LMFA - Key Persons
Ashly has a zest for life and loves Longview. She and her husband, Keith, have been married for 9 years and are both graduates of Longview High School. Ashly is also a graduate of Kilgore College, and Texas A&M Commerce. She has a 22 year old son, Alec, three bonus kids, two grandkids and a 13 year old chocolate lab, Cela. Spending the past 16 years in the oil & gas industry and commercial property management sector she is looking forward to joining forces with LMFA to bring her desire and passion for art to others. In her spare time, Ashly enjoys running her small business 3CsbyAshly, being on the
Job Titles:
- Director of Community Engagement
Britt Davis is a world traveler and food and wine enthusiast born in Mobile, Alabama. As a youngster Britt moved to California with his family. There he met his mentor and adopted mother, Judy Bravo, who fostered his love of art. He attended both the University of California and the University of Colorado at
Boulder. After graduating, he accepted a job in Frankfurt, Germany with the US Department of Defense. Britt's love and appreciation for art continued as he traveled and visited some of the world's most famous museums. After completing his government tour, Britt moved to Japan as a college instructor. Several years later he returned to the Denver area to open a gift basket business. Britt found real joy in serving people and returned to school to obtain a master's degree in Christian Education from Abilene Christian University. Britt began a 16-year career with Kilgore College as Campus Minister. Upon retirement, Davis's passion for food and wine led him to begin a new adventure, "Britt's Wine and Dine", in Kilgore.
Job Titles:
- Curator of Collections & Preparator
Devin possesses a true appreciation for the art world. Her passion to be a part of a growing museum as well as cultural experiences in East Texas is strong. She feels that educating both herself and the community is vital and the best way for all to be successful. This thought process carries over into her career as well as her personal experiences. As an account executive in the chemical industry, learning is a key component to her daily life. In her spare time, Devin enjoys spending time with family and friends,
Job Titles:
- Pathologist
- Physician
- Development
Mel Fish is a physician/pathologist with Baylor College of Medicine, practicing at Christus Good
Shepherd Medical Center. He moved to Longview from San Antonio in 1998 after ten years in the U.S. Army. Mel is married to Kimberly Fish, a local writer, and they have two grown children, Mike, and Laura, both of whom graduated from Baylor University. He was previously on the LMFA board from 2008 to ZUl3 and most recently served on the LIrA Advisory board. Mel and Kimberly are active at Mobberly
Job Titles:
- Secretary
- Designer and Co - Owner of Forbes & Butler Visual Communications
Holly Forbes is a designer and co-owner of Forbes & Butler Visual Communications, a full-service advertising and design firm that specializes in the creation and production of collateral marketing materials, websites, and digital media marketing, formed in 2001. She and her husband, Scott, have lived in Longview since 1987 and have two adult daughters, Abby, and Bonnie. She has been involved with LMFA for many years serving as board president in 1990 and most recently on the advisory board and exhibits committee. She is actively involved with Art Walk Longview, Longview 2020 Board, Baylor
Job Titles:
- Event Coordinator - Contract
Jamie has a strong passion for creating growth and development in the community in which she lives. She has a long history of fundraising, campaigning, and advocating for the Tyler Independent School District, over the past fifteen years. Jamie has served on multiple committees such as, Women's Symphony League, Texas Rose Festival, Trinity Mother Frances Physician Recruiting and Marvin United Methodist Church Youth Group. She believes in order to have a healthy, prosperous and growing community the city is responsible for providing a pro-active public school education, a wide range of fine arts opportunities and multi-cultural inclusion. In her spare time, Jamie enjoys traveling,
Jerry is married to Linda Keasler Russell. They have one son John Cason Russell.
Jerry retired in 2020 after a 15 year career as General Manager and Director of Operations for Baxter Sales in Longview.
Before his career at Baxter Sales he had a career that spanned 30 years as co-owner, President and General Manager of Martins Fine Women's Apparel established in 1931 at 127 East Tyler Street, in Downtown Longview.
While serving as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Chamber of Commerce he helped spearhead the initial, major renovations and street scape plans now seen in Downtown Longview.
Jerry's hobbies include reading and all sports. Especially running, with a highlight of qualifying and running the 2000 Boston Marathon.
Katherine Smith is a former Judson Middle School teacher and current stay-at-home parent to a very curly haired toddler. She is an active volunteer in the community and is currently involved with the Junior League of Longview . Katherine also contributes to the East Texas Moms Blog. The recent pandemic has brought about a new love for baking and community connections, so she has started a hand pie business called Pie of the Tiger (coming soon to a farmer's market near you). When Katherine is not working,
writing, volunteering or being a mom, she loves to knit, read science fiction, and try out new recipes.
Keith Bonds is a native East Texan having grown up in rural Upshur County. Keith retired as a City Manager of Longview in 2022. He has spent 34 years in municipal government, mostly in public project development. He loves downtown Longview and was involved in most aspects of the redevelopment of the public infrastructure that has taken place over the last 20 years. Keith has one adult daughter and 2 adorable grandchildren.
