Pablo Center Staff

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Jason Jon Anderson
Executive Director
Jason Jon Anderson
Executive Director
Email: Jason Jon Anderson

Jason holds a BFA from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point and an MFA in Lighting Design from Northern Illinois University.

He has an extensive rock & roll rolodex having worked for Upstaging Lighting Design and Transport, Inc. and serving as Bon Ivers Production Manager from 2012 – 2017. Jason worked at the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire from 2007-2018 concluding his service on campus as the Assistant Director of Conferences and Event Services in March of 2018. Jason became involved in the Confluence project officially in March 2015 as a member of the Confluence Council.

On October 23, 2017, he became the Interim Director and oversaw the completion of the construction of this project as well as the selection/formation of the staff. In February of 2018 he was chosen from a national search as the Executive Director. Jason is also the Production Director of the Boston Calling Music Festival. He also volunteers his time designing, programming, and lighting the landmarks of the region (Phoenix Park Bridge, Haymarket Crossing Bridge, Haymarket Plaza, Grand Avenue Bridge, and Chippewa Falls Xcel Energy Hydroelectric Dam).

He is a native of Chippewa Falls and a caretaker of a family Century Farm.

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Monica Frederick
Chief Development Officer
Monica Frederick
Chief Development Officer

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Derek Brehm
Senior Talent Buyer
Derek Brehm
Senior Talent Buyer
Email: Derek Brehm Derek joined Pablo Center in the summer of 2018 with over 20 years of arts administration experience. With a Comprehensive Theatre Arts degree and Arts Administration Certificate from UW-Eau Claire, Derek also holds a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from Cardinal Stritch University.No stranger to the stage, Derek has performed on and been a technician and volunteer for many productions with multiple theatre groups including Local Favorites such as the Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild, Eau Claire Children’s Theatre, and BareBones Theatre Company. Before returning to Eau Claire to work at Pablo Center, Derek was the Box Office Manager with Madison Ticket Agency overseeing ticketing at the Alliant Energy Center, Breese Stevens Field, and multiple other venues in Madison.At Pablo Center, Derek has continued his tradition of wearing many hats. He has held multiple positions including Front of House Manager and box Office Manager (Overseeing Ushers, Bartenders, Security, and Box Office), and Director of Business Operations.  Starting in October of 2022, Derek took the position of Senior Talent Buyer.   He is excited that this newest role combines his knowledge and vast experience from many areas while providing opportunities to learn more and build more relationships in the industry.  This role also allows Derek to continue collaborating with the Pablo Center team to provide great entertainment to the greater Chippewa Valley.

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Steve Gergen
Building Caretaker
Steve Gergen
Building Caretaker

Steve graduated from Winona State University with a degree in Theatre in 1977. He previously worked at the State Theatre where he was the facilities manager for three and a half years.

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Heidi DesJarlais
Executive Coordinator
Heidi DesJarlais
Executive Coordinator
Email: Heidi DesJarlais

Heidi is one of Pablo’s most recent hires as the Executive Coordinator to the Executive Director as well as the other members of the executive team.

Heidi graduated from UW-Whitewater with a Marketing degree and brings with her over 25 years of customer service in retail and restaurant management and, most recently, 13 years in the travel industry.

She is looking forward to helping the team with daily tasks as well as improving the overall customer experience at Pablo.

In her free time, Heidi enjoys live music, traveling, and spending time with her family and friends.

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Melissa Miller
Box Office Manager
Melissa Miller
Box Office Manager
Email: Melissa Miller

Melissa comes to Pablo Center after working in the Box Office at the State Theatre for 11 years. With a passion for theatre since age 7, Melissa has spent time working in many different aspects of theatres.

At Pablo Center, Melissa oversees the Box Office, aiding patrons in locating great seats for a performance and problem solving on the spot.

When she’s not at Pablo Center, you’ll likely find Melissa doing something outside with her family or running.

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Bryan Wheat
Event Production Manager
Bryan Wheat
Event Production Manager

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Taylor Marshall
Head Audio Engineer
Taylor Marshall
Head Audio Engineer

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Christopher Kuter
Director of Guest Services
Christopher Kuter
Director of Guest Services

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Ally Meyer
Box Office Assistant Manager
Ally Meyer
Box Office Assistant Manager
Email: Ally Meyer

Ally has been with Pablo Center since the beginning, having started as a Box Office Attendant and now as Box Office Assistant Manager.

Ally helps Melissa with day-to-day operations of the Box Office, helps to oversee the Front of House Part Time Staff, and the floor on show nights. Ally was born and raised in Eau Claire and is glad to see the arts community grow in the Chippewa Valley. She enjoys being behind the scenes and does so by helping with production at Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild. Ally attends Chippewa Valley Technical College for Business Management and looks forward to her continued time at Pablo Center.

Outside of work, Ally enjoys listening to music and spending time with friends, making coffee at Caribou, and hanging out with her cat.

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Stacey Mueller
Scheduling and Billing Coordinator
Stacey Mueller
Scheduling and Billing Coordinator

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Mary LaVenture
STEAM Programs Manager
Mary LaVenture
STEAM Programs Manager
Email: Mary LaVenture

Mary LaVenture received a M.S. in Telecommunications at IU-Bloomington and a BFA from UWEC. She has an interest in art, education, and technology.

In her current role as the STEAM Programs Manager, Mary is responsible for creating and implementing educational opportunities covering science, technology, engineering, art, and math. 

Some of her previous work experience includes Education Outreach Coordinator at the University of Michigan Museum of Art and Volunteer Services as well as Power of Children Awards Coordinator at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. 

She believes in creating accessible opportunities for people of all ages to learn and grow. She is excited to work with the community in her position at Pablo Center.

In her spare time, Mary is an artist who enjoys volleyball (watching and playing), traveling, and walking her dog. She also likes reading, baking, and eating cheese curds among about 300 other things she finds interesting.

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Bridget Schaub
Contracts Manager
Bridget Schaub
Contracts Manager
Email: Bridget Schaub

Bridget graduated with a business degree from UW-Stout with a concentration in East Asia. Her background is in executing contracts and business development. She has a love for the arts and is very excited to bring her knowledge to her position at Pablo Center.

A Chippewa Valley native, Bridget loves to read, host bonfire movie nights, and travel the globe. Her favorite destination so far has been South Korea.

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Nanette Tate
Lighting Supervisor
Nanette Tate
Lighting Supervisor

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Hannah Hidaka
Associate Director of Development
Hannah Hidaka
Associate Director of Development
Hannah has worked in fundraising for almost twenty years and for much of that, her focus has been on the arts. From the Kemper Museum of Art, Christie’s Auction House, SCOPE Art Fair, Humble Arts Foundation, and Pomegranate Center, she has held a wide variety of roles but all with the specific aims of strengthening communities and supporting creatives through the arts. In her role at Pablo Center, Hannah will bring her extensive development background to strengthen the philanthropy culture and enhance the donor experience.

Eau Claire has been a great landing spot for Hannah and her family since they relocated here in the fall of 2020. They can often be found enjoying the abundant outdoor offerings from the farmer’s market to summer concert series to cross-country skiing – and of course, at the Pablo Center for a family-friendly event or a date night.

Hannah holds an MA in Art History from U.M.K.C and a BA in Art Therapy from Kansas State University.

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Madeline Oliver
Chief Financial Officer
Madeline Oliver
Chief Financial Officer