Black Tie Dinner announces leadership changes

by PegNews wire

DALLAS — Black Tie Dinner, Inc. announced on December 19 the unanimous election of Randy Ray as the 2007-2008 co-chair, four board officers, eight new board members, three new advisory board members and the appointment of committee chairs. Co-chairs Deiadra Burns and Randy Ray also announced the selection of Margaret ‘Maggie’ McQuown as Black Tie’s Development Director.

Ray, a corporate securities attorney and partner with Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP, replaces 2005-2006 co-chair Tom Phipps who will assume the treasurer’s role for 2007. A graduate of Southern Methodist University’s School of Law, he has more than 15 years experience volunteering and serving in a variety of roles in several nonprofit organizations including The Dallas Assembly, Leadership Dallas, Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, Turtle Creek Chorale and Uplift Education.

“I attended my first Black Tie Dinner in 1989 and have been inspired and humbled by the devotion and professionalism exhibited by the members of the Black Tie Dinner board to make the dinner a reality,” stated Randy Ray. “It has been an honor and privilege to serve on the Black Tie Dinner board for the past three years and I’m excited about the opportunity to work hand-in-hand with co-chair Deiadra Burns and this year’s board of directors.”

“The board of directors and I are eager to work with Randy in his new role as co-chair and with Maggie McQuown, our new Development Director,” said Deiadra Burns, co-chair. “Maggie has incredible experience, skills and passion to help Black Tie Dinner increase its fundraising efforts and sponsorships. She is a dedicated and effective advocate for equality of gays and lesbians and a strong, persuasive fundraiser. Randy, the board of directors and Maggie make an incredible team and I’m proud to be working with them.”

McQuown will transition into her new role while working with Black Tie’s current Development Director Sheila Bryant, who is leaving to pursue job opportunities in the business sector. Selected from 35 applicants, McQuown has more than 30 years experience as an entrepreneur, business manager and senior marketing strategist with a variety of businesses from Fortune 100 to startup companies and more than 20 years leadership in the nonprofit sector. Nine years ago, she founded VisibleEDGE RESOURCES, a marketing and brand positioning company and has worked on national customer retention and marketing campaigns with Allstate Insurance, American Express, AT&T, BellSouth, Delta Airlines, Hershey’s Foods, McDonald’s NASCAR Race Team and Walt Disney World. A graduate of Iowa State University, McQuown has served as president, treasurer and board member on various local nonprofit organizations including Central Congregational Church Mission Board, where she initiated support of AIDS service organizations, Bryan’s House, North Dallas Shared Ministries, Fashion Group International, which supports DIFFA, and Association of Image Consultants International.

“My goal is to apply the various skills that I’ve developed through my corporate and entrepreneurial work in the nonprofit arena to support a vitally important and worthy cause—one that I believe strongly in—diversity and equal rights for gays and lesbians,” said McQuown. “I have extensive experience in volunteer leadership positions across a range of nonprofit organizations, especially professional associations and human rights-driven causes. I am eager to join the Black Tie Dinner team as we embark on the next 25 years of success.”

Black Tie Dinner leadership also announced the election of new officers, new advisory board members and new incoming board members, reelection of board members to an additional term and the appointment of 2007 committee chairs. The 2007 officers are:

Board members reelected to an additional term include Reed Bogle, Laurie Foley, Michael Irwin, Chris Luna, TJ Wilson and Philip Wier who returned to the active board from advisory board. Current board members elected to serve on the advisory board are J’aime Joiner, John Shore and Susan Spalter. Bill Justice also was reelected to continue his service on the advisory board.

The 2007-2008 newly elected board members are

The 2007 committee chair appointments are: