Meet our Booster Board
The Band Booster Board is a team of dedicated parents and supporters who work behind the scenes to ensure the success of the Viking Band program. From organizing events and fundraising to supporting students and staff, this passionate group plays a vital role in creating a strong foundation for our band family. Their time, energy, and heart help make every performance, trip, and competition possible. We are grateful for their leadership, commitment, and unwavering support of our band students and directors.
Rick Pro
President
Hi, my name is Rick Pro and I am your 2025-2026 NWBB President. This is my second year on the Board, but I have been active on the Viking Band Prop Team for three seasons. I also coach the sprinters on the NWGHS track and field team. I am married to Jennifer (the 2024-25 PTA vice president), an exercise physiologist, health fanatic and personal trainer. We have a rising junior, Isabella, who is a percussionist/drummer in various school bands and will be on drum set for the Marching Vikings. Gianna, our rising 8th grader is a middle school cheerleader and sprinter/long jumper on the track team. I also have three adult daughters in Pennsylvania (Angela and Christina) and Perth Australia (Alyssa) and four grandsons ages 1 month to 6 years. Four of my five daughters have been musicians (flute, clarinet, guitar, drums, piano) and I am a lifelong guitarist/vocalist, so I LOVE our involvement with the Marching Vikings!
I am a Pennsylvania native but have made my home in North Carolina for nearly sixteen years. My role as Cone Health’s first Chief Data and Analytics Officer brought us to Greensboro. One year ago, I started my own strategy, analytics, and leadership consultancy, VRINetics LLC. We settled in Stokesdale in 2016 and have loved being a part of the Northwest Marching Vikings family!
If you have any questions about the program, I am happy to answer. I guarantee that, in addition to musicianship, the life lessons learned by your child as a member of the Marching Vikings will be transformational.
Hi, my name is Erika Stiff and I am your 2025-2026 NWBB Vice President. This is my first year on the Board, but my fifth year being active within the Boosters.
My husband is Michael Stiff and we have two boys who are both in the band. Oakley Stiff is a senior this year and the low reeds section leader. This will be Oakley’s fifth year. Lincoln Stiff is part of the drumline on cymbals. He is a freshman this year and it’s his second year in the marching band.
During the day, I’m an actuary and help companies manage their retirement plans. I grew up in a very small town in Virginia. My husband and I met at Virginia Tech where we still like to get back to every now and again to watch some football and the band! We moved to NC shortly after college and found an amazing home for our family in Stokesdale. This band has been such a big part of our lives over the last several years. I look forward to another amazing year!
Erika Stuff
Vice President
Amber Middleton
Secretary
Hi, my name is Amber Middleton and I am your 2025-2026 NWBB Secretary. It is my first year on the board, but I have previously been Secretary for both the Oak Ridge Elementary and NW Middle PTOs.I am married to Brian (aka Mr. Middleton, everyone’s favorite sub). We have a rising junior, Logan, who isn’t in band but can often be seen with a select few of the marchers and also at football games photographing for the yearbook. Landis is our 8th grade daughter and is beginning her third year of Colorguard. She is also on Varsity Winterguard and has danced at Destination Arts in Oak Ridge for 10 years.
I am a Nurse Manager for Labor and Delivery at Cone Health and have been there in various nursing roles since 2005. I graduated from NWHS in 2002 but was sadly not in the Marching Band. If I had known how beneficial the program was to students and their parents-- building self-confidence, making lasting relationships, and teaching self-discipline- I would have been involved! My advice is to give it a try. There is a place for you even if you don’t play an instrument! You won’t regret it.If you have any questions about the program, I am happy to answer. This program has been wonderful for our whole family.
Hi, my name is Cassie Nicholson and I will be serving as Treasurer for the Band Boosters for the 2025-26 school year. My husband Justin and I have two daughters. Alyssa is a senior, this is her fifth year in the marching band and is a Flute LT this year. Carleigh is in 7th grade and this is her second year in the marching band, first year in front ensemble.
I was born and raised in Florida, but after several moves with my husband, we decided to settle down in Oak Ridge in December of 2017. I work for the Town of Kernersville as their payroll administrator and receivables clerk. We are always busy balancing that home/work/band life, but when I have some free time I love to refinish furniture and sew.
I look forward to another great year as part of this band family and can't wait to meet all our new band families!
Cassie Nicholson
Treasurer
My name is Mark Winterhoff and I will be serving as the Budget Director for 2025-2026. This will be my 5th year as a marching band parent. My wife, Carrie, and I have 2 children in the Marching Band. Our son, Luke, is in 12th grade and plays the sousaphone/tuba and our daughter, Leah, is in 9th grade and plays the mellophone/horn.
We moved to Oak Ridge in 2014 and it has been an awesome home for our family. We are grateful for the fantastic opportunity that marching band has provided for not only our children, but also for Carrie and me as parents. We treasure the experiences that we have been fortunate to share with Luke and Leah so far and are looking forward to creating more memories.
I work in Finance and Carrie is an Occupational Therapist, but currently stays busy keeping our family organized. Outside of band activities, I enjoy watching sports (especially Wake Forest), traveling, and staying active.
