Music4Life Board of Directors

With heavy hearts following David Endicott’s passing in May 2025, the Music4Life™ Board of Directors is committed to ensuring that Music4Life’s important work continues without interruption. In June 2025, the Board elected new officers to lead the transition from David's stewardship of the non-profit organization to a new, longer term leadership team.

Colleen Armstrong, Interim Managing Director

With the passing of her dear friend David Endicott, Colleen saw the danger of losing the valuable Music4Life organization. To ensure the continuation of David’s legacy, she stepped in as Music4Life’s Interim Managing Director to steady the ship until a new Executive Director is in place. Colleen has served on Music4Life’s Advisory Board since its establishment and is a past chief of staff for the Seattle Opera.

Gary Cohn, Ph.D., President

Dr. Cohn kindly agreed to serve as Music4Life’s president during the interim period. As Superintendent of the Everett Public Schools, he was the 2017 Washington State Superintendent of the Year and is an involved advocate of Music4Life. He created the Everett Music4Life Chapter while he was Superintendent and, after retirement as President of the Rotary Club of Kirkland, introduced Music4Life to the Lake Washington School District. Gary joined the Board in 2024 to lead the development of a new five-year strategic plan and to connect other Superintendents to Music4Life.

Cliff Lenz, Vice President

Cliff has been on the Music4Life Board since 2022. He is known to audiences throughout the Puget Sound region as an Emmy Award-winning host, composer, and producer for King Broadcasting for 22 years. He was the co-host of King TV’s Seattle Today for 17 years and also hosted and produced the children’s television program about music called Music Magic. Cliff currently teaches piano and guitar in both the Edmonds and Monroe school districts, as well as in a private capacity.

Gary Ryno, Treasurer

Gary has been Music4Life’s Treasurer twice before. Following David’s passing, he graciously agreed to return to the Board of Directors to ensure financial stability during the interim leadership period. As the fearless leader of Morgan CFO, Gary wears many hats. In his 40-year career, Gary has deftly negotiated the roles of CFO, CEO and EVP within the banking and finance worlds.

Alicia Edgar, Secretary

Alicia joined the Board in March 2025 to help expand Music4Life’s fundraising program, focusing on outreach to private foundations, and is currently serving as Secretary. Alicia worked in education philanthropy for over 30 years and has considerable fundraising and community volunteer experience. She has led music booster groups in the Seattle Public Schools and is committed to expanding access to music education.

Marli Iverson, Director

Marli is continuing as a Director, having joined the Board in 2015. Music4Life is especially indebted to Marli for her expertise and history with Music4Life as she and her late husband, John, have been involved since the organization was founded in 2007. Marli is a pianist, retired real estate professional, and long-time member of the Rotary Club of Seattle. She served as chair of the Seattle Rotary’s Music Committee for many years and is also a retired choral music teacher from Highline and Tacoma public schools.

Dean Petrich, Director

Dean joined the board in 2023 and continues to serve as a Director. He is spearheading and leading Music4Life’s new piano tuning program which aims to tune approximately 200 pianos a year for area school districts. One of the region’s most experienced piano technicians with a database of over 3,000 piano customers, Dean has held every office in the Seattle Chapter of the Piano Technicians Guild (PTG). He maintains the library and archives of the Seattle PTG seminars, conventions, and technical presentations in addition to training and mentoring apprentices throughout the region.

Cathy Thompson, Ed.D, Director

Prior to retiring and serving as President of the Highline Music4Life Chapter, Cathy was the Chief Curriculum & Instruction Officer for Highline Public Schools, a teacher, and elementary school principal and Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning in Seattle Public Schools. In addition, she also worked for the Center for Educational Leadership as an adjunct teacher for UW Bothell’s principal preparation program. Cathy earned a Doctorate in Educational leadership from the UW in 2010. During her 25-year career, she had the opportunity to support students, teachers and principals with the goal of ensuring a quality education for ALL students. Cathy believes that helping students gain access to musical instruments is a way to carry on her strong belief in the right of a quality education for all, combined with the importance of the arts in a well-rounded education.