Pictured from left to right: Benjamin C. Tilghman; Debbie Potter; Jay Borneman, PhD; Denise Anne Bode; Mark Dickinson.
The Academy Art Museum (AAM) is pleased to announce the appointment of five new members to its Board of Trustees, strengthening the Museum’s leadership with deep expertise across the arts, education, public policy, business, and community engagement.
The newly appointed trustees — Jay Borneman, Denise Bode; Mark Dickinson; Debbie Potter; and Benjamin C. Tilghman — bring decades of professional experience and a shared commitment to advance the Museum’s mission of connecting people to art, ideas, and one another through exhibitions, education, and public programs.
“The new trustees reflect a breadth of perspectives and experience that will help the Academy Art Museum continue to thrive,” said Christine Martin, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “Their knowledge, leadership, and passion for the arts will be invaluable as the Museum continues to grow its impact locally and regionally.
New Trustees
Jay Borneman is the founder and principal of Oak View Point Partners and retired Chairman and CEO of Hyland’s, Inc., a mid-size OTC pharmaceutical manufacturer. He holds degrees in chemistry, finance, and health policy, and has served as a trustee for St. Joseph’s University, the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, and the Avalon Foundation. Mr.. Borneman splits his time between Pennsylvania and Oxford, Maryland.
Denise Bode brings more than four decades of leadership in public policy, energy, and nonprofit governance. A nationally recognized expert in trade, tax, and environmental policy, she has led major industry associations and previously served as Chairman of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. Denise has held trustee and executive leadership roles at several cultural and civic organizations, including the Avalon Foundation and the Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum, and is an active supporter of the arts on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
Mark Dickinson is a retired attorney and real estate investor with extensive experience in historic preservation, conservation, and community-based philanthropy. Now a full-time Talbot County resident, he has served on numerous nonprofit boards, including Preservation Maryland, the Washington County Historical Society, and San Mar Children’s Home. His work reflects a longstanding commitment to stewardship, mentorship, and place-based community investment.
Debbie Potter spent much of her professional career in Washington, D.C., serving in senior roles across federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Justice. A former journalist and national press award recipient, she is deeply engaged in volunteer service and nonprofit leadership on the Eastern Shore. Debbie has previously served on the Board of Trustees of the Avalon Foundation
Benjamin C. Tilghman is a professor of art history at Washington College whose work bridges academic scholarship and public-facing museum engagement. His background includes curatorial fellowships, exhibition development, public lectures, and extensive experience in arts governance and fundraising. He currently serves as Chair of the Public Arts Committee in Chestertown, where he has led major public sculpture initiatives and community collaborations.
Board of Trustees
The Academy Art Museum Board of Trustees is chaired by Christine Martin, with Brenda Fike serving as Vice Chair, Sue Bredekamp as Secretary, and Ronald Flohr as Treasurer. Additional trustees include MaryLou Armstrong Peters, Denise Bode, Jay Borneman, Sandy Cardin, Mark Dickinson, Robert Fogarty, Jazmine Gibson, Denise Grant, Shelton Hawkins, Elizabeth Hormel, Victoria Gomez Lozano, Joanne Lukens, Debbie Potter, Chris Sadler, Ann Scully, Beth Spurry, Ben Tilghman, Holly Townsend, Daniel Weiss, and Donald Wooters.
With the addition of these new trustees, the Academy Art Museum continues to build a Board that reflects its commitment to artistic excellence, thoughtful stewardship, and meaningful community connection.
About the Academy Art Museum
Founded in 1958, the Academy Art Museum is the Eastern Shore’s leading cultural institution, accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. It combines the dynamism of an ambitious contemporary art museum with the intimacy of a community space. With five working studios, a 24,000 sq. ft. facility, and innovative programs including a robust artist-in-residence initiative and major commissions for its soaring atrium, the Museum is a destination for artists, scholars, collectors, and families alike. For more information, visit academyartmuseum.org
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