G. Lee Baumgarten, Executive Director

Lee Baumgarten grew up in Pineville where he now lives with his wife Denise and two children.  He graduated from the prestigious Columbus College of Art & Design in Columbus, Ohio where he later returned to teach after his graduate studies at the West Virginia University. Lee has actively worked with the Town of Pineville and the Arts & Science Council to bring this organzation to the public. His vision and dedication are now visible in the programs he has created and now offer at the CCAC. Lee invites you to experience art in unique and inspiring ways, regardless of your experience level. 

Lee has been a Studio-Artist producing private and corporate work for over 30 years, specializing in oil painting and sculpture. His work is represented in a vast number of private and corporate collections throughout the country.  Some of his local work is available for viewing at Presbyterian Hospital Matthews, Wachovia, Carolina Medical Center-Main, CMC-Steel Creek and Spartanburg Regional Hospital.

Lee's civic and community involvement has ranged from being a Little League Coach and Oddessy of the Mind coach to being a Chief Judge for the Board of Elections, as well as serving on the Board of Adjustments for the Town of Pineville.  Lee has also volunteered his time judging for the Pineville Fall Fest; community art project for Lake Norman Festival; Charlotte Shout and art events for Charlotte Center City Partners.

Gaye List, President / Board Chair

Gaye List is a native Charlottean who currently lives in Charlotte with her husband David. She is the Director of Proposal Development at Compass Group, the world's largest contract food service provider, where she created this department of graphic professionals and project specialists. She is also the co-chair of the Diversity Advisory Council at the corporate office at Compass Group. Her career is balanced with active participation in her church as a Sunday School teacher for middle school students and member of the missions ministry. She is also an active member of the community, holding previous board of director positions for Loaves & Fishes in Charlotte and the North Carolina Cooperative Education Advisory Council.

Gaye's love for art and meeting the needs of children and families in the Mecklenburg County area have now come together as President and Board Chair for the Civic and Cultural Arts Center of Pineville. 

Jayne Buckley, President Elect

Jayne was born in Derbyshire, England and emigrated to Canada after gaining her degree in Hospitality Management through the Hotel and Catering Institute of London.  She lived in Vancouver, British Columbia before moving to the States in 2002.  

As Vice President, she currently manages purchasing support for Compass Group , a  multi billion dollar company with accounts throughout North America.  Her primary focus is to coach, develop and train a large team that supports purchasing programs.  She is also responsible for creating and driving corporate social responsibility initiatives, overseeing communications and a national call center. She has been with Compass Group for over 20 years, holding various positions including steering corporate quality initiatives, sales and managing contract retention of the highest volume accounts for Compass.

Jayne lives on Lake Wylie with her husband Tony.  They have two children, a son who lives in Charlotte and a daughter who still lives in Canada. Over the years Jayne has been a very active member of many boards. Currently she sits on the board of directors of Loaves and Fishes.  She is a long time member of Beta Sigma Phi. Her passion for the arts and development of people's natural talents has led her to her current role as President Elect for CCAC.

Paul Payerle, Treasurer/

Paul is originally from Akron, OH and graduated from Miami University in Oxford, OH.  He taught high school for six years in Cuyahoga Falls, OH, then entered the private sector as a sales representative in the packaging industry.  After various employment transfers, he moved to Charlotte in 1983 and has lived here ever since.  Paul is married to Liz and has two married daughters and a son in college.  In 1993, Paul founded a packaging distributorship, All-Star Packaging, which was acquired in 2006 by IPS Packaging.  In his spare time, Paul enjoys woodworking and other home improvement projects. 

Paul joined the CCAC board to help his long time friend and CCAC executive director, Lee Baumgarten, get the organization started.  He is one of the original board members and has served as treasurer since the inception of the CCAC.

Chris Hummer, Board Member /Sponsorship Committee Lead

As President of Carolinas Medical Center-Pineville, Chris Hummer directs the strategic and operating activities of the 109 bed hospital. Mr. Hummer joined Carolinas HealthCare System in February 2006. Prior to CHS, he held hospital and physician group practice administration positions in Georgia, Missouri, North Carolina, Texas, Southern California, Minnesota, and Kansas.

Chris is a founding board member of the CCAC, a board member of the Morrison YMCA in Charlotte and a member of Leadership Charlotte's Class 29.

Mr. Hummer is a 2008 recipient of Modern Healthcare's Up and Comer Award which is given annually to those who have demonstrated decisive leadership and commitment to high-quality, affordable health and wellness in their communities. He holds a bachelor of science degree in Journalism & Mass Communications from Kansas State University and a master of healthcare administration from the University of Kansas.

