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DJ and Kella Farris, John and Erica Groce, Neil and Kristin Pratt
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Dee Dee Wade, Irwin Fisher, Mary Wade, Marees Choppin, Pam Koban
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Pam Koban, Ken and Susan Whitaker
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Elizabeth Papel, Beth Hussey, Cindy Lassing, Debi Taylor Tate
On Saturday, September 30, Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage came alive with music, glamour, and philanthropy for the annual Hermitage Gala.
The event was hosted in a tented outdoor ballroom at the National Historic Landmark property for the first time. Attended by more than 400 guests, the black-tie soiree raised more than $500,000 for the Andrew Jackson Foundation.
The attendees were treated to a performance by award-winning, country singer and songwriter Phil Vassar, plus a surprise appearance by Grammy-winning performer Phillip Sweet of Little Big Town. Live and silent auctions featured a variety of art, fashion, jewelry, giftware and wine packages, along with luxury travel and dining experiences including dinner for ten on The Hermitage porch, a Mediterranean cruise and trips to Egypt, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and Washington D.C.
We got the scoop on the five board members who joined together to imagine this year's gala:
Mary Wade was asked to serve as the honorary chair and she has a long association with The Hermitage. Tulip Grove Mansion, located across the street from The Hermitage, was built for Rachel Donelson, Jackson’s nephew and Andrew Jackson’s private secretary, Andrew Jackson Donelson. In the 1950s and 60s, it was the home of Mary Wade’s aunt, Willie D. Johnson Buntin, and uncle, Horatio Berry Buntin and she spent many wonderful weekends there. Wade has served as Regent of The Andrew Jackson Foundation (formerly the Ladies’ Hermitage Association) and continues to be greatly involved. Wade's daughter, DeeDee Wade, is a Nashville native and history enthusiast, and grew up with a great aunt and mother who both served as Regents of the Ladies’ Hermitage Association. She is a current regent for the Andrew Jackson Foundation and also worked with The Hermitage to establish The Young Jacksonian Society. She is a graduate of The University of the South where she majored in history.
DeeDee Wade served as one of four chairs of the Hermitage Gala.
Irwin Fisher is currently Vice Regent of the Andrew Jackson Foundation and has served on the boards of Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, YWCA, Women’s Fund, Les Dames d’Escoffier International, and the General James Robertson Chapter. Irwin is a strong proponent of working with the not-for-profit community. Having worked in the hotel business for almost 40 years with Hyatt and Loews Hotels, she is very familiar with the needs of local agencies.
Marees Choppin graduated from Vanderbilt with a BA degree in Spanish and an MLAS degree, and currently serves as a board member and Treasurer of the Andrew Jackson Foundation, is a former Regent of the General James Robertson Chapter DAR and former Treasurer of Travelers Rest, and past Treasurer of the Centennial Club.
Pam Koban, a Colorado native who grew up in Memphis, currently serves as the secretary for the Andrew Jackson Foundation. She graduated from the University of Tennessee with a BA in psychology and holds a Master’s Degree in management and labor relations. She is a member of the Board of Trustees at Montgomery Bell Academy and was named to Governor Lee’s Task Force on the Future of Work.