These are the individuals whose dedication and hard work serve to further the mission of the ODTOS
Joe holds a B.A. in music and an M.B.A. in accounting and finance from Columbia University, as well as Colleague and Choirmaster certifications from the American Guild of Organists. He is enjoying a now 56-year career as a pastoral musician and worked over 40 years as a financial executive, on Wall Street and at large Public Accounting firms. During that time, Joe concertized at Saint Patrick's Cathedral and Trinity Church in New York City, The New York Military Academy and Radio City Music Hall. Now, he brings these skills together with his love for the theatre organ to lead the ODTOS and support its mission throughout the Commonwealth. Joe and his wife, Susan, live in Carrollton, VA and own an Allen Model GW-4Q digital unit orchestra.
In 1978, Al applied for a direct commission through the Navy’s highly competitive LDO (Limited Duty Officer program. He was commissioned in 1979 and transferred to Virginia Beach where he remained for 10 years and retired in 1989. While in Virginia Beach, he began his association with Rodgers working for Parker Piano and Organ. Upon retirement, he was offered a position with R. A. Daffer Church Organs, Inc. and in 1996 was made a partner in the firm. Al’s career with Rodgers and Ruffatti pipe organs has presented him opportunities to work with the finest concert organists from both the classical and theatre organ circles. These artists included talents such as Virgil Fox, Ted Alan Worth, Felix Hell, Cameron Carpenter, Keith Chapman, Fred Swann, Joyce Jones, Richard Purvis and John Weaver as well as Lyn Larsen, Gaylord Carter, Jonas Nordwall, and Ethel Smith. Al’s extensive career has earned him great respect among his peers, and he is often sought out for advice and training by other Rodgers representatives. Al and his wife, Sharon, reside in Lake Gaston, North Carolina. They have two grown children and three grandchildren. Al is active in a number of AGO chapters and is sub dean of the Central North Carolina Chapter. He is pictured here at the console of his Rodgers/Artisan unit orchestra that has undergone a complete digital transformation.
Born in New Jersey, Robert H. Lent has been a technician in the pipe organ business all of his life. He first learned the trade from his father, Robert G. Lent, who was also an accomplished theatre organist. In 2005, he moved to Indianapolis to work for Carlton Smith to further his theatre organ knowledge. After returning to Virginia, he worked as a pipe maker for the world-renowned tracker organ company, Taylor and Boody. In 2011, he worked for Quality Pipe Organ Service in California for Edward Millington Stout III and Richard Taylor as a long-term contractor further expanding his knowledge in proper restoration of pipe organs- both church and theatre organs. Robert started his own company, Musical Restorations LLC, in 2018 as a side business while he worked for the United States Postal Service. In June of 2023, he returned to full time organ building and restoration. Robert enjoys collecting and studying Wurlitzer blueprints, making and supplying high-quality parts for the pipe organ industry, and restoring Wurlitzer theatre organ consoles, of which he presently owns 15. He and his wife live in Dayton, VA along with their son, Robbie. Robert is pictured at the Wurlitzer organ piano console he helped restore at the Hotel 24 in Staunton, VA.
Jim is originally from Michigan and has lived here in Virginia since 2005. He is retired from a successful career Motorola Solutions Inc. Jim is an avid music enthusiast and serves as a volunteer organist at his church, something he began doing at age eleven. He enjoys music, electronics, computer programming, and walking his two rescued dogs. Jim and his wife live in Chester, VA and own an Allen Model T321Q digital unit orchestra.
Walt spent much of his teen years and his early 20’s obtaining formal organ training at his local Hammond Organ Studio. During the 1970s he performed on his Hammond model X-77 in several Richmond venues. This was truly a joy and privilege during those times, as well as the source of many fond memories. The 1980s found him employed at Lowery Organ Centers in several mall locations, "pumping the tunes" in front of the store and demonstrating how easy it could be using only 3 chords with the left hand. Of late, Walt can be found at several senior residential facilities performing on his Yamaha Tyros 4 Arranger Keyboard which gives him much pleasure.
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