NOTO TEAM
STAFF
Thomas Underwood, Ph.D., M.P.A.
Thomas Underwood has the personal passion and professional commitment to support individuals, organizations, and communities to enhance capacity and strive for excellence. He offers leadership in visioning, strategic alignment, policy development, process improvement, and project management. His professional experience as an administrator, consultant, educator, and direct service practitioner has been applied in private, public, and non-profit environments. Thomas has a Ph.D. in Adult Education from Kansas State University, a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Kansas, and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Criminal Justice from Washburn University. He also earned a Lean Six Sigma: Black Belt from Washburn University and Crimson Corporation.
A lifelong native of Topeka, his childhood home was only a block away from the North Topeka business district and was the family’s primary place for shopping and entertainment. His mother grew up in the area, and his father, a mail carrier, walked to work each morning to the post office, what is now the NOTO Arts Center. Tom is married to Lisa, also a native Topekan. Their four adult children and their families reside in the area.
Staci Ogle
As the Program & Communications Coordinator for the NOTO Arts and Entertainment District, Staci Ogle focuses on the development and implementation of programs at Redbud Park and the NOTO Arts Center, including classes and exhibits at the Morris Art Gallery, as well as those programs identified as NOTO Arts and Entertainment District events.
Staci has been a part of NOTO since 2011 as an artist and Gallery owner. She has shown in over one hundred art shows, nationally and internationally, with twelve solo exhibits. She is active in the community and has contributed her art expertise to numerous causes, such as the coordination of a large mural project for Sheltered Living, Inc. (SLI) displayed each year at the Festival of Trees and collaborative paintings with an elephant and an alligator to benefit the Topeka Zoo. Other community partnerships include; Topeka Civic Theater, the Topeka Capital Journal, ERC Designer Show House, and Truth in Comedy. Staci is past chair of the Aaron Douglas Art Fair, Coordinator of NOTO Art and Antique Festival, has served on the NOTO Board of Directors, was an Arty Award Visual Artist Finalist 2017, and recently nominated as one of YWCA 2020 Woman of Excellence.
Staci has a Bachelor of Science in Education and a minor in history from the University of Kansas. Staci is native to Topeka with her three children, Jessica, Austin, and Ellery.
BOARD
Caleb Asher (Past Chair), Sprout Creative
Shelly Bedsaul, Foole's Dream Studio
Jon Bohlander (Chair-Elect), Wheel Barrel
Pedro Concepcion, Tipsy Carrot
Bryan Falk, Falk Architects
Mike Foster (Board Chair), Topeka Rescue Mission
Jean Gardner, Rusty Haggles Antiques
Kay Grey, Retired
Kirk Johnson (Treasurer), CoreFirst Bank & Trust
Claudia Larkin (Secretary), Free Bird Business Solutions
Matt McGivern, Senne Company
Danielle Norwood, WIBW 580 Radio
Lindsey Martin, Century Business Tech
Bob Ross, Greater Topeka Partnership
Debbie Schwartz, Kaw Valley Bank
Steve Stutzman, Stutzman Leather/Topeka Rescue Mission/Open Way Church
Barbara Waterman-Peters, Studio 831
Jennifer Wright, Cyrus Hotel
Volunteers / Contract Staff
NOTO offers many opportunities for individuals to share their talents through volunteer or contract work.
Volunteers
NOTO embraces the generosity of volunteers who want to share their talents. Some ways in which volunteers can serve is through guest relations at the NOTO Arts Center, helping with special events, helping with facility maintenance.
Event Staff
Contract event staff are hired on a limited contract as needed to support special events sponsored by the NOTO organization. Duties include, but are not limited to, set up and take-down, guest relations, and clean up. Compensation ranges from $7.50 (under age 18) to $9.00 per hour (over age 18).
Artist
NOTO seeks visual and performing artists to work on contract to provide instruction, entertainment, and other services.
behind the scenes of
NOTO ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT
The NOTO Arts & Entertainment District is a non-profit organization that supports and advocates for the district. It is managed by an executive director and is supported by a board of directors from within the district as well as the broader community. There are three standing committees comprised of board members and volunteers. These committees include:
Facility and District Enhancement
Maintain and improve the NOTO Arts Center facility and facilitate physical enhancements of the district.
Programs
Provide enrichment opportunities in the arts and history through organizational development and community enhancement.
Promotions
Identify and implement diverse approaches that communicate value of the district while maintaining the integrity of the NOTO brand.
behind the scenes of
NOTO
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT
The NOTO Arts & Entertainment District is a non-profit organization that supports and advocates for the district. It is managed by an executive director and is supported by a board of directors from within the district as well as the broader community. There are three standing committees comprised of board members and volunteers. These committees include:
District Enhancement
Maintain and improve the NOTO Arts Center facility and facilitate physical enhancements of the district.
Programs
Provide enrichment opportunities in the arts and history through organizational development and community enhancement.
Promotions
Identify and implement diverse approaches that communicate value of the district while maintaining the integrity of the NOTO brand.