Board

Executive Board Members

  • Ben Green is a senior technology leader with more than 28 years of experience in enterprise infrastructure, cloud strategy, and IT transformation. He currently serves as Deputy Director of Infrastructure Solutions Delivery at GlobalFoundries. Prior to this role, Ben spent over 16 years at Lexmark International in leadership positions spanning enterprise architecture, cloud engineering, data solutions, and network security. Throughout his career, he has focused on delivering innovative, secure, and cost-effective technology solutions that drive business transformation. Now in his third year on the Board of the Living Arts & Science Center, Ben serves as the President of the Board, having previously contributed as a member of the Building and Grounds Committee.

  • Ryessia Russell is the Director of Honors Pathways in the Gatton College of Business and Economics at the University of Kentucky, where she provides strategic, logistical, and operational leadership for the College’s Pathway Programs. With more than a decade of experience in higher education, she has dedicated her career to supporting honors and high-achieving students, helping them grow academically, professionally, and personally.

    A Kentucky native with roots in Mississippi, Ryessia’s passion for education and inclusion is shaped by her own upbringing. As the daughter of a U.S. Army veteran, she moved frequently as a child and developed a deep appreciation for culture, belonging, and community. Her leadership has been recognized with her selection to Knox.biz 40 Under 40 in Knoxville, TN (2021).

    Beyond her work in higher education, Ryessia is deeply committed to education, learning, and supporting the Lexington community. She is President-Elect of the Living Arts & Science Center (LASC) Board of Directors and serves on the boards of the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning and the University of Kentucky Wildcat Forum (UKWF). She also contributes her leadership as a Commissioner on the Racial Justice and Equity Commission and the Lexington Human Rights Commission and as a member of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Social Services Advisory Board. A proud member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. and a participant in Leadership Lexington’s Class of 2024–2025, Ryessia channels her passion into building stronger educational and community pathways. Her service reflects her commitment to making Lexington a city her daughters, Olivia and Delilah, can proudly call home.

    Outside of work and service, Ryessia enjoys traveling, reading, visiting local farmers’ markets, and watching reality television. Her favorite role, however, is spending time with her husband Marcus and their two daughters.

  • Addie is a born and raised Lexingtonian whose love for LASC started as an elementary schooler attending summer camp. Since returning to Lexington in 2023, she has been involved with the Center, serving on various committees and joining the Board in Summer 2024. She works in HR for a tech company in the Bay Area and, outside of her time spent with LASC, is involved with the Junior League of Lexington and Kentucky Health Justice Network. She lives with her husband, Josh, and two dogs, Max and Cooper, here in Lexington.

  • Roberta Burnes is an Environmental Scientist Advisor for the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet’s Division for Air Quality.  Burnes received her B.S. with distinction in Environmental Education from the Ohio State University in 1986 and is proud to have worked in environmental education for more than forty years.

    Burnes began her career at the ripe old age of fifteen, when she joined the student volunteer program at Ohio’s Center of Science and Industry (COSI). Since then, she has worked as an educator in museums, planetariums, nature centers, botanical gardens, and ultimately state government. In the mid-90s, Burnes began teaching art and science classes at LASC. She joined LASC’s staff as the Science Program Coordinator in the early 2000’s, developing science exhibits, school field trips, and after-school programming like the Science Explorers. Drawing on her experiences at COSI, Burnes facilitated the purchase of an inflatable planetarium to expand science programming at LASC.

    Burnes joined the staff of the Division for Air Quality in 2009. She coordinates the Division’s air quality education and outreach program, oversees website and public information, and trains others in the cabinet on improving digital accessibility of web pages and documents. Burnes is certified as a Kentucky Master Environmental Educator and Green Community Leader, and is a Kentucky Colonel. She chairs has served on LASC’s board since 2022 and chairs the Cultural Equity Committee.

  • Bart Hufnagel has been a Board member of LASC for the past 5 years.  He is the owner of Bluehorse Services, and focuses on renovating houses in Lexington, KY, they currently list 4 Airbnb’s in the Lexington area as well, and provide commercial roof consultations and inspections.  During his free time, he enjoys traveling, cheering on the cats and spending time with his pups, Henry and Toby.

Board Members

  • Gretchen is the Marketing Director for Whitaker Bank, where she is responsible for developing and executing the brand strategy and marketing communications for the organization. Gretchen previously worked at Big Ass Fans where she had the opportunity to drive employee engagement, launch new products to market, take a company from being founder owned to private equity, and manage global PR efforts for the brand. Titles she held over the years include Sales Operations Manager, Chief Chaos Coordinator, and Manager of Marketing & Communications among many more. She has a passion for building brands, people, and customer experiences. 


    Gretchen has the privilege of sitting on the board of Greenhouse17, Living Arts & Science Center, and Junior Achievement of the Bluegrass. She is also honored to be involved in the Leadership Lexington Youth Steering Committee, Step By Step Advisory Committee, FCPS Partnership Council, and the 100 Women of Lexington Executive Committee.

    She graduated from the University of Kentucky with a dual degree in Corporate Communications and Integrated Strategic Communications. She received her MBA from Northern Kentucky University. 

    Being the fun aunt to her niece and two nephews will always be her favorite title. She and her husband, Rob, live in downtown Lexington with their husky/shepherd mix, Leila, who often takes Gretchen on walks in search of street pizza to be saved.

