Carol Cacchione - President
Carol, a native of Wellsboro, became actively involved with Hamilton-Gibson during its Fall 2016 memoir writing workshop and readers’ theater presentation. Inspired by that, she participated in both the 2017 and 2018 HG Women’s Projects by writing three 10-minute plays that were selected for production. Carol retired from her position as a pharmacist at UPMC Wellsboro Hospital in 2021 and is enjoying her new-found free time. She’s vice president of the Friday Club, a local women's research, writing and presentation group formed in 1905, and secretary of the Wellsboro Cemetery Company’s Board of Directors. When not involved with all of the above, Carol reads voraciously, and dabbles in knitting, spinning yarn, and quilting. She joined the HG Board of Directors in 2019.
Kacy Hagan - Vice President
Kacy, a native of Wellsboro, began her involvement with Hamilton-Gibson as a child and has continued to be involved with HG for many years, most recently performing in ALMOST MAINE, A POUND OF FLESH and MAMMA MIA. She has also directed two of the 2019 HG Women’s Project pieces. She is excited to join the HG Board to be able to contribute to community theatre in new ways. In her professional life, Kacy serves as the Director of Human Resources and Risk Management for Lycoming College and serves on several other local and regional boards. When not working on stage, Kacy enjoys leading local a cappella group Pine Pitch, teaching ballroom dance, raising her Great Danes, and traveling as often as she can.
Linda Galeone - Treasurer
Linda lives in Wellsboro with her husband Chuck. Her career in the financial services industry spans over three decades. As an HG volunteer, she not only serves on the BOD, but also the Finance Committee and often works in the box office. She is delighted with each performance and feels blessed to live in an area with such an abundance of quality talent. She joined the Board in 2012.
Debbie Calkins
Debbie lives in Mansfield with her husband Greg. She recently retired after 44 years of Debbie's Day Care. Her love of the arts started in high school in the cast of Hillbilly Wedding and continued by seeing many Broadway shows in NYC. She helped for many years with the summer theatre at MU, along with many productions with her Girl Scouts and Day Care children. Debbie was instrumental in bringing UNBEATABLE to HG, mainly because her sister, Laurie, was the inspiration for the show. She is blessed to join the BOD of Hamilton-Gibson Productions.
Jean Cummings
Originally from Galeton, Jean moved back to the area in 2002 where she works for Indigo Wireless as the marketing director and Mountain Graphics as a graphic designer. Her history with Hamilton-Gibson began when her daughter joined the HG Children's Choir in 2014. She enjoys volunteering for choir events as well as helping with the HG Drama Camps for Kids. Since 2018, she has become involved with the marketing needs of Hamilton-Gibson by designing ads, formatting newsletters and creating online graphics as needed. She joined the BOD in 2019.
Gary Fizzano
Gary is originally from Ridley Park, PA, the suburbs of Philadelphia. He and his wife, Tina, first moved to Bath, NY in 2006 to work with Family Life Radio Ministries (93.9 in Wellsboro), then moved to Morris in 2011 to work at Three Springs Ministries. He is now back at Family Life working from home as a Public Relations Rep and Regional Underwriting Rep. Gary has been involved in theater with Family Life during his years there and continues to be involved having recently been in THE GIFT OF THE MAGI, taking on 14 different roles. When he came to Wellsboro in 2011, one of the first signs he saw was “The Warehouse Theater” and knew he had to get involved! After a call to Thomas, and an audition that same day, his first role was in UNBEATABLE, then on to other roles in THE MADWOMAN OF CHAILLOT, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, OLIVER as Fagin, and THE LAST ROMANCE as Ralph. Gary also helps with sound tech in various shows and considers it such a privilege to be involved with so many talented and dedicated folks! He joined the BOD in 2022.
Gabe Hakvaag
Gabe has been an HG volunteer since 2009, when he appeared in OF MICE AND MEN. He directed HG
productions’ of DEAD MAN'S CELL PHONE, MISS HOLMES, ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST,
FOOLS IN LOVE, and many others. Hakvaag also produces Radio HG (in its fifth year) and the annual
Warehouse edition of A CHRISTMAS CAROL. More recently, he has helped the board organize and
launch the Steve Worthington Memorial Tech Fund, which will begin Phase 1 of completely updating and
expanding HG's equipment and capabilities in the Warehouse Theatre. He joined the BOD in 2022.
Phil Waber
A burning desire to continue supporting and participating in community theater arts led Phil to Hamilton-Gibson in 2005 upon his family's arrival from the Oregon coast. He, his wife, and their daughter all have contributed to HG over the years through numerous volunteer opportunities including performing, back stage help and governance. Joining in 2022, this is Phil's second experience serving on the BOD.
Nikki York
Nicole (Nikki) York began performing for Hamilton-Gibson in 2018 and has appeared in several productions including Mame, James and the Giant Peach, The Crucible, Miss Holmes and several Women’s Projects. Nikki has been the franchisee of Dunkin’ in Wellsboro for the past 16 years. Prior to that she was the Assistant Administrator of the Tioga County Department of Human Services. Nikki is proud to be a part of the Hamilton-Gibson family providing cultural opportunities in Tioga County.
Board Members Emeritus
Larry Biddison
A retired English Professor from Mansfield University and resident of Wellsboro since 1969, Larry has served on Hamilton-Gibson’s board since 1999. His involvement with community theatre ranges from conducting annual theatre excursions to Canada’s Shaw and Stratford Festivals to co-coordinating (with his wife, Barbara) Hamilton-Gibson’s Acting Up and Acting Out programs for seniors. Between 2007 and 2010 he also taught a playwriting course and conducted HG’s first playwriting contest and festival, which showcased the talent of local writers and performers in two dozen ten-minute plays. He enjoys directing and performing when the opportunity arises.
Dr. Donna Mettler
Most recently, Dr. Mettler served as Regional Coordinator for the PA Inspired Leadership (PIL) Program, a premier professional development program for school principals, district superintendents, and IU executive directors in PA. Her career in public education spans 41 years: 14 years as a special education teacher and reading specialist, 14 years as an elementary principal, 6 years as Superintendent of the Wellsboro Area School District and 7 years as PIL Regional Coordinator. She served on the Stamp Camp U.S.A. BOD for 4 years. She is a member and past president of the Wellsboro Business & Professional Women's Club and a member of the Mary Wells Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. Dr. Mettler lives in Middlebury Center with her husband, Ken. She enjoys traveling, spending time with family, and reading all types of books and literature.
Most recently, Dr. Mettler served as Regional Coordinator for the PA Inspired Leadership (PIL) Program, a premier professional development program for school principals, district superintendents, and IU executive directors in PA. Her career in public education spans 41 years: 14 years as a special education teacher and reading specialist, 14 years as an elementary principal, 6 years as Superintendent of the Wellsboro Area School District and 7 years as PIL Regional Coordinator. She served on the Stamp Camp U.S.A. BOD for 4 years. She is a member and past president of the Wellsboro Business & Professional Women's Club and a member of the Mary Wells Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. Dr. Mettler lives in Middlebury Center with her husband, Ken. She enjoys traveling, spending time with family, and reading all types of books and literature.
