Cultural and Scientific Commission

Bethany Wood is an arts educator dedicated to teaching through sharing compelling stories with diverse audiences. Her love for theater began with school trips and events funded by Colorado’s Scientific Cultural and Facilities District, and she is excited to support arts opportunities for her community in Parker. Bethany brings decades of experience in theater, arts management, and cultural history to her work with the Cultural and Scientific Commission.

Also serves as: History Committee Chair

Dr. Terri Tilliss is an ‘art appreciator’ who feels strongly that accessibility and exposure to ‘the arts’ elevates a community and promotes beauty and understanding. A native Coloradan, she served on the Arts and Humanities Council in Greenwood Village, Colorado before moving with her husband to Parker where they are relishing the wide-open spaces, big expanses of blue sky, cultural and art opportunities, and the deer! Together they have five adult children living in the Denver area. Terri is Professor Emerita at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine where she was a faculty member for over four decades teaching patient communication skills to dental and medical students.

A dental hygienist with two Master’s Degrees and a PhD in Health and Behavioral Sciences, Terri is published widely in professional journals and presents on health-related topics. She is a true believer in ‘learning as much as you can about as much as you can’ and loves being actively involved in Parker Arts. She enjoys skiing, biking, hiking, reading, entertaining, travel and appreciating art!

Also serves as/on: Parker Arts Lecture Series Committee Chair, Honey Festival Committee, PACE Center 15-Year Anniversary Committee

Irene brings more than 20 years of nonprofit leadership to the Parker Cultural & Scientific Commission. Her connection to the arts began early with piano lessons at the age of 5. At age 14, she was cast in community theater production of West Side Story, and her love for music, theater and the arts continued throughout her life. She holds a B.A. in Arts Management from the University of Redlands and has held roles with local and nationally-prominent arts organizations including the Kennedy Center, Disney, Nederlander Worldwide Entertainment, the Clyfford Still Museum, and the Colorado Shakespeare Festival.

A resident of Parker and a parent to two daughters, Irene values the role of the arts and sciences in shaping young minds, fostering empathy, bolstering curiosity, and strengthening community connection. She is particularly interested in expanding youth enrichment opportunities and supporting partnerships that increase cultural access for all residents.

Irene also has extensive experience in communications and organizational strategy, having served in leadership roles across the nonprofit sector. She holds a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from the University of Denver and has contributed to advisory boards focused on education, youth development, and community wellness. She looks forward to supporting Parker in advancing accessible, high-quality cultural and scientific programming for the community.

Annie Day has a deep passion for the arts and the future of Parker. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in American Studies. During her time as a student, Annie was a leader among her peers as Student President of American Studies and was elected Student of the Year. In addition to her academic pursuits, she served as a curatorial assistant and was able to compose various cultural displays using BYU’s prestigious special collections. Since her graduation, Annie served as a legislative campaign manager. She also volunteers as a youth leader and tutor. Annie is the proud mother of two beautiful girls. She is eager to give back to her community. She is excited to use her leadership skills and her background in the arts to enrich the Town of Parker.

Also serves as/on: Honey Festival Committee Chair, PACE Center 15-Year Anniversary Committee

Nicholas is a proud long-time Colorado resident and outdoor enthusiast. He was raised in Aurora, and after several tours abroad as a US Navy submariner has returned to plant roots in Parker. He holds degrees from the University of Notre Dame in Aerospace Engineering and Old Dominion University in Engineering Management. He currently works for an earth-observation geospatial intelligence company called BlackSky managing satellite operations and software development. In addition to his science and engineering background, Nicholas is an avid reader and art enthusiast. He enjoys gardening, fly fishing, camping and enjoying the great outdoors of our beautiful Rocky Mountains. As a new commissioner for the Parker Cultural and Scientific Commission, Nicholas is honored and excited to engage with the community to bring enlightening and educational experiences to town residents and the broader Colorado population at large.

Anita Linker and her husband have been members of the PACE Center for several years and active volunteers since her retirement in 2022. They purchase several tickets to the Pace Center events each year and have never been disappointed. We have supported Parker Arts annual member drives and charity fundraisers. Anita prides herself in feeling like a cheerleader of the PACE Center, spreading the word of the wonderful events that are just at our fingertips here in Parker.

