Tom Kozlowicz resides in Yorkville, IL with his wife Roberta and their rescue dog, Quilly..
He is a graduate of Saint Mary’s University with a double major in English and Psychology. After graduation he honorably served two years as VISTA Volunteer on the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation.
He then started his career in the Financial Services industry and after a few short years was named President and CEO of Paysaver Credit Union. After that he had his own consulting business servicing credit unions, data processors, and insurance companies.
After a short medical setback he owned Andes Pizza and catering for three years. Then was recruited to create a consumer division for ECON Mortgage Services.
Then he started his hospitality career and worked with Marriott’s Timeshare Division until they relocated the operation to Florida. After that he spent 15 years at Holiday Inn Express, Oswego. He was responsible for opening a Holiday Inn Express for both Yorkville and Hoffmann Estates.
Now, Tom works as a life coach for entrepreneurs. In 2012 he represented the United States and carried the Olympic torch in the England Olympics. He serves on two chambers of commerce, president of GECATTA – a non-profit giving access to the arts for any child, liaison for the Yorkville Education Foundation, board member of Serenity House Services and The Americas A Theatre Company as well as a Board member of the Yorkville and Montgomery Chambers.
Amelia Weber is a visionary leader, entrepreneur, and advocate for the transformative power of the arts. As the founder of GECATTA, a nonprofit dedicated to bringing arts education to underserved communities—including Cite Soleil, Haiti—she believes that creativity is a universal language that can inspire, empower, and create change.
Her passion for the arts began in a small town in rural Illinois, where she fell in love with dance at the age of two. Overcoming early physical challenges, she developed a relentless work ethic that shaped her approach to both artistry and business. That same determination led her and her husband, Brian, to build a family of thriving businesses, including a performing arts center, a real estate investment company, and a dance convention and competition. Through GECATTA, Amelia’s mission is to ensure that children, regardless of their circumstances, have access to the joy and opportunities that the arts provide.
Diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, Amelia has turned what others might see as a struggle into her greatest strength—an ability to think fast, adapt, and turn adversity into an advantage. Her journey has given her a deep understanding of how both structure and creativity can coexist, a theme she explores in her children’s book, Millie MaTaska and the Marvelous Meeting of Minds. The book is a love letter to dreamers and doers alike, encouraging young minds to embrace both order and imagination.
Amelia credits her mother, Jackie, for teaching her that determination knows no limits and that every person matters, and her father, Mark, for instilling the power of growth through action. She is forever grateful to the arts for shaping her journey and to Jesus for guiding it.
When she’s not leading, writing, or creating, Amelia finds true joy in being fully present with family and friends, surrounded by good music, great conversation, and the simple beauty of shared moments.
Jason Lambert is a passionate advocate for the arts and an experienced leader in the world of visual design and community service. With over 20 years of expertise in the printing and graphics industry, Jason co-owns and operates Print Source Graphics, a company renowned for its commitment to creativity, quality, and supporting local businesses. His journey as an entrepreneur has been driven by a desire to help ideas come to life and create meaningful connections through impactful design.
Jason’s dedication to the arts extends beyond his profession. As a father of two and a firm believer in the transformative power of artistic expression, Jason is thrilled to bring his vision and leadership to the GECATTA Board of Directors. His goal is to help create opportunities that make arts education accessible to all children, fostering creativity, confidence, and cultural enrichment.
Through his work with GECATTA, Jason hopes to champion initiatives that inspire youth to dream big and explore their talents, while supporting global and local efforts to ensure every child has the chance to experience the life-changing impact of the arts.
Brian has been a singer, musician and actor most of his life as he started performing at age 8. His passion for the arts led him and his wife, Emily, to open YPAC in the fall of 2013 as a place for people of all ages to experience community through the arts with a specific mission to give every child access to the arts. Brian graduated from Lincoln Christian University with a B.A. in Music and loves helping provide a community for artists. He is also an active gigging musician both as a solo artist and as a member of his band Eutychus Falling. Brian enjoys spending time with Emily and their children who are all involved in the arts. He is also a co-founder of the nonprofit GECATTA which has the purpose to give every child access to the arts.
