Indiana Wind Symphony names Gretta Pote board president, welcomes Lee Bowman to board of directors

The Indiana Wind Symphony has named longtime music educator Gretta Pote as president of its board of directors for the 2026-2027 season and welcomed Lee Bowman as the organization’s newest board member.

The appointments bring decades of leadership experience in music education, as well as experience in educational outreach and a passion to increase the Indiana Wind Symphony’s community impact throughout Central Indiana.

Pote

Pote recently retired after a distinguished 34-year career as a middle school band director, including the past 20 years leading the nationally recognized band program at Clay Middle School in Carmel. Throughout her career, she consistently guided student ensembles to high achievement, mentored aspiring educators and served as a clinician and presenter at state and national music education conferences. She was named Clay Middle School Teacher of the Year in 2022 and received the Phi Beta Mu, Gamma Chapter, Outstanding Bandmaster Award in 2023.

“I am honored to join the leadership team of this outstanding group of musicians and to continue to serve the Indiana Wind Symphony in bringing amazing music experiences to the community,” Pote said.

As board president, Pote will lead the volunteer board of directors and work with Executive Director Tim Cox in advancing the Indiana Wind Symphony’s mission and supporting the organization’s continued growth. She has served as an Indiana Wind Symphony board member since 2025.

* * *

Bowman

Bowman joins the board following a distinguished career at Eli Lilly and Company, where he served as a senior research fellow and associate vice president, leading global research and strategic initiatives.

A lifelong musician and arts advocate, Bowman and his wife Mary, who performs in the ensemble, are longtime supporters of Central Indiana’s arts community. He brings to the Indiana Wind Symphony both executive leadership experience and a deep appreciation for the power of music to enrich lives and strengthen communities.

“Gretta and Lee each bring exceptional leadership, deep professional expertise and a passion for strengthening our community through music,” Cox said. “Gretta’s lifelong commitment to music education and Lee’s strategic leadership and experience as a musician and arts advocate will be tremendous assets as we continue to grow the Indiana Wind Symphony’s impact.”

The Indiana Wind Symphony’s 2026-2027 season will begin Sunday, Oct. 4, in the Payne & Mencias Palladium at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, and you can learn more about the upcoming season at indianawindsymphony.org/events.