Chair of the Board of Trustees

Dr. Megow is retired as the Division Chief Medical Officer, overseeing clinical activities of thirteen hospitals across three states. She was born and raised in South Georgia and graduated from Valdosta State University (BS Biology), the Medical College of Georgia (MD), and the University of Massachusetts – Amherst (MBA). She began her study of piano as a young child and spent many years as an accompanist for various churches. Additionally, she is an accomplished handbell ringer and has served in various handbell choirs for many years. She has participated in church chancel choirs and served as soloist in multiple choir productions. She has been a member of Kansas City Bronze and the William Baker Festival Singers. She is married to Jim Megow and has four adult children and two grandchildren.

Dr. Megow brings many years of executive and not-for-profit governance experience to the leadership of the Choral Foundation. As a Georgia native she has a strong understanding of our Atlanta operation and constituency. Before relocating back to Georgia, she was actively involved in the metro Kansas City ensembles of the organization. Kimberly was our chief medical advisor during the Covid-19 pandemic, guiding our organization through proper response to the emergency while empowering us to continue rehearsals and performances.

Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees

Mary Puetz, a native of Iowa, received her vocal music degrees from the University of Iowa and the University of Oklahoma. She has been a member of the the Choral Foundation Board since 2010. She was a charter member of the William Baker Festival Singers (WBFS) in Kansas City and also served as soprano section leader, soloist, Vocal Coach, and Associate Music Director during her tenure from 1998 – 2001. She also sang with Summer Singers of Kansas City and WBFS of Atlanta. Ms. Puetz’s musical background is varied and includes engagements as a soloist and professional musician for churches in Oklahoma, Kansas and Iowa, roles in opera and musical productions in Oklahoma, Iowa, and Ohio and working for nonprofit arts-based organizations in Oklahoma and Iowa. She is active in theater productions and community choirs.

Executive Secretary

Melissa Ann Shallberg is originally from Mason City, Iowa, the town on which Meredith Wilson based River City for his Music Man. After brief study at Luther College, Melissa graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Music Education. She has continued her education in voice and conducting at St. John’s University, the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music, and Baker University. She is also a member of the Voice Care Network and has completed several summer studies with the Network in Minnesota.

Melissa has been heard as soloist in Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana, Handel’s Messiah, Vivaldi’s Gloria, Mozart’s Solemn Vespers and John Rutter’s Requiem. Her stage works include major roles in Brigadoon, The Mikado, and Die Zauberflöte. In a 2002 review, Paul Horsley of

The Kansas City Star said, “Soprano Melissa Ann Shallberg sang O Holy Night with a thrilling crystal-clear voice that never cloyed.” She recently completed her Master’s Degree in Vocal Pedagogy at the University of Kansas.

She was been a member of the William Baker Festival Singers from 1999-2011, and served as Associate Music Director of the ensemble from 2002-2011, and Executive Associate Music Director of the Choral Foundation from 2009-2011. She has appeared as a soloist frequently with the Festival Singers, in addition to performances with the Summer Singers of Atlanta and the Summer Singers of Kansas City.

Since returning to Iowa in 2011, Ms. Shallberg has been a member and vocal coach of the Una Vocis Choral Ensemble. She is Founder & Music Director of a growing children’s ensemble, NordKor. She was elected to the Choral Foundation Board of Trustees and as Executive Secretary in 2019.

Ann Mayes Stoskopf has served on the Board of Directors for several 501(c)3 Not for profit organizations as Treasurer/CFO, in addition to the William Baker Choral Foundation. She was the Administrative Assistant and Bookkeeper for Georgia Music Educators Association and RE/MAX Around Atlanta and currently is the Office Manager and tax preparer for Cerqueda, Morgan and Collins Accounting firm. Ms. Stoskopf’s experience level is high with non-profit organizations, particularly in using Quick Books, taxes, and filings.

She is a member of First Presbyterian Church in Marietta where she serves as an Elder and Chair of the History Committee. Genealogy is a particular passion for Ann, who has done research for over 40 years and continues to expand her knowledge and research skills, while serving as the Treasurer for the Georgia Genealogy Society.

Ann has been a part of the William Baker Choral Foundation for over 20 years participating with the Summer Singers of Atlanta, Cobb Summer Singers, the Festival Singers of Atlanta, the New South Festival Singers, and has formerly served as a Board of Trustees member and Treasurer of the Choral Foundation.

Trustee at Large

Kristin has been a member of the Lynn Swanson Festival Singers/New South Festival Singers since 2014, and previously sang with the Choral Guild of Atlanta from 1995 through 2012. In addition, she served as Secretary (2003-2005) and Chair (2007-2008) of the Board of Trustees for the Choral Guild of Atlanta. She has played piano and sung in choirs from elementary school through college, and earned a minor in music from the University of South Florida.

Kristin has held several roles of increasing responsibility in Talent Management, Leadership Development and Organizational Effectiveness throughout her career with companies such as The Coca-Cola Company and United Parcel Service. Before moving into the corporate sector, she worked as a self-employed consultant and served as an Assistant Professor at Georgia Institute of Technology. Kristin holds a Masters and Ph.D. in Industrial Organizational Psychology from The Ohio State University.

