The vision of the Artist Advocacy Foundation stems from an awareness that art has a unique and
mysterious power to affect and inspire people. When this happens, it stimulates our emotions and compels us to want to be a more positive presence in the world. Thus, inspiration has a domino or a ripple effect that spreads out and acts as a powerful force towards positive change. Our vision is a world where the force of inspiration is acknowledged, valued and encouraged. When greater value is placed on inspiration, it empowers artists whose aim is inspiration and increases their likelihood of being able to succeed financially, as well as artistically.
Ron Colone- Executive Director
Carole Ann Colone- Associate Director
Alan Blakeboro

I was born and raised in Santa Barbara County, graduated from UCSB in 1976 and Berkeley Law in 1980. After a brief stint clerking for a federal judge in Hawaii, I worked for a large law firm in Los Angeles for four years before returning to Santa Barbara and beginning practice there in 1986, where I was lucky enough to meet my wife Carol. I have been a partner in the firm of Reicker, Pfau, Pyle & McRoy since 2000, and the firm's managing partner since 2004. My law practice focuses primarily on litigation, real estate, employment and public pension law. I have advised and assisted many non-profits over the years and, along with Frank Blundo, was one of the founding directors of the Santa Ynez Valley Charter School.

Perhaps more relevant to my service to the Artist Advocacy Foundation, I have been a life long lover of the arts and music, and in particular the style of music at various times referred to as folk, acoustic and American roots music. My interest in this style of music dates back to the 1970s, when I spent many more nights at the now nearly forgotten Blue Bird Café in Santa Barbara, listening to folk, bluegrass, blues and country, than I did studying. Such time well spent, supplemented by the purchase of obscure LPs, occasional field trips to McCabe's guitar shop in Santa Monica and the Golden Bear in Huntington Beach, and an attempt, futile in retrospect, to master the guitar, led me to think that maybe I too could contribute in some way to this style of art. Unfortunately, I instead learned the following equation: no talent + writer's block + a B.A. in philosophy = law school. Most of us are better off as benefactors than artists, and I am no exception.

My real heroes from this era were not those who stuck with music and made it big, but those who stuck with it knowing they probably wouldn't ever be conventionally successful; they kept at it because they loved the experience and because sharing art in music was just something they had to do. Given this background, when the opportunity arose in the early 2000s to sponsor and support Tales from the Tavern, I jumped at it. Being able to serve the Foundation is a further extension of this mission; those who have devoted their life to music, and to communicating profound thoughts and feelings through this medium, deserve our thanks and support. Becoming an instrument to achieve this goal is an endeavor I truly look forward to.
Steven Reden

I was born and raised in west L.A. I attended University of Arizona Pharmacy School, graduated in 1970, and have worked as a pharmacist ever since. My wife, Joan and our two children moved from LA and have lived in Santa Ynez since 1987 after six years in Santa Barbara.

My interests are family, baseball, tennis, Formula 1 racing and enjoying Porsches. I also like to read mysteries and fiction. I have served as a director on two non-profits. One was a foster home for teenage girls, which was mostly funded by the state and the other was People Helping People, which provides "under one roof" services for individuals and families who are experiencing difficult times. These programs range from after-school care to help with housing, utilities and food and the many details of living. It also includes domestic violence programs to help women and children try to break the cycle of abuse.

I am very hands-on with our independent drugstore and enjoy working and the challenge of being in business. The importance of community is played out daily in a centrally located, friendly atmosphere where more than health is dispensed.

Supporting Tales From the Tavern has been very rewarding and I am excited about Artist Advocacy Foundation and the great potential for this organization.
Anthony DiBattista

Having no artistic or musical ability should disqualify me from sitting on this board. But I do have a great desire to help and to see this model spread to the East Coast eventually. My day job is a superintendent of schools in New Jersey and in the evening I work as a professor of Medieval and Renaissance history at Rutgers University. I try to spend as many weekends as possible in a cabin in Woodstock New York that my friends and I built. Woodstock seems to be an ideal place to stage something similar to “Tales”. I also work with a number of national and state level history organizations (specifically attempting to improve history education in urban schools).

Looking forward to continuing to work with everyone on this venture.
Suzi Trubitz

Trubitz was born in New York and attended both Parsons School of Design and Boston University School of Fine Arts. She then worked on Madison Avenue and became an art director. Now settled in the hills of California, Trubitz finds herself inspired by more organic materials, such as wood in combination with other components. She enjoys the challenge of manipulating seemingly impossible materials into the intricate patterns of nature. The metal sheets that require operating welders, plasma torches, grinders and other shop equipment seem to energize her. The challenge also requires patience and restraint, for one cut through the metal, her material of choice, could destroy a pattern that has taken weeks, even months to create.
Trubitz is a self-professed student of life, who lives and creates with intense conviction and freedom. In addition to numerous corporate and private collections in the United States, Europe, and Israel, her works have been seen in museums, movies and TV.
”As an artist I have known the up and the down sides of an industry that feeds off of your creativity,” said Trubitz. “I am happy to be a part of an organization that will respectfully help artists realize their dreams.”

Colleen Pobur

Bio coming soon.

David M. Katz


Professional Experience:

May 2006 –Present Senior Vice President Development, Detroit Medical Center, Detroit, MI

Responsible for all fundraising activities for the 9 hospital Detroit Medical Center system. Manage a staff of 40 fund raising professionals. Increased revenue from $14 million to $19 million in the first year and from $19 to $26 million in year two.
January 2003-Present Founder and Owner, Daniel Consulting LLC, Detroit, MI

Daniel Consulting (DC) is a multi client lobbying and public affairs firm. DC has worked with a wide variety of clients with emphasis in transportation, real estate development, health care, fundraising and governmental consulting.

March 2000- January 2003 Managing Partner/Owner Mulligan’s Golf Centers, Auburn Hills, MI

Responsible for the management of the Auburn Hills and South Lyon facilities for Mulligan’s Golf

January 2000- November 2002 Campaign Manager Granholm for Governor, Livonia, MI

Managed the “day to day” operations, budget, professional staff, consultants and fundraising for the Granholm for Governor Campaign.

April 1998- March 2000 Director, Wayne County Dept. of Airports, Romulus, MI

Director of Metropolitan and Willow Run airports. Responsible for the operations and capital improvement projects of both airports.

January 1994- April 1998 Chief of Staff, Wayne County Executive Office, Detroit, MI

Chief of Staff to County Executive McNamara. Managed the day to day operations and staff in the executive office. Executive Director of the Wayne County Building Authority.

January 1987- January 1994 Assistant County Executive, Wayne County Executive Office Detroit, MI

Responsible for Federal, State and County legislative activities.

1984-1986 Administrative Assistant, City of Livonia, Livonia, MI

Administrative Assistant to the Mayor. Responsible for correspondence and casework for the mayor.

1981-1984 Child Care Worker, Orchards Children’s Services, Southfield, MI

Child care worker with emotionally disturbed teen aged boys.

Education:

1979-1981 University of Michigan, Ann Arbor BA Degree 1981. Political Science major, College of Literature Science and the Arts.

1977-1979 Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Course work in the College of Arts and Sciences.


Past/Present Community Activities and Awards:

First Independence National Bank, Board of Directors
Crain’s Detroit Business “40 under 40”
Anthony Wayne Leadership Award
Detroit Wayne County Stadium Authority
Friends of the Parks
McNamara Scholarship Fund
Goodfellow’s Tribute Breakfast Committee
NAACP Golf Outing Committee
U of M Club of Greater Detroit
U of M Dearborn Citizens Advisory Committee
Livonia Jaycees
Youth Assistance Program