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Debbie Look joins Firehouse Arts Center fundraising campaign
Billy Butler named to PCAF board of directors

by Rebecca Guyon

Debbie Look was recently named campaign coordinator of the Pleasanton Cultural Arts Foundation, making her the organization's first and only paid staff member. Look takes this position as she is ending her two year term as the Pleasanton Parent Teacher Association Council president.

As the campaign coordinator, Look will lead PCAF's capital campaign to raise funds for the Firehouse Arts Center, which will house a 250-seat theater, galleries and classrooms in the old firehouse on Railroad Avenue in the downtown. The City Council has agreed to fund $6 million to the project and PCAF hopes to raise an additional $6 million so the entire plan, estimated to cost $11 million, can be achieved.

Look will further this funding effort by researching grant opportunities and other potential donors, providing marketing materials and doing "whatever is needed," she said.

"We're getting geared up really quickly because we have a very quick timeline," Look said. "The city puts the project out to bid later this year and we want a certain amount of funds by that point so the project can have its full scope."

It was because of this short timeline and the growing amount of work to be done that the PCAF decided to hire a fulltime campaign coordinator, said PCAF President Greg Reznick. When the PCAF found out that Look was interested in this new position, they were eager to bring her aboard knowing the extensive research and fundraising she had previously done with the PTA Council.

"Debbie has done incredible work with the PTA Council and the school system," Reznick said. "She was integral in Excellence Committee report, has experience doing grant writing and is a great organizational person who has connections to the community."

Look said she sees her work with the PCAF as an extension of the work she has already done for the community with the PTA Council.

"I think it was really important to me to find work that was meaningful and had value for the community," Look said. "I think this project is a wonderful addition to the community because it gives kids the opportunity to experience visual and performing arts on the local level, and it is a wonderful addition to our downtown. It builds on work I've been doing with the PTA and on the library commission."

PCAF also made an addition to its board of directors, naming Pleasanton resident Billy Butler to the board. Butler moved to Pleasanton last August, but was already familiar with the town because his wife grew up here, graduating from Amador Valley High School in 1993. A former naval officer, Butler is now a director for Mellon Financial's Private Wealth Management group in San Francisco. He said he first heard of the Firehouse Arts Center campaign through the Downtown Rotary Club, of which he is a member, and the Leadership Pleasanton class, organized by the Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce.

"I went through this year's Leadership Pleasanton class and we spent one day on the firehouse project," Butler said. "I heard Greg speak, and part of our event was in the old firehouse building. I also already knew Beverly Howe, another member of the board, professionally and mentioned to her my interest in getting involved."

Reznick said Butler was chosen as an addition to the board because of his background in finance and his commitment to serving the community.

"He's going to be a great asset," Reznick added.

There are currently nine members on the PCAF board of directors. PCAF hopes to keep adding members and in the long term future have a board of 21, Reznick said.

PCAF is in the process preparing several fundraising events that it will announce closer to the fall.