Mia Mellecker has been active in the performing arts for over 30 years. Mia possesses a love for performing, as well as an undeniable passion for creating art and mentoring the magic of designing behind the scenes! She has appeared on stage as Mary Poppins in YPAC’s off Broadway Musical Production of “Mary Poppins”, as Miss Adelaide in “Guys and Dolls” and in the ensembles of “Bye Bye Birdie” and Godspell Jr. She was awarded the Lucille Gustafson Scholarship for Leadership by Waubonsee Community College where she received an A.S. in Liberal Arts. As a mother of 2 young children, and working professionally with performing arts students for over 10 years, Mia recognizes the significant benefits and profound impact of arts education for children. Her hopes are to inspire creativity, help others find confidence in their abilities, and uncover opportunities for the amazing talents of the youth in local and global communities!
Aaron Spevak is an international percussion educator, clinician and performer from the United States. As a seventh-generation percussionist, he is the owner of Spevak Percussion Concepts, Inc. — one of the largest privately owned percussion schools in North America. Spanning nearly 7,000 square feet, Spevak Percussion Concepts is located in the heart of Oswego, Illinois. The Spevak facility not only dedicates its space to students for percussion instruction but also serves as a place for kids to regularly perform on a professionally produced stage for live audiences.
Aaron studied music in Austria and Belgium under many world class percussionists and marimba players including Ludwig Albert, Bogdan Bacanu and Lin Chin Cheng. His marching career included 6 seasons of Drum Corps International and 7 seasons of Winter Guard International with world class groups such as The Colts (IA), The Cavaliers (IL), Redline Indoor Percussion (MI), Carolina Crown (SC) and The Blue Devils (CA). Aaron also went on to teach prestigious marching organizations such as Marion Catholic High School (IL), DrumSpirit (Belgium) and the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps (WI). In addition to teaching at top ranking high school and collegiate programs all over the globe, Aaron founded Iron Wolf Percussion Ensemble in Vilnius, Lithuania — the first American style drum line and front ensemble in the Baltic States. Over his 6 years living in Lithuania, this ensemble launched many projects ranging from special needs percussion programs to professional sports entertainment groups. Since 2017, IWPE has also paved the way for multiple Lithuanian students to tour and compete on American soil with Drum Corps International.
In addition to cultivating the student population at Spevak Percussion Concepts and widening the aperture of programs offered there, Aaron is constantly seeking new ways to bring the community together through his forever love and passion of African drumming. When he is free, Aaron can be found enjoying time with his family of 4 (all musicians) and 3 spoiled rescue dogs. His hobbies are mostly centered around swinging his squash racket and finding ways to help animals in need.
From summer of 2025, Aaron proudly serves on the GECATTA Board of Directors and aims to create exciting new musical opportunities for all students both locally and abroad. Aaron Spevak professionally endorses Remo Inc. drum heads, Innovative Percussion Inc. drum sticks, and Roland (EU) electronics.
Ashley is a long-time lover of the arts. She’s been drawing since she’s been able to hold a pencil and began dance lessons at the age of 3. Later in her childhood she moved towards theatre and continued through High School. And though she is no longer regularly performing in dance or theatre productions, she still is an avid supporter. She attends theatre productions, watches live music, and uses her artistic talent to support children in the arts.
Ashley is a Bradley University graduate with a major in Graphic Design and a minor in Social Media Marketing. At college she won the Outstanding Student in Graphic Design award and graduated summa cum laude. Now she has accomplished other feats such as illustrating the children’s book Millie MaTaska: The Marvelous Meeting of Minds, which was written by Emily Weber! Ashley also works as the Creative Director for YPAC.
Ashley is overjoyed that she can use her artistic expertise to support GECATTA and Give Every Child Access To The Arts!
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