Who We Are
Outpost Staff
Outpost Executive Director and Founder: Tom Guralnick
Tom Guralnick has been an arts presenter and performing musician for 40 years. He is the Founding Executive Director of the Outpost Performance Space in Albuquerque— a nationally respected presenting arts organization since 1988, which offers an eclectic mix of jazz, experimental, folk & roots, international music, educational programs and visual arts in its own intimate space as well as in larger venues. Outpost has presented well over 3000 events in its almost 35 year existence. Guralnick is also the Director of the New Mexico Jazz Festival (since 2006), and is a founding director of the Western Jazz Presenters Network. From 1970 until 2001, Guralnick toured nationally and internationally as an experimental saxophonist.
Outpost Communications and Sponsorship Director: Alicia Ultan
Alicia has been with Outpost since 1998, starting part time as the Publicity & Sponsorship Coordinator, while also serving as the Director of the John Donald Robb Musical Trust at the University of NM from 1998-2006, and becoming full time in 2006. Alicia oversees all Outpost publicity efforts, coordinates the advertising campaigns and oversees Outpost’s marketing. She also writes the seasonal newsletters and all those entertaining, informative E-blasts you receive every week, as well as developing & managing our corporate and individual sponsorship program. An award-winning singer-songwriter as well as a violist, Alicia received her BA in Music from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis after which she completed an internship in arts administration from the Minnesota State Arts Board. Before moving to NM in 1993, she served as School Administrator for the Minnesota Dance Theater, and Program Director for Young Audiences and Very Special Arts MN. Upon moving to NM, Alicia served as the Education & Advertising Coordinator for the New Mexico Jazz Workshop and the Education & Outreach Director for the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival. Alicia performs regularly with her award winning Indie Folk Français duo/band Bébé La La, as well as with the Heartland Folk Rock band, Roger Jameson and the Jaded Heart Band, and has performed many times over the years at Outpost.
Outpost Graphic Designer & Production Associate: Eli Quinn
Eli oversees and executes the production of all Outpost graphic materials including posters, newsletters, advertisements, marketing pieces and so on. Eli attended college at the Art Center Design College and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design and an Associate’s Degree in Advertising Art. Eli is currently the Owner and Creative Director of Q Creative Inc, a boutique creative firm specializing in branding, advertising, marketing and graphic design. His firm provides services for many clients in Albuquerque, NM (and throughout the US) including Satellite Coffee, Flying Star Cafe, O’Neill’s Irish Pub, Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Outpost Performance Space, Gertrude Zachary, ABQ Trolley Co. and many more. Prior to founding Q Creative, for 10 years, Eli was the Senior Designer for Flying Star Cafe and Satellite Coffee where he created all of the print and web materials for both companies implementing countless marketing and promotional campaigns.
Outpost Technical Director: Andres Martinez
Andres Martinez was born, and raised in Albuquerque. He holds a BBA in entrepreneurial studies from the University of NM and minored in music, as well as completing the curriculum for electronics technician from Albuquerque’s TVI. Martinez started his own sound reinforcement company in January of 1999 and works on nearly 100 productions a year. He is currently Technical Director for the Performing Arts Department at the National Hispanic Cultural Center. Martinez is also the owner/operator of AP Sound, which provides sound reinforcement services for events where live music is involved, including small festivals, concerts and private events. Some of his clients include the City of Albuquerque Cultural Services Department, the KiMo Theatre, South Broadway Cultural Center, NM Jazz Workshop, The Children’s Hour, AMP concerts, Albuquerque Museum of Art, UNM Keller Hall, and the Corrales Cultural Arts Council.
Membership & Volunteer Coordinator: Jalila Arthur Brewer
Jalila Arthur Brewer works diligently to increase membership and volunteer involvement at Outpost. She is responsible for volunteer coordination, recruitment and training, and assisting in fundraising efforts through membership recruitment and retention as well as donation appeals. Mrs. Arthur Brewer proudly graduated with distinction from the University of New Mexico where she earned a Master’s in Public Administration with a concentration on Nonprofit Management. DJ Lila is also a disk jockey on KUNM for Folk Routes and was recognized for her hip folk playlists by Folk Alliance International. Jalila is happily married to Seth Brewer of Organic Books. Between the Jazz Club, Radio Station, and Bookstore, they are like some bohemian couple from the 20’s – only about a century too late. Together, they work on a multitude of events, both public and private, for the benefit of their community.
Production Assistant: Jonah Minkus
Jonah Minkus grew up immersed in the atmosphere of the Outpost, witnessing world-class performances and participating in classes. He pursued his passion by studying Music Business and Performance at the University of Colorado Denver. As a highly active drummer, Jonah performs regularly with many of the greats in the New Mexico music scene. He has also showcased his skills on international stages and at renowned jazz festivals like the Saulkrasti Jazz Festival in Latvia and the Telluride Jazz Festival in Colorado. Currently, Jonah brings his expertise and love for music to his role as a Production Assistant at the Outpost Performance Space since 2022.
Outpost Support Team
Roust the House Partner: Rock 101 Music Academy
Production Assistant: Jonah Minkus
Technical Director: Andres Martinez
Sound Technicians: Kirk Brown, Chad Sheer
Piano Technician: Fred Sturm
Inpost Artspace Curators: Chandler Wigton, Lacey Chrisco
Computer Support: Jonathan Longcore
Graphic Design: K2MD Brand Builders
Outpost Board of Directors (7/7/24)
Board Officers:
Ruth Bouldes, President
Charles Palmer, Vice-President & Treasurer
Christina Houston, Secretary
Board Members:
Rodney Bowe
Sue Coliton
Cristina Chavez Cook
Tom Guralnick
Kathy Komoll
George Koinis
Danny Lopez
Malcolm Panthaki
Elan Silverblatt-Buser
Linda Vanzi (On Leave)
Ruth Bouldes, President
Ruth was a sales, marketing, and PR executive with General Motors in several domestic and international locations. In 2005 she had her dream home built in Placitas where she oversaw the capital campaign for the addition to Placitas Community Library. She loves dancing, traveling and appreciates art and music and serving on non-profit boards. Ruth joined the Outpost Board in 2020.