Diona Kidd, Board Member/ Marketing Committee

Diona Kidd is the Vice President of Knowmad Technologies. Knowmad Technologies is a Web Development and Open Source Web Integration firm located in Charlotte, NC. In addition to her involvement as a board member of CCAC, Diona serves on the Advisory Board for Rowan County Community College for the Web technologies department and is an active member of the National Association of Women Business Owners, Charlotte Chapter, and the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce.

Diona's expertise has brought great value to the CCAC. She contributes her knowledge, not only to the creation and management of the CCAC website, but also collaboration tools for the organization and volunteering on the CCAC marketing committee. In addition to her internet technology expertise, Diona contributes her entrepreneurial and business knowledge to the organization.

Han Cashion, Board Member/ Program Committee

Han Cashion moved to the United States in 1990 from Korea.  She found her interest in art while studying at CPCC in Charlotte.  Upon graduation, she furthered her education with nationally renowned artists. 

Han has won several awards from regional and national juried shows, including receiving an emerging artist grant from the Arts and Science Council in 2000.  She brodens her artistic vision and wisdom by experiences such as attending one month residence program in the Vermont Residence studio and participating in several artists' retreat programs.  She also learned to practice Maum(mind) Meditation in 6 months in Korea.  In 2006, Han had the privilege of visiting a home for disabled people, which was run by a ministry deep within the mountains of Korea. During her stay, she created 25 paintings of landsapes and portraits, and donated those for their home facilities and chaples.

Han has been actively involved with the CCAC since its beginning.  She loves reading, walking and playing with her dogs. She resides in Matthews with husband, Mo, and their beloved companion dogs, Bud and Lulu. 

Denise Torrance / Program Committee

Originally from New York, Denise is one of the first members of the CCAC and holds a variety of roles including research and development, education, instructor, programs, mentoring, purchasing and committee membership, as well as being a NC State Bar Certified Paralegal.  Denise attended the prestigious Columbus College of Art & Design for her formal education and moved to NC after graduation.  Denise is an accomplished designer and artist creating art in mixed media and oil.  Denise's most recent sculpture "Tree of Life" was donated and auctioned off at Dessert First Charlotte - Jimmy V Foundation Benefit.  Denise was also a contributing artist for Beyond the Curve: Celebrating Women's Vision art show.  Denise is currently working on a one woman show entitled "Women in Movement".

Carol Newman, Board Member/ Events Committee

Carol is the Senior Employee Relations Manager at Time Warner Cable in their Corporate Human Resources department. 

Carol joined the CCAC Board of Directors in January, 2009 and is Co-Chair of the Events Committee. She is also a board advisor on the Grants Research committee. She is an active member and supporter of bringing arts to the community.

Ken Roache, CCAC Secretary/ Facilities Committee

Ken Roache is the Major/National Account Sales Manager for IKON Office Solutions, a Ricoh Company

Ken joined the CCAC as Board Secretary in August, 2008.  He is an active member and large supporter of bringing arts to the community. 

Jodi Hummer, Events Committee

Jodi Hummer is a Career Management Consultant at Right Management Consultants in Charlotte, NC

Becky Keenan, Board Member/ Marketing Committee

Becky Keenan is the owner of Network Financial, LLC in Charlotte, NC.  

Becky joined the CCAC Board in 2009 and is Co-Chair of the Marketing Committee.  

Lynn Smith, Board Member/ Marketing Committee

Lynn Smith joined the CCAC Board in April, 2009 and is on the Marketing Committee.  Lynn is also on the Communications Committee and assists at Events.  

Helen Shearer, Marketing Committee

Helen Shearer joined the CCAC Marketing Committee in April, 2009.  

Michelle Greenberg, Events Committee

Michelle Greenberg joined the CCAC Events Committee in April, 2009.  

Cliff Hebard, Communications Committee

Cliff Hebard joined the CCAC Communicatins Committee in April, 2009.  

Terri Andrews, Communications Committee

Terri Andrews joined the CCAC Marketing Committee in March, 2009 and the Communicatins Committee in April, 2009.  

Julie Hulley, Marketing Committee/ Graphic Designer

Julie Hulley joined the CCAC Marketing Committee in April, 2009.  

Janie Jones, Events Committee

Janie Jones is an accomplished jewelry artists.  Janie joined the CCAC Events Committee in May, 2009 and teaches Jewelry Making at workshops at the CCAC.

Bonnie Little, Events Committee

Bonnie Little joined the CCAC Events Committee in June, 2009.