ESU - Key Persons


Alan Frederick "Tommy" Lascelles

Alan Frederick "Tommy" Lascelles had a remarkable career serving four sovereigns of Great Britain from George V to Queen Elizabeth II in the role of Private Secretary or Assistant Private Secretary. From the death of a monarch, through the abdication of another, World War II, the death of a second monarch and the ascension of a young woman to the throne, Tommy was there closely observing everything. Was he the malevolent martinet as portrayed by Pip Torrens in the Netflix series "The Crown" or was he merely wholly dedicated to preserving the Monarchy by guiding the Monarch? We will explore Tommy's life, education, family, and career as well as the role of the Private Secretary. Our guest speaker, Terry Mulchahey, examines the fascinating life of Tommy Lascelles. This ESU Happy Hour is sponsored by the ESU Richmond Branch. ESU Happy Hour programs are online, free, and open to all members and the public. Registration is required.

Alice Uhl

Job Titles:
  • Education Programs Director / International Scholarship
  • Education Programs Director International Scholarship, Shakespeare & Debate

Andrew Romay

Job Titles:
  • Education Programs

Anne Elser

Job Titles:
  • Chairman, Shakespeare Competition

Anne Elser Sullivan

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Board of Directors

Anne Hall Elser - EVP

Job Titles:
  • Executive Vice President
  • Member of the Branch Officers Team

Anthony Polito

Job Titles:
  • Professor of Law, Suffolk University
Boston Branch Winner of the 2021 National High School Shakespeare Competition and Second-Place Winner of the National Competition--- Anna Sheehan, performing her award-winning monologue and sonnet.

Bao Nguyen

Job Titles:
  • Branches Bookkeeper

Brigid Barry

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Branch Officers Team
  • Vice President / Dean Gamanos

Bruce Haefner

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Board of Directors

Cami Van Anne

Job Titles:
  • Branch Administrator

Catherine Baum Shakespeare

Job Titles:
  • Coordinator ( Left ) and Delaney Brown Clay County Winner

Charles Maddrey - Chairman

Job Titles:
  • Chairman

Darryl McCormick

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Officers Team
  • Vice Chairman
  • Stamford, CT, Vice - Chair

Dean Gamanos

Job Titles:
  • Vice President / Dean Gamanos

DeAndre Short

Job Titles:
  • Membership Services Coordinator

Deborah Unger

Job Titles:
  • Executive Assistant

Don Pattillo

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Board
Don Pattillo, Board Member, and past Board President of the Atlanta Branch, as well as Diane and Randy Brannen, Chairs of the Shakespeare Competition, were in attendance. Don was a solid and loyal contributor, and I am sure will have news to report on his own.

Donald A. Best

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Board of Directors

Dr. E. Quinn Peeper - Chairman

Job Titles:
  • Chairman
  • Member of the Officers Team
  • New Orleans, LA, Chair

Dr. Gregory Buck

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Board of Directors

Dr. John Gatton

Job Titles:
  • Professor

Dr. Julia Vandewater - President

Job Titles:
  • President

Dr. Manning Patillo

Dr. Manning Patillo joined the Atlanta Branch of the ESU in 1975 and served in many leadership roles over the years. As President and then Board Chairman, he led the Branch in implementing financial policies that continue to benefit us to this day, and in providing programs and community outreach that support ESU activities.

Dr. Omar H. Ali

Job Titles:
  • Professor at UNCG Will Talk about Islam Identity and Resolution

Dr. Reginald Dyck

Dr. Reginald Dyck's distinguished research and writings are closely connected to his teaching. As Professor of English at Capital University, his published essays on Louise Erdrich, Simon Ortiz, Willa Cather, William Faulkner and Greg Sarris have either had their origin in the classroom or have directly shaped his teaching of their works.

Dr. Simon Mainwaring

Job Titles:
  • Reverend

ESU Branches to Send

Job Titles:
  • Teacher - Scholars to the UK for Summer Study

Evelyn Wrench

Job Titles:
  • Speaker Series With Professor James Raven

Gene Paul Stotz

Gene was a long time member of the Kentucky Branch, English Speaking Union. He served on the Scholarship Committee since 2003 and was a sponsor of several scholarships over his years of service to the Kentucky Branch. Gene was a member of the Audubon Park Garden Club and one of the founding members of Jeff-Clark Preservation. Gene was an elementary school art teacher for the greater Clark County Schools in Indiana until he retired. He was a lifelong member of Salem United Church of Christ, where he served previously as president. He was a volunteer at Southeast Area Ministries (SEAM). Gene was 72. Gene is survived by many loving family members and friends who will miss him dearly.