Over the years, she has been involved with many fundraising events that supported the community. As the Senior Manager of MPLX, Anita had the added responsibility to lead the fundraising and volunteer efforts for the organization. They raised funds and donated time to charities such as Habitat for Humanity, Ronald McDonald House, Precious Child, Salvation Army, Michael J. Fox, K9’s for Warriors and K9’s for Mobility. She traveled with the media department where they filmed the delivery of a service dog to the candidate who was given the trained service dog that her and the organizations sponsored.

With a previous professional career in Accounting and Finance with over 30 years of experience, Anita has also been trained in many DEI programs and was a member of DEI teams. It will be a great pleasure to volunteer her time to support Parker Arts.

Katie returns to her home state of Colorado after 15+ years of performing professionally in New York and Chicago. She has appeared in the National Touring companies of Annie, S Wonderful, and South Pacific as well as on regional stages across the country. In Colorado, she has performed at Lakewood Cultural Center, Town Hall Arts Center, and was nominated for a Henry Award for Best Actor in a Musical as Vi Moore in Footloose on the Parker Arts stage.

In addition to performing, Katie has worked in arts education for the last eight years teaching, directing, and music directing at various schools and studios and currently serves as the Resident Acting Director at Performing Arts Academy in Highlands Ranch. She also made her professional directing debut with School of Rock at Parker Arts in January 2024. Katie is passionate about the transformative power the arts can have on both individuals and a community. As a new mom and resident of Parker, Katie is thrilled to serve her town on the Cultural and Scientific Commission to ensure that the amazing opportunities Parker provides both artists and members of the community will continue to grow, elevate, and thrive.

Also serves on: Strategic Planning Committee, PACE Center 15-Year Anniversary Committee

As a resident of Parker since 1979, Tom O’Malley has seen first-hand the growth that the town has experienced. From his involvement in performing arts at Ponderosa High School, to his participation in the Parker CASC, photographing for the PACE Center, and onetime webmaster for Parker’s Creative District, Tom has always sought to be an active part of the Parker art scene. A small business owner in Parker for the past twenty years, Affinity Photography & Music, Tom brings a local insight to the Cultural and Scientific Commission. He is a devoted husband to his wife Melissa, and proud father of a talented teenaged boy. A graduate of Colorado State University, Tom has always called Colorado home and loves to find ways to contribute to the community.

Also serves on: Honey Festival Committee, Strategic Planning Committee

Scott is a local corporate attorney and a devoted supporter of the arts. He currently serves on the Parker History, Science, and Lecture Series Committees. An avid fan of culture, Scott contributes to CPR Classical, holds season tickets to the opera, and enjoys visiting museums of all kinds. Committed to community service, Scott has previously volunteered as a tutor for low-income children and as a mediator. He has also served on his HOA Board for more than five years and is currently its President.

Scott holds an undergraduate degree in construction management and earned his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C. Throughout his career, he has practiced engineering and construction law and enjoys digging into technical details.

He loves traveling (38 countries so far), reading non-fiction, practicing martial arts (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai kickboxing), cycling, mountain biking, and hiking. Scott has three children, including one currently away at college. He is eager to contribute to the arts and science culture of Parker and is honored to serve as a Commissioner on the Parker Cultural and Science Committee.

In 2022, my wife Jan and I made Parker our home, drawn in by the town’s unique charm. As avid supporters of the arts, we’ve been thrilled to explore the diverse cultural offerings here. I firmly believe that the arts can be a linchpin for a community, enriching lives and fostering connections. Having previously served as a school board member for 11 years, I understand the value of community leadership and collaboration. Now, I’m eager to contribute to Parker’s cultural and scientific landscape as a member of the Parker Cultural and Scientific Commission, working towards a community where the arts thrive and play a vital role in our shared experience.

Also serves on: Strategic Planning Committee, Science Committee

Robert is involved in many aspects of science. As a Senior Energy Analyst at the U.S. Government Accountability Office—a non-partisan, fact-based legislative agency for the U.S. Congress, he has worked on nuclear-related issues for more than 20 years. He is a Colorado Master Gardener with Douglas County Extension and volunteers with Denver Audubon. He is also a member of the Denver Metro Regional Science and Engineering Fair Community Advisory Council, which encourages youth to pursue science, engineering and technical careers. Robert received his BA and MA from the University of New Mexico. He has a passion for science and wants to be a role model in sharing that passion so that people of all ages can better appreciate the roles of science in nearly every aspect of our lives. As a new commissioner, Robert looks forward to engaging with the community in Parker Cultural and Scientific Commission activities.

Also serves as/on: Science Committee Chair, Parker Arts Lecture Series Committee, Strategic Planning Committee