The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild’s long-standing tradition continues in 2017, as Symphony Ball Chairwoman, Patti Thornton, named her Ball advisors for the year and hosted them at an end-of-summer social on Sunday, August 27, 2017. 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. To show appreciation for their service to the Guild, Patti and her Ball Committee hosted the men and their wives at an advisors’ cocktail party at the home of Laura and Darren Malone. Cocktail food provided by Narvell Patton, included an assortment of scrumptious hors d’oeuvres and desserts, such as Lamp lollipops, squash fritters, beef tenderloin with rolls, bacon and cream cheese dip, shrimp, a vegetable tray with dip and miniature tomato sandwiches.

The Symphony Ball will be held on October 28th in the Von Braun Center North hall. It will be the 54th Ball held to benefit 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.

The 2017 Symphony Ball advisors are as follows:

Mr. James Marion Chandler III is the owner of Whitewater Partners. He is married to Valerie Schild Chandler. Jay serves on the following boards: Habitat for Humanity, Hawthorne Music Conservatory, Randolph School – Trustee, Liberty Legacy, US Space and Rocket Center – Commissioner, Broadway Theatre League and Outback America North Alabama. His interests include hunting, fishing and golf.

Mr. Anthony Alan Gann is CEO and President of SouthBridge. He is also a managing Partner of Venti Properties, dedicated to the development of local commercial property. His is married to Pamela Noller Gann. Tony’s civic interests include Central Presbyterian Church, Huntsville Symphony Orchestra, and Randolph School. Tony is also an avid supporter of local musicians and songwriters. His professional associations include IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineering) – Eta Kappa Nu, Delta Chi Fraternity, Council Member of TDK America and Council Member of Toshiba America. His hobbies include playing the guitar and Alabama football.

Dr. William Nathan Mitchell is a physician at Maynor and Mitchell Eye Center. He is married to Ashley Culver Mitchell. Bill’s civic interests and activities include Lincoln Village, Huntsville International League and Southwood Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons. Bill’s hobbies include golf, running, hiking and flying.

Dr. Rhett Blake Murray is a neurosurgeon and senior partner at the Spine and Neuro Center. He is married to Melanie Hammer Murray. Rhett’s civic interests include First United Methodist Church, University of Alabama School of Arts & Sciences Dean’s Advisory Board, UA President’s Cabinet and Huntsville Museum of Art. Professional Associations include American Association of Neurological Surgeons and Pro Assurance Claims & Underwriting Committee. Rhett enjoys snow skiing, golf, hunting, Bible study, history and wine collecting.

Mr. William Edward Ragland IV is President of Ragland Bros. Retail Cos., Inc. He is married to Tabatha Cobb Ragland. Ward is a past board member of Boys & Girls Clubs of North Alabama, Food Bank of North Alabama, Church of Nativity Episcopal Vestry, and Huntsville Hospital Development Board. His professional associations include serving on the Mid South Retail Group Board and Alliance Marketing Group Board. Golf is Ward’s favorite hobby.

Mr. Glenn Robinson Albert Robinson III is Regional Director at Victory Capital Management. He is married to Elizabeth Gilchrist Robinson. Robbie’s civic interests include the First & Ten Foundation. In his spare time, Robbie enjoys Alabama football, painting and duck hunting.

Mr. John Randolph Roper is owner of Randy Roper Interiors. His civic interests include serving as President of the Twickenham Historic Preservation District Association, and he is a past member of Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Board and the Foundation Board of the Huntsville Museum of Art. He is a current member of Downtown Huntsville, Inc. Randy’s honors include Path of Honor Senior Center, Honoree at 1st American Diabetes Association Roast and a recipient of the Nell Oliver Award, Huntsville Museum of Art.

Mr. Steven Curtis Thornton is an Owner & Partner of Smith Thornton Advisors, LLC. He is married to Patricia Bragg Thornton. He currently serves as President of the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity of Madison County and serves on the Board of Directors at the Huntsville Sports Commission. Steve’s Professional Associations include the Investment Management Consultants Associations and the National Association of Plan Advisors. He enjoys golf, reading, water and snow sports.

Mr. Jay E. Town is a United States Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama (Presidential Nominee). He is married to Dana Griffin Town. Jay currently sits on the Board of Directors of two national veterans organizations: Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation and America’s Warrior Partnership. He is a current or past member of several veteran and wounded warrior non-profit organizations. Jay has leadership roles in the Alabama GOP State Executive Committee and Madison County Republican Executive Committee. Professional Associations include Alabama State Bar, New Jersey State Bar, Indiana State Bar, Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States, and Alabama District Attorneys Associations. His hobbies include golf, running, ice hockey, boxing and spending time with his daughter.

Mr. Richard Bland Warren is CEO of TriHaz Solutions and is professionally involved in other Private Equity and Real Estate ventures. He is a former board member and Partner of Big Spring Environmental. Current and past civic interests include serving as Senior and Junior Warden of Church of Nativity Vestry, Church of Nativity Usher, member of Leadership Huntsville/Madison County Class of 1998, Board of Directors Girls & Boy’s Club and Randolph School Athletic Committee. Bland currently serves as co-chairman of The Ledges Junior Golf Committee. In his spare time, he enjoys golf and spending time with his children.

Mr. Jerry Wayne Nutt will serve as announcer and master of ceremonies for the 2017 Symphony Ball. Jerry recently retired from his position as Director of Development for the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra. He is married to Dorrie Adams Nutt and currently serves as board chairman for the Greater Humane Society and the Ars Nova School of Arts. Jerry’s hobbies include music, singing, woodworking and biking.