Tacoma Events Commission
STAFF & BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Tony La Stella is the Founder and Managing Director of La Stella Foundation, a 501(c)(3) and Washington State Charity since 1990. Over the last 30 years, La Stella Foundation has benefited upwards of 150 Non-Profit Organizations in the Northwest supporting veterans, children, animals and other worthy causes. Tony has an extensive background in Tax Law, Estate Planning, Business Management, Development and Venture Capitalization, Marketing, and Production. His company C&A provides business consulting for Non-Profits and small businesses. An active member of The Rainier Club, Tony also serves as an Advisory Board Member of Music Aid Northwest. Since 2011 Tony has produced the Veteran Park “Camp Patriot” within the Tacoma Freedom Fair for the benefit of Veterans and Active Duty Military. He is currently President & CEO of the Tacoma Events Commission which produces the annual Freedom Fair, the third largest July 4th Events in the USA with annual attendance of 125,000. He is a Major Shareholder and Co-Host of West Coast Italian Radio, Inc. An accomplished entertainer, Tony does 200 shows a year with appearances in Night Clubs, Concerts, Television, Motion Pictures, Broadway Musicals & Opera throughout North America, South America, and Europe…and has over 100 recordings to his credit. Through his performances and production work Tony raises over $250,000 annually for charity.
Dave Maestas is the CEO of Maestro Strategic Solutions, a marketing company. He is a retired U.S. Army Special Forces “Green Beret” and Airborne Ranger having reached one of the highest ranks and leading his own Special Forces Teams in Afghanistan & Iraq. His focus was on mentoring foreign leaders on governance, security and development. Since retiring he is an entrepreneur with interests in the West Coast Italian Radio network. He has co-produced Camp Patriot and other events in the Puget Sound. David has served the community with the TEC as a board member since 2016. He is the co-producer and owner of Armed Forces Icon. Finally, he works diligently as Director of Puget Sound Veteran Business.com and advises Veteran businesses other non-profits in the area. David can be reached at 360-545-3874.
Jeanne was a professional bowler for 23 years on the Ladies Pro Bowler’s Tour. She’s been inducted into numerous Halls of Fame, National State and Local. She is one of the owners at Tower Lanes Entertainment Center and Paradise Lanes Entertainment Center. Married to the late Stan Naccarato.
Dan is the proprietor of Katie Downs Tavern and Eatery. His volunteerism for the Tacoma Events Commission as a board member demonstrates his commitment to the people of Washington State and Tacoma.
Master Accredited Solutions Expert and Senior Technical Instructor with Hewlett Packard Enterprise, published poet, award-winning songwriter and regionally known vocal artist, Chuck Worthy is a man of many talents. He is one of less than 500 Technical Professionals in The Americas to attain the ExpertOne Master’s Level of Technical Knowledge and expertise. His technical journey has taken him through the portals of the US Navy as an active duty Data Systems Technician and instructor (12 years), Sun Microsystems, IBM, Dell, the Navy and Marine Corp Intranet Project and countless other clients and projects. An established producer and event coordinator with his wife, Linda, Chuck has co-produced and performed at family-friendly musical stages for many large community, city, and government events, including 9 years with the Tacoma Events Commission. Chuck can be reached at worthychuck@gmail.com or 253.224.5363.
A senior software developer whose past clients have included Microsoft, Boeing, Weyerhaeuser, Frank Russell, Clearwire, Department of the Army, Portland Government, Tacoma Events Commission, and many other businesses and non-profits. Linda is an enthusiastic and patriotic supporter of Freedom Fair since she served in the U.S. Navy for seven years. For over 40 years, Linda has organized and produced/co-produced a variety of events, contests, and festivals that included musical performances at political, city-wide, military, church, and community events, including Seattle Center, Puyallup Spring/Fall Fair (now the Washington State Fair), Victorian Country Christmas, Martin Luther King Birthday Celebration, Just Say No to Drugs community outreach, and many others. She is excited to once again co-produce one of the Freedom Fair stages (since 2009) with her husband and musical partner, Chuck Worthy. Linda can be reached at lindaworthy@earthlink.net or 253.225.6098.
Michael Freeman, a Board member since February 2014, is an active business owner in the local community. His background is in manufacturing of Marine electronics since 1970. He diversified his talents in 1978 and expanded to software development. In 1996, he utilized his physical challenge in life to embark on an additional business of selling and renting wheelchair ramps. He is a well-known area proprietor of mobile covered stage rentals for events. Freeman has volunteered since 2012 in a variety of capacities with the Tacoma Events Commission. He provides extensive experience along with problem-solving skills and management to the Board.
Sherrie Wilson joined the Tacoma Events Commission with the goal of providing direction and support in the areas of marketing and development. Wilson has over 25 years of experience in nonprofit and event management. She has worked for multiple notable and national organizations including the US Olympic Committee, USA Judo, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, the Dan Gable Museum and multiple others. She also serves as Vice President of Marketing for the national franchise Phenix Salon Suites. Her expertise and current focus is in brand management, capital campaigns, long-term giving and development.
Tacoma native Kerry French is a retired 20 year veteran of the United States Navy and has been active in her community, volunteering for various organizations from the March of Dimes and Lung Association to Habitat for Humanity and local bereavement and civics groups. She has degrees in forensics, paralegal and a Bachelor’s degree in government with a pre-law emphasis from Regent University. Kerry sang professionally with the Seattle Dickens Carolers. competed in the Armed Forces Icon, placing in the top 2 for two years before becoming a judge and currently sings with local bands.
Executive Director / Aerial Events Director
Producing airshows is a passion of Doug’s. He has produced more than 20 airshows in the past 15 years to include the Tacoma Freedom Fair Airshow, Gig Harbor Wings and Wheels and as Air Operations Officer at McChord AFB in 2008 and 2010.
Doug Is a retired Air Force Senior Master Sergeant with more than 22 years active duty and served in the air logistics career field for more than 37 years. He earned an associate’s degree from Pierce College and another from the Community College of the Air Force. He earned a Bachelor’s degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) in 2004 and his Master’s in Business Administration in Aviation from ERAU in 2008.
Doug has been a volunteer in the community serving his church, as a board member of the Tacoma Events Commission, and as a community member of Pierce County’s Thun Field advisory board.
Doug credits his success in the air show industry to the many mentors he has had in the industry and is always eager to learn new ways to bring aviation to the public in a safe yet entertaining way.
Gary retired from Pierce County Public Works in 2000 as Road Maintenance Supervisor after 30 years of public service. Since then he has served on the TEC Board of Directors as Entertainment Director, Vendor Director, Vice Chairman and Chairman. He is currently the Executive Director. With Gary’s vast knowledge of event management, he has been an integral part of the Tacoma Events Commission and has contributed to the success of each event for 17 years. Contact info: Office 253-507-9357 — Cell 253-230-6851 gwgrape47@comcast.net
