Board And Staff

D. James Andrews

Dean joined the Oistrach Symphony Orchestra’s Board of Directors in 2010, and served as the board’s Chair in 2011. Dean has sixteen years of executive experience in Management, Public Relations, Business Development, Strategy, Event Production & Promotion, and Marketing. He holds a B.A. from DePaul University and currently manages a consulting group that specializes in start-ups and emerging businesses. He also served two appointed terms as a Commissioner on the village Board of Health in his home town of Oak Park, Il.

Susanne Baker, Vice-Chair

Susanne Baker is the founder and director of DePaul University’s Community Music Division serving 700 students in the Chicago area. She is also an adjunct faculty member in the School of Music where she teaches piano pedagogy and coordinates the group piano program. Susanne serves on the Members Council of the National Guild for Community Arts Education, is a member of the planning committee for the 2011 Chicago Festival of Youth in Music and is the current Convener for the Chicago Consortium of Community Music Schools. She holds a B.S. in mathematics, M.A. in Education in Music, M.M. in Piano Performance and a D.M. in Performance and Pedagogy.

John King, Chair

John A. King is currently Vice President, Strategy for Aon Benfield, a subsidiary of Aon Corporation. Previously he was at McKinsey and Company and Thoughtworks, Inc. He has served on the board of AXIS Dance Company. He has been on the board of Oistrach Symphony Orchestra since November 2010 and is focused on fundraising and general board support for the orchestra. He has received a B.S. in Mathematics from Bates College and an MBA from the University of Chicago.

J. B. Lanuza, Secretary

Joseph is a retired business executive. Most recently, he was Vice President, CNA Global Mergers and Acquisitions, for CNA Financial. In that capacity, he led multi-national M&A teams globally. Prior to that, he had primary responsibility for management reports to and analytical projects for senior management and the Board of Directors and was also responsible for competitor financial analysis and valuation of companies for possible acquisition. He has a BS in History and English, University of Wisconsin, Whitewater.

Pat Mikos

Pat Mikos currently works in the DePaul University School of Music. As a community volunteer, she coordinated film festivals and other events for Facets MultiMedia and served for 12 years as a jury member for student films for the Chicago International Film Festival. She also served on a national steering committee for children’s rights for Amnesty International (AI), coordinating casework and events for the Chicago area and presenting workshops at AI regional and national meetings. She holds a bachelor of arts degree in history from Northeastern Illinois University and has done graduate work in liberal studies and computer science at DePaul University.

David Reitzel

David has worked in healthcare provider technology for nearly 16 years and is the National Health Information Technology Leader for Grant Thornton’s Health IT advisory practice.  Mr. Reitzel also has significant experience in helping enable non-for-profits and health care providers (from physicians to integrated delivery systems) to improve healthcare delivery by  enhancing the use of technology and streamlining business processes, which will lead to improved coordination of care.   Mr. Reitzel earned a Bachelors of Art in International Business and Business Administration from Carthage College, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign.

Jessica M. Swaim, Treasurer

Jessica has worked as a Registered Associate at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney since 2007. She works with five Financial Advisors and two support staff to assist clients with their financial needs, and in the past, has provided colleague in-service training for updated technology and computer programs. Ms. Swaim is experienced with leading teams such as the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, University of South Carolina Women’s Soccer Team, and 2004 SEC Good Works Team. She was also a mentor and active volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Columbia. Ms. Swaim earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology form the University of South Carolina.

Mina Zikri, Music Director

Mina is the Oistrach Symphony Orchestra’s Music Director. He is a talented violinist, teacher, and conductor who holds advanced degrees in violin performance. He has been a standing member of many prestigious orchestras over the years and is currently a faculty member of the Depaul University Community Music Division. His conducting credits extend from Germany, to Egypt, to the American Academy of Conducting at the Aspen Music Festival.

Margaret Renas, Interim Executive Director

Interim Executive Director Margaret Renas brings to the Oistrach Symphony a 22 year professional career that includes extensive experience in finance, budgeting, planning, and project management. Ms. Renas played the piano during her childhood and young adult years. For the last five years, she has avidly studied violin and thoroughly enjoys being a member of the New Horizons String Ensemble.

Ben Rusch, Web & Social Administrator

Amy Holmes, Bookkeeper

Rachel Brown, Music Librarian