Our Board

  • A man with a beard wearing a camouflage hat and colorful hoodie, smiling and sitting indoors with his arms crossed.

    Jonathon Carmichael - Founder & Executive Director

    Jonathon combines a lifelong passion for creativity with extensive executive leadership in media infrastructure.

    Fascinated since childhood by movie special effects, animatronics, and creature design, he attended AIP and Carnegie Mellon earning an Associate's Degree in Special Effects and a Bachelor's in Industrial Design Technology.

    After graduating, Jonathon worked in Los Angeles as a key grip, gaining hands-on film production experience. He then transitioned into studio management roles, serving as Studio Manager at Air Hollywood, General Manager at Quixote Studios, and Sales Manager at Manhattan Beach Studios. These positions honed his operational and strategic expertise within the entertainment industry.

    Now back in Ohio, Jonathon leverages his diverse background and personal dedication as a lifelong collector of physical media and artwork. His unique blend of creative understanding and executive acumen makes him an ideal leader to champion the mission of Legacy Media Preservation.

  • A black and white headshot of Erika Fritz, President of Legacy Media Preservation and Killer Video Museum.

    Erika Fritz - President & Treasurer

    Erika is an advocate of media preservation, with a focus on community-centered initiatives. She plays a vital role in shaping the strategic vision of Legacy Media Preservation, ensuring that underrepresented voices and obsolete formats are protected and made accessible for generations to come.

    As co-owner of the Killer Video Retro Horror Museum in her hometown of Akron, Ohio, Erika has transformed a love of vintage media into a thriving cultural hub celebrating fringe media and underground film culture.

    She brings a unique blend of entrepreneurial spirit, deep genre knowledge, and curatorial experience to Legacy Media Preservation. In addition to her museum work, Erika (M.A., M.Ed.) has collaborated on educational projects that promote media literacy and access. Her leadership helps guide Legacy’s mission to protect and share marginalized media histories with integrity, creativity, and community involvement.

  • Black and white portrait of a smiling man in a suit with a brick wall background.

    Michael Tolva - Chairman & Director of Development

    WIth over 25 years of organization startup and management experience, Michael started his journey founding SIXOSIX Magazine, a web-based publication celebrating Chicago. He later expanded his media ventures in Florida, launching two successful print publications.

    Transitioning to technology, Michael co-founded Simplikate, a software company that manages over 4,000 properties nationwide, including notable clients like the Palms Casino in Las Vegas. Returning to Chicago in 2007, he ran The Store House Company operating 11 self-storage properties in 7 states. In 2010, he launched City Storage providing free self-storage to historic properties across Chicago. During this time Michael was on the National Self Storage Board as well as the Board President for the Illinois Self Storage Association.

    In 2015, Michael opened Best Intentions, a lively cocktail bar in Logan Square, winner of multiple Spirit Awards and consistently ranked in the top 50 bars in North America.