  • During my 25 years as a board member with LASC, I have been on many many committees, and held the positions of Secretary , President Elect and President. Love my volunteer work at LASC!!
    As a child my Mother was an avid volunteer... I inherited her passion. Grew up in California, moved to Kentucky in high school and that is when I started my volunteering career!!
    I graduated from UK.  GO CATS! 

  • Luke Lamb is a Certified Public Account licensed by the state of Kentucky. Mr. Lamb is a manager in Crowe's national exempt organization tax group. Mr. Lamb has seven years of public accounting experience, deeply specializing in exempt organization tax issues. Mr. Lamb has lived in north Lexington for two years with his lovely wife and he previously served as a member of the Finance Committee for one year prior to joining the LASC board in July of 2025.

  • Ron Wetzel Business Development Manager at Republic Bank. Golf coach Sayre School. Father to three boys, we love sports and exploring anything Science.

  • Shawn Freeman is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky University. Shawn has spent over 20 years working at various nonprofits and agencies in Ohio, Iowa, and now Kentucky. She and her son discovered LASC when they moved to Lexington in 2017, and consider it a second home. She has been a board member since 2022, and she's honored to be part of such a fantastic organization

  • Shelby is a Lexington native who attended Tates Creek High School. She received her bachelor's degree in political science with minors in biology and French from the University of Kentucky in 2015. After completing undergrad, Shelby received her J.D. from the University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law in 2019. She currently works as a personal injury attorney for Hicks & Funfsinn, PLLC in Lexington. She is the current Communications Chair for the Women Lawyers Association of the Fayette County Bar.

  • Stacy brings over 25 years of banking and business management experience to her role as President of the Lexington Market for Independence Bank. Her career began in the Thoroughbred industry before transitioning to banking, where she held vice president roles at Fifth Third Bank and JPMorgan Chase, honing her expertise in financial performance, treasury management services, and managing client relationships. In addition to banking, she has served as Business Manager and Director of Operations for a major racing and breeding operation and launched her own consulting business. A strong believer in giving back, Stacy is passionate about supporting the Living Arts & Science Center and its role in inspiring creativity and critical thinking in the community. In addition to serving on the LASC board, she is a long-time board member of The Nest and serves on the finance committee for Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Bluegrass. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from Asbury University and resides in Lexington with her family.

  • Stanley Marcinek works as a Business Insurance Broker, which involves handling risk strategy management for complex risks. Stanley is also responsible for adding new clients to the firm, overseeing insurance placement, and analyzing proper coverage for various exposures. Stanley lives in Lexington, KY with his wife, Jenny and their 3 children. He enjoys sports of all kinds, traveling, and spending time with family in his free time. 

  • Stevie R. Moore graduated in 2005 from the University of Kentucky College of Fine Arts, specializing in Painting and Printmaking, and has since worked in diverse creative capacities from painting fine art in oils to digital art, illustration, and murals. In his role at Brandstetter and Carroll Inc. as the Architecture Visualization Specialist, his creative background in visual language combines with the precision of architectural design. He provides expertise in 2D, 3D, and animated visualization solutions for Brandstetter and Carroll’s municipal architecture projects which enhance communities and quality of life. 

    His work in visualizing these projects utilize his artistic philosophy: "Art is the ability to transcribe and translate your imagination into something sharable with the world. If what you want doesn’t exist, CREATE IT!” By applying the formula that art, architecture, and technology converge as instruments of expression, connection, and beauty, Stevie translates and highlights architectural visual media for industry professionals as well as the general public to utilze and appreciate. 

Community members are always welcome to join one of our committees and LASC is currently seeking new board members! Apply HERE

Cultural Equity, Building & Grounds, Development, and Finance

Email Jeanette Tesmer for more information

Board Member Portal
Executive Board Member Portal

  • The purpose of the Finance Committee is to ensure the financial integrity and sustainability of the Living Art & Science Center. 

    The committee members are committed to responsible stewardship of the center’s property and financial resources, ensuring transparency, accountability, and strategic financial planning. 

    Through diligent oversight and prudent financial management, the Finance Committee supports the Center's vision for a more equitable future where all LEARNERS have the ability to participate in meaningful art and science education.

    Members of the community are encouraged to join the Finance Committee. Please contact Lin Wu.

  • At The Living Arts and Science Center, we believe that diversity, cultural equity, mattering, belonging, inclusion, social justice, and access are essential to achieving our mission of engaging the community in the arts and sciences through education, discovery, exploration, and creativity. 

    We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where individuals from all backgrounds feel welcomed, valued, and every individual has the right to access knowledge and opportunities of learning for personal and professional growth regardless of age, background, or experience.

    Through our dedication to community outreach, we actively seek to connect with diverse board representation and communities within the Commonwealth of Kentucky and beyond, ensuring that our educational programs and services reach individuals from all walks of life and geographic location.

    Because accountability, integrity, and transparency are at the core of everything we do,  we openly engage in dialogue and reflection around our vision for a more equitable future where LEARNERS of all ages have the ability to participate in meaningful art and science education.

    Members of the community are encouraged to join the Cultural Equity Committee. Please contact Ryessia Jones.

  • The Building and Grounds Committee of the Living Arts and Science Center ensures that our spaces are welcoming, sustainable, and conducive to creativity and learning for all who visit, while upholding the integrity and longevity of the LASC and its facilities for future generations.   It will continue to enhance the quality of learning by fostering a safe and accessible environment.

    Members of the community are encouraged to join the Building & Grounds Committee. Please contract Bart Hufnagel.

  • Members of the community are encouraged to join the Development & Special Events Committee. Please contact Phil Jun.