Meet the all-volunteer Board of Directors, who work tirelessly
to keep the performances available to the public.
OFFICERS
President Anthony B. “Tony” Sestito – Mr. Sestito is a retired business owner who has lived in the Fair Oaks area for over 30 years. He served as president of the Fair Oaks Theatre Festival from 1994-95 and again in 1998-present. During his business career, Mr. Sestito has owned and operated five companies including Government Janitorial Contractor and Supply Retailer, Heavy Equipment Sales and Rental. His business employed over 450 people throughout the United States. He was educated in Sacramento and is a licensed Locomotive Engineer. Mr. Sestito brings to the Fair Oaks Theatre Festival a wealth of managerial experience, his expertise in the construction industry and community contacts. He is also currently serving as project supervisor for the Veterans Memorial Amphitheatre remodel project, now in progress.
Vice President Cathy Smallhouse - Mrs. Smallhouse is Vice President and Branch Manager of American River Bank. She has been a member of the Fair Oaks Theatre Festival Board of Directors for several terms serving as Secretary and Vice President. She is currently in charge of Membership. She is a former Board Member of the Fair Oaks Chamber of Commerce and was Honorary Mayor of Fair Oaks in 1991. She served on the Board of Directors of the Bank Administrators Institute and is a past Board Member of the March of Dimes. Mrs. Smallhouse is a member of the Fair Oaks Rotary and brings to this Board her expertise in banking, organizational skills and her commitment to this community.
Secretary Lillian O’Neal – Mrs. O’Neal is the Administrator and First Surgical Assistant of the Martel Eye Medical Group in Rancho Cordova. She is a graduate of Sacramento City College with a degree in Nursing and is a Registered Nurse. Mrs. O’Neal is a member of several professional organizations and is a Past Board Member and Treasurer of the Superior California Association of Operating Room Nurses. She is an active volunteer in the community, serving at many levels with her church and school district. Mrs. O’Neal is currently focusing on Group Sales and audience development for the Theatre Festival.
Treasurer Patrick Rooney, CPA – Mr. Rooney owns and operates the accounting firm of Patrick J. Rooney in Fair Oaks. A graduate of San Jose State University and Golden Gate University, he holds a BS in business/accounting and an MBA in taxation. Mr. Rooney not only brings his accounting skills to this organization, but also volunteers his talents with other local groups. He is a board member of the Fair Oaks Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Fair Oaks Rotary. He is the current chairman of the Max Huss Golf Tournament that raises funds for local charities.
DIRECTORS
William Brown – Mr. Brown is a retired Captain of the Sacramento Metro Fire District, and began his career with the Fair Oaks Fire District in 1974. He finished his career as a Fire Captain in the Fair Oaks Village Station where he began. Mr. Brown attended American River College and with his wife Deborah, owns and operates Bella Fiore Florist in Fair Oaks Village. A long-time resident of Fair Oaks, Mr. Brown brings to this board his expertise in organization and business management.
Merete Bryant – Information Coming Soon!
Larry Cooper – Mr. Cooper is a retired PG&E Area Manager. Or so he thought until he was rehired as an auditor to take inventory of their overhead electrical systems. He now runs the USA Underground system. Before his retirement, Mr. Cooper was the Colfax Area Manager servicing 7,000 customers in Northern California. He managed 150 people and was responsible for the collection of ten million dollars of revenue for PG&E. Mr. Cooper attended American River College, and Indiana University with a major in criminology. His emphasis on the Board of Directors is with our fundraising events. He is a member of the Fair Oaks Chamber of Commerce and the Fair Oaks Rotary. Mr. Cooper also had the experience of dancing with Donald O’Connor in his youth.
Gwen Cooper – Mrs. Cooper has been a faithful and consistent volunteer for over 20 years. She retired after years of service to PG&E, and retired again after working for the Warehouse Paint Company. She brings to the Board her great organizational skills and will concentrate on supporting various committees.
Bridget Gray – Information Coming Soon!
Karin Mathis – Ms. Mathis retired after 42 years with the Sacramento Public Library Authority as a Senior Librarian. She was a member of the Automation Team, responsible for the installation, configuration, maintenance and personnel training of a network of more than 500 workstations in the Central Library and 23 Branch Libraries. Ms. Mathis is a lifelong resident of Fair Oaks and active in many community events and organizations. She brings to the Festival her extensive knowledge in computers and contributes to the development of the website. Ms. Mathis serves as the master gardener for the Veterans Memorial Amphitheatre entry garden and is responsible for the beautiful flowers in the facility. She is the editor of our newsletter, “In the Spotlight” and maintains our mailing list and bulk mail projects. Her favorite project is the chairman of the Safe Halloween event each year when she turns our entry garden into a mini-Halloween fun house for over 600 children to enjoy. She is a mainstay of the organization and we are fortunate to have her as a Board Member.
Lillian O’Neal – Information Coming Soon!
Elizabeth Ratkovich – Mrs. Ratkovich is a special education teacher for the Sacramento School District, currently teaching special-needs children at Peter Burnett School. She is the manager of the snack bar, a major funding source for the Festival during the Season. She also brings to the Board her expertise with the family catering business and her organizational and managerial skills.
Roy Ratkovich – Information Coming Soon!
Barbara Sestito – Mrs. Sestito is a semi-retired business owner. She is a graduate of San Jose State University with a BS Degree in Aeronautical Engineering with graduate studies at Sacramento State University. She holds a General Secondary Credential in Math and Science and also has numerous aeronautical ratings. Mrs. Sestito is the Past International President of the “99′s”, the International Organization of Women Pilots. Her primary expertise is in accounting and she has been CFO for several businesses and organizations. She has been a member of the Board of Directors for the Fair Oaks Theatre Festival for several terms serving as treasurer and director. Mrs. Sestito is current responsible for writing Grant Proposals and serves as special assistant to the President. She was awarded “Woman of the Year” by then State Senator Rico Oller.
Robert Walters - Mr. Walters is an an attorney, and analyst with California Advocates, Inc. He is a life time resident of Fair Oaks and has over thirty years experience in business and government including serving as Deputy Director of the Office of Economic Opportunity for Governor Ronald Reagan. He is currently a member of the Sacramento County Policy Planning Advisory Council, plus many other boards and commissions. Mr. Walters chairs the fundraising committee for the renovations to the Veterans Memorial Amphitheatre.
President Anthony B. “Tony” Sestito – Mr. Sestito is a retired business owner who has lived in the Fair Oaks area for over 30 years. He served as president of the Fair Oaks Theatre Festival from 1994-95 and again in 1998-present. During his business career, Mr. Sestito has owned and operated five companies including Government Janitorial Contractor and Supply Retailer, Heavy Equipment Sales and Rental. His business employed over 450 people throughout the United States. He was educated in Sacramento and is a licensed Locomotive Engineer. Mr. Sestito brings to the Fair Oaks Theatre Festival a wealth of managerial experience, his expertise in the construction industry and community contacts. He is also currently serving as project supervisor for the Veterans Memorial Amphitheatre remodel project, now in progress.