Staff
Tommy Barnes
He//Him
Assistant Director of Administration
Tommy Barnes has served at the Festival Center since 2008. He holds an associate degree in Computer Science from the University of the District of Columbia. Previously Tommy served…
Dcs. Lindsay Fertig-Johnson
She//Her
Director of Development & Public Relations
Lindsay Fertig-Johnson is a Lutheran deaconess and fundraising professional passionate about building and sustaining relationships. She is currently the Director of…
Claire Gholston
She//Her
Administrative and Community Manager
Claire is a people-oriented administrator with a longing to see the hearts of advocates healed and supported as they seek to facilitate justice in their respective areas…
Bill Mefford
He//Him
Executive Director
Bill Mefford is the Executive Director of The Festival Center. He is a connector, innovator, and visionary. From living and serving in poor communities in Waco, TX, Lexington, KY, Cleveland, and…
Walter Taylor Jr.
He//Him
Events Specialist
Walter Taylor Jr. has served at the Festival Center since 2017. Previously, Walter served at River Road Unitarian Congregation in Bethesda, Maryland and Masters Hands Home…
Staff Partners
Lizbeth Melendez Rivera
She//They
Residential Chef
Lisbeth Meléndez Rivera, MAL, is a 35+ year veteran in social justice movements. Lisbeth has extensive experience organizing and training at the intersections of sexual orientation…
Joe Ward
He//Him
Artist-in-Residence and Gallery Curator
Joe Ward is a visual artist who blends virtual and traditional creative tools to make drawings, paintings and digital art. In addition to art making, Joe’s practice includes research, writing and outreach for the Souls of A Nation…