Trustee at Large

A native Kansan, Pam was raised in a farming community in north central Kansas where she spent much of her time in musical endeavors, singing, playing saxophone or piano in many musical groups and serving as organist for the local Lutheran church. Pam graduated with distinction from the University of Kansas earning a Bachelor of Music in Applied Piano, where she studied with Dr. Richard Angeletti. She participated in the University Wind Ensemble, accompanied senior recitals, university choirs and voice lessons and served as rehearsal accompanist for both opera and musical theater productions. She also studied organ with Dr. James Moeser. While at the University of Kansas, she became a member of Mortar Board, Pi Kappa Lambda music honorary and Sigma Alpha Iota (international professional women’s music fraternity).

Most of Pam’s professional career took place in the Kansas City area, working primarily in the medical device, animal health or human health industries. She spent the last 20 years of her work life managing the worldwide exportation of locally produced custom cell culture media to the pharmaceutical industry for use in finished human drugs and vaccines. She has experience in sales, sales management, sales training and international distribution. Pam continues to further the aims of music by actively participating in the local Kansas City Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota, ringing handbells, accompanying local singers and instrumentalists, occasionally singing in groups around town such as the Summer Singers of Kansas City, and serving on three community boards for charitable or musical work.

Trustee at Large

Ross was born in Arcadia, CA and didn’t stay long. Being part of a U.S. Forest Service family, he traveled from California to Sitka, AK. From there, he travelled to Vernal, UT, where he graduated from Uintah High School. He graduated with a B.A. in Business Administration at MidAmerica Nazarene University in 1996. Throughout high school and college, Ross was involved with band, choirs, and musicals. He played the Euphonium throughout his high school and college years.

Ross has always been involved in vocal music and started singing in church before he was in grade school. He involved himself in church choirs and sang solos when he got the opportunity. He got serious about singing after being married to his wife, Amanda. They are both involved in the church choir and worship team at Shawnee Church of the Nazarene in Shawnee, KS. Also, they both joined the Northland Community Choir, a Park University-sponsored community group. Ross and Amanda joined the Summer Singers of Kansas City and after that point, they were committed to audition for the William Baker Festival Singers.

Ross was appointed to the William Baker Festival Singers in 2011 and has since served in many leadership roles. He currently is employed by Aetna as a IT Acquisitions Buyer. When Ross is not singing or working, you can find him doing activities such as cooking, traveling, or volunteering with a prison ministry outreach band, the Mike Wheeler Band.

He was elected to the Board of Trustees in 2012 and has led several initiatives, including the recruitment of LogixStreet, LLC to revamp the Choral Foundation's websites. Ross led the organization's efforts create the ensembles' presence on iTunes, and revamp e-commerce and online marketing programs to a high level of efficiency and effectiveness.

Trustee at Large

John Schaefer is highly regarded as one who promotes the Arts and who supports them with attendance and donations. Recently retired after 40 years as Director of Music/Organist/Canon Musician at Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral in Kansas City, and 27 years as the Park University Organist, Canon Schaefer is also on the Board of the Greater Kansas City Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and is a member of the Steering Committee for the Guild's National Convention in Kansas City in July 2018. He holds degrees from Ohio State University, Union Theological Seminary in New York City, and conducted post-graduate study at New College, Oxford University in England. After serving as a member of the Advisory Board of the William Baker Choral Foundation, he was named to the Board of Trustees as a Trustee at Large in 2013. In 2016, John Schaefer was honored as Individual Artist of the Year by the Missouri Council for the Arts in an award presented by Missouri Governor Jay Nixon.

Trustee At Large

Sarah Sambol became a part of the William Baker Choral Foundation in 2014 through the Summer Singers of Atlanta. She was appointed to the William Baker (now New South) Festival Singers for the 2014-2015 season. Sarah has been active in choral participation and leadership since high school, and during her years of involvement at Emory University and All Saints Episcopal Church.

She actively seeks to improve her own musical development through voice lessons, ensemble singing, and study. Additionally, she sees music as a ministry and singing as community service. She has brought exception professional communications experience and interest in organizational dynamics in service to the Choral Foundation.

Carl Chinnery was Vice-President of Kansas City Life Insurance Company until 1976 when he established his private law practice, Chinnery Evans & Nail, in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, concentrating on estate planning, probate, business law and real estate.

Mr. Chinnery has done legal work for over 130 non-profits, including churches, athletic organizations, humanitarian groups, and civic and service clubs.

