Gassman, Suarez join Board of Directors for the SMSO

Gassman, Suarez join Board of Directors for the SMSO

St. Joseph, Mich. – The Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra (SMSO) is pleased to announce that Kate Gassman and Keri Suarez have accepted the invitation to join the SMSO’s Board of Directors. Directors are appointed for a 3-year term.

“Our Board of Directors is vital to the SMSO’s growth and continued success. I am so excited to be adding Kate and Keri’s talents and energy to our team. Both bring a deep commitment to supporting arts in the community and have demonstrated their gifts in building relationships and community engagement,” says Jessica Ishmael, executive director of the SMSO.

Kate Gassman is the production manager of TPC Technologies, a professional sound, lighting and video company in Niles, Michigan. She also serves as the director for Friday Football Tailgate, a local pregame show, and is the editor of The Berrien County Record. Kate is the mother of two daughters.

Keri Suarez is director of client experience for Wales Wealth Management Group, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, located in St. Joseph, Michigan. Keri’s professional experience has included website news producer for WNDU-TV, publicist for Ave Maria Press and media relations for Andrews University. Keri and her husband, Michael, have two daughters. 

The current Board of Directors roster includes Bill Downey, president; Peter Claude, treasurer, Dennis Disch, Greg Zyjewski, and Abel Munoz. Matthew Aubin is the music director. 

Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra 
Originally established in 1951 as the “Twin City Symphonic Society,” the SMSO has been an integral part of the cultural fabric of our community since 1951. As the oldest professional arts organization in the area pursuing our mission of Transforming All Lives Through Music with a vision to have a positive impact within our community, we embrace our responsibility to be a dynamic and vibrant part of southwest Michigan by offering innovative programming and increased educational opportunities in a broader variety of performance locations.