Our Directors and Staff
Our Directors and Staff
Board of Directors
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Michael Cummings
President
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Imran Kissoon
Board Member
Michael Cummings
President
Michael has a long history in the arts. He started with an undergraduate degree in Art Education from the University of Dallas, wanting to become an art teacher. Once completing his Texas teaching certification he embarked on a journey to Graduate school at the Indiana State University where he received his Masters of Fine Arts with concentrations in Ceramics and Photography. He then spent the next 18 years in the educational system both private and public in various roles from Art Teacher, director of Technology, and finally a technology interaction specialist. He has since moved to the corporate education world where he teaches professionals about cybersecurity.
Michael discovered glass in undergraduate school and reignited his passion for the medium 6 years ago while working for Fort Worth ISD. This was when he discovered SiNaCa Studios and their impact they have on students and residents of Fort Worth. From that point on he has tried to help the studio in any way he can from volunteering, renting studio time, and participating in the board. He looks forward to many more years of being a part of the SiNaCa Studios.
Imran Kissoon
Board Member
Imran Kissoon is a Fort Worth–based professional with a background in the telecommunications industry and a passion for strategic growth and community engagement. He brings years of leadership experience across corporate and entrepreneurial sectors, with a focus on sustainability, innovation, and collaboration. As the founder of an eco-conscious glass venture and a proud advocate for the arts, Imran is committed to supporting SiNaCa Studios’ mission and helping expand its impact across Fort Worth and beyond!
Operations
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Breinn Richter
Interim Executive Director
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Clifton Crofford
Artistic Director, Development Director, Glass Blowing Instructor
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Heidi Childers
Operations Director
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Kevin McGehee
Studios Coordinator, Glass Blowing Instructor
Breinn Richter
Interim Executive Director
Breinn Richter (she/her)
My SiNaCa story started a few years ago, when my business partner and I were asked to do some strategic planning and leadership development with Clifton and his team. It didn’t take long to fall in love with the whole organization, and I am grateful to move into a more active role in the day-to-day operations of seeing their strategic plan come to life! I bring my education (TCU MBA ’08, Texas A&M PhD (ABD) in HR Development) and organizational culture/change management experience to such an exciting time for SiNaCa’s growth.
Clifton Crofford
Artistic Director, Development Director, Glass Blowing Instructor
Clifton Crofford (he/him)
I am a partner, father, student, teacher, and glass maker. I am proud to be an important part of the incredible team at SiNaCa Studios and hope that our combined efforts will leave a lasting and important addition to the cultural landscape of Fort Worth, TX. I am a maker at my core, and ultimately love making a difference in the lives close to me and the community I love.
Heidi Childers
Operations Director
Heidi Childers (she/her)
I am a UTA alumna with two bachelor degrees with primary focuses in English, psychology, and business management, over 20 years of service industry management experience and have volunteered at SiNaCa Studios from the beginning. I am the non-glass making, glass groupie that has taken on the challenge of keeping these creatives on track. I love that I get to find new ways every day to use my education, past experiences and imagination to help shape and grow this organization.
Kevin McGehee
Studios Coordinator, Glass Blowing Instructor
Kevin McGehee (he/him)
I stumbled in to glass blowing in 1998 needing a 3D art credit for a graphic design degree at UT Arlington. The glass blowing elective turned into 14 semester journey, finishing with a BFA in Glass Art. 20+ years after my 1st gather, I’m still excited by what glass can do and the opportunity to share it with others.
Program & Production Staff
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Nick Gomez
Flame Working Studio Manager
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Christa Westbrook
Glass Blowing Studio Manager
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Megan Sutton
Kiln Forming Studio Manager
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Brandi Simpson
Glass Blowing Instructor, Community Partnership Specialist
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Allyson Frizzell
Glass Blowing Instructor
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Juno Barrera
Glass Blowing Instructor
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Ana Maldonado
Glass Blowing Instructor
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Rene Herrera
Glass Blowing Instructor
Nick Gomez
Flame Working Studio Manager
Nick Gomez
I am a family man with 2 boys and a wife who is my best friend. I always enjoy spending time with my family and I am also very passionate about making glass and music and practice both daily. I’m grateful to be able to make glass and teach people about glass for a living as well as help support my family using my passion for art.
Christa Westbrook
Glass Blowing Studio Manager
Megan Sutton
Kiln Forming Studio Manager
Megan Sutton (she/her)
I wandered into the world of glass at Ball State, where I graduated in 2019 with a BFA in Glass. Not only do I love how versatile glass is as a medium, its unique characteristics and the endless possibilities it possesses; but I also love how glass brings artists and community together.
Brandi Simpson
Glass Blowing Instructor, Community Partnership Specialist
Brandi Simpson (she/her)
I’ve been part of the SiNaCa family since 2022, where I split my time between teaching glassblowing and serving as Community Partnership Specialist (which is a fancy way of saying I love connecting people through art). I earned my MFA in Glass Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington, where I also teach college art classes. When I’m not wrangling 2,100-degree molten glass, I’m guiding yoga students to find their flow—turns out both practices require focus, breath, and a good sense of humor. My enthusiasm for making is downright contagious—I never get tired of seeing that spark of joy when someone creates something they’re proud of.
Allyson Frizzell
Glass Blowing Instructor
Allyson Frizzell (she/her)
Juno Barrera
Glass Blowing Instructor
Juno Barrera (they/them)
Ana Maldonado
Glass Blowing Instructor
Ana Maldonado (she/her)
Rene Herrera
Glass Blowing Instructor
Rene Herrera
FRONT OF HOUSE
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Cylla Neuwirth
Front of House
Cylla Neuwirth
Front of House
Cylla Neuwirth (she/her)
I graduated college in 2023 studying Animation and Programming. Now I’m taking business classes to start my own online business selling my art. I love learning different types of art techniques as it’s my passion and I wanna work hard to stick with it.