Saint Paul, Minnesota (March 1, 2023) — The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts today announced five newly approved members to its board of directors. With these additions, the Ordway now has 31 board members representing a diverse range of generations, backgrounds and industries—all who believe that performing arts are an essential component of a thriving community.
The new Ordway board members include:
Erin Dady, chief marketing and public relations officer, Bremer Bank
Jason Booth, president, Windward Engineers & Consultants
Jeff Lin, founder and CEO, Bust Out
John Lunseth, equity partner, Taft, Stettinius & Hollister LLP
Jose R. Varela Garza, senior vice president emerging markets, 3M
“The Ordway is a community gathering place for audiences of all ages and backgrounds to experience a wide variety of performing arts, and we’re committed to increasing access and relevance in our ever-changing world,” said Ordway President and CEO Chris Harrington. “Delivering that vision requires a strong board of directors with diverse skillsets and experiences. The expertise these leaders bring, along with their steadfast commitment to the arts community, is a tremendous gift to our organization.”
“We are honored to welcome these new directors to our board,” said Board Chair Patrick Garay-Heelan. “It is an exciting time for the Ordway as we wrap up a successful 2022-2023 season and look to build on that in the future. I am excited to collaborate with these new board members and continue doinggreat work for this wonderful organization.”
In addition, board member Laura Halferty was recently elected to serve as secretary of the board. Halferty is a partner with Stinson LLP and joined the Ordway board in 2018.
About the board members
Erin Dady
As chief marketing and public relations officer, Dady oversees all marketing functions, including digital marketing, creative services, external and executive communications, and community relations. Erin was tasked with delivering Bremer’s new brand, which launched May of 2019. Just prior to joining Bremer, Erin led government and community relations for the University of Minnesota. She also previously worked at the City of Saint Paul, serving as director of marketing and the mayor’s chief of staff. Erin earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Northwestern University and a master’s in business administration from the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management. She completed Harvard Kennedy School’s Senior Executives in State and Local Government program in 2012.
Jason Booth
Booth is an experienced and entrepreneurial business executive. He is currently the president of Windward Engineers & Consultants, an industry leading mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering design services firm. Booth also started and ran The Patient Source, the nation’s largest Native-owned health education agency working with the healthcare industry. Booth received his bachelor’s degree in english from the University of Minnesota. He is a proud member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians.
Jeff Lin
Lin is the founder and CEO of Bust Out, a Minneapolis-based agency that designs and builds websites, mobile apps and digital experiences. In 2021, he founded a new company called Pennant, a software service that enables performing artists to launch their own custom-branded streaming video platform on web, mobile and TV. Originally from Oberlin, Ohio, Jeff came to Minnesota to attend Carleton College where he studied biology.
John Lunseth
Lunseth is an equity partner at Taft, Stettinius & Hollister LLP and has been a first-chair trial lawyer for 45 years. He handles primarily large, complex intellectual property and commercial cases. He has represented Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies, local governmental entities, and private business owners. He was previously a partner with Rider Bennett, Egan & Arundel and a law clerk with Ranchers Exploration & Development. He received his law degree from the University of Minnesota cum laude and his bachelor’s degree in international relations from the University of Minnesota.
Jose R. Varela Garza
Varela Garza is the senior vice president of emerging markets at 3M. A leader with international, multi-business and multi-function experience, he has lived in nine countries and has managed businesses with global, area and local responsibilities. He studied computer programming at Técnica Alemana, received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the Universidad Católica, U.C.A., El Salvador, and is currently pursuing his master’s in science, computer science, and international business from the University of Cumbria, England.
Laura Halferty
Halferty is a partner at Stinson LLP where she counsels clients in all aspects of estate planning, including structuring lifetime gifts, business succession plans and prenuptial agreements. She represents corporate and individual fiduciaries in probate and trust administration matters, gift and estate tax filings and audits, and in disputed probate and trust matters. She works collaboratively with financial advisors, accountants, corporate and individual trustees, and beneficiaries to administer estates and trusts efficiently and professionally. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School cum laude and received her bachelor’s degree in finance and management from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.