer at Georgia State University and a member of several community and business organizations, supporting the continued growth of the built environment and the hospitality industry.

Leona RApELye

Human Resources Executive

Leona Rapelye is a SHRM-SCP certified human resources executive with deep experience in people-centered organizational effectiveness. Her work focuses on the intersection of culture, talent, and performance, helping organizations align their values with the way they lead and grow.

Leona currently serves as Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Synergis, a workforce solutions firm. Previously, she held global leadership roles at UPS Capital, overseeing human resources, operations, and risk management.

A committed nonprofit leader, Leona formerly served as the Board Chair of
Sheltering Arms, a large family-services organization; and is former Philanthropy Committee chair of the Atlanta Metro chapter of the American Red Cross. Leona’s passion for the arts dates back to her undergraduate days as a Music major. She packed her flute away for a corporate career, but her love of classical music brings her to serve on the Alpharetta Symphony Board!

Advisory Council

Chuck Nelson