Grace Darling

Job Titles:
  • Marketing Communications Coordinator

Heather Anderson

Heather Anderson has a double major in Psychology and Communication from CU, Boulder, and a degree in English from CU, Denver. She currently teaches British, World, and American Literature and has volunteered at the Emily Griffith Technical School in the past. Heather will be in Oxford's Literature program.

Jacqueline Abrams

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Board of Directors

Jason Hayes - President

Job Titles:
  • President

Jennifer Berne


Jenny Nguyen

Job Titles:
  • National Bookkeeper

Jeremy Poth

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Board of Directors
  • Member of the Branch Officers Team
  • Secretary

Jonathan Du Bois

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Board of Directors

Karen Karpowich

Job Titles:
  • Executive Director
  • Member of the Officers Team
  • New York, NY / Chairman Emeritus
  • New York, NY, President and Secretary of the Corporation

Karl Hart

Job Titles:
  • Senior Manager, Student Services

Kate Nitzken

Job Titles:
  • Branch President

Kathryn Morrisett

Job Titles:
  • Database Manager
  • Membership Secretary

Keith Eiken

The Kentucky branch is saddened by the loss of past Branch ESU Scholar, Board of Director Member, Scholarship Committee Member, and longtime branch member Keith Eiken.

Learn English

Job Titles:
  • Support

Luard Morse

Job Titles:
  • Scholarship - College

Marcia O'Kane

Job Titles:
  • President & CEO, Greenwich Chamber of Commerce

Maria Pyaterneva

Job Titles:
  • Receptionist

Mary Coleman Way

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Board of Directors

Maryellen Liotta

Job Titles:
  • Manager of Shakespeare Programs

Matthew Hudson

Job Titles:
  • Volunteer Services Manager

Mr. Nicholas Bennett

Job Titles:
  • Member of the British Parliament

Natalie T. Pray - President

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Board of Directors
  • Member of the Branch Officers Team
  • President
  • President of the Greenwich Branch

Noel Sloan - Treasurer

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Officers Team
  • Treasurer
  • Salisbury, CT, Treasurer

Noel Williamson

Job Titles:
  • Facilities / Porter

Paul Kennedy - President

Job Titles:
  • President
  • Professor

Paul T Boghosian

Job Titles:
  • President, English - Speaking Union of Boston

Paul Whitty

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our esteemed colleague and friend, Paul Whitty. Paul's contributions to the Kentucky Branch of the English-Speaking Union were immeasurable and his presence will be profoundly missed. In recognition of his remarkable lifetime of service, Paul Whitty was honored with the Kentucky Branch Lifetime Achievement Award at the National Convention this past Friday evening. This accolade was a testament to his outstanding contributions to our cause, and it is a tribute that will forever stand as a reminder of his lasting impact. Paul's legacy will continue to resonate within our organization, and we are grateful for the time we had with him. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time. The obituary for Paul Whitty can be found here:

Peter J. Le Beau

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Board of Directors

Phil Williams - President

Job Titles:
  • President

Ralph M. McDermid - Treasurer

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Branch Officers Team
  • Treasurer

Robert Curry

Job Titles:
  • Dean Gamanos

Rona Weitz

Job Titles:
  • Immigrant Programs Director

Rossana Ivanova

Job Titles:
  • Development Director

Ruth M. Mader - President

Job Titles:
  • President

Samuel Norman McKenna

A loving donation, in memory of long time member Samuel Norman McKenna, has been made to the Kentucky Branch Scholarship Fund, by Ms. Emily Maxwell. Thoughts of Norman will always be treasured by the Kentucky Branch! The ESU-KY branch is saddened at the passing of long time member William Pfingst Carrell, age 84, of Louisville, KY. generation member of the prestigious Pendennis Club in Louisville and was an avid supporter of all things relating to history.

Stephan Lubrun

Job Titles:
  • Operations / IT Assistant Manager

Sue H. Baker - VP

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Branch Officers Team
  • Vice President

Susan Ferris

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Board of Directors

Susan Phillips

Job Titles:
  • Branch President
  • President, Atlanta Branch

Susan R. Ness - VP

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Branch Officers Team
  • Vice President

Tom Tafoya

Tom Tafoya has his degrees in English from CU, Boulder, and Humanities from Colorado College. Tom teaches freshman and senior English, is a DP teacher in the IB program, works with the IB Mentors, and is the Speech & Debate coach. Tom will study at the Globe.

Tony DiFilippo

Job Titles:
  • Controller

Valerie Stauffer

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Board of Directors

William Pfingst Carrell

Mr. Carrell was a member of a family of illustrious military background and was an accomplished athlete. He was a third

Zech Azazi

Job Titles:
  • Receptionist