Meet the Board

Read the Board and annual membership meeting minutes.

Lucy Isabel, President (term ends May 2026)

Matthew Sabatella, Vice President (term ends May 2026)

Matthew Sabatella connects people with music that is woven into the fabric of the United States. He is the founder and president of Ballad of America, Inc., a non-profit that preserves and celebrates music from America’s diverse cultural history through live events and online resources. As a singer, instrumentalist, recording artist, performer, speaker, and writer, he leverages the power of music to bring people together and help them better understand each other, the past, present, and future. Matthew performs both as a solo artist and as the leader of the Rambling String Band. He organizes the Roots & Sources workshops and showcases at the annual SERFA conferences, helping to ensure that traditional music maintains a presence in today’s folk community. He has served on SERFA's program and outreach committees, and was an Official Showcase artist in 2018.

Alice Hasen, Treasurer (term ends May 2027)

Alice Hasen is a professional fiddler based in Memphis. Alice has been called “one in a million” by Alan Rowoth of folkmusic.org, and “a monster talent” by Jim Hurst, acclaimed guitarist. In 2019, Alice released her debut album, "Violintro.” Alice frequently collaborates with other artists including piano legend Jason D. Williams, Tomiko Dixon (granddaughter of Willie Dixon) and Jim Hurst. Alice came to the South as a high school band director through Teach for America, and continues work as an activist and organizer. She assisted with running the 2018 and 2019 Ranger Bluegrass Festival in Senatobia, Mississippi.

Bruce Swan, Secretary (term ends May 2027)

Bruce Swan has been a Folk/Radio host for close to 14 years; his show “Music My Mother Would Not Like” has endeavored to present new Folk / Singer - Songwriter with also a balance towards non-current classics. He enjoys presenting interviews of artists touring in the immediate area (recorded or live). A regular attendee at conferences both in and out of his region and FAI; he can be counted on to participate in mentoring, taking a chair at a workshop, or hosting an exhibit table or late night showcase room. He is also a presenter on the weekly streamed showcase series. 

Joe Pszonek (term ends May 2028)

Joltin Joe Pszonek is a music industry veteran with over 35 years of experience. He was a sales executive for Capitol/EMI/Virgin and Disney Records. He created his show "Radio Nowhere" 10 years ago and currently hosts shows on Folk Music Notebook.  He was a regular panelist for the NERFA On The Griddle workshop and also volunteers to mentor artists. Joe is a proud resident of Greenville, South Carolina.

Johnny Williams (term ends May 2028)

Johnny Williams from Danville, VA, has attended and supported SERFA for the past eight years. He was co-founder and served as president for five years for the Dan River Bluegrass & Folk Association. He also co-founded and served as chairman of the Acoustic Uprising for three years in southwest VA. An established songwriter, he won the Chris Austin Songwriting contest at Merlefest twice and went on to be a contest judge there as well as at many other events. Johnny has served as a mentor and staff panelist for ten years at the songwriting workshops with Louisa Branscomb. As an artist he has toured internationally since 1998. Johnny along with his wife Jeanette received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the city of Danville, VA for their accomplishments in acoustic music. He currently plays guitar and shares vocals for Shelton & Williams.

Jill Kettles (term ends May 2027)

Jill was raised by Mark Pucci, given a baptism by fire working with a steady stream of Americana, Alternative Country, Blues, Folk, Rock, and Jazz artists. She learned early on to keep calling until they call you and yell at you for calling so much. She can keep up with anyone, peel everyone off the ceiling with or without a spatula, for she tells it like it is. She is here to help you get more media attention, people at your shows, and most of all, sell albums. Grew up in Northern VA, went to art school in Richmond, VA, and hung out in Atlanta for 27 years, now based in Nashville, TN, for the past five. She is the owner of https://www.missjillpr.com/

Lee Zimmerman (term ends May 2026)

Lee Zimmerman is an accomplished writer, blogger and reviewer. He contributes to several publications,
but remains most proud of his work with American Songwriter. His book — Americana Music: Voices,
Visionaries and Pioneers of an Honest Sound — is published by Texas A&M University Press and he is
currently working on his second book, one which will detail the career of famed producer/engineer Jim
Gaines. In addition, he does a popular podcast called “My Backstage Pass” with his esteemed
collaborator, Billy Hubbard. Lee began his record industry career working in promotion for the late, great
ABC Records and followed that with a lengthy stint at Capitol Records. As a result, he’s had opportunity to work with a number of artists over the course of his career, including Tom Petty, Bob Seger, Jimmy Buffett, and Steve Forbert, among many others. An obsessive music collector, he owns too many albums to count at this point and a variety of musical instruments he’s yet to learn how to play. His work can also be found at his personal website, https://www.storiesbeyondthemusic.com

Teni Rane (term ends May 2028)

Inside of Teni Rane’s songs, you’ll likely encounter Appalachian songbirds, white oaks, and wildflower fields. These are just some of the earthly delights that surround her home in Chattanooga, TN and dance through her music. Her debut album, Goldenrod, pays tribute to her favorite native plant’s “charismatic yellow self” and highlights the ways we too can sway through the shoulder seasons of our own lives. An intense thinker, connection and balance are central themes of contemplation in Rane’s personal life and her musical projects. Her sophomore release, anticipated in late spring of 2026, orbits themes of kinship, homesickness and the precarity of our human-made environments. Rane believes that sharing stories and generating opportunities for empathetic connection is at the heart of folk artistry, and looks forward to her role in supporting the folk music community through the SERFA board.