KIC Board

Tim Barnes, President

Born in South Africa, educated in England, New Zealand and the US, Tim is a licensed architect (retired), with previous careers including software engineering, marketing and business strategy. He holds degrees in English Literature, Computer Science, and Architecture.

A lifelong musician, Tim studied voice, piano, clarinet and viola. He continues to take voice lessons, building upon his experience with principal roles in a number of operas and musical theater performances. He is currently a member of Bainbridge Island’s Amabile chorus.

Tim’s board experience includes chairing the board of his own strategy company, and board membership at West Bay Opera in Silicon Valley. As a consultant he has also advised the executive staff and boards of a number of Fortune 500 and smaller companies.

Brent LeBlanc, Vice President

Brent LeBlanc is a Business Development and Product Management Consultant, with a background in jazz performance and audio engineering.

Starting out on trumpet, Brent set a foundation in music and followed his inspirations to work as an audio recording engineer throughout many Pacific Northwest recording studios. Through the past ten years, Brent has been focused on helping companies drive growth through business development.

Brent is an advocate of the belief that you can build a harmonious bridge between personal passion and career. For Brent, music has served as that bridge, fostering a sense of unity and collaboration among friends, family, and business relationships.

Gabriela Pinto, Secretary

Gabriela Pinto is a career Development professional with a passion for programs focused on breaking down barriers of access for children and families. She has spent the last decade fundraising millions of dollars and coalition building for nonprofit organizations in the United States, Guatemala and Brazil in the areas of education, food access and nutrition.

Gabriela credits her mother and stepfather, who are working musicians and music teachers in her home country of Brazil, for teaching her the power that music has to build self-confidence, and create a shared language that brings individuals from different experiences together in deeper connections.

Gabriela is excited to use her expertise in the areas of fundraising, community development and communications to support the future growth of KIC’s programs and outreach.

Ellen Briggs, Treasurer

Ellen Briggs is a CPA with a passion for music. Music has been a part of Ellen’s life she can remember. Knowing first hand the difference music makes in a child’s life, Ellen is dedicated to helping Kids In Concert build a strong program. A Board Member since 2015, Ellen is currently the President. She works for Health Systems Informatics as their Financial Controller. Ellen loves traveling and coming home to her favorite place, the Kitsap Peninsula.

At Large

Seth Milleson

A strong believer in the power of music and arts education, Seth Milleson has been a proud member of the KIC board for over 5 years. Seth is a senior manager in the Bader Martin tax practice focusing primarily on charitable giving and high net worth individuals.

Sue Somers

Sue has had a life-long relationship with music. Growing up, she studied the piano, clarinet and voice, eventually receiving a Bachelor of Arts in music. As an adult, Sue had a marketing career in the financial world, encompassing both retail and wholesale banking, as well as a Pacific Northwest shared ATM network.

Leaving finance after more than 20 years of experience, she and her husband embarked on a new small business together, a local travel agency specializing in cruises. After more than another 20 years of cruising and helping others plan their special vacations, she retired to become a full-time mother to twin boys.

Now an empty nester, she has returned to her love of music through KIC and is excited to contribute to the important mission and vision of this organization.