Mark Winterhoff
Budget Director
I am Monika Sharpe and I will be the Co-Chair of the Ways and Means Committee with Leela Thomas. This is my 5th year with the band and my 4th on the booster board.
I have one child currently in the Marching Band, and one just graduated. My son, Alex was in the front ensemble for 5 years, and he also participated in Winter Percussion. My step-daughter Hallie, is a rising sophomore and she plays alto saxophone, this will be her 4th season marching. .
When I am not with the band, my boyfriend John and I like to travel, attend baseball games and Nascar races. I work as a Customer Care Specialist for Lexington Home Brands in Thomasville.
Looking forward to another awesome season. Feel free to contact me with any and all questions you have about the band or any of our fundraising events. Remember, this is what keeps our dues where they are, we rely on our community.
Monika Sharpe
Ways and Means Co-Chair
Leela Thomas
Ways and Means Co-Chair
My name is Leela Thomas, and I will be serving as the Co-Chair of the Ways and Means Committee for 2025-2026. This is my third year with the band and my first year on the board.
I am the proud mother of two dogs, Pippa and June and my nephew Keegan is a rising sophomore in the drumline. I am the official unofficial Band Aunt, and I carry that title proudly!! My siblings blessed me with three nephews and a niece while the Viking band blessed me hundreds!
I moved to North Carolina in 2014 from Kentucky. Since then, I have worked at Gilbarco Veeder-Root in various roles most recently as a Customer Account Manager. I enjoy spending time with my siblings and their families, spending time with my friends, and watching Grasshoppers Baseball!
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. If I don’t know the answer I will find it for you.
Oh, and I LOVE THIS BAND!!!!!!!
Hi Everbody, My name is Karli Christman! My son Luke plays clarinet and this is his 2nd year in Marching Band.
Luke also has a younger sister at Northwest. We, along with my husband James, have lived in Stokesdale for 2 1/2 years, before that we were in High Point for 16 years.
I work full time with DH Griffin, but I had such a great time with the Viking Band family last year that I knew I had to be more involved this year! I look forward to working with you all this year!
Karli Christman
Volunteer Coordinator
Justin Nicholson
Fall Festival Chair
Hello, my name is Justin Nicholson and I will be serving as the Fall Festival Chair for the 2025-26 school year. This is my fifth year involved with the band program. I assisted the first two years with props, and the last two years I was the Logistics Director.
My wife Cassie and I have two children, Alyssa plays the flute and Carleigh is in front ensemble. We enjoy being part of the marching band family and seeing the growth in our daughters through band.
We moved to North Carolina in 2017. I work for the American Legion as the Director of Veteran Benefits for the Department of North Carolina. I also have my real estate license. When I am not working or selling houses, I enjoy traveling, cars, cycling, and hanging out with friends.
If you have any questions about the band, fall festival, or how you can help this year, please reach out to me!
Hi. I’m Amy Cassidy and I am half of your Competition Support team for 2024-2025. Our role is to make sure our marchers have everything they need for football games and competitions including all their uniform parts!
I have two amazing band kids. Lucy is a sophomore who is in color guard, but has also marched sousaphone. She has marched since the 7th grade. She has also been on the Varsity Winter Guard the last two years, and plays tuba in class band. Riley is a senior this year and has marched since 9th grade. She plays clarinet and is the clarinet section leader (LT) for the marching band. She has also been on Varsity Winter Guard since 9th grade. My husband Mike is a proud prop dad.
When I’m not with the band I work as an obstetric anesthesiologist at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist helping mamas bring their babies into the world safely as well as teaching residents and medical students! My remaining spare minutes are spent traveling or planning where we’re going to travel next.
I can’t say enough about what this program has done for my kids and our family. My advice to new members is: jump in! Involve yourself wholeheartedly, you will not regret it! You will learn so much more than how to play an instrument. I can’t wait to meet our new band family members!
Amy Cassidy
Competition Support
Kara Zander
Competition Support
Hi I'm Kara Zander and this is my first year serving as a board member for the Competition Support Team. Our team will make sure your kids look their very best for any performance next year. We will also look after them as we travel. I volunteered with this group last year and it was very fun.
This will be my daughter Bez's second year in the band playing the Flute. The band introduced her to many new friends of all ages, They have been very supportive through the band season as well as her first year in high school. She is very excited and proud to be part of this group!
I have been working with Atrium Health Wake Forest as a Business Data Analyst for the last 7 years. I am fortunate to be able to work from home as my Mother lives with us and it makes it easier to care for her and Bez. We also have 2 crazy dogs - Midnight and Zelda.
Carl Couch bio
Carl Couch
Logistics Director
Adam Palmer
Prop Crew Lead
Adam has been a member of the Northwest Viking Band family since 2019 and has served as the Prop Crew lead since the 2022/2023 school year.
In his time with the organization, Adam and his wife Angela have had two kids come through the program. Ari, a rising senior for the ‘25/’26 school year and Jadyn, a graduate of the Northwest class of 2024.
When not tending to the on field/floor show props, Adam is an application architect and solution engineer with Volvo Trucks. Never one to sit still, in his free time he enjoys DIY projects, fishing, kayaking, and running.
If you have questions about what our prop crew does or ways to get involved do not hesitate to reach out.