New Board Members Elected 2017-18

The Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Houston recently met at the home of Steve Robbins, President, for the annual General Meeting and the election of new Board Members.  The Society is pleased to announce the following community members have agreed to two-year terms.

Melanie Villeda is originally from Aruba and moved to Houston with her family at the age of 10.  Her father is a musician who introduced her to music at an early age.  In 1995 did her first show with the society and joined them on their first trip to to Buxton, England.  It was on that trip that she proclaimed her love for the society and vowed never to leave.  She's performed about ten shows with them over the years as well with other companies around town.  Her most recent role was as Ms. Andrews in Stage Right's Mary Poppins at the Historic Crighton Theater of Conroe.  She has three amazing kids with her husband, Fausto, of 19 years.  Her daughter, who is also a singer, wants to perform with the society as soon as she turns 18.  When not being a wife and mother, Melanie works as a Marketing and Public Relations Manager at MW Cleaners.  Singing, dancing, acting, reading and loving on her family is what she loves to do best.

Geoff Copper serves as a Project Manager at ApoCell, Inc., a biological services laboratory that supports oncology research and clinical trials by providing customizable biomarker testing panels. He has been performing Gilbert and Sullivan shows at least annually since joining the Rice Light Opera Society as an undergrad in 2004, and met his wife, Stephanie, in a performance of Ruddygore in 2006. He has been a part of the Society since joining for Yeomen of the Guard in 2008.

Lisa Warren has been performing with the society since 2016 as an alto chorus member. She graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering and minors in Business Administration and Mathematics. She is a project lead at PinnacleART which specializes in implementing reliability programs in the Oil & Gas and Specialty Chemical industries. Lisa is originally from the Dallas/Fort Worth area so in her free time (when she isn’t singing), she enjoys exploring new things to do in Houston. Give her some suggestions!

John Anderson is a native Houston, who became a licensed Certified Public Accountant in 1982.  In 1985, he became a partner in John A. Anderson, P.C., the firm founded by his father.  His practice includes forensic accounting services, representing clients in IRS controversy settlements, tax services, and preparation of financial statements.  John has served as both Vice President and Treasurer of the Board of Directors of The Houston Club, and also a member of the Board of Directors of Westwood Golf Club.  John and his family are active members of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church.  John’s wife, Tonya, was a long-time G&S Chorister and member of the Board of Directors, and his step-son, Steve McCary is currently serving on the Board.  John received his BBA from the University of Texas at Austin in 1975. 

Among current members, Gillian Kruse and Jim Robinson have chosen not to stand for re-election.  During the previous term, Scott Peacock, Julia FitzGerald, Michael Morgan resigned from the Board.  Mr. Peacock and Mr. Robinson have chosen to join the Emeritus Board.  The Board would like to thank Mr. Morgan for his service to the Society, Ms. Kruse and Ms. FitzGerald for their significant contributions, and Mr. Peacock and Mr. Robinson for many years of service to the Board and the Society at large.