Protecting a Legacy ~ Promoting the Arts
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Board of Trustees

The Oxford Community Arts Center Board of Trustees is a group of community and arts-minded volunteers responsible for the overall governance of the OCAC, focusing primarily on its mission, strategy, and goals. Board members agree to serve a three-year term with an option for one additional three-year term. Elected officers serve a two-year term.

Meets 2nd Thursday of the month at 1:30 PM.

Viewable OCAC 2023-27 Strategic Plan 

The OCAC Board is committed to thoroughly reviewing our 5-year Strategic Plan as part of the Annual Meeting, ensuring its continued relevance and alignment with our mission. This steadfast commitment reflects our proactive approach to adaptability, long-term sustainability, and measuring success.

Connie McCarthy, President

Term: 2021-2024, 2024-2028*
Executive Committee, Development Committee,
Facilities & Restoration Committee, Finance Committee

Connie is a registered architect with over 30 years of experience, whose practice focuses on educational facilities in both the K-12 and Higher Education sectors. She retired from Miami University in 2020 as Associate Director of Capital Projects. She currently provides consulting services to public owners on construction projects.

*one year extension to fulfill obligations as Board President

Rosalyn Benson, President-Elect

Term: 2023-2026, 2026-2029
Co-Chair: Development Committee
Executive Committee, Program Committee

Rosalyn retired from her roles at Miami University as Assistant Dean for the College of Creative Arts and as an Instructor and Director in the Theater Department. She is one of the founders and principals of the Caroline Scott Players, a semi-professional resident theatre company. She is an active member of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. Rosalyn previously served on the Board from 2017-2022.

Kimberly Peterka, Secretary

Term: 2024-2027
Chair: Annual Gala Committee
Executive Committee, Facilities & Restoration

In addition to her ongoing involvement with Oxford Community Arts Center and Des Fleur Garden Club, Kim is also the Vice President of KIMSCO & Akretep, Inc., a real estate and commercial enterprise. Kim previously served on the Board from 2026-2022, including Board President from 2020-2022.

Elizabeth Brice, Treasurer

Term: 2022-2025, 2025-2028
Chair: Finance Committee
Executive Committee, Development Committee

Elizabeth has lived in and around Oxford since 1984 and retired from Miami University Libraries as Assistant Dean for Technical Services and Special Collections in 2015. She has enjoyed watercolor painting for 30 years and is a Resident Artist with a studio on the third floor and a Consignment Artist for the Art Shop.

Amy Bartel

Term: 2024-2027
Chair: Program Committee

Amy has a B.A. in Studio Art and Spanish from The College of Wooster, a Master's from Loyola University, and an AMI Montessori certificate. Originally from Ohio, Amy and her family moved to Oxford from upstate New York two years ago. Amy is a Resident Artist with a studio on the third Floor and a Consignment Artist for the Art Shop under Elizabeth Hanson Design.

Roger Gates

Term: 2021-2024, 2024-2027
Chair: Policy Committee

Roger, an attorney for 40+ years, and his wife, Nancy Teckman Gates, have resided in Oxford since 1979. They have two children and three grandchildren. Roger retired in 2019 after serving 18 years as the Civil Division Chief for the Butler County Prosecutor’s Office. Roger has served in leadership roles with the Oxford Presbyterian Church, Oxford Country Club, Family Service (LifeSpan), Ohio State Bar Assn., Butler County Bar Assn., Butler County Law Library, Volunteer Lawyers for the Poor, and Supreme Court of Ohio (Disciplinary Board).

Jason N. Gross, D.C.

Term: 2023-2026, 2026-2029
Policy Committee

Dr. Jason Gross is originally from upstate New York, where he earned his undergraduate degree in Biology from St. Lawrence University before graduating from New York Chiropractic College. He moved to Oxford in 2022 with his spouse, Dr. Amanda Alexander, employed at Miami University, and opened Peak Performance Chiropractic.

Marilyn Heflin

Term: 2025*-2029
Development Committee

Marilyn is the Miami University Sr. Project Manager of Capital Projects in the Planning, Architecture and Engineering Department. She is also a Miami graduate with a degree in Manufacturing Engineering. Marilyn and her family have lived in Oxford for 11 years and are active in the community. Marilyn previously owned Heflin Homes, Inc., a custom home building company, and worked at Northern Kentucky University as Associate Director of Capital Projects.

Ellen McCune

Term: 2024-2027
Development Committee

Ellen, a retired pharmaceutical executive with 38 years in the industry, chose to reside in Oxford with her husband, Jack, after retiring in late 2016. Having been raised in Connersville, IN, but moving away soon after entering the industry, Jack and Ellen wanted to live near family. They have two children and two grandchildren. Ellen is involved in local bicycling and enjoys working out at the Miami Rec Center. Ellen is a member of the League of Women Voters.

Christine Noble

Term: 2026-2029
Finance Committee

Bio TBD. Christine is a Resident Artist with a studio on the third Floor and a Consignment Artist for the Art Shop.

Ellen Price

Term: 2022-2025, 2025-2028
Art Exhibitions Committee

Ellen retired from Miami University, where she taught printmaking in the Art Department. She earned an MFA in Printmaking from Indiana University and has exhibited her artwork widely. Ellen is also active in the Oxford League of Women Voters and is a regular volunteer at Oxford’s TOPSS food pantry.

Ron Stevens

Term: 2026-2029
Program Committee

A graduate of Western Kentucky University, Ron recently retired from Miami University as the Director of the Art Center at Phillips Hall. He has developed and taught numerous levels of photography clases since 1985 at Miami University. He is a passionate environmentalist and has conducted numerous travel photography workshops and seminars throughout the US.

Tarah Trueblood

Term: 2026-2029
Chair: Art Exhibitions Committee

Tarah Trueblood is an Oxford-based contemporary abstract artist (Tarah Trueblood Art) and arts advocate from the San Francisco Bay Area. A former attorney and higher education leader, she brings extensive experience in community engagement, intercultural communication, and nonprofit leadership. Tarah is a member of the Women’s Art Club of Cincinnati, a founding officer and current Exhibitions Director of the Women’s Art Club of Hamilton, and a former docent for the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento, California.

Ann Webster

Term: 2025-2028
Art Exhibitions Committee

Ann is a graduate of Miami University and has been teaching design studio at Miami as Visiting Faculty since 2023. She was a Principal of Capital Projects Consultants, LLC, providing early-stage planning for nonprofits considering building additions and renovations.

Allan Winkler

Term: 2022-2025, 2025-2028
Development Committee, Finance Committee

Allan retired as a University Dedicated Professor of History at Miami University, having taught there and at other institutions for almost 50 years. A folk musician, he enjoys performing with the Mudlick Five, frequently for the OCAC's 2nd Friday Celebration of the Arts, and solo all over this area.

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