Charles Palmer, Vice President & Treasurer
Charles, retired from food industry accounting after 37 years and have spent the past 5 years in not-for-profit finance and governance roles here in ABQ, including Share Your Care, Inc., NM Jazz Workshop, and Outpost Productions. Charles’ interests include playing trombone and photography, along with theater and traveling with wife Jane. Charles joined the Outpost Board in 2021.
Christina Houston, Secretary
“Retired after 38 years of service to the U.S. Department of Energy”. Since retirement, has served on the Outpost Board for five years. Co-founded the John Aaron Lewis Legacy Project and serves as project manager. Christina joined the Outpost Board in 2017
Rodney Bowe
Rodney has been working in higher education for over 35 years as a student and community advocate. As a Senior Success Specialist in the Division for Equity and Inclusion at the University of New Mexico, Rodney was the first staff Director for the Men of Color Initiative for 10 years, supporting young men in navigating their academic and social endeavors at UNM and in the Albuquerque community. He is now a full-time musician (vocalist, bassist, bandleader, and educator), an entertainment and marketing consultant, and is on the teaching staff for the Outpost Performance Space, as well as serving on the board. He is also a board member for American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico, and Board President for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of NM. He is the proud father of 2 sons, Justus, and Solomon. Rodney joined the Outpost Board in 2020.
Cristina Chavez Cook
A NM native, mother of two and grandmother to three, all amazing human beings. Lived and worked as a family and immigration lawyer in the Midwest, on the east coast and the US-Mexico border, before returning to NM. Now retired, I focus on family, friends, time outdoors and community service. Cristina joined the Outpost Board in 2020.
Sue Coliton
Sue Coliton is a philanthropy professional with more than thirty years of experience leading public, private, and corporate grantmaking organizations. As head of the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation in Seattle, she directed operations and supported arts, scientific, and community programs. She currently serves on the boards of the Washington Research Foundation and Friends of the Santa Fe Library. Sue lives in Santa Fe and listens to music of all kinds. Sue joined the Outpost Board in 2019.
Tom Guralnick
Tom moved to Albuquerque from Boston in 1976. He entered the non-profit arts-presenting world when he served as Director of the fledgling New Mexico Jazz Workshop from 1977-1980. He founded Outpost Productions in 1988 and has been Outpost’s Executive Director ever since. He has served on numerous other non-profit Boards and is a founding member of the Western Jazz Presenters Network. In 2018 he was named a “Jazz Hero” by the Jazz Journalists Association and was also a recipient of the “Platinum Music Award” from the New Mexico Music Association. He was a saxophonist and clinician who toured nationally & internationally from 1975-2000.Tom joined the Outpost Board in 1988 upon founding the organization.
George Koinis
George practiced tax, corporate, and general business law in Albuquerque from 1984 until his retirement in spring 2019. An avid music fan and amateur musician, George hosts several weekly radio programs, including a jazz show, on KUPR, a low power FM community radio station broadcasting from Placitas, NM. George joined the Outpost Board in 2018.
Kathy Komoll
Kathy is currently serving as the CEO of the New Mexico Hospitality Association. In addition to serving on the Outpost board, she is currently a board member for Meals on Wheels and has a 40-year history of working with a variety of non-profit organizations across New Mexico. Kathy joined the Outpost Board in 2017.
Danny Lopez
Danny joins the Outpost board after serving on the boards of New Mexico Humanities Council and 516 ARTS. He dedicated a large part of his career working in the arts and development sectors with positions at the National Hispanic Cultural Center, the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC and the U.S. Peace Corps in Nicaragua. Danny now works with his partner directing farm operations at the award-winning Farm & Table restaurant in Albuquerque’s North Valley. Danny joined the Outpost Board in 2024.
Malcolm Panthaki
Malcolm has been an Albuquerque resident for over 34 years and loves the US Southwest region. He is in the engineering software business and ran his own company here for over 18 years. A longtime lover of jazz, he has always been impressed by the tremendous job that his friend Tom Guralnick has done with the Outpost, bringing great international jazz musicians to our tiny outpost in the desert. Malcolm joined the Outpost Board in 2013.
Elan Silverblatt-Buser
Elan grew up in New Mexico and played upright bass in the Outpost Youth Jazz Ensemble in high school. He went to school on the east coast, worked in Mexico City on issues surrounding climate change and food security, and in Eastern Europe on utility scale renewable energy projects. He returned to New Mexico in 2014 to work with his brother and together they have built Silver Leaf Farms, a small sustainable farming operation based in Corrales. Elan is passionate about jazz and supporting the creative economy in New Mexico. Elan joined the Outpost Board in 2020.
Linda Vanzi
Presently on leave from the Outpost Board, Linda retired as judge from the New Mexico Court of Appeals in 2020. In 2004, Linda was appointed to the Second Judicial District Court, and four years later was appointed to the Court of Appeals where she was the Chief Judge from January 2017 to January 2019. During this time, Linda served on numerous legal committees and chaired the Judiciary Budget Committee. She has previously served as the neutral/chair on the TVI Labor-Relations Board, City of Albuquerque Labor Relations Board, and as Vice-Chair of the State of New Mexico Public Employee Labor Relations Board. Linda continues to teach at the University of New Mexico School of Law and for the National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Linda joined the Outpost Board in 2020.