Lisa Marling, PhD, Founder/Board President/Executive and Artistic Director
Lisa Marling, is the Founder and Board President of Preble Players, where she has served since She was born and raised in Richmond, IN. She has conceived and developed this non-profit community performing arts organization She has been involved in the performing arts for over 60 years. Her first role was as Cook in a Thanksgiving Production. She still remembers her lines.
Prior to her roles with Preble Players, she worked in International Development, Education
Administration, and various leadership roles. She also serves her community through volunteer
work, most recently with the Preble County Public Health Department and the Preble County Art
Association.
Preble Players’ first production, Our Town” was held in Eaton at the Star Theatre. Lisa served as
the director. When the pandemic hit, in an effort to keep the production company afloat, the
Board of Directors made the decision to take the show on the road. Performances have been held
throughout the county. The most recent being in Lewisburg, OH.
Michele Thomas, Secretary
Michele Thomas is a native of Eaton and a graduate of Eaton High School. Her love of
performing arts, especially musical theater, began at an early age, continues to this day, and
motivates her support of Preble Players. Michele is an attorney based in Eaton, Ohio, where she
represents individuals in challenging legal situations in family law and criminal defense.
Prior to becoming a lawyer, she worked as a nurse for eight years, working primarily with
patients suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease as well as with Hospice of Dayton. As she entered a
different helping profession, she believed that through the practice of law, she could make a
positive difference in people’s lives at times when they need assertive, thorough, professional,
and empathetic help the most.
Michele has served on the board of Preble Players since 2020. She also served on the board of
the Preble County Mental Health and Recovery Board and volunteered with Greater Dayton
Volunteer Lawyers Project, Legal Aid Society of Dayton, and Miami Valley Literacy Council.
Joshua Thomas, Treasurer
Joshua is an Eaton, OH native. He has always enjoyed the theatre and had his first acting role
while attending Eaton High School. After high school he found and married the love of his life
Diana. He has worked in the AV/telecommunication field for the past 18 years. He earned a B.A.
in Computer Science from Wright State University in 2017.
Joshua is a full time AV engineer, and part-time jack of all trades, including sewing and
costuming. He lends his technical and crafting abilities to Preble players in various and many
ways. He has served on the board of Preble Players as Treasurer since 2020.
Ralph “Rusty” Garber, Community Liaison
Rusty was born and raised in Dedham, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston. In high school, he
was active in band, choir, drama club and athletics. He attended the University of Rhode Island
on a baseball scholarship and graduated with a BA in Elementary Education.
After teaching fifth grade for five years, Rusty Joined the New York Life Insurance Company
where he had a successful 38-year career until his retirement in 2017. He married his high
school sweetheart, Jan, and they currently reside in West Alexandria, OH. They have been
blessed with three daughters and nine grandchildren.
Rusty made his community theatre debut in the Preble Players’ production of “Our Town,” in 2019.
He joined the board in 2020. Rusty also serves on the board of the YMCA and volunteers for the HIT Foundation and Preble County Historical Society, among other things.