Ariel Gratch, Vice Chairman

Second Term Ends 2024

Assistant Professor of Communication Arts Utica College

Ariel Gratch is an academic and a storyteller. As an academic, Ariel has published on how storytelling takes shape in the digital age, how storytelling plays an integral role in shaping our identities, and how storytelling is an educational tool. Ariel is also a storyteller who likes to experiment with new ways of telling stories, be it through audience participation, the incorporation of new media, or by drawing on avant-garde performance techniques in his telling. He has performed at the National Storytelling Festival’s Story Slam, the New Orleans Fringe Festival, the Experimental Methodologies Symposium in Surrey, the SOS Winter Storytelling Festival, and at many universities and theatres in the United States. Ariel loves to tell and listen and believes that we become our best selves through storytelling.

Lyn Ford

First Term Ends 2024

Adam Booth

First Term Ends 2027

Storyteller

Adam Booth is the 2022 West Virginia Folk Artist of the Year, awarded at the Governor’s Arts Awards. Adam blends traditional mountain folklore, music, and an awareness of contemporary Appalachia to create original, forward-thinking story artistry. As a nationally touring artist, his professional telling appearances include premiere arts and storytelling events across the United States, including the 2024-2025 Mid Atlantic Arts Touring Roster, the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, the National Storytelling Festival, and as a Spoken Word Resident at the Banff Centre (Alberta, Canada). Adam serves as the inaugural Storyteller-In-Residence at Shepherd University and is the founding artistic director of Speak Story Series, a premier destination for storytelling in concert.

Terry Countermine

First Term Ends 2027

Retired Professor Emeritus, Department of Computing

East Tennessee State University

Lynda Harris, Chairwoman

First Term Ends 2024

Adam Dickson

First Term Ends 2027

Director, Langston Centre

Adam Dickson is a community advocate and servant-leader. His professional experiences include local government, higher education, and the nonprofit sector. Adam currently works for the City of Johnson City, TN as Supervisor of the Langston Centre, a multicultural facility promoting community engagement through the arts, education, and leadership. He is Vice-Mayor on the Board of Mayor and Aldermen for the Town of Jonesborough, and he is an Adjunct Instructor of Political Science at East TN State University.  Adam holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Carson-Newman University, and he received a Master of Public Administration degree from East TN State University.

Dana Helvey

First Term Ends 2027

Dana’s background includes several original and successful business ventures, professional photographer specializing in Navajo Nation High School Seniors, “hanging out of a helicopter” for the Feds, and a 27 year Volunteer Fire Safety Officer/EMT in Colorado’s second largest (328 square miles) fire dept. Since moving to Jonesborough and purchasing a historic home several years ago, Dana has become Chair of the Jonesborough Board of Dwelling Standards, and serves on the Flag Committee.  

Sue O’Halloran

First Term Ends 2023

Senior Consultant for The Kaleidoscope Group

Producer, Speaker and Storyteller – O’Halloran Diversity Productions

Since 1969, Sue O’Halloran has performed nationally and internationally and led Diversity, Equity and Inclusion seminars in corporate and nonprofit settings. Sue is author of several books and curricula including Diversity in Our Schools, Common Cross-Cultural Mistakes, Kaleidoscope: Valuing Differences and Creating Inclusion and Compelling Stories, Compelling Causes: Nonprofit Marketing Success.

In addition, Sue produces award-winning multicultural performances including White, Black and Brown: Tribes & Bridges at the Steppenwolf Theatre and More Alike Than Not: Stories of Three Americans – Christian, Jewish and Muslim. She is producer/director of the www.RacebridgesStudio.com site which showcases over 250 social justice video stories and receives over half a million visitors each year.

Sue believes in the power of storytelling to bring people together. About her own storytelling skills, The Chicago Reader’s Critic Choice said, “O’Halloran has mastered the Irish art of telling stories that are funny and heart-wrenching at the same time.”

Lee Patterson

First Term Ends 2027

Retired Attorney

Terry Countermine

Board Emeritus Member – 2020

Terry served on the ISC Board from 2013-2019, and is on active status again in 2024.

Thelma Kidd

Board Emeritus Member – 2020

Thelma served on the ISC Board from 2013-2019.