A long-standing tradition of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild continues in 2014 as Symphony Ball Chairwoman, Pamela Gann, 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.

Advisors and Ball Chair
seated: Trey Bentley, Randy Roper, Pam Gann (Ball Chair), Moss Crosby, Kevin Webber
standing: Mark Russell, Wayne Bonner, David Lucas, Tony Gann, Ricky Peek

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, Pam and her Ball Committee hosted the men and their wives at an Advisors’ Cocktail Party, held at the mountaintop home of Pam and  her husband, Tony, at The Ledges.

Two arrangements of mixed colorful flowers were strategically placed on the dining room table, along with a beautiful arrangement of white roses in the kitchen.  A white and blue hydrangea arrangement filled a silver wine cooler that was given to the Symphony Guild in 1993 by past Ball Chairmen, in memory of Robin Lanier Stewart, who served as Ball Chairman in 1988.  Cocktail food included an assortment of beef tenderloin, marinated shrimp, fried catfish nuggets, squash fritters, asparagus, and pimento cheese, catered by Narvell.  The floral arrangements were provided by In Bloom.

The 2014 Symphony Ball advisors are as follows:

Michael Patrick Ahearn, Sr. is a managing director and founder of Twickenham Wealth Advisors. His wife is Sara Lowe Ahearn. Their children are Michael Patrick Ahearn, Jr. and Peter Alexander Ahearn.  His civic interests include the Huntsville Museum of Art.  His hobbies are golf and soccer.

Philip Wind Bentley III is the President of Bentley Automotive Group.  His wife is Samantha Hereford Bentley.  Their children Brett Bentley Maxey (Mrs. Nathaniel Vance Maxey), Philip Wind Bentley IV and Sarah Chase Bentley.  He currently serves on the Board of the Downtown Rescue Mission.  He serves on the Board of Directors of Progress Bank and is a trustee for the Alabama Automobile Dealers Association.  His hobbies include flying and hunting.

Ernest Wayne Bonner is the owner of Bonner Land & Cattle Company.  His wife is Charlene (Charlie) Puckett Bonner.  They have one child, Julie Caroline Bonner.  He serves as Chairman of the Von Braun Center Board of Control, board member of ServisFirst Bank and trustee of First Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the Madison County Cattleman’s Association and the Huntsville/Madison County Builders Association.  He has served as the past President of the Alabama Home Builders Association, as well as the Huntsville/Madison County Builder’s Association and the Alabama Angus Association. His hobbies include fishing, raising cattle and attending all University of Tennessee sporting events.

Henry Edward Crosby, Jr., is a managing director and founder of Twickenham Wealth Advisors.  His wife is Leslie Rhett Crosby.  Their children are Henry Edward Crosby III and Harriet Rhett Crosby. He is a founding member of the Hudson Alpha Professional Advisors’ Council, member of the Huntsville Committee of 100, and is a member of the Church of Nativity.  He enjoys fishing, golf and outdoor activities.

Anthony Alan Gann is the CEO/President of SouthBridge LLC.  His wife is Pamela Noller Gann.  Their children are Robert Wilson Moores, Jr., Jon Garrett Moores and Anastasia Rachel Jenette Gann. His civic interests include community support through charitable giving to the Huntsville Young Professionals, Huntsville Symphony Orchestra and Randolph School.  He is a member of The Ledges Golf Association and managing partner of Venti Properties. His professional associations include IEEE, Eta Kappa Nu, Council Member of TDK America and Council Member of Toshiba America. He has been awarded the Toshiba Sales Rep of the year, TDK Sales Rep of the year and the Xilinx Sales Rep of the year.  His hobbies are golf, guitar and Alabama football.

David Vance Lucas is the general counsel for eLab Solutions Corporation.  His wife is Michele Fisher Lucas.  Their children are Willoughby Caroline Lucas, who was presented in 2012; Fisher Vance Lucas; and Emma Michele Lucas.  His civic interests include Chairman, Huntsville Botanical Gardens Foundation; Board Member, Randolph School; and volunteer teacher, First United Methodist Church.  His professional associations include Admissions to the U. S. Supreme Court, U. S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit; U. S. Court of Appeals for the 11^th Circuit; Alabama State Bar; Texas State Bar; American Bar Association; Federal Bar Association; and Federal Circuit Bar Association.  His honors include Chair, Intellectual Property, Alabama State Bar; Bench and Bar Legal Honor Society; and J. A. Campbell Moot Court Board.  His hobbies are hunting, fishing, skiing, and technology.

Ricky Lamar Peek is the   Vice President of Bits, Inc. His wife is Barbie Patterson Peek. Their son is Griffin Patterson Peek. He is a member of the Quarterback Club and coaches both youth football and baseball.  His hobbies are hunting and fishing.

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

      The Honorable Mark Selby Russell is the President of the Huntsville City Council.  His wife is April Warren Russell.  Their children are Mary Allen Russell and Bailey Katherine Russell.  He is a member of Leadership Alabama Class 17, Leadership Huntsville/Madison County Class 9, Past Chairman Boys and Girls Club, Past Chairman Randolph School Board of Trustees, member of Huntsville Sports Commission, Huntsville Rotarian, and numerous other memberships and associations.  He was recently awarded the Boys and Girls Club of America’s National Medallion for unusually devoted service.  His hobbies include football officiating.

      James Kevin Webber is a partner with Trillanero, LLC.  His wife is Lori Britt Webber. Their children are Forrest Brannon Webber, Britt Elizabeth Webber and Noelle Grace Webber.  He is a member of the Committee of 100, the Huntsville Hospital Foundation, and is a Randolph School trustee. He serves on the BBVA Compass Bank board and is an inactive member of the Alabama Society of CPA’s. His hobbies include golf, hunting, skiing and spending time with his family.

      Jerry W. Nutt is the announcer and master of ceremonies for the 2014 Symphony Ball.  He is the Account Manager with World Wide Technologies.  His wife is Dorrie Adams Nutt. Their children are Michael Scott Nutt and David Alon Nutt.  He is a past Chairman of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Board, Huntsville Community Chorus Board and the Greater Huntsville Humane Society Board.

The Symphony Ball will be held November 1 in the Von Braun Center North Hall.  It will be the 51st Ball held to benefit to our community by supporting the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra.