Our Amazing Team
Explore the talented individuals who drive our success. Get to know our dedicated team members and their unique contributions.
Executive Director
Bill Hurley
Bill Hurley is the founder and executive director of GRCPAC. Bill's music industry journey began in 1984 as a Regional Promotion Manager for Atlantic Records, first in St. Louis/Kansas City and then in Boston, where he remained as Regional Promotion Manager for New England/New York until 1999. He then served as President of 95North Records until 2005. In 2006, he and a partner founded The Artist Development Co-Op, a promotion and artist-centric company providing vital development services to independent musicians. It is there that Bill found his love for traditional American roots music. Blues, jazz, folk, bluegrass, alternative country, and roots rock became his passion, and preserving and promoting it became his mission. The Co-Op morphed into The Alternate Root Magazine in print and online, where Bill began to develop The Extended Play Sessions. Started in 2007, The Extended Play Sessions has been filming, recording, and documenting traditional American roots music, exposing this music to millions of fans worldwide through online streaming and promotion. Bill is the face of the organization at The Fallout Shelter Studios, where The Extended Play Sessions is filmed before a live studio audience. With a career now in its fourth decade, Bill often says this is his most personally satisfying stage in his career.
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President
Maribeth Arena
Maribeth, Board President of the GRCPAC since its inception in 2017, has been instrumental in shaping the organization's direction, fueled by her deep passion for music. A clinical social worker and private psychotherapy practitioner by profession, Maribeth also enjoys playing guitar, writing songs, and discovering independent films in her spare time.
Treasurer
Paula Barta
Paula Barta became the GRCPAC's Treasurer in April 2020, leveraging her previous non-profit financial management experience. Inspired by years of attending shows at The Fallout Shelter with her late husband, Will Roberts, Paula now safeguards the GRCPAC's financial health. In retirement, she enjoys reading mysteries, new recipes and exploring Boston's vibrant theater scene.
Board Member
John Erickson
A GRCPAC board member since 2017, John brings his lifelong passion for music to the organization. A drummer since childhood, John loves Rock and Roll & Rockabilly, with Jimi Hendrix and Johnny Burnette listed as top artists. A partner at local construction company Sunrise Erectors, Johnny also enjoys traveling, collecting cars, and hanging with his dogs.
Board Member
Stephen Dill
Stephen Dill has been on the GRCPAC board since the start, captivated by its unique and promising vision. A marketing consultant by day, Stephen delights in live music, exploring new culinary experiences, and cultivating meaningful connections. Stephen's diverse musical tastes span Jazz, Blues, Rock, Folk, Americana, Classical, and Acapella.
Board Member
Cheryl Gaetani
Cheryl Gaetani joined the board in March 2022, bringing insights from managing merch, stage lighting, and effects at The Fallout Shelter, alongside her nearly 30-year career as a successful salon owner. Starting with the organ at age 5, Cheryl has played piano for decades and now explores her latest passion, the accordion. Beyond keys, Cheryl enjoys kayaking on local rivers.
Vice President
Leo Waters
Leo Waters, honored to be Vice President of the GRCPAC since its founding, is deeply dedicated to the organization with a profound love for music. A self-employed carpenter and remodeler by day, Leo cherishes live music so much that he claims he'd rather lose his sight than his hearing. Leo enjoys any music from the soul, with Kemp Harris being a standout favorite.
Secretary
Ellen Snyder
Ellen Snyder has been on the GRCPAC board since its formation in 2017. With a career focused on organizing accounting for startups, Ellen's expertise led Bill to initially appoint her as Treasurer. Now retired, Ellen enjoys photography, biking, golf, yoga, and beach outings. She has a deep appreciation for live music, particularly bands like The Grateful Dead and Tedeschi Trucks.
Board Member
Abigail Marsters
Abigail Marsters excels in non-profit compliance and operations. Inspired by Bill and Maribeth, Abigail's journey with the GRCPAC has enriched her deeply. Abigail also serves as a Nonprofit Search and Strategy Consultant with Envision Consulting, LLC and enjoys meeting and listening to soul, blues, jazz, and singer-songwriters in Pasadena, CA.
Board Member
Eric Nordstrom
As a founding member, Eric Nordstrom plays a pivotal role in guiding the GRCPAC's initiatives, helping in any way he can. Outside of his day job at Norwood’s Advanced Instruments Inc., Eric enjoys playing guitar, gardening, and tinkering with electronics. A lifelong amateur musician, Eric cites The Beatles as his favorite band and Warren Haynes as his top artist.
Board Photos Courtesy of Dan Busler Photography.