Kimberly Taliaferro, having been raised in the East Texas area, is passionate about serving her community as is her husband, John. Kimberly and John both serve on various committees at White Oak Community Church. Kimberly serves on the board of Workforce Solutions East Texas as the Chairman of the Finance Committee and is a member of Welfare to Work and Economic Development committees. She is a board member of East Texas CASA, serving on both the Finance & Audit and Blue Jeans & Ball Gowns committees. A 23-year employee with Regions Bank, Kimberly is Vice President and Trust Advisor in Private Wealth Management. In her spare time, Kimberly enjoys spending time with her husband, her daughter, Allison, and their two dogs, Hammy and Lucy.
Kristina Coolidge has a love and passion for art that stems from her grandmother's eclectic art collection that ranges from Southwest Folk Art to Persian Artifacts. She chaired LMFA's 2019 "Magic & Mayhem" silent auction and was instrumental in helping the museum move to an online auction.
Kristina serves on the Lake Cherokee Executive Board of Directors and the Longview Council of the Boys & Girls Club of the Big Pines. Serving and promoting the East Texas area is not only a passion, but a profession as Realtor & managing partner of Carol Coolidge Real Estate.
Kristina believes having a strong and dynamic art and culture scene is important to the residents, students, and businesses of our community and she is proud to be a part of the process of making LMFA a regional destination for great art and culture for Longview and the surrounding communities.
Job Titles:
- Bookkeeper / Budget & Finance
Raised in Longview, Mia spent her young adult life in Dallas, TX, where she attended Wade College and Texas Women's University, learning about the Arts and earning her degree in Fashion Merchandising and Marketing. While working as a Buyer for Neiman Marcus and JCPenney, Mia met her SMU grad yet Houston-born Husband, Jason. Mia and Jason moved to The Woodlands, TX, in 2014. In The Woodlands, TX, they welcomed their son Jaxon in 2014 and daughter Ella in 2017 while running their businesses. In 2020 the parents were eager to bring what they had learned in the cities back to Mia's hometown. Today, Mia and Jason are raising their two kids in Longview while working for Smallwood Home and 80 Acre Market in Community Engagement and Procurement. Alongside serving on the LMFA Board, Mia serves on the Gilmer Chamber Board, LWOW Board, The First Tee Piney Woods Board, several event committees, and Junior League. Mia is eager to bring her experience and help Longview grow for generations to come.
Michael was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. He is a graduate of Southwest Texas State University and attended graduate school at Southern Methodist University.
After moving to Longview in 1995, he began working for the Diagnostic Clinic of Longview. In 2016, he, along with three other partners, started an occupational telemedicine company called "MyWorkDoc". Over the last 25 years, Michael has volunteered in many organizations including chairing the Balloon Race, the PRCA Rodeo and Wellness Point. He has also served on the board of the Gregg County Historical Museum, Junior Achievement, and the Regional Community Foundation. Michael has one grown daughter, Alex. His hobbies include golf, fishing, and travel.
Miranda has a passion for seeing Downtown grow and thrive. She, her husband, Zach, and their two children frequent the area regularly to help support the local businesses. Miranda has been volunteering and working in the Longview community since her arrival in 2017 after relocating from New Orleans. She brings a diverse perspective and strives to find opportunities to improve the downtown area through voluntarism with multiple local organizations. Miranda has had a lifelong love for art and finds value in having a first-class local art museum to give people the opportunity to experience world renowned works of art face to face. In her spare time, Miranda enjoys volunteering, traveling, reading, working on
Patricia shares the vision to work with Longview Museum of Fine Arts to become a cornerstone in preserving, cultivating and promoting a downtown culture that is inviting, energetic, intriguing, and alive! This desire to develop and enhance a Cultural Arts District and business community in downtown Longview is founded in her deep East Texas roots and her childhood upbringing in quaint, historic Nacogdoches, Tx. Life in the Piney Woods has impressed upon her the treasure to be found in education and enjoyment of the arts for residents and visitors alike. Her working days are invested in downtown
Longview where she employs her accounting skills with local business people and not-for-profit projects.
She enjoys nature activities, boating, lake life and the art to be found in every sunset and full moon rise.
Job Titles:
- Director of Design & Development
Sue Wilson has the personal belief and passion for interpersonal positive relationships. Her background as an educator and principal has provided Sue with the skills to advocate for personal needs of the people she meets in the business and personal sector. Her husband, Jim Wilson, her children Shane and Will and their families are like minded in that they want to give more than they receive. Sue is an advocate for education for all students and wants all to achieve the highest level of success, no matter their path, including the arts. Now she is interested in the development of adults for literacy and the arts. In her spare time, she enjoys volunteering at her place of worship, The Church at Lake Cherokee, and formally was an executive officer for the Cherokee Water Board for both the state and local boards for the Texas Association of Principals and Supervisors Association, loves to travel and is an avid reader. She constantly looks for ways to give back to her community.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director & Curator of Exhibitions