FARM BOARD NOMINATION PROCESS
FARM’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce our slate for the 2026 election. There will be three open seats in this election for three-year terms commencing at the AGM in Minneapolis on October 22, 2026. Below is the slate of candidates recommended by the Nominations Committee and approved by FARM’s Board, in alphabetical order by last name, with incumbents running for reelection indicated by an asterisk::
- Kristen Lee*
- Jeff Randolph
- Leslie Rich
Scroll down to review information about the above candidates.
Board members completing their three-year cycle and not running for re-election in October are Vania Kinard and Joy Zimmerman. We are so appreciative of their service. Each of them leaves a glowingly positive impact on the board in many ways, big and small.
If you are a current voting member of FAI and FARM and are interested in serving on the board, you are welcome to self-nominate. Self-Nominations should be submitted here. Complete the form no later than Monday, August 17th at midnight CST. Incoming board members should be able to attend the AGM in Minneapolis on October 22nd.
To self-nominate, you’ll need to provide:
- Membership ID#
- Third-person biography (500-character limit)
- First-person Platform Statement (250-character limit)
- Headshot
- Letter of support from three (3) members in good standing. The letters of support should contain the member’s full name, membership ID#, and the statement of support.
For any questions regarding board service, send a message to info@farmfolk.org.
If no self-nominations are received, no election will be necessary. If self-nominations are received, the final slate will be posted online on September 17th, with photos, bios, and platform statements. A secure online election ballot will be distributed by email to all voting members of FAI and FARM. Only votes cast by 11:59 pm CST October 15th will be counted.
Thank you for your interest and involvement in the future of FARM.
Kristen Lee
Location: Lansing, MI
Candidate Bio
Kristen has had a passion for music enjoyment since first learning how to play her parents’ 8-track tapes as a toddler, picking out the desired tapes by color and pressing the right buttons by shape. She loved singing in musicals and choral groups growing up, has been an active attendee of a variety of local and regional concerts for over 22 years, and has been a regular attendee of FARM since 2018 and a FARM board member since 2023. Professionally, Kristen has worked for Michigan State University Libraries for 25 years. She brings dedication, thoughtfulness, and attention to detail to all her pursuits.
Candidate Ballot Statement
I attended my first FARM at the encouragement of friends in the community and was immediately hooked. Having a physical disability, I bring a valuable perspective to discussion. Now running for my second consecutive board term, I bring continuity and context to the work being done. I have a genuine enthusiasm for music and a desire to give back to the community that has given me so much.
Jeff Randolph
Thasis Radio Network
Location: Waukegan, Illinois
Candidate Bio
Jeff Randolph is an advocate and ally for underrepresented groups in roots music. He is the host of “Roots and Rhythm” on the Thasis Radio Network. Since September 2023, the show has showcased Black, Latin, Asian, Pacific Islander, and Indigenous artists across the genres of folk, country, Americana, and bluegrass. Jeff emphasizes bringing to the forefront female, non-binary, and LGBTQ+ individuals in male-dominated spaces. He has attended the FARM conference for the past two years and attended FAI, where he hosted an official showcase and co-moderated the Indigenous Allies Infinity Group. He is also a contributor to the website Melodies N’ Memories as a concert reviewer and interviewer.
Candidate Ballot Statement
My hope is to help create a space within the folk community for diversity and representation. I’ll continue to advocate for underrepresented groups to give them a platform for their art, talent, and expression. I will respect the traditions and navigate the evolution of folk music to bring a younger audience into the community, helping sustain this beautiful art form and musical space for future generations.
Leslie Rich
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Candidate Bio
Leslie Rich is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter whose heartfelt songs blend rich storytelling with raw emotion and hope. Best known as the frontman of The Rocket Soul Choir, he is also the principal songwriter for the Celtic band Hounds of Finn. Beyond performing, Leslie is dedicated to supporting the folk and roots music community. Since 2025, he has served as Registrar for Folk Alliance Regional Midwest, helping create a welcoming and successful conference experience for artists and delegates. He also serves on the Entertainment Committee for the Twin Cities Irish Festival, contributing to artist programming and festival development. Combining the perspectives of performer, songwriter, and arts administrator, Leslie is passionate about building strong musical communities and creating opportunities for artists to connect and thrive.
Candidate Ballot Statement
I believe in investing my time in building a stronger music community. As an Irish songwriter, I hope to help deepen Celtic representation within the Midwest while supporting the region’s diverse folk traditions. Through 35 years of business management, I also bring experience in leadership, process improvement, and financial stewardship. I’d be honored to help FARM continue to grow, evolve, and serve artists and audiences for years to come.