The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild’s long-standing tradition continues in 2019, as Symphony Ball Chairwoman, Rosemary Latham, named her Ball advisors for the year and hosted them at an end-of-summer social on Sunday, August 18, 2019. 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, Rosemary and her Ball Committee hosted the men and their spouses at an Advisors’ Cocktail Party in their honor at the home of Pam and Tony Gann. Dinner food was provided by Ina Rosa of Chef on Call and included an outstanding menu including Beef Teres Major; Shrimp & Kielbasa; Bacon Wrapped Chicken bites; Deviled eggs; Brie on Crostini; Gourmet Potatoes and Bayou Caviar. The desserts were delicious fudge and lemon tarts and chocolate eclairs.
The Symphony Ball will be held on November 2ndin the Von Braun Center North hall. It will be the 56thBall 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.
The 2019 Symphony Ball advisors are as follows:
Dr. Robert Beaumont Akenhead is a Radiologist with Radiology of Huntsville. He is married to Linda Casselman Akenhead. His civic interests and activities include the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra, the Huntsville Museum of Art, and First United Methodist Church. His professional associations include the American College of Radiology and the American College of Physicians. Rob’s hobbies include travel, photography and reading.
Mr. John Wheeler Allen is a Financial Advisor with Morgan Stanley. He is married to Courtney Penney Allen. His civic interests and activities include the Huntsville Museum of Art Development Board as Finance Chair, Leadership Huntsville Connect Class 7, Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Board of Trustees, Youth Basketball Coach, member of The Ledges, Mission Hills Country Club, and Sweetens Golf Club Golf Course Rater for Golfweek Magazine. His professional associations include the Alabama State Bar. John’s hobbies include reading, golf, travel, and anything his daughter Harper is interested in.
Dr. Kent Travis Chojnacki is manager of WASA/MSFC. Kent’s is married to Lara Isbell Chojnacki. His civic interests and activities include the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra. His professional associations include the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Kent’s hobbies include cooking and wine related pursuits.
The Honorable Loyd Hinton Little, junior is a retired Circuit Judge. He is married to Margaret Pugh Little. His civic interests and activities include Vice Chair, Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Association Board of Trustees; Past President, Huntsville Rotary Club; Past President, Huntsville Madison County Bar Association; Former Member of Alabama Pattern Jury Instructions Committee; Faculty Member, Managing the Capital Case in Alabama (2008); Presiding Judge, Madison County, AL (2003-2006). His professional associations include the Alabama Bar Association, the Huntsville Madison County Bar Association, and the American Bar Association. Buddy’s hobbies include golf, reading, and travel.
Mr. William R. Lunsford is a Shareholder with Maynard, Cooper, and Gale, P.C. He is married to Ingrid Beech Lunsford. Bill’s civic interests and activities include Chairman, For Life Ministries and Leadership Huntsville Connect Class 1. His professional associations include the Alabama State Bar (Leadership Forum Graduation) and Vice President, Alabama Construction Industry Section. His honors include 2018, 2019 named to “The Best Lawyers in America” and Stancil R. Starnes Award for excellence in trial advocacy. His hobbies include golf and fishing.
Mr. Lewis Cecil Price is President of Pearce Construction Company Inc. He is married to Kathryn Wiley Price. His civic interests and activities include the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra and the Huntsville Museum of Art (past Foundation Board Member). His professional associations include the Alabama Contractors Association, Business Council of Alabama, Huntsville Committee of 100, Downtown Huntsville Inc., and Executive Board Member, Greater Alabama Council, Boy Scouts of America. His hobbies include wilderness canoe camping, hunting and fishing.
Mr. Christopher S. Rodgers is Shareholder in Lanier Ford Shaver and Payne. He is married to Kimberly Porter Rodgers. Chris’s professional associations include Madison County Bar Association and Alabama Bar Association. His hobbies include hunting, fishing and Alabama football.
Mr. Robert Vandiver Rodgers is Partner with Ables, Baxter and Parker. Robert is married to Emily Chase Rodgers. His civic interests and activities include North Alabama Childcare Management and Church of the Nativity. His professional associations include the Huntsville/Madison County Bar Association. Robert’s hobbies include canoeing, reading new fiction, and history.
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 1stAmerican Diabetes Association Roast and a recipient of the Nell Oliver Award, Huntsville Museum of Art.
Mr. David Wade Skidmore is a Commercial Real Estate Appraiser, Attorney, and farmer. David is married to Janet Waites Skidmore. He is a member of Southwood Presbyterian Church and a Board of Trustees member of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra. David’s hobbies include spending time with family and faith-based philanthropy.
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.