Cultural Council For Palm Beach County Welcomes Five New Board Members

Posted by: Linnea Bailey

February 12, 2025

Community leaders Barbara Cheives, Willem Erwich, Todd Kolich, Hector Rubio and Greg E. Silpe have joined the board of directors

LAKE WORTH BEACH, FL — The Cultural Council for Palm Beach County, a 501c3 non-profit organization, is pleased to announce five additions to its board of directors: Barbara Cheives, Willem Erwich, Todd Kolich, Hector Rubio and Greg E. Silpe.

“We are proud to welcome community leaders Barbara Cheives, Willem Erwich, Todd Kolich, Hector Rubio and Greg E. Silpe to our board of directors,” said Dave Lawrence, the Cultural Council’s president and CEO. “We look forward to their guidance as the Cultural Council continues to support and promote arts and culture in The Palm Beaches.”

Barbara Cheives is the president and CEO of Converge & Associates Consulting, a firm that specializes in race and ethnic relations consulting, employee relations and community engagement. Barbara’s client base has included the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, Discover The Palm Beaches, The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, The City of West Palm Beach, the International Speedway Corporation (National NASCAR tracks), the Maltz Jupiter Theatre and the Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County.

Willem Erwich is a senior vice president and senior managing director of the North Palm Beach office of Northern Trust. He leads a team that advises clients in wealth management, asset protection, estate planning, private banking and trust administration. Erwich is a Certified Private Wealth Advisor with a broad financial services background; he has 30 years of experience in financial services, spanning commercial banking, corporate and private risk management, law practice and wealth advisory roles. He is also a member of the Massachusetts Bar and Florida Bar.

Todd Kolich is president and founder of KO-MAR Productions, the largest video production company in Palm Beach County. Headquartered in the WPTV Channel 5 building in West Palm Beach, KO-MAR offers a 6000-square-foot studio, five editing suites and seven complete field camera packages with a large array of grip and lighting support. The company recently partnered with the PGA of America to open a second broadcast facility in Frisco, Texas. Todd also works in the field as a producer and director, with clients that include The Society of the Four Arts, Armory Art Center and Palm Beach Dramaworks.

Hector Rubio is executive director of creative and programming for The Boca Raton, South Florida’s iconic resort and private members club. There, he leads a team of event and logistics professionals who conceive, cultivate, and curate engaging experiences for guests and members. Standout events include a Fashion & Lifestyle Series with Palmer magazine featuring luxury brands such as Balmain, Akris and Ferragamo; a candlelight concert series in collaboration with the Palm Beach Symphony, and last month, Rubio was a key player in Artisans of Wine & Food, the resort’s new culinary weekend that will become an annual tradition. In all, Rubio’s team orchestrates up to 170 events each month, from floral design classes to multiday fêtes.

Greg E. Silpe’s work experience has taken him on many adventures. He began as a treasure diver for the legendary treasure hunter Mel Fisher in Key West, then later worked in the food industry and acquired a meat importing business with retail distribution in over 30 countries. Using that business as a platform, he orchestrated a successful roll-up of the U.S. imported processed meat industry and exited his corporate career with a sale of the business to JBS Swift, the world’s largest meat processor. Throughout, he remained an active member of the fire service and later retired as a Lieutenant from the Simsbury Volunteer Fire Department.

About the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County
The Cultural Council for Palm Beach County is the official support agency for arts and culture in The Palm Beaches, Florida’s Cultural Capital®. Headquartered in the historic Robert M. Montgomery, Jr. building in Downtown Lake Worth Beach, the Council presents exciting year-round exhibitions and performances featuring artists who live or work in Palm Beach County. The Council features spectacular work by Palm Beach County-based professional artisans in its Roe Green Uniquely Palm Beach Store and offers complimentary resources for visitors in its Jean S. and Frederic A. Sharf Visitor Information Center. The Council is open to the public Tuesdays through Saturdays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information and a comprehensive calendar of cultural events in The Palm Beaches, visit palmbeachculture.com.

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Media Contact:
Linnea Bailey (561) 713-0673
[email protected]