OUR BOARD of DIRECTORS
Jamie Klund – President, 2015-Present
Now in his ninth year as president. His favorite living blues artist is Buddy Guy, whom he met at Buddy Guy’s Legends in Chicago. Jamie’s professional life included 25 years as a publicity manager in major college athletics, 9 years as marketing manager at the Reno Cabela’s and as a fundraiser/grants officer at the Community Foundation of Northern Nevada, from which he recently retired.
Steve Kaye – Vice President, 2022 – Present
Steve picked up his first pair of drumsticks at age nine and has played in numerous bands through the years, mostly playing the Blues. Growing up in the Bay Area, Steve developed his love of music attending shows at SF’s legendary concert halls – Bill Graham’s Fillmore Auditorium, Winterland, the Warfield, etc. “Blues is roots music, you can trace everything back to the Blues. It’s a pleasure to serve with such a talented group of people in the Reno Blues Society who have been Keepin’ the Blues Alive since 1993.”
Dave Mensing – Events Manager, 2018-Present
After retiring in New Mexico in 2006, Dave moved to Reno and began to pursue a ‘hobby’ as a professional musician currently performing in numerous local music venues. Dave joined the board of directors of the Reno Blues Society in 2018. He currently serves as the Events Manager, assisting our musical acts in preparing and setting up for events held throughout the year. He has been involved in music for most of his life beginning with bands in Iowa where he grew up, and dabbling in musical performances throughout his working career. Dave looks forward to assisting the Board in moving the RBS ever upward and ‘Keepin’ the Blues Alive’.
Yvonne Deslongchamp – Secretary, 2022-Present
Born and raised in Colorado, I began developing a love of all music at a young age. Becoming a student of a variety of musical instruments over a decade in Southern California only served to increase a genuine adoration of music’s ability to thread people of all backgrounds together, crossing a variety of boundaries and barriers. Fast-forward to current times I believe it is vital to support live music, musicians and venues in order to continue the joy and community that music provides ~ Where words might fail, music seems to reflect life.
Tom Colby – Treasurer, 2022 – Present
Tom’s love of the Blues is a family tradition. Tom’s dad was a talented piano and accordion player in the south suburbs of Chicago. Saxophone & bass lessons primed Tom for an introduction to the Blues on local FM radio station WRXT. The “X” played the King Biscuit every Sunday night featuring Chicago Blues as well as Blues artists from across the world. Artist such as Elmore James, Buddy Guy, Muddy Waters, Lefty Dizz, Koko Taylor, could be found performing every night in the local clubs and showcase lounges. Tom played bass in numerous Chicago area bands where set lists inevitably included blues standards. A highlight of his musical travels deep into Delta Blues country was jamming with Blues legend Iron Man Michael Burkes. Mr. Colby holds a B.S. degree in Industrial Technology and has enjoyed a successful career in aerospace. Tom makes his home in Reno with his wife Valerie and their dog Zephyr where he gets to explore the Sierras and spend time with family & friends. You can occasionally find him performing music in and around the Reno area.
Corrin Keck – Sponsorship Coordinator, 2023
An avid Blues enthusiast and RBS member for many years. I recently joined the board to assist with fundraising and public relations. I enjoyed owning and operating a full-service advertising and promotions firm for over 20 years and still assist local non-profits and events with revenue development and promotion.
Elizabeth Mink – Music Grants, 2022- Present
Elizabeth has been a resident of the Reno/Sparks area for over 25 years. During that time, she has been a volunteer with Dale Carnegie Training, the Washoe County School District’s Read and Succeed program, the Odyssey of the Mind program, CYO sports programs and the Nevada Humane Society’s Hospice Foster program. She is, now, excited to be working with the RBS to bring music education opportunities to middle and high school students in Northern Nevada.
Roger Slugg – Historian, 2000 – Present
My parents were a dirt farmer in New York and a rock farmer in Maine. No wonder i have the Blues. After a career as pharmacist at the State Psychiatric Hospital and Blues host on KUNR public radio, I continue to have the Blues.
Roger is pictured here with Blues artist Sue Foley at 2022’s Battle Axe and Tracks music festival in Reno, NV.
Dave Rocco – Staff Photographer, 1994 – Present
Dave has been a member of The Reno Blues Society since 1994 and a board member for the past 5 years. Dave has recorded just about every one of the RBS shows over the last thirty years as the primary staff photographer. In all, Dave has been perfecting his craft for more than four decades. Dave’s photographic portfolio includes such notables as Joe Bonamassa, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Jeff Beck, Chris Cain, Susan Tedeschi, Samantha Fish, Tommy Castro, Charlie Musselwhite, Sonia Dada, Kenny Wayne Shepard, Mille Jackson and many, many more.
