Press Release For further information, call
From Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild Jennifer Lapidus, 256-520-6175
September 11, 2018

The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild’s long-standing tradition continues in 2018, as Symphony Ball Chairwoman, Debbie Washburn, named her Ball advisors for the year and hosted them at an end-of-summer social on Sunday, August 26, 2018. 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, Debbie and her Ball Committee hosted the men and their spouses at an Advisors’ Dinner party in their honor at the home of Debbie and Ben Washburn. Dinner food provided by Bruce Roy of Belle Fleur, included an outstanding menu including a Five Peppercorn Beef Tenderloin Carving station with Cocktail Croissants and Horseradish Sauce, Shrimp and Chicken Creole with Saffron Rice, Bacon wrapped Almond Dates, Roasted Rosemary Potatoes, and Prosciutto wrapped Mango. The desserts were delicious Mini Cheesecake Bites with Praline and Chocolate Sauce Toppings and Embassy Key Lime Pie.

The Symphony Ball will be held on October 27th in the Von Braun Center North hall. It will be the 55th 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.

First row…Randy Roper, Brian Scholl, George Lewis. Ben Washburn, Patrick Robbins Second row…John Wilmer, Ken Rivenbark (master of ceremonies), Norm Tew, John Johnson, Richard Clay, Carl Humphries

First row… George Lewis, Randy Roper, Brian Scholl, Debbie Washburn, Ben Washburn, Patrick Robbins 2nd row… John Wilmer, Ken Rivenbark (MoC), Norm Tew, John Johnson, Richard Clay, Carl Humphries

The 2018 Symphony Ball advisors are as follows:

Dr. Richard Lloyd Clay is a Cardiothoracic Surgeon at the Heart Center. He is married to Julie Huettel Clay. His civic interests and activities include the Huntsville Museum of Art. Professional associations are Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, Diplomate of the American Board of Thoracic Surgeons. He has been honored as the physician of the year for the American Heart Association. Richard’s hobbies are golf, travel, collecting art and he is an audiophile.

Dr. Carl Arthur Humphries, is a Doctor of Medical Dentistry who established his practice in Arab, Alabama. He is married to Luanne Shivers Humphries. Carl is a member of the American Dental Association and the Alabama Dental Association. He enjoys gardening, landscaping, fitness and traveling to his favorite destination in Key West, Florida.

Dr. John Dee Johnson, Jr. is a Neurosurgeon at SportsMED and is married to Kim Floyd Johnson. His civic interests and activities include the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Board Member 2005-2015, Auburn University College of Science and Mathematics Advisory Board and Von Braun Center Board of Control. John is a Fellow of the American Academy of Neurological Surgeons. His hobbies are family travel, hiking, biking and scuba diving.

Mr. George Edson Lewis is a Colonel, US Army retired. He is married to Anne Carns Lewis. His civic interests and activities include Rotary Club of Greater Huntsville and Burritt on the Mountain volunteer. George is a member of the Military Officers Association of America. He enjoys travel and reading.

Mr. Patrick Adair Robbins is the Director of Professional Services Revenue Cycle at Huntsville Hospital. He is married to John Christopher Wesley. Patrick’s enjoys the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra and has served on the Board of Trustees, Thrive Alabama former Board member and volunteer. His hobbies are music, reading and pottery.

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. 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.
Dr. Brian Michael Scholl is an Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon at The Orthopaedic Center. He is married to Catherine Ritter Scholl. His civic interests include being a member of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Board. Brian is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. His hobbies are fishing, hunting, reading, astronomy and computers.
Mr. Norman Edward Tew is Vice President and General Manager, Boeing Missile and Weapon Systems. He is married to Kathi Goedert Tew. His civic interests and activities include Greengate School for Dyslexia Board President, Auburn University Research Advisory Board, and Hudson Alpha Ambassador. Norm’s honors include Aviation Week’s Defense Grand Laureate Award (2015, 2018), National Space Club’s Nelson P. Jackson Award (2018), National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) Leadership Excellence (2017), Auburn University Electrical Engineering Alumni of the Year (2018), Honorable Order of Saint Barbara. Norm’s hobbies are jet skiing, coin collecting, gardening and golf.
Dr. Thomas Benton Washburn, Jr. is a Cardiothoracic Surgeon at the Heart Center. He is married to Deborah Glover Washburn. His civic interests include the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Board of Trustees. Ben’s professional associations include Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Member of Society of Thoracic Surgeons, and Diplomate of the American Board of Thoracic Surgeons. He was honored to be the American Heart Association’s Physician of the Year 2017. His hobbies include hunting, fishing, knife and firearm collecting.
Mr. John Anthony Wilmer is a Shareholder at Wilmer and Lee, P.A. He is married to Sylvia Tucker Wilmer. His civic interests include the Huntsville-Madison County Chamber of Commerce: Huntsville Regional Economic Growth Initiative (HREGI). John’s professional associations are the Alabama State Bar; Huntsville-Madison County Bar; Pennsylvania Bar Association; Huntsville Industrial Group (HIG), Executive Director, 2014 – present. His honors include Mid-South Super Lawyers, 2016; Lawyer of the Year, 2014 and 2015 in Huntsville and Madison County; Best Lawyers in America, 2007 – present; Alabama Super Lawyers, 2010 – present; AV rated for Preeminent Lawyers, 36 continuous years. John and Sylvia enjoy traveling.
Master of Ceremonies: Dr. Kenneth Ray Rivenbark is owner of Rivenbark & Roper Antiques. Ken is a 20-year veteran educator who has served as a national education consultant with an emphasis on training educators in the teaching of writing and was listed in “Who’s Who Among Top Teachers“ in 1998, 2005 and 2007. In 2006, he authored “Poetry and Prose Prompts: A Quick Guide to Teaching Writing Style.” He created and hosted the cable television show “Southern Heirlooms with Ken Rivenbark” from 2014-2017. Ken is a graduate of Leadership Huntsville/Madison County, Class 22. He serves as an Ambassador for Hudson Alpha Institute for Biotechnology and a member of Downtown Huntsville, Incorporated. Ken has served on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Governor’s Mansion in Montgomery, the Huntsville/Madison County Library Foundation Board of Directors, and the Advisory Board of the Greater Huntsville Humane Society, the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Board of Trustees and the Huntsville Museum of Art Foundation Board of Directors. Ken is a member of Church of the Nativity in Huntsville.