In addition to providing legal help, Carl has served on many Greater Kansas City area boards. He is past president of the following Lee’s Summit groups: The Chamber of Commerce, Economic
Development Council and the R-7 School District. He also chaired the Jackson County Coalition of Chambers, the Missouri Yacht Club, Summit Bank of Kansas City, Powell Gardens, and the Vestry of
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. He received the Bishops Shield for the Episcopal Diocese of West Missouri. He has been Chairman of the Planned Giving Committees of the Eastland Community Foundation, Truman Medical Center, Lee’s Summit Educational Foundation and Children’s Mercy Hospital. He has been awarded the Metropolitan Community Colleges President’s Citation, Commerce Bank Community Service Award and is installed in the Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame. Most recently, he was honored with the Lee’s Summit Cares Lifetime Achievement Award and Lee’s Summit ‘Citizen of the Year’ for 2023. The Nature Trail at Unity World Headquarters in Lee’s Summit bears his name. Carl enjoys working with wood and has built three sail boats and two canoes among other wood projects. He enjoys traveling, gardening, sailing and golfing. Between them, Carl and his wife Jean have eight children and eighteen grandchildren.

Development Director

Laura Rene Baker grew up in Prairie Village, Kansas, and became involved in choirs and handbells at an early age. After graduating from Kansas State University with a degree in Interior Architecture she worked with firms in Florida and Kansas before creating her own company, Art + Design, a unique business that blended her gifts as an artist in numerous mediums with interior architecture and design. After working again in the corporate world as an architectural project manager, she created a new company, Pie Baker Lady, to celebrate her work as a baker, author, entrepreneur, innovator, business leader, and artist. In 2020, Laura Rene Baker was appointed Development Director of the Choral Foundation, where she is chiefly responsible for grant applications and funding campaigns. Mrs. Baker is a 26-year member of the William Baker Festival Singers in Kansas City, and is a charter member of Kansas City Bronze and the Summer Singers of Kansas City.

Chair of Board of Advisors & Trustee Emeritus

Greg Wegst has served on numerous boards for non-profit organizations as treasurer and secretary including the Kansas City Clay Guild (treasurer 1999-2002) and Hollis Renewal Center (Secretary of the Board 2005 to 2014). He has served on the board of the Choral Foundation since 2014. In 2015 he became Executive Secretary of the board and in 2016 was elected Treasurer & CFO, allowing him to bring together his passion for music and fiscal responsibility.

Greg’s day job is Vice President of Diagnostic Technology Consultants, Inc. A medical physics consulting company with offices in Kansas City and Tampa Florida. He has worked for DTC since 1992 and was made vice president of the company in 2013.

Additionally, he is an adjunct professor at Avila University teaching philosophy in the advantage program. He has a master’s degree in philosophy from the University of Kansas and a Bachelors in history from Coe College.

Trustee Emeritus & WBCF Corporate Attorney

Bill has been a life-long chorus singer, including membership in the William Baker Festival Singers of Atlanta, the Lynn Swanson Festival Singers of Atlanta, the Charleston Symphony Singer’s Guild, and the Washington Choral Arts Society. His training in choral music was at Duke University under J. Benjamin Smith, a student of Nadia Boulanger, and with Emily Remington in Charleston, SC. His liturgical and Jewish heritage works, including Songs of the Holocaust and Kedushah (Sanctification), have been featured at the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, SC, and in performances by the William Baker Festival Singers of Atlanta and Kansas City, including national broadcast on National Public Radio. His works are published by Transcontinental Music, and performances are available on Amazon and iTunes.

Bill is an Atlanta native, and is founder and manager of Senior Law Services of Georgia, providing legal services for aging seniors. He has graduate degrees in both law and city and regional planning from the University of North Carolina, and was an undergraduate at Duke. . He has coordinated and taught legal education seminars in South Carolina, taught graduate-level courses at the University of South Carolina, College of Charleston, and Florida Atlantic University, and lectured at the University of North Carolina, Texas A&M University, Florida State University, University of Florida, Florida International University, University of Georgia and Georgia State University, and in EPA-sponsored programs in Seattle, San Francisco, New Orleans, Minneapolis, Washington, DC, and Charleston, SC.

Trustee Emeritus

Brad has been a science/mathematics teacher since his graduation from Kansas State University. After teaching several years at various rural schools, Brad moved to the Kansas City area and reignited his passion for choral singing by joining the William Baker Festival Singers. Brad currently teaches at Center School District, where he is currently the middle school science department chair, eighth grade team leader, and was named District Teacher of the Year 2014-2015.

A Kansas native, Brad has participated in various Choral Foundation ensembles since 2001. He is currently in his 17th season as a member of the William Baker Festival Singers. He served as a member of the Board of Trustees for five years, four as Treasurer and CFO. He was named Trustee Emeritus in 2011.

Trustee Emeritus & Choral Associate in Atlanta

A native of Chicago, Scott has been a member of the Choral Foundation since summer of 1994. As a senior solution specialist at IBM, Scott brings both musical and business organizational skills to the foundation. In 1998, Scott stepped up to a leadership role within the foundation, acting as the primary administrator and organizer of the Atlanta activities. This role as choral associate evolved into a role on the WBCF board of trustees. Over the years, Scott has been very active in his SW Atlanta community, volunteering hundreds of hours to help revitalize the Westview Community alongside his Husband Mark. In addition to his work at IBM, Scott has served as chair of the Board of Trustees at St. Mark UMC and continues his work with the foundation as Trustee Emeritus and a member of the New South Festival Singers. He was named Trustee Emeritus of the Choral Foundation in 2010.