The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild’s long-standing tradition continues in 2016, as Symphony Ball Chairwoman, Linda Akenhead, named her Ball advisors for the year and hosted them at an end-of-summer social.

A select group of the community’s distinguished men in positions of civic leadership are chosen annually to provide business and financial advice to the Ball Chair and support the event.

The Symphony Ball will be held Oct. 29 in the Von Braun Center North Hall. It will be the 53nd Ball held to benefit to our community by supporting the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra.

The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild established the Symphony Ball as a major fundraiser for the orchestra in 1964, and since the earliest balls, advisors have stepped up to the plate, figuratively and literally. To show appreciation for their service to the Guild, Linda and her Ball Committee hosted the men and their wives at an advisors’ cocktail party, at the home of Jean and Bill Salter.

Cocktail food, provided by Ina Rosa of Chef on Call, included an assortment of scrumptious hors d’oeuvres and desserts, such as Jarlsberg and salami puffs, crab dip with fresh bread rounds, ginger chicken over rice, beef teres major on crostini, watermelon cubes sprinkled with feta and drizzled with reduced balsamic, mini cream horns, pecan squares, and fudge and key lime tarts.

The 2016 Symphony Ball advisors are as follows:

Dr. John Byron Cox is an ophthalmologist. His spouse is Anne Daniel Cox. His civic interests include Young Business Leaders; sponsored community, patriotic, and religious weekend activities; and church activities. His professional associations include Past President of Alabama Academy of Ophthalmology; Past Councilor to the American Academy Ophthalmology; and current Treasurer of Christian Ophthalmology Society. His hobbies include his grandchildren and pheasant hunting.

Daniel Glenn Halcomb is President and CEO, Huntsville Symphony Orchestra. His civic interests include former Board Member of Arts Huntsville; former Board President of Therapy Partners; and Thrive Alabama (AIDS Action Coalition). His professional associations include Rotary and the League of American Orchestras. Dan’s hobby is travel.

Mr. Warne Stahler Heath is partner at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, LLP. He is married to Mary Ena Johnson Heath. His civic interests and activities include past President of Rotary; Huntsville Botanical Garden Board of Directors; HudsonAlpha Ambassador, and First United Methodist Church. His hobbies include golf, reading and aviation.

Mr. Byrd Roy Latham is an attorney at Latham Moffatt, P.C. He is married to Rosemary Betts Latham. His civic interests and activities include the Huntsville Museum of Art Foundation and former President; Huntsville Symphony Orchestra; University of Alabama National Alumni Association and Past National President. His professional association includes the Alabama and American Bar Associations. He has received a variety of awards including the Sam W. Pipes Distinguished Alumni Award U of A School of Law in 2010 and the University of Alabama National Alumni Association-Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2011. His hobbies include photography and writing essays.

Dr. Douglas Leonard Patz is a retired Physicist with Computer Sciences Corporation. He is married to Martha Mettler Patz. His civic interests and activities include the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Board of Trustees-Emeritus; Grace Lutheran Church Board; Huntsville Museum of Art; Huntsville Chamber Music; and the Botanical Gardens. His hobbies include tennis and church choir.

John Randolph Roper is the owner of Randy Roper Interiors. He is president of the Twickenham Historic Preservation District Association, past member of the Board of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra, past member of the Foundation Board of the Huntsville Museum of Art, and a member of Downtown Huntsville, Inc. His honors include Senior Center Path of Honor, Honoree 1st American Diabetes Association Roast; and the Nell Oliver Award, Huntsville Museum of Art.

Dr. Steven Patrick Decland Smith is a retired Physicist for US Army Aviation and Missile Research Development and Engineering Center. His wife is Lana Bradley Smith. His civic interests and activities include Trustee, Elder, Deacon and Sunday school teacher at Faith Presbyterian Church; Rotary; and YMCA. Dr. Smith’s profession associations include the Association of the US Army (AUSA) National Defense Industrial Association; the American Physical Society, and the American Nuclear Society. His many honors include the Department of the Army Exceptional Civilian Service Award; Global War on Terror Award from Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Department of Defense; and Department of the Army Research and Development Achievement Award. His hobbies include reading, swimming, travel, coaching girls’ soccer, basketball and softball.

John Bowman Switzer is a consulting engineer to Missile Defense Agency. He is married to Wenona Jones Switzer. His civic interests and activities include the Evening Optimist Club; the Historic Huntsville Foundation; Huntsville Auburn Club; Friends of the Library; and the Huntsville Hospital Foundation. His honors include having served as liaison with Russia on Missile-Ban Treaty; received commendation medal from Germany for Missile Assistance and the Robert E. Lee (Montgomery) Hall of Fame. His hobbies include traveling, watching Auburn Sports, and playing with grandchildren.

Michael Kenan Timberlake is an attorney with Siniard Timberlake and League, P.C. He is married to Melissa Ledlow Timberlake. His professional associations include Alabama State Bar, the Huntsville Bar Association, the Alabama Association for Justice and the America Association for Justice. Mr. Timberlake is a graduate of the American Trial Lawyers Association Trial College and has frequently served as a speaker for continuing legal education seminars in Alabama.

Larry Allen Thomas is a realtor with Legend Realty. He is married to Linda Brooks Thomas. His professional associations include Huntsville Board of Realtors and the National Association of Realtors. His hobbies include classic cars, outdoor activities, skiing, hiking, and cycling.

Jerry Wayne Nutt is announcer and master of ceremonies for the 2016 Symphony Ball. He is the Director of Development for the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra. His wife is Dorrie Adams Nutt. He is past chairman of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Board; Huntsville Community Chorus Board; is Chair for the Greater Huntsville Humane Society; and Ars Nova School of Arts. His professional associations included Association of Fundraising Professionals. His hobbies include music and woodworking.

For more information: Sharon Gartrell, 256-509-4405 or Jennifer Lapidus, 256-520-6175

Amelia Summerville, Brenda Milberger, Theresa Taylor, Linda Akenhead

Margaret and Mack Vann